360 Safeguard uses the proprietary 360 CloudScan, QVMII AI, QEX and Kunpeng engines,[2] while 360 Total Security offers the option of using Avira and Bitdefender engines in addition to the proprietary scanning tools.[3]
In 2010, 360 Safeguard analyzed the QQ protocol and accused QQ of automatically scanning users' computers and of uploading their personal information to QQ's servers without users' consent. In response, Tencent called 360 itself malware and denied users with 360 installed access to some QQ services.[4] The Chinese Ministry of Industry and Information reprimanded both companies for "improper competition" and ordered them to come to an accord.[5]
Dispute with testing bodies
On 30 April 2015, the three independent security testing bodies AV-Comparatives, AV-TEST and Virus Bulletin published a joint press release criticizing Qihoo 360 after they found that Qihoo 360 had submitted products for comparative which behaved significantly different from end user products. The products for comparative used an engine by Bitdefender, while the end user products use Qihoo 360's own QVM engine instead. The testing bodies claimed that the end user products would provide a considerably lower level of protection and a higher likelihood of false positives. As a consequence, the three testing bodies revoked all certifications and rankings from earlier that year.[6]
Qihoo 360 denied cheating allegations claiming that the QVM engine developed by Qihoo 360 would be more effective in China.[7]
