Windows Live Onecare, the new anti-virus program from Microsoft, was the only program to fail a recent independent test of anti-virus products.

The test by AV Comparatives put 17 security programs through their paces, with 14 of those attaining an 'advanced pass' or better, and two being rated 'standard'. The only one to fail was Onecare, which picked up only 83 per cent of the viruses it was supposed to detect.

The program, which has been in testing during 2006, is Microsoft's first anti-virus program. AV Comparatives conducts tests on leading security software every three months. A spokesman for the Austrian company said: "Microsoft Onecare performed very low in the test."

In response, a Microsoft spokesman told the BBC: "We are looking closely at the methodology and results of the test to ensure that Windows Live Onecare performs better in future tests."