BitDefender Antivirus is the flagship product of the Bit Defender brand designed to protect average home computer users from typical software threats. Its latest version, Bit Defender Antivirus 2009, promises several improvements from its predecessor. Some of those new features include instant message encryption and a new Laptop Mode option that helps stretch out the battery life of a mobile machine. The latest version of Bit Defender Antivirus also boasts of extensive network protection features to complement the product’s three-at-a-time pricing plan. With the new program, users should be able to manage most security measures for a home network, as well as administer maintenance tasks on another computer remotely.

Gamers and heavy computer users will appreciate the improved load management of Bit Defender Antivirus 2009. The program refrains from asking user input during game play or heavy computer usage, while it’s designed to use as few system resources as possible, especially when idle. Meant to run on as little as 800 MHz of processor power, it’s a very lightweight and inconspicuous antivirus program. All this is delivered on top of the established Bit Defender Antivirus formula of round-the-clock virus definition updating and real-time scanning of all files, emails and instant messages. And should the program fail, the update component automatically repairs damaged parts. It’s a program that’s very effective without sacrificing efficiency.

Price: 24.95$
Site: http://www.bitdefender.com

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Geekbox

Taking a break from Mumbuntu blog posts. I mentioned this on the latest epsiode of the Ubuntu Podcast that we released yesterday. I see Fab from Linux Outlaws has blogged about his geekbox. I have this tin box. The contents are very useful to me. Contents:- 32GB USB stick 3G Dongle – with 4GB Micro [...]

Made popular by its free online virus scanning application, Trend Micro is also the developer of Trend Micro Antivirus + AntiSpyware. The package combines all the critical elements of security software under a user interface that is graphics-intensive and very straightforward to use. Customization and adherence to user preferences is one of this program’s strengths. Users can specify their desired frequency of security alerts, and are able to schedule regular full system scans that run automatically. Potentially sensitive user information like cookies and browser information are also managed automatically by Trend Micro Antivirus + AntiSpyware to minimize risks.

With respect to automated functions that need no input from users, Trend Micro Antivirus + AntiSpyware is also a strong contender. The program does periodic and real-time scans of files, emails and instant messages to ensure that no threats are able to come in. And should malicious software make it through that first line of defense, Trend Micro Antivirus + AntiSpyware prevents them from making any changes in applications that are critical for system functions. Unknown or potential threats are quarantined, but do not stay unidentified for long because the program is continuously updated with data and virus definitions gathered from all corners of the globe.

Price: $39.95
Site: http://us.trendmicro.com/

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Trend Micro and the Future of Software-as-a-Service Security: Expanding Optimized Platforms for SMBs
Cupertino, California (PRESS RELEASE – June 25, 2010) — Trend Micro laid out today its long-term vision for bringing “SaaS that Fits” security solutions to small and medium businesses, enterprises, and xSPs. As part of its strategy, Trend Micro will be increasing infrastructure investments in and further developing its historically-successful SaaS portfolio into three platforms [...]

Norton, one of the largest computer security companies in the world, has Norton Antivirus as its most popular and well-known product. With over a decade of research and development behind it, Norton Antivirus 2009 is one of the most effective and efficient antivirus application options available on the market. The newest version solves performance issues observed in its predecessors, resulting in an install time as short as 47 seconds, scanning time of as brief as 32 seconds and system memory usage as low as 5MB. Scan efficiency is improved with integrated technologies like Norton Insight, which flags user-specified programs as ’safe’ and therefore bypasses them for scans.

Norton Antivirus uses an approach with multiple layers of analysis and protection to better detect disguised threats and provide more comprehensive protection. The program is capable of detecting a wide range of malicious programs ranging from Trojans to worms to root kits, all of which tend to run unnoticed by the average user. Although the program already employs regular virus definition updating every 15 minutes, it also uses SONAR technology to identify even those threats that are yet to be identified and given a definition. And even if a malicious program were able to get past all of the security fences, Norton Antivirus has a lock down feature that prevents any changes to system critical software.

Price: 39.99$
Site: http://www.symantec.com/norton/antivirus

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Internet Explorer Problems Accessing Blogs
I’m having a strange software problem tonight. When I tried to open several blogs, including Volokh, Instapundit, and Althouse, I got an error message that Internet Explorer was unable to load the page. When I tried loading the same pages from caches after Google searches, most of these wouldn’t load either. Strangely, I was able to visit many other sites on the internet, including new ones I had never visited before.

The latest incarnation of McAfee Virus Scan, McAfee Virus Scan Plus, makes it easy for everyone – from the novice to the expert – to ensure their computer’s safety, especially on the Internet. McAfee’s traditional approach to virus detection and threat neutralization is bolstered by the new Active Protection technology integrated into Virus Scan Plus. This technology gives additional analysis and makes immediate threat detection possible – even while a traditional virus definition is still unavailable. And because Virus Scan Plus continuously updates its virus databases in the background, no threat or malware stays unknown for very long.

McAfee Virus Scan Plus was designed to fit into the average user’s daily routine. There’s the integrated McAfee Site Advisor technology that warns Internet surfers of potentially harmful or tainted websites. Site Advisor UNIQUE! Also gives users advanced warning of each site’s safety and security level with small graphic indicators. Integrated Quick Clean technology automatically gets rid of old and superfluous files that take up space on users’ hard drives – or could be malware lying in wait. McAfee Virus Scan Plus goes into the background when users are using the computer, especially when full-screen programs like games are being run. Scans and other tasks are done as unobtrusively as possible; scans, for example, are activated when the computer goes into idle mode or has its screensaver running.

Price: £38.99
Site: http://home.mcafee.com

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McAfee Internet Security for Mac Doesn’t Support Safari
You’d think if you were going to make the attempt to sell Mac users a security product they didn’t want in the first place, you’d at least support their web browser of choice. Seriously McAfee? I might be a little rash, but I’m not wasting a gig of memory and 150 MB of hard drive [...]

McAfee Offers Free Anti-Malware Software to SK Telecom’s Android Phones

McAfee, Inc. has announced that they are providing McAfee VirusScan Mobile to Android users of Korea’s SK Telecom. The anti-malware solution is designed to secure Android-based handsets in the same manner that McAfee does for desktops. Further, the app secures personal information, offers automatic updates, and prodivdes real-time scanning. McAfee VirusScan Mobile is available as [...]

Removing McAfee Anti-Virus From Your Computer
A lot of brand new computers and laptops come with pre-installed anti-virus programs such as Norton and McAfee anti-virus software. Unfortunately for some of us who like and enjoy using freebies, [...]

F-Secure Anti-Virus is one of the more popular anti-virus programs available on the market today. It features an easy-setup installation package that gives users access to its heavily graphical interface. Under the hood is a thorough scan engine that works on several threat levels to give all-around security. Everything from Trojans to root kits can be detected and resolved by F-Secure Anti-Virus. And because updates are sent every two hours, time lapse vulnerabilities are near zero with this program.

Key to the success of the F-Secure Anti-Virus program is the company’s proprietary Deep Guard technology that combines the cloud computing trend with anti-virus functions to give better security to users all over the world. As soon as a threat is detected in any computer connected to the cloud – wherever it might be on the planet – information about the threat is stored and maintained. Whenever dubious programs want to ask for access on a machine with F-Secure Anti-Virus installed, the program inquires with the cloud regarding the safety of the requesting program. No threat can thus go undetected for long. The 60-second response time of the cloud computing used by Deep Guard complements the continuous bi-hourly updating of the F-Secure Anti-Virus program.

Price: € 65,90
Site: http://www.f-secure.com

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F-Secure with Anti-Theft Feature Released

Phone thefts are something common and with the rising number, people are getting wary of carrying out high-end mobile phones as well as the data contained. Today, most phones today are used by people and professionals as far as storing confidential data. In fact, you may say that these are equally important like the actual phone itself.

With over 80 million users around the world and company offices throughout the United States, United Kingdom and Europe, AVG Technology’s AVG Anti-Virus is one of the most well-known and trusted security brand in the Western Hemisphere. The company’s AVG Anti-Virus Free software has gained much worldwide popularity as a cheap yet effective anti-virus package. The Free version already gives users comprehensive anti-virus and anti-Spyware features. Link Scanner technology is also included in the free version to give users real-time warnings and alerts about potentially harmful websites. Extra functionality may be downloaded by upgrading to either of the two paid versions, AVG Anti-Virus Pro or AVG Internet Security.

AVG Anti-Virus Pro adds Web Shield and Anti-Root kit features to the standard Anti-Virus Free package. They respectively scan newly downloaded files and instant messages to detect threats as well as actively protect against root kits, which disguise when a system is compromised. AVG Internet Security adds even more with Identity Protection and Anti-Spam to help keep users’ sensitive data secure. A Firewall feature is also available on AVG Internet Security to help prevent Internet-borne malware and Spyware from entering a user’s machine. Round-the-clock customer support anywhere around the globe is available for either paid version of AVG Anti-Virus as well.

Price: Free
Site: http://free.avg.com/

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Opera 10.60 Released, Includes Built-in AVG Malware Protection

Opera Software today released Opera 10.60. The latest version of the speedy browser offers improved support for HTML5 (including offline apps and geolocation) and royalty-free WebM video. One feature that wasn’t included in either the beta or the release candidate is new built-in malware protection.

AVG LinkScanner Adds Real-time Protection to Your Browsing
We have covered our share of tips and tricks to help keep your system safe, secure and malware-free. Sam has written a couple of times about one of my favorite tools, the excellent Malware Bytes product, which does a tremendous job of cleaning up after a spyware or scareware infection. But wouldn’t it be great to prevent this sort of thing before it happens?