Perhaps the leading software companies of Kaspersky and AVG have finally gotten sick of being ripped off. If you will notice today, they have tightened their main flagship carrier, the virus definition updates and unless you have a truly certified copy, you will be blocked from enjoying the actual usefulness of the software for full-protection against viruses and Trojans online.

Apparently, some online users have used other mediums to be able to download and wisely crack full versions of anti-virus software. But while the program is easily downloadable, unless you have proper virus definitions, you are not really that protected. In fact, they are just additions to your system to which you may eventually be better off without them due to the load that they carry.

Download agents like file-sharing online has become a good source for most. Torrents are famous for this but this includes being susceptible to malware and Trojans, files familiar if you are fond of getting them free. These said files come complete with cracks and serial code generators, initially making users believe that they saved a lot of money from the official and licensed versions.

But today, you may see that certain updates are monitored and while you may have more than one serial for full version capability, you will be eventually blocked by their network, showing you that your serial has been blacklisted and place you in the trial version state.

Anti-virus protection is important. But to get supreme protection, you have to pay for it. So if you want to worry free protection, it would be best to get the licensed version. Say goodbye to the freebies and of course the Trojans.

Tags: anti-virus, security, software, updates, virus definition files

Categories: IT Security Basics, Network Security, Spyware

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One of the common problems that PC owners have these days is finding out that they have a virus residing in their PC. Don’t be comforted by the fact that you have an anti-virus software running. Viruses will always find a way. Also, if you do have one, are you sure it is licensed?

Apparently, most people fail to realize the value of a good anti-virus software when it comes enabled with all the features included. Some are fine with the trial version as long as they are protected. At least that is what they think. But the real value of a good anti-virus software comes out when you get the full version that comes with the actual cleaning tool when you get one officially.

For most trial versions, you may be surprised to note that once they are able to detect a certain virus, you can only discover them but not clean them. If you do try to clean them, it will tell you to get the full version at a certain price of course.

There are some software that clean certain viruses but these are mostly low in threat. But the graver ones are the issues you have to content with. If you really want a fully protected PC, chances are you better consider an investment that can really protect you from such virus issues, most of which can really hurt you as far as computer files and documents are concerned.

Tags: anti-virus, freeware, protection, software, trialware

Categories: IT Security Basics, Operating Systems

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Viruses may seem to be the tiniest and easiest prey to figure out with the right software but as far as catching them as guinea pigs and advanced study has to be the developer’s nightmare since they are not easy to catch. Further, if they are not properly isolated and understood, one false move may result into something entirely dangerous for the computer and even the network should that certain computer be connected to a local or wide area network.

We tip our hats of to the anti-virus developers. Without a doubt, they work hard and provide updates as often as possible so that these viruses can be easily understood. Also, preventive measures in order to avoid them from creating problems such as becoming gateways for outside hackers or perhaps even becoming a threat towards system resources are just a few of the mischief that they cause.

Apparently such is the story of such people who have long and toiled to help protect us from potential risks by these viruses. But if you could understand in full on how they deal with these things, then perhaps you may find it harder than the standard animal hunting that we all know of.

Anti-virus companies play a losing game. Casting their nets wide, they catch common, malicious viruses and worms (known to the industry as “malware”), but it may take days before their software updates can prepare your computer for the next attack. By then it could be too late. And some insidious programs prove immune to anti-virus software, residing inside your computer for months or even years, collecting personal information and business secrets.

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Tags: anti-virus, Malware, protection, research

Categories: Malware, Network Security, News, Real-World Issues, Spyware

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If you have had problems with viruses and malware, one thing you will notice these days that some of them still manage to get through your anti-virus barriers. Just when you though that your PC is already fully protected, you will notice at some point some abnormal behavior such as blue screens or sudden shutdowns occurring.

At this point, many would attribute it to hardware or faulty software. But if you have the chance, do some research or access online scanning services from leading anti-virus software companies. Scan all your hard drives and leave it for a couple of hours. For sure you will be surprised at the various viruses present in your computer and immediately check if you can update the virus definition files to keep your software up to date.

While that would be a good recourse, chances are the viruses will still not be detected. One thing about software manufacturers in the anti-virus category, most of them differ in terms of identifying security risks and viruses that make their way into your computer. Whether they come from careless opening files from storage devices or from online access using your browser, there will always be files that will get through.

If there is one consolation from it all is that not all files are dangerous. Some of them may be cookies or adware and would normally be categorized. This is what separates software these days. They have their own level of threats to which some may be exaggerated.

Tags: adware, anti-virus, cookies, Malware, Spyware

Categories: IT Security Basics, Malware, Operating Systems, Spyware

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The admittance by an executive from within the industry was sure to happen and doing so may have given more importance on how you implement online security at home and in the office for knowing you are never always protected is the norm of the internet. There is no one software or provider that can promise total protection whatever the case and you are always infected with one form or the other how ever expensive the anti-virus software you have installed on your computer system. The industry is also in a dilemma of how best to present information on the ones that got away and caused mayhem before they caught it and issued a cure. You only hear of the ones they get and not the other way round, why, it’s bad for business. Getting your clients to know that they are not the total solution might get them thinking that if that’s the case, why spend hundreds if not thousands of dollars a year for something that may be effective? There are even instances that these programs that are designed to protect us from viruses and malware being infected and doing the dirty work themselves.
All the hype about technology and new software development tools also mean nothing for the very people who does the programming for these anti-virus programs also have the ability to use it for no good. The reality of using the net is to accept the fact that every click may be your last and that is the gauntlet you walk each and every day as you surf, download and do whatever you wish over the internet. True that it has allowed us more freedom and information but it also opened up the world to these scoundrels who are up to no good.

Tags: anti-virus, anti-virus-software, hackers, Malware, Software development

Categories: General, IT Security Basics, Malware, Network Security, Privacy & Anonymity, Programming, Real-World Issues, Security Policies, Spyware

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The Anti-Virus industry has been rendered ineffective for quite sometime and this came into attention only with one industry expert speaking out of the crowd to say so “AS IS”. We have all been under the impression that the security of our PC’s, Laptops and other computers has been quite effective and robust with online active updates that allows them to deal with evolving threats. The problem is as the discussion states, how do you deal with today’s millions upon millions of viruses and other forms of threats without super-computing status? You can’t, that is the reality we have to face that there is no one solution to the problem and that it is going to stay that way.
Anti-virus software engineers do their jobs round the clock to prevent these malware form doing the most harm on the millions if not billions of computers around the world that connects to the internet daily. As one sector of the globe goes to sleep, another wakes up to a new day of infections and threats that is exaggerated more by the constant online status of some pc’s meaning they are always connected whatever time of day it is. Imagine scanning through a database that can give you the ability to determine a virus among the millions of known types, variants and mutations (even with a super-computer it takes time) every time you download a file or click on an internet link, that would be unfathomable. The best these guys can do and hope for is that they (the many anti-virus vendors) get to the problem early on when the virus or malware is still propagating when they can still reverse engineer it, then issue the proper identifiers along with the removal instructions that they send out to their respective clients hoping they are still not infected and spreading the virus themselves.
If they already are infected, it takes more time to formulate an approach on how to remove the problem form the computer system leaving it untouched and without the threat. This is almost next to impossible for any seasoned PC user knows that anything that is installed stays installed (even fragments of files and other programs) long after the known un-install procedure has been done. The only sure way to clear an infected system would be to re-format the hard drive and then re-install the whole myriad of software and drivers that came out with the PC (most of them are lost during the years necessitating an online search from manufacturer sites and other help sites which may also be infected), losing them is suicide for a PC without proper drivers is like a car without brakes that constantly breaks down and has to try to get itself to run to a level of its former self.

Tags: anti-virus, Malware, Software development, viruses

Categories: General, IT Security Basics, Malware, Network Security, News, Operating Systems, Privacy & Anonymity, Real-World Issues, Security Policies, Spyware, Tips

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Everybody loves free stuff on the web but once in a while, well, most of the time that is, we get duped for something that describes itself to be a free virus/malware removal tool ending up with more malware and viruses. These scams are all over the internet with many still falling for their lure of being what else, FREE.

These tools have flooded the internet and even with common knowledge that it is best to trust only programs and offers from reputable brands, many still fall victim. They can either be anti-virus or malware removal tools that are being offered as swift response to remove them from your computer system.

Big names in the Anti-virus and Malware removal development industry have known about this and they even advice that one not to trust programs even from them that are not from their own secure sites. Though they produce some of the most sophisticated virus removal and repair software but who knows what can be done if a hidden script was run while downloading their programs from unauthorized sites. McAfee, Symantec, Kaspersky are some of the most successful developers of such software that have stood the test of time. Even they are finding it hard to remove and repair the damage done by such malicious code due to the many forms and strains they are taking.

Sites that offer them without the authorization of the developer can include malicious code within the download causing more damage than you started with. For someone who depends totally on a computer system, it would be best to subscribe or purchase a virus/malware protection software which are now evolving into security systems that are customized based on a user’s needs. One can purchase them out of the box at computer retail stores or order and download them straight from their secure sites once subscriptions are done. Old software is available for renewal or discounted for re-purchase of newer versions which gives you the latest protection available based on their development. Updates are usually done online and can be done automatically is configured to do so. So to best protect yourself from identity theft, Intrusion, virus damage and malware damage install one right away for if you remain open to attack no one knows what could happen.

[tags]Computer Viruses, malware, Free Tools[/tags]

Tags: anti-virus, Malware-removal, Malware-Scams, Security-Software, Tools

Categories: Cryptography, General, IT Security Basics, Malware, Network Security, Operating Systems, Physical Security, Privacy & Anonymity, Real-World Issues, Security Policies, Spyware

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With the vast number of viruses and spyware that most people contract in their everyday exposure to the web, the need for consistent and reliable anti-virus protection software is the foremost concern of most people. To date, the awareness for such deceiving acts done over the Internet without the user even noticing it is rampant. Such viruses have caused discomfort and havoc in more cases than one and it has been the battle cry of most security software developers to adhere and answer such miscues that usually occur everyday.

[tags]malware, spyware, virus, security, anti-virus[/tags]
Network and workstation security has always been the subject of most people, especially the vulnerability that most computer stations are prone to. Updates and patches are usually the way to update reliable anti-virus software partners, but in most cases, there will always be a loophole to which hackers and advanced technology harassers would be able to come up with. Hence the needs to find a reliable software partner that can truly protect a workstation from such harmful intrusions evolve and change in time. It is just a matter of being up to date with regards to their reliability and efficiency in providing a safe surfing and exposure level once they are logged on to the World Wide Web.

Tags: anti-virus, IT Security Basics, Malware, Network Security, Programming, Real-World Issues, security, Security Policies, Spyware, virus

Categories: IT Security Basics, Malware, Network Security, Programming, Real-World Issues, Security Policies, Spyware

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