Security Vendors Challenge Antivirus Tests

Security Vendors Challenge Antivirus Tests

Antivirus software is frequently tested for performance, so picking a top product should be straightforward: Select the number-one vendor whose software kills off all of the evil things circulating on the Internet. You're good to go then, right? Not necessarily.

The increasing complexity of security software is causing vendors to gripe that current evaluations do not adequately test other technologies in the products designed to protect machines.

Relations between vendors and testing organizations are generally cordial but occasionally tense when a product fails a test. Representatives in both camps agree that the testing regimes need to be overhauled to give consumers a more accurate view of how different products compare.

"I don't think anyone believes the tests as they are run now... are an accurate reflection of how one product relates to the other," said Mark Kennedy, an antivirus engineer with Symantec Corp.

Representatives of Symantec, F-Secure Corp. and Panda Software SA agreed last month at the International Antivirus Testing Workshop in Reykjavik, Iceland, to design a new testing plan that would better reflect the capabilities of competing products. They hope all security vendors will agree on a new test that can be applied industrywide, Kennedy said.

A preliminary plan should be drawn up by September, Kennedy said.

One of the most common tests involves running a set of malicious software samples through a product's antivirus engine. The antivirus engine contains indicators, called signatures, that enable it to identify harmful software.

But antivirus products have changed over the last couple years, and "now many products have other ways of detecting and blocking malware," said Toralv Dirron, security lead system engineer for McAfee Inc.

Signature-based detection is important, but an explosion in the number of unique malicious software programs created by hackers is threatening its effectiveness. As a result, vendors have added overlapping defenses to catch malware.

Vendors are employing behavioral detection technology, which may identify a malicious program if it undertakes a suspicious action on a machine. A user may unwittingly download a malicious software program that is not detected through signatures. But if the program starts sending spam, the activity can be identified and halted.

Read more on Yahoo News

Malware, scams and identity theft protection tips

Tips for protecting against malware, scams and identity theft

• Don't add friends you don't actually know when using social networking sites. Often the "free" code available in social networking sites, such as MySpace and Facebook is spyware and will track your activity or even display unwanted ads.
  
• Do not give out personal information on your social networking site profile, such as your address, telephone number, work address or telephone number, or the name and location of your school.
  
• Never get together with someone you "meet" on a website, they may not be who they say they are. If for some reason you still choose to meet the person, they should discuss it with their parents first, and arrange the meeting in a public place and bring some friends.
  
• Don't shop online while using an unencrypted or open wireless network. Hackers and thieves can use your open/unencrypted or a store's wireless network to break into your computer and capture your financial information.
  
• Secure your computer with latest security software and updates. Before connecting to the Internet, take the following three core precautions: 1) Install anti-virus and anti-spyware programs and keep them up to date; 2) Install a firewall; 3) Regularly update operating software.
  
• Don't give away your financial information to unsecured websites. Make sure when providing payment information, the beginning of the Web site URL address changes from http to https, indicating that the purchase is encrypted or secured.
  
• Protect personal information with common sense and technology. Be suspicious if someone unexpectedly asks for personal information. Identity thieves send out bogus emails about problems with consumers' accounts to lure them into divulging personal information. Consider using multi-factor authentication services when offered by online retailers as a way to secure your information.
  
• Confirm email correspondences from your financial institution directly. If you receive an email from your bank or other institution that you are unsure of, simply call the bank directly to confirm they need the information requested. Don't just reply with the information without checking first.
  
• If you are not familiar with the seller or the web site, do some research. You can contact the Better Business Bureau in the state where the company is located (by telephone or at bbb.com), and investigate the number and nature of complaints against the seller. Sometimes, a basic Internet search will reveal an actual chat room or web site (commonly called "gripe-sites") on which civic-minded fellow consumers have posted complaints warning of a company's practices.

by CyberDefender

Free Antispyware downloads - Warning Signs

Free Antispyware Download - Caution before Download

We all know getting rid of spywares is a pain in the neck. What even if our antispyware is a big nasty spyware inside? There are plenty of free antispyware programs offered for download, But are they worth it?

Though internet is a revolution in the present world, it has its own disadvantages. The security and privacy are at stake. The Internet is a dangerous place full of privacy invaders, scammers, and hackers availaing full advantage of your internet activities. You need to take certain preventive measures to avoid these threats. Spyware may get installed via certain shareware programs offered for download. Downloading programs only from reputable sources can provide some protection from this source of attack.

There are are plenty of things you can do to keep yourself safe. Antispyware, antivirus, firewalls or internet security suites are some of the software applications that can ensure your privacy. There are a number of good antispyware programs in the market today. At the same time, dozens of fake and rogue antispyware softwares are also prevailing in the market. They leave the traces of spyware and adware on your PC when scanned, thus creating a fear of threat and making yourself to buy that antispyware software. These rogue antispyware softwares are heavily marketed through e-mail campaigns and sometimes through some words like FREE ANTISPYWARE DOWNLOAD. Beware of them. Never run any free scan or free antispyware download unless you are aware of the software publishers.

If you find time, just go through the independent product reviews that are published by renowned computer magazines like PCWorld, PCMag, CNET. Spending some extra time on researching antispyware softwares can save you a lot of hassles in the long run. There are certainly some companies that specialize in delivering just good antispyware software programs and nothing else.

As a customer, everyone of us would be interested in evaluating the antispyware program. The four basic parameters which we look at the best antispyware software are price, features, ease of use, and performance. A growing number of antispyware tools are taking a new approach to fight the spyware. Rather than blocking each spyware and adware, they aim to limit malwares power to cause harm even if it gets in.
Research analysts test the products ability to provide real-time defense on contact with threats, as well as their propensity to falsely identify harmless files. A real-time protection against rootkits and phishing sites is also one of the feature to test the accuracy of the antispyware software. Other user-friendly features like the ability to choose between a fast system scan and a slow system scan is a notable thing if you are run out of time.

Anti-phishing protection guards prevents access to known bad sites. Detecting malware is one thing; cleaning it thoroughly from your system is another. Some antispyware softwares claim that they have detected even the unnoticeable spyware and adware. But in reality one needs to have a thorough cleaning antispyware software application.

Some of the top most antispyware software programs are : Aluria Spyware Eliminator, AVG Antispyware, CA Antispyware, Lavasoft Ad-aware SE, Microsofts GIANT Antispyware, McAfee AntiSpyware , NoAdware, PC Tools Spy ware Doctor, Spybot Search & Destroy, Spyware Nuker, Webroots Spy Sweeper, XoftSpy. In the above list, some are free antispyware downloads, the other are paid versions. Spybot S&D and Lavasoft offer Free Antispyware Download. The major difference between a paid and free antispyware download is the presence of real-time adware and spyware protection and automatic updates in the paid ones. I dont think for a few dollars, you would be at the pray of the spyware attack. Act wisely and you can be sure of your internet activities.

Author Cher K Markov articles on various subjects and has a treasure chest of information and resources on Free Antispyware Download at http://www.online-downloads.blogspot.com