December 21, 2008 12:22 PM PST
Keep your PC secure in 2009
Just because everybody is talking about "change" doesn't mean that your security problems will. With a new year comes new computers, and that means it's time to refresh the Download.com Security Starter Kit.
Viruses, spyware, rootkits, hackers--a fresh machine can be susceptible to the most insidious of plots. We've devised a list of essential and free security programs to protect the honor of your computer and ensure that your sanity will last longer than your resolutions.
We round up the best free firewall, antivirus app, spyware remover, Web surfing adviser, parental controls, and encryption software for your Windows PC.
Seth peers into the deep, dark corners of software so that you don't have to. He has yet to suffer a single nightmare about OS/2. You can follow him on Twitter. 
AVG Free doesn't cover root kit detection.
The only free product which covers antivirus, antispyware and rootkit detection is avast!. So, I am not sure why it is not included in Security Starter Kit
nod32 doesn't top Avira in any third party testing for 2008.
I've crossed checked Avira with Norton, Housecall, nod32, AVG, avast and they can never find any viruses while using Avira.
Use the 2 top rated virus and malware protection software (Avira, Malwarebytes) and you will never need anything else.
lol @ the avast fanboy. i've followed antivirus comparison sites for 4 years. i haven't once seen avast on any of them. this year avira is rated right under nod32. nod32 being the highest rated. don't go by what download(dot)com says, they're paid to push garbage off as credible, just like pcmagazine rates norton as top quality"
1. "i haven't once seen avast on any of them". well that proves you have been seeing the wrong sites. avast! is featured in virus bulletin, av-comparatives.org, av-test.org, west-coast labs, checkvir.com
2. "this year avira is rated right under nod32. nod32 being the highest rated." Can you name the source of this information? Well if you check out av-comparatives, nod32 WAS product of the year for 2006 and 2007. But for 2008 Antivir Premium is the king.
3."don't go by what download(dot)com says, they're paid to push garbage off as credible". Well well well, you dont like avast!, you dont like what download.com has to suggest, all you like is a product that you dont even have the concrete proof of being the best. And please, the marketing stuff on eset`s website doesnt count as proof enough. Moreover, in case you havent noticed, this list is comprised of freebies. So your waltzing in with stupid comments and blowing your trumpet about a paid product does no one any good.
http://kingofgng.com/eng/2008/12/04/av-comparatives-releases-the-latest-proactive-tests-results/
http://www.av-comparatives.org/seiten/ergebnisse_2008_11.php
It is freeware, you can set encryption at file or vault level. Compression is built-in.
Easy to take all your files anywhere. Allows you to use categories, descriptions and labels to organize and share your files in addition to compression and encryption. It also has instant search, something WinZip and WinRar don't have, email, ftp, backup/restore and sync options. The app is tiny 0.5MB.
http://kingofgng.com/eng/2008/12/04/av-comparatives-releases-the-latest-proactive-tests-results/"
"interesting?
http://www.av-comparatives.org/seiten/ergebnisse_2008_11.php"
Your view of the world is very narrow dear. In both URLs you have mentioned, the test is a proactive test conducted in november. You cant rely on the results of a particular month to base your opinions. Just look at the summary report for 2008 on av-comparatives.org. That should satisfy you.
a) run Ccleaner
b) run threatexpert memory scanner
c) run Threatfire
d) run a-squared or ad-aware
and then
GO BANKING and do have your plastic cards at the minimum for example the credit card 800$ that you can change online when you need more credit for a trip , christmas and the like and the debit card only at the maximum expend you do in a week on an everyday basis as you can also change de maximum only at any time.
Happy 2009 and REMEMBER, every program mentioned above were good Yesterday..
- by bugfinder2009 January 12, 2009 8:30 PM PST
- Spyware Doctor is rubbish!IS it really free? Are you joking? I think Avira Antivir Personal and Spyware terminator must be your fist choice!
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