Posts Tagged ‘Anti-Virus’

Does your anti-virus slow down your   computer?

Everything is done in the “cloud” nowadays.  Your documents,     file back-up, pictures and financial software, why not your             anti-virus?  One of the better free antivirus solutions is a cloud     based program, called Pandacloud.  Here @ iRemedy we                 switched to it to try it out for a little bit.

The concept of  using internet servers to execute programs and tasks for the user,  is an ingenious way to make make their computer run more efficiently.  Pandacloud collects data, and sends it back to their servers for analysis.  Also, it tags files to be scanned during idle time.   Instead of running the scans on the physical machine, it eliminates needs for database updates and a lot of resources drained.

In a PC world test of a half-million virus samples, they claimed a 99.4%  detection rate.  That is a superb job for a beta release of free security software.

A few things we noticed about the software, was that when you manually scan it takes a while because all information has to be sent back and forth to the server.  Also, there is very little control over the settings.  This is still beta tho, so give this idea some time to fine tune, but the forecast looks good for cloud based antivirus.

With the combination of some other cloud based security services, you can have a safe computer experience.  For example, using OpenDNS for Filtering out bad URLs and using Web of Trust to get ratings on sites you are unsure of, would be a perfect combination for a simple browsing experience.

[poll id="3"]

a few simple steps will help you be better protected

So do you take computer security seriously?  Do you think your anti-virus program is enough?  Well it protects you to a degree, there is still a few more things you can do.  You may view security as something expensive, but there are many free steps you can take, here is a walk through.

1. Schedule windows updates regularly for download and installation.  These patch security loopholes, and other things that can be useful.  Also be sure to update to the latest version of I.E.m and any other software that it suggests.
2. Install Web of Trust(WoT).  It is a website ranking system that integrates into your browser.  It provides you with warning of known bad sites, and it allows you to rank sites for your records, and to share with the community.
3. FIREWALLS!  A properly functioning firewall will not let intruders in.  Also, in the event that you do have a virus, it will prevent that virus from communicating with its host.  Windows comes with an adequate firewall.  However Zone Alarm, a free firewall , Will give you more options, and more flexibility.   Next level up is a hardware firewall.  Usually integrated into your residential router.  It physically stops unwanted communication with you and the internet.  Of course firewalls aren’t foolproof.  There is some configuration involved, however is not that hard to do.  Most software firewalls will walk you through it.
4. If you don’t have anti-virus, install a free version such as AVG, Avast, or Avira.  All these companies have a security suite option that includes firewall, spyware cleaner, Anti-virus and email scanners.  Make sure that you set a scan every week.  A good time to set it is in the middle of the night when you are sleeping.  Also make sure it automatically updates so it always is scanning with the latest virus database.
5. Use OpenDNS.  When you enter in a host name, such as http://www.iremedy.net,  a DNS server will send you the the address for the sever using that name.  Typically you would use your ISP’s servers, but those usually don’t use a database of malicious sites.  On top of that, they usually don’t warn you about them.  How OpenDNS works is, you use their DNS servers, and they constantly update lists of bad sites, in essence reducing your risk of getting malicious downloads.  You can also use it as a parental control to block sites you don’t want your family on.  Also you can customize a blacklist of sites that you don’t want.
6. Use a spyware remover such as SpywareBlaster.  You may not even have spyware on your computer, but this will “immunize” your browser from access to malicious scripts and sites.  In the event an infection slips by you, this will eliminate the problem.

You are armed with the knowledge, now use these steps to help prevent malicious attacks.  The attackers come up with new techniques all the time, Updating and Upgrading your technology will help you stay neck and neck.