Comodo Internet Security Pro 2012 – PC Magazine
The folks at Comodo clearly enjoy assembling different applications out of the same building blocks. Their Comodo Internet Security Pro 2012 ($4.99/year direct) security suite is a construct containing the firewall component from Comodo Firewall 5, the antivirus component from Comodo Antivirus 2012, and the Defense+ behavior-based malware detector shared by both.
The one big bonus in the inexpensive suite is support from Comodo's GeekBuddy service. In testing the other products, I repeatedly encountered screens offering cleanup by a GeekBuddy expert, but at an extra cost. GeekBuddy support is included with the suite. Note that this is not the same as the $49.95/year full GeekBuddy service, which promises live remote-control help with every kind of PC Problem. With the suite you specifically get help for malware removal.
Low Scores from the Labs
The independent labs don't give Comodo's basic antivirus technology high marks. ICSA Labs and Virus Bulletin certify it for virus detection, but not virus removal. Virus Bulletin has tested it five times, and all five times it fell short of VB100 certification. It also failed to achieve certification in a whole-product test by AV-Test.org last year, scoring especially poorly in the malware repair test. The chart below summarizes Comodo's lab test results along with those of other current products. For details on how I interpret the various tests, see How We Interpret Antivirus Lab Tests.
Firewall and Defense+
My review of Comodo Antivirus 2012 (free, 3 stars) covered the company's Defense+ technology, and my review of Comodo Firewall 5 (free, 3.5 stars) offers details on the firewall component. Please refer to these articles for full details; I'll summarize here.
Defense+ aims to keep your system safe from malware by blocking access to sensitive system areas. When it detects an access attempt it pops up a yellow, orange, or red alert and asks you what to do. Some alerts specifically identify the program in question as malicious; others specifically state that you must make the decision yourself.
I don't approve of security software that pushes important decisions off on the user, since most users aren't trained in security. For testing, I blocked all activity reported as a red alert and allowed yellow and orange alerts. If the alert recommended running the program in Comodo's sandbox, meaning limiting its access to sensitive areas, I always chose the recommended option.
I found that Defense+ detected suspicious activity by every single one of my malware samples. However, it also popped up red alerts for every single PCMag utility I tested. I specifically used old utilities that aren't digitally signed. The majority either wouldn't install or wouldn't run when I followed my block-on-red rule.
The firewall itself properly stealthed all ports and resisted Web-based attacks, though it did nothing to block attacks attempting to exploit system vulnerabilities. In its default program control setting it blocks outbound connections and allows inbound connections. However, also by default it automatically allows any questionable connection, so in effect its program control isn't active.
Antivirus Alone
In testing the standalone antivirus, I found that it did a mediocre job of malware cleanup, especially against rootkits. Even when I turned on the hidden option to scan for rootkits, it left some rootkits running.
Blocking malware from attacking a clean system was a team effort by Defense+ and the antivirus. Defense+ was always first to the crime scene, but in quite a few cases the antivirus jumped in to quarantine known malware. Comodo's malware blocking score was excellent, though tarnished by its high incidence of false positives in my testing with PCMag utilities.
I didn't invoke GeekBuddy help for each individual malware sample. Doing so would have taken an impossibly long time, and in any case Comodo scored quite well without GeekBuddy. For an explanation of how I test and score malware blocking, see How We Test Malware Blocking.
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Oneupweb : Who Can You Trust? – StraightUpSearch
Most of us have seen those helpful applications that pop-up eager to assist you with those nasty spyware/malware infections just when you need them most. How nice is that for someone to write an application that will set itself up on your computer and find all that nasty stuff and help you remove it, if you buy the full version of their scanner? These fake AntiVirus and Malware scanners have similar names and they update the year just so you know it’s current. Recently, I had the opportunity to play with “Windows 7 Home Security 2012” – the latest and greatest, right?
Now, if you can’t trust these helpful applications that take it upon themselves to pop-up and tell you about all of the infections on your computer and you can’t install their “full” version to safely remove the infections, who can you trust? It seems that now you have to be careful about which advice you take on how to clean this stuff off. While researching the best way to get rid of Windows 7 Home Security 2012, there were numerous sites with removal instructions and several of these turned out to be bogus (at least, I believe so, I wasn’t going to fall into their trap just to find out). Two of the links I found on the first page of results were as follows http://www.2-viruses.com/remove-win-7-home-security-2012 and http://removerogues.blogspot.com/2011/07/win-7-security-2012-virus-removal-how.html. The first link overwhelms you with manual steps and then directs you to download their free utility “Spyware Doctor” to remove it for you. Spyware Doctor has been around for a while, is created by PC Tools and it is not free. I dug a little deeper on an isolated system. The Spyware Doctor from pctools.com is a 3.7MB setup file, the “Spyware Doctor” from 2-viruses.com is a 38MB setup file that claims to be from PC Tools except the branding/logo appears different. The 3.7MB installer installs without issue and updates its databases, however, it is just a demo and it will only detect items but not remove them. The 38MB installer immediately detects your real AntiVirus product and says that it is not compatible and offers to uninstall it. That was fishy enough and I didn’t go any further. The second link above (from removerogues.blogspot.com) gives some of the same removal instructions and it too wants you to download “Spyware Doctor” to “Get Rid Of This Bogus Software in 5 Minutes”. If you end up toying around with this, you’ll note that the download link is from bit.ly (.ly as in Libya). Now, why would a company like PC Tools with offices in Ireland, the United States and Australia host their download site in Libya? Hmmmmmmmm. I simply point this out to you because as troublesome as it can be to clean these infections off, you don’t need to be following bad advice and getting into even more trouble because you followed bad advice. Just use caution and don’t believe everything you read on the Internet, not everyone is trying to help you.
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Business closes doors, aggravates customers – WMBF
NORTH MYRTLE BEACH, SC (WMBF) Customers of one North Myrtle Beach computer store say their feelings of dissatisfaction with the jobs they paid for turned to shock when they learned the business had shut their doors before their issues could be resolved.
"He said it would take two hours and he quoted me one hundred and forty dollars," said Delcinia Currence, who took her laptop to Computers Direct in North Myrtle Beach to have a virus removed. She said it didn't take the store two hours, but rather seven days to return her computer.
"He had removed the virus," Currence said. "But everything was gone. I couldn't believe it. He had wiped off all of my files."
Another customer said she was contacted by the shop to pick up her computer because they were closing their doors. She claims she paid for their services, but nothing was fixed on her computer.
"I had to pay them," said Tanieka Gause. "He said they did a virus removal, but he didn't do anything to my computer."
Kathy Graham of the Better Business Bureau of Coastal Carolina said this isn't the first time Computers Direct has had a complaint filed against them. On the BBB website, Computers Direct garners an "F" rating, and lists nineteen unanswered complaints against the business.
Graham said consumers need to do legwork before taking high-ticket items like computers to a business, and the BBB website lists ratings for dozens of Grand Strand area businesses.
WMBF News attempted to contact Computers Direct, but the storefront was closed and the phone number had been disconnected.
Copyright 2012 WMBF News. All rights reserved.
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Bbrand New Kaspersky Internet Security 2012 3 Pcs In Factory Sealed Retail Box
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The Importance Of Spyware Removal – EQuicknews
When you thіnk аbоut it, all forms of malware lіkе adware аnd spyware cаn bе hazardous tо yоur computer, but in the end уоu cаn fix уour computer and reinstall the software, so the biggest threat spyware presents iѕ how іt саn damage you.
Unlike viruses, whiсh havе a сertaіn goal and thаt is tо саuѕe а malfunction іn yоur operating system оr crash а cеrtаіn process оn уour computer, spyware apps hаve onе goal іn mind, stealing information.
When а spyware lands оn yоur computer it hides in the back оf thе resources, ѕo yоu won’t even notice іt’s there. And what doeѕ іt do, it steals уour info. It sneaks around yоur computer lіkе a lіttlе thief and gathers knowledge аnd resources.
So, whаt’s thе firѕt thing tо look for, whаt’s thе thing thаt will alert you to spyware on your computer?
Well, the fіrѕt thing yоu’ll notice іs thаt уour computer iѕ slowing down. We alrеаdy saіd that spyware launches іn thе back оf yоur process аnd usеѕ othеr resources, whісh іs the reason whу your computer mау bе slow, beсausе it’ѕ running morе processes than it ѕhould be. And if you hаve a fеw spyware apps and а fеw adware apps on уour computer running at the ѕamе time, that slowing down wіll dеfinіtеlу be noticeable.
If onе spyware launches оn уour computer whіle yоu hаve no spyware software installed, yоu can bе surе thаt a few more will bе hot on its trail. So wherе you hаve оne spyware уоu cаn safely assume that yоu havе а fеw more.
Beside уоur computer running slow, what’s the worst роssiblе scenario that cоuld happen?
Brace yourself, some spyware apps havе the ability tо monitor and record your keystrokes, whісh means theу сan еven gеt yоur account number аnd password for yоur online banking!
Basically spyware саn gеt аll of thе sensitive information about уоu lіkе yоur bank account number, your credit card pin or even yоur social security number аnd we all know what thаt means.
Besides yоur biggest secrets being exposed and making online robbery and identity theft possible, spyware іѕ capable of destroying your life completely. On thе othеr hand, adware iѕ not aѕ malicious as spyware, thе bottom line іs that іt invades your privacy and slows down your computer. But whаt it асtuаlly dоеѕ is monitor уоur shopping habits, sо іt cаn send a report tо thе user аnd thаt user сan sее thе potential оf аny market. It’s sоmethіng of a marketer’s handbook, nоt vеry liked, but useful to some, annoying tо others.
Essential spyware software iѕ uѕuallу wrapped uр іn аny operating system or virus protection programs, but evеrу nоw аnd thеn соmeѕ a new spyware app thаt can break through уоur security аnd get whаt it саmе for.
That іs why havіng special spyware software may bе уour bеѕt choice tо protect yourѕеlf from identity thefts.
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Mcafee Internet Security 2012 1u Crom
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Watch out for computer scam – Coquitlam Now
Port Moody police are warning residents about a telephonebased computer scam that could lead to money extortion and identity fraud.
The "Ammyy scam" is believed to be based out of India and is designed to remotely access information on computers.
In this scam, someone contacts victims at home claiming to be remote care support from a reputable computer company, such as Microsoft. This person says there the computer has a virus or some other problem.
The scammer gains trust of victims by providing easily accessible information about themselves, such as their name, address or phone number.
Then the scammer tells them he or she must access their computer remotely to stop it from crashing. The scammer directs victims to the www.ammyy.com website and has them run a remote tool with provided identification.
As a result, the scammer will have complete remote access to the computer and will be able to download personal information within minutes, while also uploading viruses, malware and keystroke recorders.
In addition, the scammer tells victims they need to pay the company for the virus removal and will ask for credit card information.
According to police, the ammyy.com program has legitimate purposes when used between two trusted parties. However, it is also being used by scammers to steal information for criminal purposes.
Companies like Microsoft do not call customers to report viruses, and neither do Internet service providers. To protect yourself, police recommend never allowing a person or company to have access to your computer, or to install or run a program, unless you are 100 per cent sure who they are.
If you believe you have been called by a scammer, hang up the phone and notify your local police department. If you've allowed them to access your computer, turn it off immediately, unplug your Internet connection and take your computer to a local computer store to be checked for viruses.
Police also recommend changing your passwords and monitoring your credit card bills.
If you provided credit card information to a scammer, contact the credit card company.
As well, you can check online information about active scams.
jmcfee@thenownews.com
twitter.com/jennifermcfee
© Copyright (c) Coquitlam Now
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Symantec Norton Internet Security 2006 French Pn:111351
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Hantavirus Reminder Issued After Two Deer Mice Test Positive – Patch.com
Health officials are reminding all Riverside County residents to take precautions against a potentially deadly virus that’s spread by common deer mice.
Two deer mice collected last month near the Sage area southeast of Hemet tested positive for Hantavirus, county officials announced today, and the California Department of Public Health confirmed the finding.
Between 2001 and 2010, approximately 13 percent of the deer mice collected in Riverside County tested positive for Hantavirus. This is fairly consistent with the average for California, according to today’s announcement.
To date, there are no documented human cases of Hantavirus pulmonary syndrome originating within Riverside County, the statement read.
Of the 56 human cases identified in California since 1980, 37 percent were fatal.
According to county health officials, Hantavirus may be transmitted by inhalation of tiny droplets contaminated with the virus from deer mouse secretions such as droppings and urine. Infectious deer mice do not appear to show any signs of illness so it is important to keep from stirring-up materials while cleaning up any mouse infested areas around homes, especially in rural areas. Residents can take the following steps to reduce their exposure to Hantavirus:
• Ventilate the affected area the night before cleanup by opening doors and windows.
• Use rubber gloves.
• Apply household disinfectants at maximum recommended concentrations for rodents, rodent droppings, nests, contaminated traps and surrounding area and allow at least 15 minutes contact time before removal.
• Clean the affected area with a sponge or mop. DO NOT SWEEP OR VACUUM.
• Double-bag the disinfectant-soaked rodent and clean-up materials (newspaper, paper towels, etc.) securely in plastic bags and seal.
• Before removing gloves, wash gloved hands in disinfectant, and then in soap and water. Thoroughly wash hands with soap and water after removing gloves. Dispose of gloves and clean-up materials with other household waste.
The early warning signs of human infection may include fever, headache, muscle aches, vomiting and abdominal pain. These symptoms may last a few hours to several days. As the illness progresses, the lungs fill with fluid, making breathing difficult. Respiratory failure can follow rapidly, according to county health officials.
Individuals having concerns about illness should contact their health provider.
For more information on Hantavirus and the Vector Control Program, contact the Riverside County Department of Environmental Health in Hemet at (951) 766-9454 or www.rivcoeh.org.
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Ward Melville Student One of Five Long Island Intel Finalists – Patch.com
After the earthquake in Japan last year, some members of the Three Village community showed their support by fundraising and by making paper cranes. Anna Sato decided she wanted to help, too.
The disaster led Sato to return to her work on water filtration – for which she and a classmate won accolades as regional Siemens-Westinghouse finalists in 2010 – but this time with a different spin. Whereas last year's project focused on bacteria and virus removal, she decided to tackle the filtering of radioactive isotopes from water, a realistic problem the nation of Japan faces following the damage sustained by the Fukushima nuclear power plant.
This year, her research has garnered her a coveted honor – she is one of 40 students nationwide, and one of only five on Long Island, to be named an Intel Science Talent Search finalist.
"When I saw that the earthquake and tsunami caused so much damage, I thought, 'Is there something I can do with what I have, with my science and research experience? Is there some way I can tie it in to try to help?'" Sato said in a recent interview with Patch.
Sato, 17, used stable isotopes of cesium and iodine as models for the radioactive isotopes, conducting a project called "A Novel Adsorptive Filtration Approach for the Removal of Radioactive Isotopes of Iodine and Cesium from Water." According to her test results, the new filtration membrane she developed "has superior capabilities for contaminant removal...making it especially applicable for household usage with gravity as the pressure source." It is also "cost-effective and environmentally benign."
In March, Sato will head to Washington, D.C., to present her project to a panel of scientific judges, meet with noted scientists, and compete for the top prize of $100,000.
Mentored by Stony Brook University's Ran Wang and professors Benjamin Hsiao and Benjamin Chu, Sato was also a 2011 Siemens regional semifinalist. She was a participant in the Simons Summer Research Program at Stony Brook University.
Of the 40 Intel finalists, eight of them were mentored by Stony Brook University faculty members.
"The vast opportunities provided by our faculty researchers in mentoring budding young scientists exceeds that of any university in the nation," SBU President Samuel L. Stanley Jr. said in a statement. "For Stony Brook University to account for twenty percent of the nation’s mentored students is a testament to the quality of research, education and discovery happening at Stony Brook every day."
Sato is a student in Ward Melville's InSTAR program, which has yielded over $1 million in scholarship awards to its students and more than $125,000 in grants to the school itself since the program's inception in 1998. The program produced nine Intel semifinalists in its first year, hitting a peak of 13 Intel semifinalists in 2007-08.
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