Kaspersky Anti-Virus 2010

You can use the serial code from the DVD of PC Advisor September 2009 to get 6-month licence of Kaspersky Anti-Virus 2010.

It can detect all Eicar anti-malware files automatically during download for http except eicar.com.txt, eicar_com.zip and eicarcom2.zip for https. But, it passed all Spycar tests.

Avira AntiVir WebGuard Disabled

Lately, I noticed that the umbrella icon of Avira AntiVir Premium is closed. Upon checking, it shows that the online protection is disabled and AntiVir WebGuard service is stopped.

There is no way to enable it again even though the license is still valid until 19 May 2009.

Anti-malware for Windows 7 Beta

Microsoft has updated the list of anti-malware software for Windows 7 Beta. Now, it includes McAfee, Panda, Trend Micro and F-Secure.

Surprisingly, Avira is not included in the list. So far, only AVG, Avira and Norton are the only non-beta products which support Windows 7 Beta.

Avira AntiVir Premium Version 9

I installed the latest release of Avira AntiVir Premium Version 9 on Lenovo IdeaPad S10 running Windows 7 beta. It offers 2 new features:

1. Quick Removal eliminates viruses at the push of a button
2. Netbook Support for laptops with low resolution
   

Running Avira AntiVir Premium in Windows 7 Beta

If you install Avira AntiVir Premium 8.1.00.331 from the DVD of Computer Shopper March 2009 in Windows 7 Beta, you'll not be able to do any update. But, you can download the latest version and use the same license key for 90 days when you register.

The differences between Avira Premium Security Suite and Avira AntiVir Premium are the inclusion of proactive phishing defense, antispam, firewall, backup system, antibot and game mode.

Running Avira Premium Security Suite in Windows 7 Beta

Besides AVG Anti-Virus Free Edition, you can also install Avira Premium Security Suite in Windows 7 Beta.

During installation, you can customize not to install the firewall component if you've your own third party firewall. After installation, the update proceeded smoothly.

You can get a 90-day trial from the DVD of PC Pro April 2009.

AVG 8.0 Released

Grisoft now AVG Technologies has released AVG 8.0. For home users, the products are AVG Anti-virus, AVG Anti-virus plus firewall, AVG Internet Security. The differences are here. I decided to test AVG Internet Security which includes Anti-Spam and System Tools. System Tools consist of Processes, Network Connections, Autostart, Browser Extensions & LSP Viewer. After installation, I tested the effectiveness to detect malware using eicar. It detected eicar.com automatically when you download but you have to scan manually after downloading to detect eicar.com.txt, eicar_com.zip & eicarcom2.zip. With AVG Active Surf-Shield disabled in LinkScanner, I proceeded to test whether exploits can be detected. As shown, Internet Explorer 6 SP2 and Mozilla Firefox 2.0.0.12 failed as expected. But when I enabled AVG Active Surf-Shield in LinkScanner, only Mozilla Firefox passed with a pop-up message while IE6 SP2 failed completely. I have not installed AVG firewall as Sygate Personal Firewall is more effective. The leaktest failed when Web Shield is active and AVG Active Surf-Shield is enabled in LinkScanner. In the end, I rather have a working firewall than Web Shield and Active Surf-Shield. Unlike LinkScanner Pro, AVG 8.0 does not have the ability to check any web links for exploits by right clicking the links although AVG Search-Shield when enabled does check web search results automatically when using Google.

AVG 7.5 Internet Security Update Error

I encounter this error but still able to browse Internet and access Grisoft website.

Trend Micro Home and Home Office Products 2008

Trend Micro AntiVirus Plus AntiSpyware 2008 for 1 computer offers antivirus, antispyware as well as privacy control. Free trial available.

Trend Micro Internet Security 2008 for 3 computers offer antivirus, antispyware, antispam, firewall, privacy control and parental control. Free trial available.

Trend Micro Internet Security Pro for 3 computers offer the same features as Internet Security 2008 including tune up and back up. Free trial available.

BitDefender 2008 Desktop Products

You can download a 90-day free trial of BitDefender Total Security 2008.

It contains antivirus, firewall, antispam, antispyware, antirootkit, privacy control, parental control, tune up and backup. You need to install everything and cannot customise the components to be installed.

BitDefender also offers a 30-day free trial of Internet Security 2008. It includes the same features as Total Security 2008 except tune up and backup.

In addition, you can try 30-day of Antivirus 2008. It includes antivirus, antispyware, antirootkit and privacy control.

Free Antivirus Software

• AVG Antivirus Free Edition - for home and non-commercial use

1. antivirus
2. antispyware - need to install separately
3. no email scan
4. antirootkit - need to install separately
5. no expiry
   

• Avast! 4 Home Edition - for home and non-profit use
  

1. antivirus
2. no antispyware
   
3. email scan
4. no antirookit
5. expiry - 60 days, after registration - 14 months
   

• AntiVir PersonalEdition Classic - for private and non-commercial use

1. antivirus
2. no antispyware
3. no email scan
4. no antirootkit
5. no expiry
   

Avira Premium Security Suite

I installed this software from the CD of PC Advisor October 2007. It can be customized to install firewall, antispam or rootkit detection along with antivirus and antispyware. You can install your own preferred third party firewall which I did. After installation, the software will not update unless you register on their website.

Once registered, Avira will email you immediately a license key which will run for 90 days. This will allow you to run updates which took me quite a while to install. After updates and a restart, I performed a full scan which did not find any virus or spyware on my computer.

Kaspersky Internet Security 7.0

Installed Kaspersky Internet Security 6.0 from APC Magazine August 2007 CD on my laptop running Windows Vista. This is a full version award-winning pc security software. It consists of antivirus, firewall, antispyware and antispam which can be customized. There is no need to register for license. Downloaded the latest version 7.0 from Kaspersky website which added parental control, on-going behavior analysis and protection from leaks of confidential data. Upgraded successfully and the license is valid until 11 Feb 2008.

The price I paid for the magazine is well worth the money for over 4 months of license.