G Data Internet Security 2011

G Data Internet Security 2011 unique feature is its DoubleScan technology. This uses two independent detection engines to scan suspect files. Engine A (Bitdefender) offers very good detection and very good perfomance while Engine B (Avast) offers good detection and optimum performance.

You can do a custom install to disable firewall if you've your own third party firewall. A bootCD can even be created to remove malware when your PC is not bootable.

Webroot Internet Security Essentials 90-Day Licence

You can get this 90-day licence from PC Advisor June 2010 magazine. It supports Windows XP/Vista/7.

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

Webroot Internet Security Essentials

You can download a 14 days free trial of this software from Webroot by providing your first name, last name and e-mail address.

The software consists of antivirus from Sophos, antispyware, firewall, backup and cleanup. You can use your own third party firewall by selecting "Allow ALL Traffic" in the firewall setting. The backup account needs to be created online.

Rescue Bootable CD

If your computer is not bootable due to malware, what can you do? There are two solutions :

1. Avira AntiVir Rescue System
2. AVG Rescue CD

You can create a bootable CD from both solutions but Avira has the latest malware signatures already updated. For AVG, you can even create a bootable USB flash drive for netbook without DVD drive.

Antivirus or Antispyware Software

Do you really need to purchase antivirus or antispyware software? I prefer a third party firewall software installed on a computer with Windows 7 running as a standard user. You won't get all the security problems related to running as an administrator.

But, if you're a home user and concerned about security, you can install those reputable free versions of antivirus or antispyware software.

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.

ClamWin Free Antivirus 0.95.1

ClamWin Free Antivirus is portable and works from USB flash drive.

There is only on-demand scan but no on-access scan which means no real-time protection from malware. This is sufficient because I only use it to scan downloaded files. It passed all the anti-malware testfiles.

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.

Lavasoft Ad-Aware Pro Anniversary Edition

I downloaded the 30 day trial version of Ad-Aware Pro Anniversary Edition from Lavasoft. After installation, it showed Ad-Aware Free Anniversary Edition instead of Ad-Aware Pro Anniversary Edition. Managed to run a Web Update successfully.

Also, according to the product comparison, Ad-Watch Live! Basic which provides real-time process protection should be available for Ad-Aware Free but it is turned off as shown for processes even though it is activated by default in the Settings.

So it seems Lavasoft does not want you to test the Ad-Watch function and malware protection. Ad-Aware Free does not provide any real-time protection.

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.

AVG Anti-Virus Free Edition 8.5

I couldn't find any differences between AVG Anti-Virus Free Edition 8.5 and 8.0. Installing the latest version caused a Blue Screen of Death (BSOD) - Stop Error 7E avgldx86.sys on Lenovo IdeaPad S10 runnning Windows 7 Beta. After rebooting, it can't be uninstalled even in safe mode. The previous free version 8.0 works on the same netbook running Windows 7 Beta. In the end, I have to install Avira AntiVir Premium Version 9.

However, AVG Anti-Virus Free Edition 8.5 was installed successfully on Lenovo Z61t running Windows 7 Beta. The disappearing functions mentioned in previous post appear again after installation.

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.

Disappearing Functions in AVG Anti-Virus Free Edition

If you compare the 2 screen shots, you'll notice that the LinkScanner and Resident Shield icons have disappeared after an update from AVG Anti-Virus Free version 8.0.176 to 8.0.237 in both Windows XP & 7 Beta.

So you can't configure LinkScanner and Resident Shield under Tools -> Advanced settings anymore.

But, a quick test confirmed that Resident Shield is still functioning as it detected the anti-malware testfile for eicar.com, eicar_com.zip & eicarcom2.zip. Also, it passed all the spyware tests at Spycar.

Running U3 Programs in Windows 7 Beta

Bought a Sandisk Micro U3 2GB flash drive which comes with U3 launchpad version 1.6.1.1. This works in Windows 7 Beta.

Avast! Antivirus U3 Edition (2 months trial) and McAfee VirusScan USB (30 days trial) work in Windows 7 Beta.

The only issue is that both programs conflict with internet connection using 3G which caused the signal to "disappear". But, internet connection using wireless is fine.

Multiple Online Malware Scanners

The online malware scanners mentioned previously allow you to scan your computer for malware on demand. But this will take time and only one malware engine can be active at one time. If you only need to scan certain files, you can use the following free services:

1. VirusTotal
   
2. Virus Org

These services are powered by the engines of multiple antimalware companies which can help you to determine any false positive if only one vendor finds it.

Antimalware Software

I've been evaluating antivirus software regularly. All come bundled with antispyware even if they are called antivirus. They should change their names to antimalware software instead. According to toptenreviews.com, the following software are ICSA certified, VB100% certified, W. C. L Level 1 Certified and W. C. L Level 2 Certified. You can download a free trial without submitting personal details such as e-mail address.

1. BitDefender Antivirus 2009
2. Kaspersky Anti-Virus 2009
3. Eset NOD32 3.0 Antivirus
   
4. AVG Anti-Virus 8
5. Trend Micro AntiVirus plus AntiSpyware 2008 (won't install with PC Tools Spyware Doctor 6 already installed)
   

Putting Ultimate Boot CD for Windows on USB Flash Drive

If you've a netbook but don't have access to an external CD/DVD drive, you can put Ultimate Boot CD for Windows on a USB flash drive. You'll need at least a 1GB USB flash drive and it will be formatted. The files occupied for a default installation for Ultimate Boot CD for Windows 3.2.0 is 692MB.

PeToUSB allows you to make your USB flash drive bootable with Ultimate Boot CD for Windows.

Building Ultimate Boot CD for Windows

Ulimate Boot CD for Windows allows you to boot up from a CD into a Windows XP environment. This CD can be used to back up your important files from FAT, FAT32 or NTFS partitions to USB flash drive or an external USB hard disk under the following situations:

1. computer is unable to boot
2. computer is bootable but unable to use
3. unable to access safe mode using F8

You can also use the Ultimate Boot CD for Windows to remove any malware in your computer without installation.

The CD is quite similar to live Windows XP CD but with many more tools pre-installed. You can follow the steps to create the bootable CD on a Windows XP SP2/3 or Vista SP1 computer.