Tag: anti virus protection

Is there a Difference between AntiMalware and Antivirus?

Paul

Photo By TheDigitalArtist

Is there a Difference?

In any system, we’ve all asked that question once or twice. Even I’ve asked that question at least once and I am sure it is a really slippery slope when it comes to defining if there is or isn’t a difference. We can analyze each one in parts but still come back with a question because each has its benefits in today’s economic atmosphere.    According to Wendy Zamora:

A virus is a piece of code that is capable of copying itself in order to do damage to your computer, including corrupting your system or destroying data.

So we can see a virus is specially designed code to copy itself and to do some really nasty things in your system but is that all it does?  Let’s dig a little deeper on this topic.

AntiMalware Vs AntiVirus?

When you hear Antimalware?  Does it bring anything to your mind or give you any ideas of what it is that they are doing or is it just a word you’ve heard?  According to Panda Security:

Antimalware and antivirus are not the same. They complement one another to act as the highest level of defense against malicious software, along with healthy online habits.

As you can see both of them aren’t the same and yet they do a lot to help each other out because they make what most people would call a layered security.   They help prevent some of the low profile infections that we seldom hear.    These programs create what I call a layered security.  Each one works to prevent all sorts of infections in a computer system and also helps keep your data safe from ransomware.

What should I do?

This is a common question when it comes to how to protect your system from all these different threats.   I personally use AVG Internet Security for my Home system and Malwarebytes also to help protect my system.   I really like AVG because it was simple to use and they have a great free version of it to download and use.  Another good one that I like to use is Superantispyware as a way to check my system from time to time and make sure it doesn’t see anything that those other two might miss.  Even if you only use one of each, you are far better off than just waiting for that infection to happen or that data loss to happen.   It can be quite troublesome if you don’t protect yourself and your data and keep the antivirus and antimalware up to date.

Do you have a favorite Antivirus or Antimalware?  Why not leave a comment and tell me why you like your choices?  I’d love to hear what you think of AVG, Malwarebytes or even SuperAntiSpyware?

Android Antivirus is that a Scare or Real?

Paul


I’m not saying it isn’t real!

I just think that there are a lot of security firms, who are making more fluff then there is really any actually need of an antivirus for Android devices.  On a Popular Android forum, they discuss this in length and I tend to agree, with all they are saying.   Some researchers are saying Android don’t need antivirus, but that artcle was done in 2008.  Yes I am the type of guy who believes in Antivirus but I have to question what the Security firms are doing to try to get money.   Some of the well know firms are charging 10 dollars for the app, others are doing the try before you buy.   

Do I need one for my HTC inspire?

Someone emailed me that question and I really didn’t have an answer because being so new to the Android devices.   I however will tell you what I believe and hopefully this will help others with their questions as well.   I know that malware writers will start looking to the those who use it like a small computer and thus.   We will sooner or later end up like Windows, or even Apple with having worms, viruses, and malware.   Thus, we should start being on the lookout.   I think having an antivirus on an Android device is rather pointless because most of security firms are in their infantacy with Android.   Most of them have only had to deal with Windows machines and thus they will take some time into figuring out how to find those nasty viruses, malware, or worms that may be on your device.

Don’t use 3rd party Appilications!

use Coupon Code Savenow15 and Save 15% off the lifetime of your account! Works with Android, IOS, and Windows!If your are realitively new to Android, it is something that loading appilications that isn’t supporting by Google.  These are applications that you get from the internet and thus you will have to allow 3rd party installation.  It is best to not enable 3rd party and just keep it 1st party installation.  That is what I’ve done to make my device more secure,  I don’t allow 3rd party installation and you should to!

If you need an Antivirus!

I’d always recommend going with the ones that you know.   At least you are far safer than picking Antivirus software or applications that are realitively unknown.   The ones who I recommend are:

 

  • Antivirus Free (AVG) — AVG Antivirus for Smartphones & Tablets automatically detects harmful Apps & SMS AVG Mobilation™ Antivirus Free is a free mobile security solution that helps protects your phone from viruses, malware, spyware & online exploitation in real-time.
  • Avast! Mobile Security – Full-featured Antivirus and Anti-Theft security for your Android phone.  Protect personal data with automatic virus scans and infected-URL alerts. Stop hackers by adding a firewall (rooted phones).
  • Norton Antivirus & Security —  Security, antivirus, antitheft protection that won’t slow your Android down.  Norton™ Mobile Security Lite protects your mobile device against loss, theft and malware. Norton lends its anti-malware, anti virus, and security expertise to mobile.
  • Antivirus Free (Commodo) —  Antivirus, privacy protector, call-blocker and anti-theft in a single app. COMODO Mobile Security provides real-time protection against known and emerging threats on your mobile device while helping to protect your privacy and keep your system optimized.
  • Mobile Security Personal Ed. (Trend Micro) —  Named by PCWorld USA as one of the Top 100 products of 2011.  Protect your Android™ device with one of PCWorld USA’s Top 100 products of 2011. It protects your Android from loss, malicious apps, and dangerous websites.

 

These are only a few good brand names that you can trust because they have been doing Antivirus business for quiet some time on the Windows machine.   Give them time and their app’s will develop as the Operating System develops.   If you feel you need an Antivirus these are just a few that I suggest, you can find more at the Android Marketplace and decide which one is best for you.

Paul Sylvester

 

 

How To tell you Friends or Family they’ve got a computer virus!

Paul2 Replies

After all, just one virus on a computer is one too many.  — Glenn Turner 

It’s Sometimes isn’t easy telling your family or friends that they have a computer virus.   Sometimes, you feel like you just beating an old horse.  I’ve always had the philosophy that it isn’t going to change until you make it change.  In this little quick article I am going to give you a few tips and tricks to help tell your friends that they have a virus.   

Simple ways to Tell your friends/family:

 

  • Flickr — Find a Photo and send to you Family/Friend
  • Pintrest — Another Good Photo sharing site!
  • Send them my Antivirus Page!
  • Twitter — If your know their twitter account, send them a Quote about a Virus!
  • Facebook — If they are your friend on Facebook then you tell them out right!

Explain to them about a Computer Virus!

I kid you not.  I sometimes have to explain why they get a virus.  It isn’t allways going to be easy because of the way people feel embarrassed that they have a virus but if they don’t know how can they fix the problem. A computer virus can be a very touchy subject to some of them and thus you will have to consider someone’s feelings when it is time to tell them that they have a virus.   I am not going to go into a lot of detail on this article because everyone is a little bit different when it comes to their attitude about having a computer virus.  Some will laugh others will get really defensive and thus if I try to tell you to do it a certain way you may end up hating this post, but the hope is that you can have the courage to help stop the spread of these darn pesky computer viruses.   

Not telling your Family or Friends can lead to the problem at hand.   Remember only you can prevent the spread of Viruses or Malware!

Paul Sylvester