Tuesday, April 1, 2008

Introduction

AVG Security Software is a range of antivirus and internet security software for the Microsoft Windows and Linux computing platforms by AVG Technologies.

AVG Anti-Virus & Internet Security Protection

History

The brand name for AVG Technologies' Security Software is AVG, which comes from their first product, Anti-Virus Guard.[1] AVG Technologies is a privately held Czech company formed in 1991 by Jan Gritzbach and Tomas Hofer.

In early September 2005, a large stake in the company was bought by Intel Corporation.[2]

On April 19, 2006, ewido Networks became a part of the AVG Technologies group.[3]

On November 6, 2006, Microsoft announced that AVG Security products would be available directly from the Windows Security Center in Windows Vista.[4]

Since June 7, 2006, the AVG software has also been used as an optional component of GFI Mail Security, produced by GFI Software.[5]

On December 5, 2007, AVG Technologies announced the acquisition of Exploit Prevention Labs, developer of the LinkScanner safe surfing technology. [6]

On February 8, 2008, Grisoft announced that they would change the company name from Grisoft to AVG Technologies. This change was made to increase the effectiveness of their marketing activities.

Versions for Windows clients

AVG Technologies provides a number of products from the AVG range, suitable for Windows 98 onwards. In addition to this, AVG Technologies also provides a Linux version of the software.

AVG Anti-Virus is available in both a free and commercial editions. Commercial editions are also available with an integrated firewall.

In addition to anti-virus software offerings, AVG Technologies also provides Anti-Spyware (free and commercial editions), Anti-Malware software (commercial editions only), a Rescue CD allowing the user to scan and remove viruses and spyware that may be stopping a PC from booting (commercial edition only) and a free Anti-Rootkit tool.

AVG Technologies also provides the AVG Internet Security suite (commercial edition only) which includes anti-virus, anti-spyware, anti-spam and firewall protection.

All versions of the AVG products are compatible with the 64-bit edition of Windows. All editions run on Windows Vista.

All standard versions of the AVG software are available on a trial basis. Each trial allows all users (including businesses and institutions) a 30-day trial period. After this time a fee is required, which yields a key that unlocks the program for continued use.

Versions for servers

AVG Technologies also sells AVG antivirus solutions for web/file servers or email servers running either Linux or Windows.

AVG for Linux/FreeBSD

With Version 7.5, AVG Technologies is providing a solution for FreeBSD for the first time. AVG Technologies has incorporated spam detection in addition to virus detection for Linux/FreeBSD software.

Features

AVG features most of the common functions available in modern antivirus programs, including periodic scans, scans of sent and received emails (including adding footers to the emails indicating this), the ability to "heal" some virus-infected files, and a "virus vault" in which infected files are held.

AVG Anti-Virus Free Edition

According to AVG Technologies, over 60 million users have AVG Anti-Virus protection, including users of the Free Edition.

The AVG Anti-Virus Free Edition is similar to the AVG Anti-Virus Professional Edition product, but does not have all the features. It lacks the fine-grained control over how scans are conducted. The free editions are compatible with Linux/FreeBSD. In addition, the free versions do not receive technical support from AVG Technologies, and English is the only available language.

AVG Technologies announced that support for AVG Anti-Virus Free Edition version 7.1 ended on February 18, 2007. Users were required to upgrade to AVG Anti-Virus Free Edition version 7.5. Users were encouraged to move to the commercial version of AVG, particularly the AVG Anti-Malware and AVG Internet Security products, as they protect against spyware as well as viruses.

Resource requirements

One feature of AVG is its conservative resource requirements. The AVG Anti-Virus Professional Edition requires 16 MB of RAM and 20 MB of space on the hard drive. AVG Internet Security, however, requires 256 MB of RAM. [7] The comparatively high use of paged physical RAM has led to crashes with some software, such as the Half Life 2 series [8].

AVG Anti-Spyware

On April 19, 2006, it was announced that AVG Technologies had acquired the German Anti-Malware company ewido Networks. ewido Anti-Spyware was later renamed to AVG Anti-Spyware Professional Edition. A freeware version, AVG Anti-Spyware Free Edition, is available for private non-commercial use only and with lower speed updates.

AVGADMIN

AVGADMIN is a remote administration tool, which allows the software to be managed centrally on networks.

Reception

  • AVG antivirus was certified by ICSA Labs. [9]
  • It has been tested 42 times by Virus Bulletin and has failed 22 times and passed 20 times [10]
  • At CNET.com it received a review of 6.0/10. [11]
  • At PCWorld.com it received 75/100. [12]

References

 Computer security Portal
  1. ^ AVG Technologies Celebrates 15 Years of Internet Security Success.
  2. ^ Intel buys part of AVG Technologies
  3. ^ AVG Technologies announces release of ewido Anti-Spyware
  4. ^ Microsoft incorporates AVG into the Vista Security Center
  5. ^ GFI Mail Security support for a new anti-virus engine - Grisoft AVG
  6. ^ AVG Acquires Exploit Prevention Labs, Developer of LinkScanner Safe Surfing Technology
  7. ^ AVG Anti-Virus and Internet Security - AVG Internet Security
  8. ^ Games freeze or crash with looping sounds (paged pool memory issues) - Crashes and Errors - Knowledge Base - Steam Support
  9. ^ /ICSALabs/Antivirus/Certified Products
  10. ^ Virus Bulletin : Independent Malware Advice
  11. ^ AVG 7.5 Search Result editors' rating explained - CNET Reviews
  12. ^ PC World - AVG 7.5 Anti-Virus Professional Review
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Avira Antivirus Info

Avira

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Avira AntiVir PersonalEdition Classic

The main interface of Avira AntiVir PersonalEdition classic
Developed by Avira GmBH
Latest release 7.06.00.270
OS Windows 2000, Windows XP, Windows Vista, Linux, FreeBSD, OpenBSD, Solaris[1]
Genre Antivirus
License Proprietary / Freeware / Nagware
Website http://www.free-av.com/

Avira GmbH is a German antivirus software company. Its antivirus applications are based on the AntiVir antivirus engine, first launched in 1988. It was called "H+BEDV Datentechnik GmbH" when it was founded. One of the antivirus software, AntiVir PersonalEdition Classic, is free for personal use. On the icon, a stylized opened umbrella is shown.

Products

AntiVir PersonalEdition Classic is freeware. This application is for personal use only. Like most antivirus software, it scans disks for viruses and also runs as a background process, checking each opened and closed file. It can detect and possibly remove rootkits.[2] It also performs Internet updates (daily by default) in which it opens a window, with an advertisement suggesting the user to purchase AntiVir PersonalEdition Premium.

AntiVir PersonalEdition Premium has several improvements over the free version, most notable:

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Avast Antivirus Info

Features

Screenshot of avast! home edition with the aVist skin created by Sasha-Z-Creations
Screenshot of avast! home edition with the aVist skin created by Sasha-Z-Creations
Screenshot of avast! home edition without any skins
Screenshot of avast! home edition without any skins
  • Standard Shield — Real-time protection
  • IM shield — Instant Messenger protection
  • P2P shield — P2P protection
  • Internet Mail — E-mail protection
  • Outlook/Exchange — Microsoft Outlook/Exchange protection
  • Web Shield — HTTP protection (localtransparent proxy)
  • Script blocker — script checker (Pro version only)
  • Network Shield — basic protection against well-known network worms. Acts as a lightweight Intrusion Detection System
  • Audible alarms — vocal warnings such as "Caution, a virus has been detected!"
  • Boot-time scan — through the program interface, a user can schedule a boot-time scan to remove viruses that load during Windows startup and are therefore difficult to remove. A very important feature especially for viruses written to shut-down the virus protection as soon as Windows starts.

Virus Chest

Screenshot of avast! Virus Chest
Screenshot of avast! Virus Chest

The avast! Virus Chest is a folder where infected files can be stored when detected. Placing them in the chest causes the files' usage to be disabled and prevents them from causing any harm. The virus chest also stores vital system files to prevent them from virus damage. They still can be run, but the access to the file by any source or other program is blocked until it is removed from the chest.

Automatic update

avast! Antivirus normally updates itself freely for the first 14 months of usage as long as the using computer is connected to the Internet. After each 14 month period, the user of the software must re-register to receive a new free license key. Unless upgrading to the pay version, registration currently remains free.

Other uses

avast! is compatible with various archiving software (including WinRAR) and IM applications, because of its tool, ashquick.exe which scans for viruses using a minimalist interface.

Skinnable

All avast! Editions have a completely skinnable GUI/Interface and free downloadable skins from their website.

Versions

It is currently in version 4.8 and it is available for varying OSes including Windows (from 95 onwards), Linux and Mac OS. Windows Server versions are also available.

Editions

Virus definitions

Despite being freeware, avast! 4 Home updates its virus definitions on a regular basis (sometimes multiple times a day), and this process is automated by default.

Awards

  • Review Centre Award 2006 for Best Anti-Virus software.
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Norton antivirus Info

Since its release in 1990 and the acquisition of Central Point Software in 1994 by Symantec, NAV was integrated with its main competitor of the era, Central Point Anti-Virus (CPAV). CPAV was also licensed to Microsoft as the Microsoft Anti-Virus utility.

Version History

Version 2006 (13.0)

Norton AntiVirus 2006
Norton AntiVirus 2006

Norton AntiVirus 2006 introduced spyware and adware detection in full system scans as well as the auto-protect feature. Norton AntiVirus 2006 also introduced the Norton Protection Center, a one stop interface that aggregates all the security data a user needs to know about their PC and displays it on an easy to understand screen. Also introduced in Norton AntiVirus 2006 was home page hijacking protection and new product features throughout the year.

Faulty Update to Norton AntiVirus 2006 Users

On July 25, 2006, Symantec released a faulty Norton AntiVirus update affecting Norton AntiVirus 2006. Many users of Symantec Norton AntiVirus 2006 and any product that contained Norton AntiVirus 2006, such as Norton Internet Security 2006 and Norton SystemWorks 2006, experienced difficulties due to the faulty update sent via LiveUpdate. Users reported getting an onscreen message stating that "Norton AntiVirus 2006 does not support the repair feature" and asking that they uninstall and reinstall Norton AntiVirus.

Symantec said the faulty update was downloaded to customers between 1PM and 7PM on that day. The security vendor recommended the affected users either download a workaround tool or follow steps posted on their site. Symantec said in a statement that they expected to "deliver a repair patch to affected users by the end of day, Monday, July 31, 2006."[1] Symantec never did issue a repair patch for the problem.[verification needed]

Version 2007 (14.0)

After many years of customer complaints regarding the speed and system resource utilization of the product, Symantec responded in 2007 with a much needed rewrite of the code in an attempt to make the product lighter and faster.[2] Installer size in Norton AntiVirus 2007 was reduced by utilizing 7-Zip technology[citation needed].

Norton AntiVirus 2007 automatically detects and blocks viruses, spyware, rootkits and worms. Several of its key features are Rootkit Protection which finds and removes hidden threats in the operating system, Internet Worm Protection that blocks viruses, spyware and worms without specific signatures, email and instant message scanning that detects, removes or blocks infected attachments and Full System Scan which performs a deep scan to remove existing viruses, spyware and other threats. Norton Protection Center provides a central place to easily check overall security settings. Its Live Update™ Notice alerts you to new features, product updates and threat advisories as available throughout the renewable service period.

Version 2008 (15.0)

Norton AntiVirus 2008 was released on August 28, 2007. It includes new features such as SONAR (Symantec Online Network for Advanced Response) technology, which detects potentially malicious code before traditional virus definitions are available. SONAR works by monitoring programs behavior rather than looking for signatures. Norton AntiVirus 2008 also includes Browser Defender (which protects Internet Explorer from drive by downloads and unpatched exploits), One-Click Support, Home Network Security Status (displays status of Norton AntiVirus on all PC's in your network), multiple daily updates, and improved performance (about 60% faster than Norton AntiVirus 2007[citation needed]).

Features

Like most standard antivirus software, Norton AntiVirus provides real-time protection from viruses, spyware, worms, keyloggers, rootkits and many other forms of malware. The program also includes a real-time scanner.

Virus definitions

Symantec's Norton LiveUpdate provides virus definition updates, which enable Norton AntiVirus to detect viruses known to Symantec; a total of 73,939[3] viruses as of March 23, 2008. In order to receive updates, a valid subscription is required; an initial subscription good for one year (or 90 days for OEM copies) is included with the purchase. When a user's subscription expires, the user can still receive program updates (patches) for free but will not be able to download virus definitions updates without renewing his or her subscription or purchasing a new version of the Symantec product with a year of subscription included.

The corporate edition has a client/server strategy to update virus definitions. Each of the workstations will not have LiveUpdate installed, but will be linked to a central server. The server will be the one that will actually update itself with LiveUpdate, and distribute such updates to the client/managed workstations. This is to reduce redundant updates over the organizational network (such as 100 PC's updating the same definitions).

Competition

Norton AntiVirus also attempts to remove spyware and adware, both of which are forms of malware that are not computer viruses. It competed in this capacity with the freeware Spybot - Search & Destroy (among others).

Product activation

Beginning with Norton AntiVirus 2004, Norton AntiVirus includes an anti-copying feature called "Product Activation," which is similar to the activation process in Windows XP and Office XP. The activation process for Norton AntiVirus 2004 through 2007 can be accomplished through two methods: over the Internet or by phone. Starting with Norton AntiVirus 2008, activation can only be accomplished over the Internet.

Mac edition

Symantec Antivirus for Macintosh (SAM) was a discontinued edition of Norton AntiVirus for Mac OS. It was merged with the Norton line of products and is now part of the Norton Systemworks and Norton Internet Security suites. Although originally dealing with viruses on the Mac OS, its use was largely limited in later years, due to the widespread use of the freeware antivirus program Disinfectant in Mac OS Classic, to simply dealing with Windows viruses that may lie dormant while on a Mac.

The current edition for Mac is Norton AntiVirus 11.0 for Macintosh. It provides similar functionalities as its Windows counterpart. Criticism of Norton AntiVirus typically stems from its complex installation[citation needed] (similar to criticisms of the Windows version in that respect) as well as its relatively slow speed and high cost[citation needed]: competing products such as Intego's Virus Barrier X4 suite typically run faster, requires less disk space, and considered less intrusive in terms of installation.

Criticisms

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Customer service

Retail customers experience slow and indifferent service on bugs, such as the one that returns to certain users a specific error message that their valid subscriptions have expired,[4] and refuses to allow daily updates via "Intelligent Updater."[citation needed] Though the bug was reported in 2004, it was not corrected for the 2005 version, and continued unpatched during 2006.[1] In May 2007, Norton Antivirus would reportedly remove the program file for the Pegasus e-mail client, an issue which Symantec's customer service allegedly addressed by sticking to a checklist of troubleshooting steps, perhaps indicating a need for a more thorough understanding of the product on the company's behalf.

FBI/CIA cooperation

Norton AntiVirus was criticized in the past because of Symantec's policy that allows spy software (keyloggers/backdoors) of US law enforcement and intelligence agencies, such as the FBI-developed Magic Lantern, to bypass Norton's malware detection.[5]

Response to viruses

According to an article by the Washington Post, Norton Antivirus had one of the worst average response times for providing virus definition updates based on the worst virus outbreaks of 2005, lagging behind every major competitor, including NOD32, Kaspersky, Quick Heal, F-Secure, Sophos, Avira, Trend Micro, F-Prot, Panda, Protector Plus, AVG, avast!, ClamWin, and McAfee.[6]

For everyday viruses, according to an article by Eweek titled Why Is Symantec So Slow with Updates?, Symantec was the only vendor that provided virus definition updates on a weekly basis, as opposed to competitors such as McAfee that provides them on a daily basis or Eset, Sophos, Kaspersky or Panda that provide them several times a day.[7]

Symantec did provide frequent beta and "Intelligent Updater" definitions in the form of manually downloadable 8-10 MB packages (although impractical for daily use for even highly technical users) as well as daily updates for LiveUpdate Platinum customers such as large corporations and businesses.

Since version 2006, Daily LiveUpdate definitions have been available to users of Norton AntiVirus. [8] In addition, multiple daily updates are also available to users of Norton AntiVirus 2008 or newer.

Uninstallation

Norton AntiVirus has been criticized for refusing to uninstall cleanly. In response, Symantec has made available a tool to remove its registry keys and values and perform a cleaner uninstall.[9]

Effects on performances

The software is typically regarded as making considerable demands on resources[10]. In common with other Norton products, Norton AntiVirus relies on Internet Explorer's web interface, instead of using the standard GUI libraries. Besides using more resources, any problems, security flaws, or changes to Internet Explorer will be reflected in Norton products, commonly resulting in "Script Error" messages when the user opens or uses a Norton program. Sometimes "Script Error" messages occur in the "first-time" wizard, resulting in blank wizard pages and blocking access to the program.

Incompatibility with other antivirus softwares

Norton AntiVirus 2007 advises during installation that it is incompatible with popular programs ZoneAlarm and Spy Sweeper.[11] During installation, the purchaser receives warnings that these programs are incompatible, and should be uninstalled from the system before continuing. Since the purchaser is also advised to uninstall other antivirus programs, this would leave very little security indeed for anyone connected directly to the internet during installation.

The incompatibility warnings have caused annoyance for Norton customers who purchased Norton AntiVirus 2007 with no warning or notice of the incompatibility [11] [12]. However, the warning as to ZoneAlarm firewall only (without ZoneAlarm antivirus or spyware installed) has been ignored during installation of Norton Antivirus 2007 without calamity.

Norton AntiVirus has on occasion identified other software incorrectly as "viruses" or "trojans" and deleted them; for instance, on 2007-05-17, Pegasus Mail was added to the NAV virus definitions list and removed from the systems of users. This restriction was quickly corrected in a subsequent virus definition update. [13] In July 2007, many Steam users reported that Norton AntiVirus would not allow Steam to run Counter-Strike or other games due to related files being mislabelled as trojans.[14]

Criticisms on the internet

The 20 Reasons The World Despises Norton Antivirus[15] is a sarcastic article that addresses most of the major issues with Norton Antivirus. It was quickly swept into mainstream acceptance despite its authors objection that he was simply joking. The article was noted by the University of Rhode Island and also became the second highest link on a Google search for "Norton Antivirus."[citation needed]

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