Online Safety | Antivirus Software | Internet Security Software | Security Tips

Antivirus Software and Safe Online Behaviour - 2010 Outlook
— There has been lots and lots of computer users who became victims of viruses, spyware, worm, and trojan attacks in 2009. Also to point out there are security sites itself has been hacked, computer viruses has been floating around over the internet and many other known and unkwown events that happened. How is going to be the future? What steps are to be taken to protect from such internet security threats? are the points here to be discussed.

Cracking a Software Key – What’s the risk possessed?

Many people they don’t want to pay for computer protection. Hence they start downloading the cracked version of software which we term as “pirated software” or “illegal software”. The people, who use such cracked software, think that both paid and cracked version is going to have the same features. So instead of spending they try to generate a duplicate key and crack the software and use it. But wonder how long is this cracked software going to work?

What’s the risk of using a pirated version of software?

In pirated or cracked software version though the features and the GUI everything remains same, you won’t have any automatic updates or regular bug fixes. Anyways illegal is illegal always. For example, the most popularly downloaded antivirus software, though it can be cracked, it would be useful only for that day. The reason is because there are thousands of viruses that are generated day by day all over the world. So the antivirus companies they research, find the new virus, find a signature, write a program to disable it from action etc and upload it to their antivirus software, which goes as automatic updates to the people who genuinely purchased the software. Whereas the people who installed the software using a duplicate cracked key, the automatic updates doesn’t work out. So the end user who uses the illegal software, doesn’t get the periodic updates, and is transparent and vulnerable to lot of security threats and attacks.

Moreover, in case a person who downloads a cracked version of software and installs it in his computer, sometimes if that results in a system crash, who would be providing the support? If he/she goes and asks the software company, the company will sue against him/her for using a pirated version of their software. The most possessed risk is that if you visit any crack download sites, you will see porn pictures to attract you, which may or may not be carrying some kind of viruses, which will enter the system while installing the cracked version of software.

So it is always good to buy software spending few bucks or instead go for some free wares, which is genuine. Because most of the freeware softwares may have adware installed in their software, which gives you regular pop-up and spy’s your computer.

A Recap – Why not to use Cracked Software:

1.) It’s Against the Law – i.e. its infringement of Copy Rights.
2.) You don’t get Automatic Updates
3.) Chances of getting malwares
4.) Finally its Doesn’t provide enough security to the Computer

“Using Cracked Software in a Computer is like using a broken shield in a War”

To fight the anti-Social elements you go for Fitness Courses and Self Defense Courses, to fight your computer enemies you need to install a real Internet Security software.

Will update you more on my Internet Security Blog.

List of Antivirus Software Vendors, PC Internet Security Companies

This is a full list of anti-virus, internet security software vendor companies, ranging from start-up to large companies. If anything is missed, you can contact me, with the company name to make a addition.

AhnLab, Inc. - AhnLab V3 Internet Security, AhnLab SpyZero 2007
Aladdin Knowledge Systems - eSafe Web Threat Analyzer
Authentium, Inc. – Command Antivirus for Windows
Avast- antivirus software with spyware protection
Avira – Avira Antivir , Avira Premium Security suite
Bit Defender – Antivirus 2009, Internet Security 2009, Total Security 2009
Comodo Group – Free Comodo Firewall Pro, Antivirus, Internet security
Computer Associates International, Inc. - CA Anti-Virus Plus CA Anti-Spyware 2009
Doctor Web, Ltd.- Dr.Web Desktop Security Suite
Eset – Nod32 Antivirus Software
FRISK Software International - F-Prot Antivirus for Windows, Linux, Exchange
F-Secure Corporation – F-Secure Antivirus, Virus Protection and Computer Security
G-Data – Internet Security 2009, G Data Antivirus 2009, G Data TotalCare 2009
GFI Software Ltd - GFI MailSecurity, WebMonitor for ISA Server, Endpoint Security
Grisoft – AVG Anti-virus, AVG Internet Security
HAURI Inc. - ViRobot Desktop, ViRobot ISMS
K7 Computing – K7 TotalSecurity, K7 AntiVirus
Kaspersky Lab - Kaspersky Anti-virus 2009 Software with Anti-spyware
McAfee, Inc. – Mcafee Antivirus Software and Intrusion Prevention Solutions
Microsoft Corporation - Windows Live OneCare
MicroWorld Technologies, Inc. - eScan AntiVirus (AV), eScan Internet Security Suite (ISS), MailScan
Norman - Norman AntiVirus & Spyware, Norman Security Suite
Panda Security Software – Panda Internet Security, Panda Global Protection
Proland Software- Protector Plus Antivirus Software
Quick Heal Technologies – Quick Heal Antivirus, Quick Heal Total Security 2009
Rudra Technologies – Rudra Virus Detection
SafeScribble PC Security Solutions – SS Virus Removal Tool, SS Virus Detection, SS On-Demand Virus Scanner
Sophos – Sophos Enterprise Security & Control,
Sybari Software, Inc. - (Microsoft Subsidiary) - Windows Scan Engine
Symantec - Norton Antivirus, Norton Internet Security, Norton 360
Trend Micro, Inc. - PC-Cillin, Internet Security 2009

*Some the Computer Security Companies listed are just start-up.