ThreatFire Antivurs is a free antivirus solution that offers protection from viruses and malware infections by identifying suspicious behavior in realtime, before malicious code gets installed on the computer. After PC Tools (earlier known as CyberHawk) acquired the program, it has made many improvements to make it gain a firm footing in the antivirus market.

ThreatFire Antivirus can detect rootkits, heuristics-based threats, viruses, worms, Trojans, spyware, adware, keyloggers, and buffer overflows. At the same time, it is light on system resources and doesn’t slow down the computer.

Customizable advanced settings allow the user to choose his/her preferred trusted processes and create rules for detection, such as scanning for SCR files created by an e-mail client. The scheduler creates a system restore point before moving threats into quarantine.

The IntelliScan tales about 15 minutes but this may depend on your computer specifications and also on the number of files you have.

On the minus side, occasionally, threats may get detected but without a name label. This makes it difficult to know if they are genuine threats or false positives.

ThreatFire Antivirus has improved markedly, however, it has a long way to go. For now, you can use it to protect your computer from viruses and other malware. But if you have a mission critical computer, it is better to opt for some paid antivirus solution.

Spyware removal |

avast! 4 Server Edition offers the most powerful protection to fight virus infections on your server or servers. It works both as primary protection of a file server itself, and, via its optional plug-ins, as protection for various server subsystems, such as electronic mail or firewall/proxy. Currently, the following plugins (editions) are available:

* MS Exchange Server 2000/2003/2007
* MS Proxy/ISA Server
* SMTP Server
* MS Sharepoint Server (including Office Sharepoint Server 2007)

Features overview

• Antivirus kernel
• Notification manager
• Anti-spyware built-in
• Anti-rootkit built-in
• Cluster and Terminal Support
• Automatic updates
• Integration with OS
• PUSH updates
• 64-bit support
• Virus chest
• Resident protection
• Boot-time scan
• User Interface
• Command-line scanner
• Strong self-protection
• Web Shield

# AntiSpyWeb.com
This site offers reviews and ratings of free programs to keep your computer safe from viruses, spyware, and other online threats. The site also includes a helpful FAQ, as well as articles about protecting yourself in cyberspace.

# FightSpyware.net
An easy-to-use, free “Internet security suite” that gives you protection against viruses, spyware and other online threats. SecureIT offers real-time virus protection and includes free updates, a firewall, and more. (For Windows).

# FreewareProtection.com
Looking to protect your PC? At this site, you’ll find a searchable directory of freeware anti-virus and anti-spyware programs.

See the original post:
Does Free Antivirus Software Work?

When a file is scanned using antivirus software, it checks the file and compares its content with a database of virus signatures.  If a viral signature is found, it means that the file is infected.  The antivirus software then performs operations on the file to remove the treat. Usually the file is deleted or quarantined. Quarantining makes the file inaccessible to other applications by encrypting it.

Antivirus software can also repair infected files. Some viruses inject malicious code into normal useful files. The file can be repaired by removing the malicious code that has been injected into it. If the entire file is infected, it cannot be effectively repaired and has to be deleted. Many viruses programs corrupt the files that they infect. For this reason, infected files cannot be repaired in a large number of cases.

Deleting the infected files is very effective in removing virus programs. Some antivirus programs delete infected files securely which means the file cannot be recovered. Secure deletion involves overwriting the infected file to prevent it from getting recovered.

Newer and more potent virus programs emerge everyday. For this reason, antivirus programs need to be updated regularly to provide complete protection. The companies that develop antivirus software are a lookout for new viruses and add the signatures to the database and make them available as update files. Users can also submit suspected files for analysis. Many virus programs offer real-time protection. This means the software continuously monitors files and emails when they are accessed. If these files are infected, the software stops them from getting executed.   Antivirus scans can also be scheduled at regular intervals to detect viruses.

Signature based scanning is not so effective against viruses that disguise themselves. These viruses called "polymorphic" viruses modify the file signatures by encryption when they infect files. Thus files infected with these viruses do not match virus signatures in the database and cannot be easily detected. These can only be detected by employing other detection techniques like heuristic scanning.

A new technique that is gaining popularity is "Whitelisting". Instead of scanning for malicious code, the method allows only trustworthy files to be executed. This method completely eliminates the need for signature based protection. However, it also has one major drawback: useful files not on the whitelist cannot be accessed.  To use these files, these have to be added to the whitelist manually.

Most antivirus software available these days employ a combination of techniques for effective protection. They also come with other protective measures like a firewall for added protection.

Here is a list of antivirus software that work with Windows Vista:

–> Avast! Free antivirus
Avast! 4 Home Edition is an efficient antivirus intended for home use.  The protection provided by Avast! is almost at par with most paid virus scanners. It is also very light on the system resources and comes with regular signature updates. Once useful feature offered by Avast! is that allows the user to schedule boot-time scanning which is very effective in removing many viruses. The latest version supports Windows Vista/Xp and 2000. You can download it from www.Avast.com.

–> BitDefender Free Edition
BitDefender Free Edition is another good free antivirus scanner. It comes with several features like an on-demand scanner, scheduler and regular updates. It supports Windows Vista, Xp and 2000 .It can be downloaded from www.bitdefender.com. BitDefender allow offers a paid version which has more features that the free version.

–> AVG Anti-Virus Free Edition
AVG is available as both free and paid versions. The free version lacks some features that the paid version has (for example: spyware scanning). However, it still provides very good protection from viruses. If you are looking for a free antivirus that needs low system requirements, AVG Anti-virus Free Edition is for you. It can be downloaded from www.AVG.com. It supports Windows Vista/Xp and 2000.

–> PC Tools AntiVirus Free Edition
PC Tools AntiVirus Free Edition provides real-time protection from virus programs, spyware, and trojans. It also comes with regular automatic updates and email scanning. It supports Windows Vista, Xp and 2000 and can be downloaded from www.pctools.com.

–> Clamwin
Clamwin is a free open source antivirus scanner that is based on the ClamAV antivirus engine. It is absolutely free to use and comes with no strings attached. It is very light on system resources and features regular signature updates. On the minus side, it doesn’t offer realtime protection. This feature may be available in the future versions. It can be downloaded from www.clamwin.com.

–> Avira AntiVir Personal Edition
Avira Antivir Personal Edition is one of the best rated free antivirus software. It is very efficient in removing many types of viruses and malware programs. At the same time, it is also very fast and light on system resources. Updates are available on a daily basis. The latest version supports Windows Vista, Xp and 2000. It can be downloaded from www.avira.com.

Fake antivirus software install on the user’s computer as trial software. Often they perform automatic scans and display false detections. They detect threats that do not exist and prompt the user to buy the full version in order to be able to remove the threats. If you have a genuine virus scanner installed on your computer, it may flag fake antivirus software as potential security threats.

It is very easy to spot fake antivirus software. Genuine antivirus companies are certified and have affiliations with industry groups. Some of the major industry groups in the field of computer security are AVAR (Association of Antivirus Asia Researchers), Microsoft Virus Information Alliance and AntiSpyware Coalition.   Before buying the antivirus product, check for the certifications. Also check for user reviews at major software download sites like Download.com.

Major antivirus makers have their software evaluated, tested and certified by third parties. If an antivirus product has no certifications from major software reviewers, it is advisable to stay away from it. The best way to check if the antivirus is certfied would be read the editorial and user reviews at major antivirus review sites. If the antivirus is not listed at any of the major antivirus review sites, it is advisable not to purchase it.

Also verify if the company has a proper contact address. Call the support line and contact the customer support services and ensure that they are a genuine company. Most fake antivirus makers do not disclose their address and telephone number on their website. If the address is not disclosed on the company website, it is an indication that the antivirus software is not genuine.

In order to stay safe from fake antivirus software, always stick to the leading antivirus scanners like Norton, Avira, Kaspersky, etc. Do not download software from peer-to-peer networks. Always scan files downloaded from the Internet before opening them. Update your computer and browser with latest versions/patches as many fake antivirus software make use of software vulnerabilities in the browser and operating system.

–> Efficiency:
Not all antivirus products are equally efficient. Some tend to be slow and some may not detect all types of viruses and malware. Choose an antivirus product that can both detect larger number of viruses and is fast. To get an idea about the efficiency of particular antivirus software, refer to user/editorial reviews about it on leading software download sites like Download.com or CNET.com.

–> Updates:
Newer viruses are being created everyday. For this reason, your antivirus software has to be updated on a regular basis with new virus definitions. Most leading antivirus software companies release updates on a regular basis, usually one or more times everyday.

–> System Requirements/Resource Consumption:
Different antivirus products have different system requirements. Choose software that consumes low system resources i.e. memory and CPU cycles. Installing antivirus with higher system requirements on a computer that doesn’t meet the minimum requirements can considerably slow it down.

–> Realtime Protection:
Realtime protection is an important security feature that many leading antivirus software offer. With the feature, malicious files are blocked the instant they are accessed. However, on the minus side realtime protection consumes higher system resources.

–> User Interface:
The user interface of the ideal antivirus software should be simple and straight forward. Avoid software with complicated menus and settings. To get an idea about the software’s UI, download a trial version and try it out. Buy the software only if you feel that it is very easy to use.

–> Customer support:
Customer support is an important factor that you need to take into consideration while buying software. Before buying always ensure that they provide 24/7 customer support via telephone, email, forums or other means. If you have any problem, you should be able to get it resolved by calling the customer support.

Before paying for the software, download a trial copy and test it thoroughly on your system. Check for the scanning speed, real time protection, the simplicity of the user interface and other factors. Purchase the full version only if you are satisfied with it. There are several sites that provide reviews and comparisons on the leading antivirus software brands. Read those reviews and choose an antivirus that is appropriate for you. A little homework always helps.

Here is a list of the best online virus scanners:

–> Kaspersky Online Scanner
Kaspersky Online Scanner is very fast and effective online scanner. It can be used to scan individual files and folders and also emails for viruses and other malware. Kaspersky Online Scanner is one of the most effective and reliable virus scanners in terms of both detection capabilities and the frequency of virus signature updates. However, it can only detect malware; it cannot repair or delete infected files.
URL: http://www.kaspersky.com/virusscanner

–> Kaspersky File Scanner
Kaspersky File Scanner is useful in scanning files that are smaller than 1 MB in size. This tool is very effective in detecting malware in email attachments and files transferred through chat clients. Kaspersky File Scanner can also be used to scan multiple files by zipping them together. This online scanner cannot be used to scan the local file system i.e. hard disk or files that are larger than 1 MB in size.
URL: http://www.kaspersky.com/virusscanner

–> Virustotal
Virustotal is an online virus scanner that allows the user to submit files up to 5 MB in size for scanning. Files can also be sent for scanning via email. The submitted file is scanned for malware using different virus scanners and the results are displayed. Virustotal can only detect malware. It cannot repair or delete infected files.
URL: http://www.virustotal.com

–> Jotti Online Malware Scan
Jotti Online Malware Scan is similar to Virustotal. However, it uses a few other virus scanner engines than Virustotal. Just like Virustotal, Jotti can only scan the files for malware; it cannot repair or delete infected files.
URL: http://virusscan.jotti.org/

–> Trend Micro Housecall
Trend Micro Housecall is a free online virus scanner that has both detection and deletion capabilities.  Housecall can be used to scan the entire hard disk. You can also use it to scan individual files and folders.   On the minus side, Housecall’s detection capabilities are not so effective. The latest version is difficult to navigate is a bit slow when compared to earlier versions.
URL: http://housecall.trendmicro.com/

There are different types of viruses.  Some of these are quite harmless while many others are designed to delete files and make the computer unusable. Still others are designed to display advertisements (adware) and steal personal information (spyware). Viruses, in general, are harmful and so protection measures should be taken to prevent them from infecting your computer.

File viruses are oldest type of viruses. These viruses attach themselves to other files and make them corrupt. These are very dangerous as these can cause data loss. These often spread through floppies and CDs. These viruses can also spread through removable media like USB drives.

Computer worms are also a kind of virus. These duplicate themselves and spread through emails. Worms are very effective and spread very fast. Within a few days after their release, worms may infect millions of computers.

Certain viruses get installed on the computer disguised as a legitimate application. These viruses are called "Trojan Horses". These usually appear quite genuine and the user may install mistakenly. Once installed on the computer these programs steal passwords and other such sensitive information and transmit them to the creator. These can also open "back doors" for other viruses to attack and infect the computer.

In the recent years, adware and spyware have become very common. It is because these programs have revenue generating potential for their creators. Adware display unsolicited advertisements to the user. Spyware, on the other hand, is designed to steal information like social security numbers, credit card details, and passwords. Adware and spyware spread through infected websites and as web browser toolbars.

The most effective way to protect your computer from viruses is to install suitable security software. It is best to install a dedicated virus scanner along with a spyware scanner and a firewall. You should regularly update software installed on your computer and promptly apply patches and bug fixes as and when they become available.

Sometimes, even after all the protective measures, viruses may attack your computer and make it unusable. For this reason, it is advisable to regularly backup all your data. These days DVDs and USB drives have become very cheap and thus can be used as an effective backup media. You can also consider investing in a second hard disk exclusively for data backup.