Review of ESET Smart Security 5

ESET Smart Security 5 is a strong, innovative program that acclimates to a rapidly altering threatscape, keeping a focus on general findings and now-commonplace support on both locally and cloud stored detection.

Installation:

The installation of ESET can be quicker, though it's absolutely not slow. It is held up by a mass of screens, comprising registration, and a needless inquiry as to if the user wishes to have potentially undesirable program (PUP) defense started or not. Even though it’s a genuine query, there is no good reason for it to hold up the installation by another screen.

Interface:

Layout of the program Smart Security 5 remains same from the version 4, excluding the slight details, though none is as simple as it really should be. You first see a window that indicates your computer’s security standing. The default color is green, which switches to red color and a notice when essential safety features, for instance Network Protection, get disabled. The pane in the center does not specify this clearly. However, the Maximum Protection text label tells you which folders of your computer are or are not protected.

Features & support:

ESET 5's essential features keep the program on one of top most of its class. There are 2 default scans: custom scan and a "Smart Scan". ESET has enhanced its antispyware and antivirus engines, so they do not just detect the threats, but also protect your host files from exploitation prior to bad guys coming after you. There is detachable media control for you to block external drives or USB keys from linking to your PC. The latest gamer mode mechanically starts silently running whenever a program runs at full screen. It is ideal for games and demonstrations, as well as movies. It can also be activated from system tray.

Performance:

ESET Smart Security 5’s general performance grants a consistent safety option. Though it is not the most efficient security software that was released this year, but it is a solid and secure option, with a light touch on the performance of your computer.

Review of Kaspersky Internet Security 2012

Kaspersky (2012) Internet Security is a security program for computers providing antivirus, anti-spam, anti-spyware, anti-phishing, firewall security & anti-malware defense. The software offers outstanding applications for complete protection of your computer and it offers these programs for both home and business networks.

Kaspersky Internet security 2012 works with all Windows Systems, like XP, Vista and Windows 7. It also has a Mac version that gives strong protection against malicious software and other threats targeted at this OS.

Kaspersky has been tested by the world’s leading test labs, such as Virus Bulletin, AV-Comparatives and AV-Test. The overall test results show that Kaspersky was the 3rd only to BitDefender Internet Security and Norton Internet Security. Its best achievement was a 98.2 percent defense score on the test of AV-Comparatives and it won an Advanced+ award.

Below are some of the pros and cons in the Kaspersky which you should know before you download this program:

Pros

1. Kaspersky received an indefinable 6 out of 6 in security by spotting all the zero-day malware and malicious software threats, as per the latest AV-Test (2012).
2. Kaspersky is one of the very few security software that include 3 licenses for the cost of one.
3. The program shields home and business networks (small and medium) along with the corporate systems.
4. Kaspersky comprises powerful functions which are now absolutely necessary, such as Geo filtering, identity theft protection, parental controls, a game mode and a lot more.
5. It has the capability of running low-profile detection and smart updates in order to prevent PC slowdown and interruptions.
6. The software offers an online banking mode that defends your banking information and makes sure it doesn't get to the wrong hands.
7. Kaspersky has one of the most favored customer support operations which include worldwide customer support spanning to all the continents. For their customers in North America, they offer phone, chat and e-mail support.

Cons

1. More expensive than all other security software except Symantec.
2. Initial scan takes very long, but later scans are trouble-free and swift.

Review of Norton Internet Security 2012

Norton Internet Security (2012) is latest security software program developed by Symantec. The program is packed with many features helpful in protecting your PC from all types of online threats and malware and the basic programs in this award-winning program are anti-spyware, antivirus, antispam and firewall protection.

However, Norton Security isn’t only an online security program. It is developed to also protect your computer from other malicious threats which are not sourced by the Internet. For instance, a lot of external drives, like hard disk drives and flash drives easily carry malware threats like spyware, Trojans and viruses. Many use these devices in order to carry personal information and transfer files, which can be infected, removed or leaked by viruses.

Norton Internet Security released in 2012 has been used and tested by a lot of known test labs. Symantec also submitted the program to AV-Comparatives and AV-Test and the results have been inspiring. In AV-Comparatives test for instance, Norton made it to highest scoring 99.3% beating BitDefender, leading Internet security program, at 99.1%. This test shows that Norton is with a remarkably high protection rate.

Norton Internet Security does have a few disadvantages too and a few of these have held with it for years. However, it still is a leader in its field. Some of its pros and cons are given under:

Pros

1. Protection for both computer systems and Android mobile phones.
2. Provides social media defense on websites like Facebook, Twitter, etc.
3. It defends both business and home networks from hackers and intrusions
4. Provides a two-way firewall, parental controls, network monitoring and the silent mode.
5. Can make a bootable rescue disk that you can use when your PC is infected and you are unable to start Windows.

Cons

1. The test scores of Norton Internet Security fell a bit short in highest ranked antivirus Software products.

USB Virus and How to Remove It

Since many people carry their USB sticks to stores and friends’ places to transfer their data for various purposes, it’s just a matter of time before the virus writers attack these new systems as a delivery mechanism. It is done through an autorun.ini file. The file is just a text file that contains commands for executing other files. Other files are the real virus payload. These may have names such as New Folder.exe, Ravmon.exe, svchost.exe, and maybe other files with an extension of .dll.

Manual removal of USB virus may be very tricky and you are recommended to use a good spyware/antivirus program to automatically avert and remove risks. The first thing you need to do is ensure having a good backup of files and important data on the USB. Next, you'll need to ensure that your computer system is not scheduled to run CDs and other removable devices automatically. Microsoft has a simple solution in their knowledge base to disable the autorun.

Removal of USB Virus Using Command Prompt:

It is best to try to remove the infected files using the command prompt in operating system by following the steps below:

• Click Start,
• Go to Run (or Search in programs and files)
• Type cmd and press Enter.
• Give the drive letter assigned to your USB stick. You can check this by going to My Computer. Type that letter of drive, e.g., if it is F, type “f:”.
• Make sure all the files, including system files and hidden, are showing. Type attrib -rsh. It will show if any files are read-only.
• Remove autorun.ini file and any other .exe and/or .dll files which don't seem to belong in the drive.

Most important is to ensure the removal of autorun.ini file. This will keep the virus from replicating again.