Stories by Erik Larkin

  • Top Protection: G Data AntiVirus 2010

    Most security programs use a single antivirus engine, but the German-made G Data uses two separate engines: BitDefender and Avast. That double coverage may have helped it rack up an impressive 99.95 per cent block rate for traditional, signature-based detection of known malware, a rate better than that of any other app we tested. It was likewise strong at blocking annoying adware, running up a 99.8 per cent score, and these strengths helped it earn top billing.

  • Avira AntiVir Premium Edition

    Avira's AntiVir Premium Edition lacks an advanced malware detection feature used by top programs, and it could use a smoother interface. The program earned a seventh-place ranking in our current stand-alone antivirus roundup.

  • F-Secure Anti-Virus 2010

    While F-Secure Anti-Virus 2010 is simple to use and does a reasonable job of blocking malware, it has a few bugs, and it couldn't beat some of its competitors. It came in at number six in our current roundup of stand-alone antivirus apps.

  • Trend Micro Antivirus + Antispyware

    Trend Micro Antivirus + Antispyware came in last in our roundup of stand-alone antivirus software, weighed down by comparatively poor malware detection, slow scan speed, and a seriously misguided habit of hiding what it does from the user.

  • ESET NOD32

    ESET NOD32 has some nice, techie-focused extras and it effectively ferrets out rootkits, but it can't keep up with other antivirus apps when it comes to the essential task of blocking malware. It came in ninth place out of 11 in our current ranking of stand-alone antivirus software.

  • McAfee VirusScan Plus 2010

    McAfee VirusScan Plus does well with traditional, signature-based malware detection, but it delivered a large number of false positives and fumbled on essentials like proactive protection and scan speed. Overall, it ranked tenth out of the 11 products in our roundup of stand-alone antivirus programs.

  • Fix old flaws to stop new attacks

    In further confirmation that Internet crooks tend to grab for the low-hanging fruit, a new Microsoft report reveals that the most common browser-based attacks tend to go after old software flaws. Making sure you've closed those holes can go a long way towards keeping your PC safe.

  • Bugs and Fixes: file-sharing vulnerability hits Vista

    Windows Vista users (and IT folks taking care of Server 2008 computers) should watch out for a new security hole involving Windows file sharing. A remote attacker could assume full control of a vulnerable computer by exploiting a flaw in the SMB protocol for Windows file and printer sharing.

  • Microsoft IIS servers vulnerable to FTP attack

    A critical flaw in the FTP component of Microsoft Internet Information Service (IIS) can allow an attacker to execute malicious commands on a server, Microsoft warned in a new security advisory.

  • Why attack Twitter?

    Twitter and Facebook were hit today with denial-of-service attacks that can knock a site offline, but don't steal information or cause permanent damage. The question is, why?