Archive for category Product Reviews
Safe Returner 1.24 review
Posted by Daniel Snyder in Product Reviews on July 4, 2010
Safe Returner is a relatively new anti-malware solution for infected PCs. I must say it is somewhat similar to malwarebytes but does at the same time stand alone. It is a useful and effective anti-malware tool. Packed small, installs quickly, and runs incredibly fast with some unique features. I would recommend this program, as a useful addition to your anti-malware arsenal.
I tried it out recently, and was pleasantly surprised with its effectiveness, and especially its quick scan. It works at a high speed and it covers most types of spyware or adware components. However, the product could offer more details as to the severity information about a given spyware component it found. I did also have some minor issues with the software and definitions update feature, which didn’t run properly the first time. I have registered my version, and a minor pet-peeve is the fact that the “register now” button does not go away, even after you’ve entered your product key. Still these minor nuisances aside, the program is effective.
Safe Returner has built in malware detection heuristics so it is able to detect new and unknown in the wild malware threats even before they are detected by other vendors virus scans and signatures updates. You must of course remember that this is not an antivirus solution. Safe Returner is designed strictly for dealing with PCs that you know are infected already.
Since Autorun malwares have been dominate in 2010, Safe Returner is a fantastic program to have as it deal with Autorun malware effectively. It will quickly show you what programs are configured to run during system bootup. Bottom line, this program works at dealing with malware infected PCs. Like any anti-malware tool, it can not be your only tool, but it’s a great addition.
As part of a promotion from the makers of Safe Returner, we are giving away 10 licensed copies of this product, to the first ten people to request one by commenting anywhere on this blog on any post EXCEPT this one. Here’s how…
Get a FREE License key to Safe Returner.
1. Leave a comment
2. On any post EXCEPT this one
3. Include the words “FREE KEY” anywhere in your comment.
4. We will send you a link to request your license key.
Good luck!
Check out the homepage of Safe Returner.
Daniel’s top FREE Antivirus picks for 2010
Posted by Daniel Snyder in Antivirus reviews, Product Reviews on June 29, 2010
I’m a firm believer in FREE antivirus products. And though I do support and recommend some products that cost money, I am confident that the average home user doesn’t NEED to pay for antivirus software. (Now if you don’t follow safe browsing guidelines, you could be asking for trouble!) Following are my top picks for FREE antivirus products in 2010 with ultra-brief reviews for each. I wholeheartedly recommend any of these products all of them have passed the Virus Bulletin’s latest comparative and are therefore recipients of the VB100 an award that is widely recognized within the industry. All products also received either two or three stars (three being the highest award) in their advanced performance testing and in their advanced retrospective pro-active testing from AV-Comparatives for their December 2009 and May 2010 testing. My reasons for recommending the three programs below are simple:
1. They are free
2. They are effective
3. They are not known to slow down your computer (noticeably)
4. They are simple to use.
5. They all offer ‘pay’ versions, for those who feel more comfortable upgrading to something with internet security.
AVG 9 FREE
AVG Is my number one pick. I have an extended review on AVG 9 Free which you can read here. In short AVG 9 is rock solid, and scans 50% faster than previous versions. Nice interface, easy to use, lots of features, custom scans, automated scans and more.
AVIRA (AntiVir personal FREE)
Avira is known for having very strong detection rates. It has great features, and the backing of years of testing and industry support. It’s user interface is however lacking somewhat, and may appear slightly confusing at first.
AVAST Free Antivirus
It is somewhat of a toss up between AVG and AVAST (though as you can tell I’m partial to AVG). Avast gets five stars from CNET editors review, and “provides steadfast protection and a robust selection of features” (CNET). Avast is known for performing well, and having strong detection rates, it is also great for dealing with spyware and adware (as are all of these mentions).
Honorable Mention:
BitDefender FREE edition
Bit Defender’s scanning engine is excellent, but it only gets a honorable mention because their free edition is only an on-demand scanner. This is a good product to have in addition to one of the three I mention above.
Spotlight on AVG 9 Free: A Review
Posted by Daniel Snyder in Antivirus reviews, Product Reviews on June 9, 2010
AntiVirus review: AVG 9 Free
by Daniel Snyder.
Product rating: 9/10
I’d like to put the spotlight on AVG Free. AVG has been making quality anti-virus products for over 18 years now. Their latest release AVG 9 is rock solid, and scans 50% faster than previous versions. Nice interface, easy to use, lots of features, custom scans, automated scans and more.
Besides standard virus protection, the free version of AVG also includes email scanning to protect you against dangerous links and executable attachments in your email messages. Anti-spyware / adware protection are also in the free edition. And all versions of AVG 9 include basic anti-rootkit protection as well. One of the most important factors about AVG is the fact that it does not hog system resources. Many antivirus programs can be resource pigs, bogging down your computer, and making it run slower than need be. In my experience AVG has never caused any known software conflicts, or affected my system in any negative way. AVG will work well on any windows system from 2000 right up to 7.
AVG has successfully passed Virus Bulletin‘s scrutiny for June 2010.
I’m a firm believer that the majority of home PC users should never have to pay for their anti-virus protection. Unfortunately these days with lack of understanding, and pre-loaded computers that come with anti-virus software that only works for so many days before you must pay for it, most people end up forking out money unnecessarily. AVG 9 Free however is highly effective, it detects and cleans threats well, and loaded onto any clean computer it will do just what it claims to do. I feel great recommending AVG to home users knowing they will be secure with AVG. Of course AVG does offer an upgrade for paying users.
Key Features of AVG 9 Free:
Surfing and searching the web and in your social networks LinkScanner Active Surf-Shield:
· Ensures every web page you visit is safe – even before you go there.
LinkScanner Search-Shield:
· Applies safety ratings to your Google, MSN and Yahoo search results.
Phishing Protection:
· Checks to make sure web pages really are what they appear to be.
· Emailing, Instant Messaging and downloading music and files E-mail Scanner:
· Keeps you safe from dangerous attachments and links in your e-mail.
· Whether you’re online or offline Anti-Virus:
· Makes sure you can’t get or spread a virus, worm, or Trojan horse.
Anti-Spyware:
· Prevents unauthorized information access by spyware and adware.
Basic Anti-Rootkit protection:
· Ensures basic protection against sophisticated hidden threats.
Update Manager:
· Makes sure you’re always safe from the latest threats – automatically.
So, what’s in the commercial edition?
If you’ve got the free version, you’re basically missing a firewall if you upgrade. AVG also includes improved rootkit detection in their commercial version as well as anti-spam software.
Malwarebytes Review. We eat malware for breakfast.
Posted by Daniel Snyder in Antivirus reviews, Product Reviews on May 28, 2010
Info Carnivore has shifted its entire focus onto malware, malware removal, computer security news, and anti-virus reviews and information. Tools, applications and instructions for dealing with malware threats are available here. You will also find links to recommended websites, blogs & forums for dealing with malware issues.
Are you dealing with a malware issue? Let us know. Submit questions or comments & join the conversation.
This blog is full of opinion (mine of course), and I clearly don’t have all the answers. It is however mant to assist individuals in securing their computers and dealing with current threats to their PCs security.
My number one recommended malware tool? Well, it does change from time to time, but for a while now I’ve been a huge advocate of malwarebytes. Malwarebytes’ Anti-Malware can detect and remove malware that even the most well known anti-virus and anti-malware applications fail to detect.
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