antivirus

In this week's episode of Tap That App, we look at the growing Android security field and check out three apps with three different takes on what's important when making Android safer. One thing's for sure: the makers of all three think that there's more to Android security than mere antivirus and malicious app scanning.

For a more detailed analysis, check out the story this episode of Tap That App is based on.

Just the other day, I got about 50 Facebook Wall posts from my cousin - all of which were the same message, repeated literally 50 plus times. I almost clicked on the first message since it was from my cousin, of all people, but then I saw another Wall post come in that looked exactly the same. So, I knew his account was hacked. I tried to delete them one by one, but it kept coming throughout the day and night for a few days, so I gave up. I guess they are here to stay. I'm still hoping … Read more

The bottom line: AVG Antivirus for Android, originally developed by Israeli firm DroidSecurity, is a solid security application. However, it is a bit rough around the edges, and users looking for some of that desktop AVG feel will be sorely disappointed.

Review: AVG's purchase of DroidSecurity has given it quick entry into the mobile security market. The app itself has undergone a very light rebranding since the AVG purchase, but otherwise remains very much the DroidSecurity app from before the buyout.

While Android-based threats are real, they are nowhere near the problem that viruses and malware are on Windows … Read more

MacFixIt Answers is a feature in which we answer questions e-mailed from our readers. This week we have questions on propagating permissions to enclosed items in a folder, managing items in the System library, burning iMovie projects to disc, and using multiple antivirus utilities in OS X. We continually answer e-mail questions, and though we present a few here, we certainly welcome alternative approaches and views from readers and encourage you to post your suggestions in the comments.

Question: Permissions propagation to enclosed items

As part of an ongoing troubleshooting effort, MacFixIt reader "Ernst" asked:

What does "… Read more

Readers periodically ask about antivirus recommendations for OS X, especially given some of the past rhetoric about Macs not having any viruses. Though it is true that OS X has been relatively free of viruses and other malware, in large part this has been because the small Mac market share has made the platform an insignificant target for malware developers; however, the landscape is steadily changing. Recent reports have shown Apple's market share in the U.S. to be one of the fastest growing, leaving the company just shy of 10 percent market share by some estimates. As the … Read more

The bottom line: Lookout's broad range of effective mobile device-specific security features are coupled with a minimal performance hit, making it a must-have app.

Update: This review was updated on January 26, 2011 with revised benchmarks in the Performance section. Accordingly, the score has been raised from 4.5 stars to 5 stars.

Review: Antivirus prevention isn't anywhere near as necessary for Android devices as it is for Windows computers just yet. As Android's market share grows, though, so will the attacks. More importantly for the here and now, Lookout Mobile Security provides key security options that … Read more

The fall months may be the season for colder weather and dying leaves, but in the software world it means major updates for security suites. We've reviewed and benchmarked 11 suites, organized them along the traditional line of cost, and picked one in each category that we highly recommend.

We looked at four updated free security options: AVG Anti-Virus Free 2011, Panda Cloud Antivirus 1.3, Microsoft Security Essentials 2, and Ad-Aware Free Internet Security 9. Other well-known free security programs, such as Avast and Avira, generally update in late winter or spring, so they were not included.

AVG … Read more

The bottom line: Microsoft Security Essentials 2 will protect you, and it will generally do it well. However, its impact on system performance could be improved, and it's still a bit light in the tool belt.

Review: Now in its second iteration, Microsoft Security Essentials (MSE) debuted as the lightweight, cloud-based successor to the paid security suite Live OneCare in 2009. Version 2 introduces deeper hooks into Internet Explorer and the default firewall in Vista and Windows 7. Security Essentials has begun to mature, although it's still rough at the edges.

Installation It takes very little effort to … Read more

The bottom line: PC Tools Spyware Doctor with Antivirus 2011 will give you strong security, but a not-insignificant performance hit. For a mid-range suite, though, its features are solid and it's a better bet than PC Tools' high-end Internet Security 2011.

Review: Editors' note: Portions of this review are based on CNET's review for PC Tools Internet Security 2011. The screenshots and slideshow also are taken from the similar PC Tools Internet Security 2011.

PC Tools Spyware Doctor with Antivirus 2011 competently juggles the competing requirements of an effective and usable security suite. Although we were disappointed by … Read more