Posts Tagged ‘Desktop Software’

Antivirus platforms are constantly changing, and, like anything, just because an antivirus is at the top of the desktopsecuritysoftware market one year does notguarantee it will remain there.

So how is it that people decide on what makes the best antivirus programs? If you go to any review site, the all allusive ‘test’ is referred to as marking this year’s top class software. But, if you have ever tried to use one of these results spreadsheets to determine which platform you should go with, you know that they do very little good at highlighting one maker above the rest. Either this means that most of the big players are basically the same, or that something is wrong with how the tests are conducted.

The question then is, what kind of test is it in the first place? For anyone who would like to read more articles on the subject, check out these resources from the AMSTO (Anti-Malware Testing Standards Organization).

AMSTO have been discussing this question quite seriously over the last couple of years and have come around to publishing new testing standards. Until now, the tests have basically taken some large and impressive number of sample threats, anywhere between five hundred thousand and one million, and isolating one layer of the program under testing to see how well it detects an incoming threat.

This sounds like what you would expect, but there are a couple of problems that initially come to mind. 1) If one layer of a software package is tested individually, how well does that really speak for how the software will actually run on a consumer’s computer? (2) Does the method of throwing hundreds of thousands of threats at a system really simulate the real world of online security in today’s world?

For the first question, we can only assume that this technique does not provide an accurate result for how the software will operate when it is running as it would on a consumer’s computer.First of all, this might bypass certain security measures built into another layer of the software designed for certain threats, resulting in the antivirus missing it because it was not designed to detect that kind of threat. Just because a program utilizes certain buffers does not mean it should be reflected poorly in the test.

Also, if the software is whittled down to one layer, this will greatly affect speed. Imagine that Software A is part of a big package with loads of features, and Software B is a program fairly stripped of extra features. If Software A, when focusing on only the antivirus, detects 98% of all viruses in faster time than Software B which detects the same number, Software A can be determined to be the better software.As a consumer, I see this and I purchase Software A, only to be surprised by the obvious lag in system resources. It doesn’t seem to operate as fast as the test said it does. This is because of the testing method.Of course it will be slower when all aspects of the software are running simultaneously.

To answer the second question from above, in the real world, a user will never be faced with that number of threats in a short time period. The test procedurs have been an industry standard for the past twenty years. Needless to say, a huge amount has changed since then.Probably the most pertinent change is the mass use of social networking sites and downloading software from the Internet.

Those two examples are both real time threats that are very isolated; non-Armageddon like scenarios-unlike the way antivirus software is tested. What if a message in Facebook popped up with a link that contained some form of malware?We don’t need our software to protect us from a million threats; only this one.

Two percent of a million is 20,000, and that makes 20,000 possibilities of a threat that could get through if I click on the link.If I click on it, the probability is strong that my antivirus will catch it. But what if it doesn’t?One chance out of one is a bigger threat than one chance out of a million. The point I am trying to make is that we just can’t know. For that reason, the software needs to notice these kinds of messages that are part of our online experience before we do, and advise us on what action is best. If an antivirus does that, and does it accurately, then it is far more valuable than testing how many threats out of a million that slip by undetected.

Because testing is valuable information for the desktop security software consumer and creator alike, it is very pleasing news to see that standards are being updated at AMSTO. Going forward please be aware of the testing procedures conducted on software before considering it to be conclusive evidence as to which software is this year’s best.

Nate works hard to keep up with security software news, reviews, and tips to help his readers be aware and prepared. For more articles on the subject written by this author, please visit the links below.

http://www.edesktopsecuritysoftware.com/

http://www.edesktopsecuritysoftware.com/desktop-security-software/desktop-security-software-testing-standards

Author: Nate Hill
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
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It is important to point out, right from the outset, that when we talk about desktop and single application software, we are talking about two types of collaborative software (but which are nonetheless commonly integrated). Separately, what we are looking at on the one hand is not ‘just desktop software,’ but rather ‘desktop sharing software.’ When you talk about desktop software, all you are referring to is the software which can be worked on/with from a desktop: pretty much the ordinary software we all have on our computers. But when we talk abut ‘desktop sharing software’ what we would be looking at is a much more unique type of software, which enables people to – you won’t believe this – share their computer desktops! It is the type of software with whose help you can let someone else, working on another computer, access your desktop and actually do stuff there. Meanwhile, single application sharing software would allow you to have someone, working on another computer, to access, and actually work with, applications that are only resident on your computer.

Just the simple elucidation on what desktop and single application software is instantly opens one’s minds to the huge benefits that can be had, by leveraging on such software.

Through the use of desktop and single application software, it becomes possible for organization to save huge sums of money they would have spent on rarely used, but essential software. As we all know, software tends to be priced on the basis of the number of copies installed. So, if this software is essential, but only rarely used, the organization can decide to purchase a single copy of it, install it on a given computer (or on its server), and through the single application sharing software, have anyone who wants to make use of that particular application access it. The beauty of this is that with the right type of single application sharing software, it would be possible to remotely access the said application without interfering with the work of the person sitting behind the computer where the application is resident. That means that in this way of doing things, the organization can implement the applications sharing system without having to purchase any new computer hardware.

Through the use of desktop sharing software, it becomes possible to make office work more convenient. Rather than having people on whose computers copies of certain applications are resident, you can have them access the applications from their own workstations. Instead of having people move to their colleagues desktops to be ‘shown’ various things, they can – through the use of desktop sharing software- be shown those things from the comfort of their own computers. This reduces the need for movement around the office, and makes the office more professional and sophisticated-looking.

Through the use of desktop sharing software, it becomes possible to bring about a degree of remote collaboration hitherto unimaginable. Through this kind of software, especially when run over the Internet, it becomes possible to work on projects in real time. This would translate to major time savings on various projects (as participants are able to access each other’s desktops as needs arise, and literally be on the same page); which would also increase effectiveness.

People can participate in live meeting in a virtual fashion by making use of some of the remote support tools.

Author: Marqus Smith
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
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Desktop security software is not complete without an antivirus software. This is a specific program designed to keep viruses away from your computer, as well as filter out those that have managed to crawl into your computer.

What is a virus? This comes in many forms of deceptive files, and the internet is flooded with it. If you get a particularly virulent virus in your computer, you will notice many changes happening. Some of these changes would be a slower computer, a computer that could freeze unexpectedly; and the dreaded blue screen.

The virus can bring down your computer and corrupt your files so that you have no other choice but to bring it in for repairs. The computer repair will really entail an overhaul. This means removing programs, trying to save files, and reformatting your disks.

Not only can this repair be expensive, it will also leave you empty-handed with missing files, or unreadable files. In other words, you start all over again, and try to rebuild your data.

With an antivirus software, you will be able to screen out potential malware and threats from entering your computer. There are several brands that do a great of preventing viruses from infecting your computer. Many of these can be bought from a land-based computer software store.

If you would rather transact business online, this is also possible. There are even free antivirus software like Ad-Aware that you can get.

If you want to further enhance your computer’s security get an antispyware as well. This will keep files that try to steal your information and “spy” on you for their own evil purposes. Or, you could get complete desktop security software which will have both antivirus and antispyware, not to mention a lot more.

Installing these software is very simple, and you do not have to be a computer expert to do it. The instructions are clear and easy to follow.

Should you pay for this software or not?

Free downloads are extremely attractive for one reason – they’re free! For computer users who are not very particular about the specifics, then free computer software is, no questions asked, the only way to go.

For computer experts and geeks, paid computer security software may be the only choice to make because you get more features, more options, and most important, someone to blame in case something goes wrong.

The advantages for free computer security software, as per computer geeks are not enough to validate the integrity of a good security software. In other words, you get what you “pay” for. You will not get as good a security system as you possibly can. Also, who do you run to when something goes wrong with the download, the updates, or infiltration of malware, and the collapse of the computer? There is no one to hold accountable for any damage of loss that may have been sustained.

However, if all you’re interested in is the basic antivirus and antispyware applications, then downloading a free computer security software is acceptable. This is based on the premise that internet use is not that intense, and there is minimal surfing and opening of unknown websites. Basically, the free computer security software is probably okay for those who just use the internet for emails.

Experts will also emphasize that paying for computer security software is a good boost to one’s confidence in working off the internet. The main reason is that viruses and malicious software are becoming more and more sophisticated, and free security software in just unable to handle this. There is that slight probability that since the company distributing the free security software will not be as rigid in monitoring and updating their software for new malware. Again, this is because there is no accountability.

So, will you get the free computer security software or find a way to pay for one? The choice seems simple enough if you like to surf.

Read John A White’s desktop security software guide to get full and comprehensive review of the best security software. Read his experts report now to stay protected.

Author: John A White
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
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