Publication Date: August 11th 2004
ISSN 1445-1360
In this issue you will read:
Editorial: August 11th 2004
Definition: Trojan Horse
Web Site Review: Trend Micro's Anti-Virus.com
Quotable: Frank Lloyd Wright said...
Software Savvy: AVG Anti-Virus Free
Software Savvy: ZoneAlarm Free
The Great Australian Joke: Boomerangs
G'Day Blokes and Sheilas!
First of all thank you to the many people who passed on their recommendations for Anti-virus and Firewall software. Also those of you who passed on their experiences with the companies who develop such software. With your help this helped shape this issues content.
As I mentioned last week a Trojan Horse slipped undetected on to my computer. Its task appeared to be to install adware within Internet Explorer that ran ads every time I tried to open a new web site. This also effected the usability of IE, as it left it performing poorly.
On Saturday after getting frustrated with the warnings from my Anti-Virus and the inability to find anything that could rid this pest from my computer, I bit the bullet and reformatted my hard drive. Luckily this is not as big a deal as it sounds as I use a data drive which includes the install files for all of my commonly used programs. So between cleaning the Garage and house I was able to get the computer back up and running smoothly and quickly.
The first thing that went on the computer after I updated Windows XP was a copy of Grisoft's AVG Anti-Virus Free Edition and then Zone Alarm Free Edition. I had used AVG for a long time before but I think it was not using Zone Alarm consistently that allowed the Trojan Horse to slip in. After these had my computer secured I installed all of my frequently used programs.
It appears the majority of you reading this have the same sort of protection for your computers. With AVG and ZoneAlarm being favorites. Other more well known names like McAfee and Norton did not rate as highly as paid up users found they could not get any useful support for their questions.
Finally take a read of my blog entry on my Web Site face-lift, as I would like your opinions on the new look.
Have a bonza day!
Nathan Allan
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These nasty little buggers are destructive programs that masquerade as a harmless program, or stealthily install themselves on your computer without giving you a clue to the fact that they are there. Unlike viruses, Trojan Horses do not replicate themselves but they can be equally destructive. They can use your Internet connection to download and install viruses and other malicious programs, reeking havoc with the stability of your system.
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For those of you who cannot afford virus protection and do not like my recommendation of AVG, try this site out for piece of mind. Trend Micro who make PC-cillin have a free online scanner for your computer.
This is not a substitute for a good piece of anti-virus software but it is better than nothing.
So check out the site and click on the "free Online Scan" link, which takes you to their "Housecall" online scan.
Visit: Trend Micro's Anti-Virus.com
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The thing always happens that you really believe in; and the belief in a thing makes it happen.
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Let us see what the creators have to say about this great piece of software;
"AVG Anti-Virus FREE Edition is the well-known anti-virus protection tool. AVG Anti-Virus FREE is available free-of-charge to home users for the life of the product! Rapid virus database updates are available for the lifetime of the product, thereby providing the high-level of detection capability that millions of users around the world trust to protect their computers. AVG Anti-Virus FREE is easy-to-use and will not slow your system down (low system resource requirements)."
I think this program works great and efficiently for a free program. Yes you miss a few little features that the PRO version has but this still provides you with adequate protection. It seems most NetBloke readers are using it too!
Name: AVG Free
License: Freeware
Version Reviewed: 6.10
File Size: 5.68Mb
Supported Operating Systems : 9x/2000/XP
Software Savvy by FileClicks
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This was the other recommended security program from your fellow NetBloke subscribers. They have hit the nail on the head too, this is a great application!
Basically what this program does is allow you to dictate which programs have access to the Internet and which will not. It is surprising to see how many applications want to contact a remote server, some for legitimate reasons others for malicious reasons.
The Pro version of this program gives you increased functionality and integrated anti-virus protection.
Name: ZoneAlarm
License: Freeware
Version Reviewed: 5.1.011.000
File Size: 5.54Mb
Supported Operating Systems : 98SE/ME/2000 Pro/XP
Software Savvy by FileClicks
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Question: What do you call a boomerang that does not come back?
Answer: A stick.
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