Archive for November 2011

Cloud base application security

November 12, 2011 Add Comment

Cloud base application security



There is a growing business in "Cloud-Based" Anti-Virus and security applications.  (e.g. Panda Cloud)  Are they any good?  


Reviewers mostly say that they are.  However, all the reviews I've read so far are based on the same type of useless methodologies as most "big-name" security applications.  (For more explanation on why these testing standards are useless, see my post:  "What's the best Anti-Virus?")

My quick answer:

At this time, I believe that Cloud-Based Anti-Virus and security applications have significant weaknesses and vulnerabilities.  I definitely would NOT use one now, nor in the immediate future.  

Why: 

One of the main "benefits" touted for Cloud AV's is that the virus signature database is not stored on your PC.  Instead, it's stored on The Cloud, where it is "updated more frequently" than it would be on your PC.  Counterpoints:
The frequency of the signature database updates -- in this kind of situation -- will provide little or no "real world" improvement on the security of your PC.  In fact, it benefits the "Cloud Provider" a lot more than it does you.
For a security application to be effective, it must be able to work faster than the virus itself can work.  If the signature database resides in the cloud, even under optimum conditions, accessing the Cloud signature database will be far slower than if it resided on your PC.  Delays in accessing the signature database can have dangerous repercussions.
It is very normal for access to the Internet to be unreliable and unusually slow.
If you have no access to the Internet, your security is severely impaired or non-existent.  ...Even the publishers of these applications admit this.
Another so-called benefit of Cloud-Based Security is that it requires less "System Resources" than applications installed on your PC.  Counterpoint:
For some older Windows XP systems, this might be useful.  However, any system that is well-maintained and "Vista Compatible"-- or currently running Vista or Windows 7 -- has more than enough computing "horse-power" to provide better security using a security application installed completely on your PC.

Is there any Different between Virus & Malware?

November 08, 2011 Add Comment

Is there any Different between Virus & Malware?



Technically, no. But the difference is mostly Geek Jargon. Here's a brief background to help you understand the differences, and how they affect your choices in security software...

First, there were "Viruses". These programs self-replicated and spread without assistance. They did nasty things ranging from erasing your hard drive, to turning your screen upside down. Then came "Trojans". These programs were secretly installed by non-replicating means, and compromised the security on your computer to allow hackers direct (but hidden) access.

Next came "Spyware" and "Adware". Initially, these programs installed by sneaky-but-legal methods, but quickly devolved into more viral-like, illegal infections. Unlike viruses, these programs are not designed harm your computer. They secretly collect and report information about your browsing and purchasing habits, and/or generate those pop-ups advertisements we all know and hate. However, they DO often slow down your PC, and sometimes damage your system software while installing.

From these basic classifications sprung hundreds of variations and combinations, with two or three jargon terms for each of them. They were grouped into classifications by the burgeoning security software industry, which (of course) made absolutely no attempt to standardize them. A few people (myself included) started promoting the term "malware" as a general term for all MALicious softWARE. But the industry hijacked the term to apply specifically to the Spyware-Adware type of infections.

End result: The differences between "Viruses" and "Malware" are vague an confusing. However, for practical purposes, you can think of the difference primarily as legal. A "Virus" is malicious software that clearly installs itself illegally and/or for illegal purposes. "Malware" is malicious software that installs using sneaky-but-legal methods, and does not perform clearly illegal functions. Another term for this kind of software is PUP ...Potentially Unwanted Programs.

PUPs quickly became such a nuisance that a whole new industry for protection software sprung up around them. Their names usually incorporate the words "spy" or "malware".  Of course, they promoted themselves as an essential element to work alongside Anti-Virus software. However, both Malware and Viruses are detected in basically the same way, and these methods consume a lot of your computer's "horsepower".  Consequently, adding an Anti-Malware program to your computer may significantly reduce it's speed.

Today, most top-line Anti-Virus programs can now detect both Viruses and Malware. Conversely, few Anti-Malware programs also detect Viruses.  Also, the Anti-Malware companies have much less experience with Anti-Virus defense -- which is more difficult than defending against much simpler Malware.

The final difference is that "Anti-Virus" applications only delete the "viral" components of the infection.  They don't "mop-up" the leftover components.  While the leftovers do not pose a large threat for re-infection, most people (including me) are not comfortable leaving them there.

Summary:  Malware-plus-AV products (IMO) do not perform nearly as efficiently as venerable Anti-Virus products that also protect against Malware.  However, anti-malware products can perform better "mop-up" cleaning after an infection occurs, than anti-virus programs do.

On a final note, there are a number of popular, excellent, and free Anti-Malware removal programs. These are often recommended as "security" applications that can be installed alongside any anti-virus Program without impacting performance. This claim is somewhat incorrect. In their free versions these programs do not BLOCK Malware.  ...They will only REMOVE Malware AFTER it is already installed on the computer. Only the paid versions of these programs will BLOCK Malware.  Some of these programs DO include small, passive features that assist in blocking malware, but they do not actively scan files for malicious code the way that an Anti-Virus does.

Blackberry vs iPad 2

November 07, 2011 Add Comment

Blackberry vs iPad 2


Electronic accessories accept become an basic allotment of technology. These accessories accept as well been actual important to the circadian lives of abounding people. Things such as computers, phones, and iPods accept become a part of the a lot of avant-garde articles on the bazaar in contempo years. One of the newest electronics articles has been the tablet. The book is a carriageable accessory that acts like a PC. It allows you to cream the  internet, watch videos, and forward emails. Two of the a lot of accepted and accomplished superior tablets accessible are the Blackberry Playbook and the iPad 2. These accessories are a part of the best tablets on the bazaar and acquiesce users to accomplish abounding functions. Like all added articles they anniversary accept their own advantages and appearance that accomplish them distinct.

As far as the Blackberry playbook goes there are abounding absolute attributes of this product. First the book has a 7" LCD affectation awning which provides top superior clarity. This makes it simple for humans to get a bright appearance of what they are aggravating to see. The Playbooks as well has a 1024 x 600 awning resolutions, 1 GHz bifold bulk processor and a RAM of 1 GB. This book aswell runs Flash so humans can use watch videos whenever they want. A Playbook book aswell works with Android applications. As a aftereffect you can accept up to 200,000 Android toys accessible for use. One of the things about the Playbook book is that it doesn't accord you abundant admission to email so you will not be able to accessible emails unless you accept a smartphone affiliated to it.

The iPad 2 is addition superior artefact that contains abounding audible appearance that accomplish it actual ambrosial to consumers. First, the accessory has a 9.7" LED screen. It aswell has a resolution of 1024 x 768 at 132ppi forth with an Apple 1GHz A5 processor and a RAM of 512 MB. The looks of the accessory are actual acceptable as it has an accomplished architecture that is actual attractive. An iPad 2 works with abounding added applications than the Blackberry and accordingly offers added options. However the iPad 2 doesn't run Flash so you will not be able to watch videos on this device.

Both of these articles are actual acceptable and action consumers a top of the band cyberbanking device. These tablets are actual acceptable and acquiesce users to admission abounding adorable features. If you are anyone who is searching to use a book for examination videos again you are bigger off with the Blackberry playbook. For anyone who wants the a lot of bulk of appearance and apps should aces the iPad 2 as it is your bigger option. Despite their differences these two tablets are a abundant best for abounding consumers and should abide a part of the top rated electronics articles on the market. If you are searching to get a book that offers abounding appearance and allowances for a array of occasions again these two are accomplished options.
Subscribe to: Posts (Atom)