Applications
Showing posts with label Applications. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Applications. Show all posts

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.

Searching for Application in FreeBSD’s Ports Collection

April 08, 2006 Add Comment

Searching for Application in FreeBSD’s Ports Collection




The FreeBSD Ports and Packages Collection offers a simple way for users and administrators to install applications. The number of applications in FreeBSD Ports and Packages Collection is growing with the time, which now exceeding ten thousands ports.

All Ports Collection is stored at /usr/ports directory, according to their respective category-based directory. If you know the name of the port that you need, but don’t know which category it’s located, whereis command will be helpful:

whereis file_name

For example,

# whereis phpMyAdmin
phpMyAdmin: /usr/ports/databases/phpMyAdmin

The whereis command returns the exact location of the port specified.

FreeBSD Ports Collection also has built-in search function. In /usr/ports directory (you need to be in /usr/ports directory to use the search mechanism), run make search name=program-name or make search key=keyword to search for a particular port.

For example,

# make search name=”phpMyAdmin”
# make search key=”phpMyAdmin”

Note: Without the ” and ” will work too.

Both will return details of the ports matched, if any. One of the result if “Path”, which will tell you where is the port located.

The keyword search is a more in-depth searching that searches port names, comments, descriptions and dependencies. It can be used to find ports which relate to a particular subject if you do not know the name of the program you are looking for.

Alternatively, FreeBSD also maintains an up-to-date searchable list of all the available applications, arranged by category. You can search for your application by name and browse all applications that are within the category.

FreshPorts also allowed users to search for FreeBSD’s ports by keywords. FreshPorts tracks and lists the change made to the ports tree, and allows users to watch one or more ports, and can email you when your selected port has been updated.

Important Tools and Utilities in One Google Pack

December 09, 2005 Add Comment

Important Tools and Utilities in One Google Pack


Google has packed all the most essential and the best software for personal computer in a package named Google Pack for the ease of computer users.

These must-have applications will helps to protect computer from virus, adware and spyware, enhances the ease and flexibility of using computer and while surfing or browsing internet. With the popularity of digital photography and instant messaging nowadays, Google Pack also include best photo management software and popular instant messaging client. Also look out for free artwork and photos and programs that will turns your PC into multimedia center.

Most of the software in Google Pack is freeware, although you may pay to use more than the basic functionality or extend the virus signatures update beyond 6 months.

Software available in Google Pack:


  • Google Earth – Best free 3D earth browser, where you can zoom even till street level.
  • Picasa – Free and feature packed photo organizer, enables you to enhance your photos with just 1 click!
  • Google Desktop – Organize and arrange all your personalized information in one place and search for everything with this invaluable desktop companion.
  • Google Toolbar for Internet Explorer – Enhance Internet Explorer to block pop-ups, search from any web pages and autofill forms.
  • Google Pack Screensaver – A photo screensaver that use your personal collection.
  • Mozilla Firefox with Google Toolbar – Better browser with better security control and tabbed browsing.
  • Ad-Aware SE Personal – One of the best and free spyware removal utility. The antispyware utility can safely detect and remove spyware, beside protect your privacy.
  • Norton Antivirus 2005 Special Edition – Antivirus utility to protect your PC from viruses, worms and Trojan horses, and comes with free 6-month subscription to protection and virus signature updates.
  • Adobe Reader 7 – Read .pdf files
  • Google Talk – Talk with friends and send instant messages to friends for free.
  • RealPlayer – Organize and play various popular media formats of music and videos, and tranfer your favorite music to Apple iPod or other portable media players.
  • GalleryPlayer HD Images – Free high quality images.
  • Trillian – Free install messenger to chat with friends on AIM, ICQ, MSN, and Yahoo! Messenger.

Most importantly, all software application in Google Pack will automatically updated with Google Updater, a new tool that will keep the application up-to-date.
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