Comments on: More Virus News

By: DanM

DanM — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 00:12:09 +0000

Microsoft Security Essentials is the successor to their previous commercial product Live OneCare. I used Live OneCare for several years (until it was discontinued) and it seemed to do a good job. They discontinued it because they could never get enough market share to make it worthwhile. This is likely a testament to the power of advertising more than anything else.

Microsoft Security Essentials is an adequate product. Nothing wrong with taking advantage of anything free. The way they “charge” you is that it won’t run unless your copy of Windows is fully authenticated. It’s interesting to watch these products dance and duel. Beats the Stupor Bowl any day.

Having your email “in the cloud” isn’t really any more of a protection than traditional email. The most recent scam I reported, for example, would have made it through. Only the web site that was linked was identified as a hazard, not the email.

By: Steven Purhonen

Steven Purhonen — Sun, 07 Feb 2010 21:47:27 +0000

Dan,
What’s your take on Microsoft Security Essentials? I was using the free version of Avast! but found MS Security Essentials less obtrusive and (I think) with a smaller footprint. I should note that I do all my email in “the cloud.”

By: DanM

DanM — Sat, 06 Feb 2010 16:54:47 +0000

ps … Further investigation revealed that the site has already been reported as a zombie and my anti-virus software, Kaspersky, warned me about it with a full screen, blood-red warning.

I’m getting to really like Kaspersky.

By: DanM

DanM — Sat, 06 Feb 2010 16:40:24 +0000

There’s another similarity about computer zombies and the ones you see in films. Zombies are slow and easy kill once you see them. They’re only dangerous if they surprise you.

That’s one reason I decided to post this one. It’s a really good example of what one looks like.

By: Lena

Lena — Sat, 06 Feb 2010 16:33:13 +0000

Dan, Thank you for showing me the real thing in your Zombi Blog. Before I had even finished reading the first paragraph I felt uneasy. I guess that is because of the many cautions I have recieved from you in the past. Nowif I dont recognize or feel good about something I delete it. I have never deleted anything I felt bad about. Lena