spyware

Best known for its ZoneAlarm firewall, Check Point Software also publishes two full-featured security suites. ZoneAlarm Internet Security 2010 gives users a robust firewall, antivirus and antispyware, and parental control package for $49.95, while ZoneAlarm Extreme Security 2010 adds Web browsing protection, system tune-up tools, backup options, and antiphishing technology for three computers, which will set you back $69.95. The suite is effective, although not necessarily the best all around.

ZoneAlarm's well-known firewall is included, and after spending half a day with it on a Windows 7 computer we didn't notice any of the usability problems … Read more

If you're looking for a robust feature set from your security suite, and you're looking for an affordable price, you could do worse than Trend Micro's 2010 Internet Security and Internet Security Pro. However, this basic version offers the bare minimum of protection, even with decent performance benchmarks. This is problematic because the feature set is Trend Micro strength, but to get it you've got to pay for the Pro version.

Trend Micro claims that boot times are 20 percent faster, that the programs use 40 percent less RAM, that the download itself is 25 percent … Read more

Kaspersky Anti-Virus does a better-than-average job of keeping your PC safe, but it lacks the robust feature set of its more-expensive sibling. Several new features have made it into this version along with expected upgrades to the anti-virus engine, but one of the best--the Safe Run program sandbox--is sorely missed.

New features in the 2010 edition include a behavioral-based detection system called the Urgent Detection Sytsem. The UDS uses the anonymous data Kaspersky customers who choose to participate in submitting their system scans for analysis. In fact, the UDS must be opted-out of--there's a check box and data collection … Read more

Protecting your computer from viruses is not something to take lightly, so we're glad to say Kaspersky Internet Security does a better-than-average job of keeping your PC safe. Three new features along with expected upgrades to their antivirus engine keep Kaspersky competitive.

New features in the 2010 edition include a behavioral-based detection system called the Urgent Detection Sytsem. The UDS uses tthe anonymous data Kaspersky customers who choose to participate in submitting their system scans for analysis. In fact, the UDS must be opted-out of--there's a check box and data collection statement to read when you install the … Read more

If you're worried about surreptitious key-logging software recording your every keystroke, Keystroke Interference could be the handy security utility you've been looking for. Instead of trying to detect or disable keyloggers, it interferes with what they record as your keystrokes, inserting a random sequence of additional characters based on a proprietary algorithm.

Keystroke Interference has no interface, and is visible only as an icon in your system tray and Start menu. To get it to run at start-up, you must manually place it in your Startup folder. It also offers no configurable options. However, we didn't notice … Read more

If you are using a Windows machine or even a Mac running Windows in a virtual environment, you need to pay attention to security. At the very least, you should always have at least one program for each of the major security threats: antispyware, antivirus, and a software firewall (if you don't already have a router-based firewall). Some antivirus suites have begun to include antispyware in their software, so if you have antivirus software, check to make sure you're covered. But if you're reading this and you don't have software to cover these three areas, we … Read more

Supposedly, we will get finalization on the 802.11N wireless standard in September. Of course, we've been waiting for that for years now, so we're not too confident. We also almost forget we're talking about the new Yahoo home page, and only I am impressed by Microsoft contributing to the Linux Kernel. But, I still think it's cool!

Yahoo launching front page open to others' content

Microsoft aims at VM market with Linux kernel code offering

Barnes and Noble launches new eBook store with PlasticLogic

UAE Blackberry update was spyware

BlackBerry for Mac

Maine about to test tech to tax your miles, not your gasoline

U.S. agency blocked cellphone while driving safety study

802.11N should be finalized by September

Leaks lead to new Hadron Collider delay

Coming soon: Downloaded 3D movies at home… Read more

Norton Internet Security 2010 won't be available for a few more months, but the beta version is available now. In it, Symantec continues to build on the rejiggering it did last year. Built upon the dramatic performance improvements are deeper integration with other security tools like OnlineFamily. Norton, and the new Norton Insight for judging threats by community behavior as well as file definitions.

The public beta for Microsoft Security Essentials, the free replacement for Live OneCare, is now closed, but that doesn't mean you've missed your chance to see what it's like.

In this First Look video, we look at the new interface, the new features, and the new limitations of the latest free antivirus to enter the market. Should AVG and Avira be scared? Watch and find out.