www.spywarenews.org – Smartphones have been popular technological gadgets since the launching of the Apple iPhone in 2007. They have features that fuse computer and a telephone (or sometimes TV) as one. These communication devices have become a vital staple for the modern culture of the 21st century. Internet search giant Google has joined the smartphone market through collaboration with the Open Handset Alliance, which resulted to the creation of a smartphone operating system (OS) called Android.

This OS applies a modified variation of the Linux kernel, which makes it secure to hold various applications, wherein there are more than 150,000 of them. However, some of these apps are capable of harming the operating system by gathering information like personal data such as credit card numbers, phone numbers, e-mail addresses, and even social security numbers. One of them is a text message Trojan known as Trojan-SMS.AndroidOS.FakePlayer.a, which has impacted various mobile devices. This malicious software appeared in August 2010 as a harmless media player, although if installed, the application sends text messages without warning and consent of the users. This has affected Russian Android smartphone users, who lost money through this malicious app. In March 2011, Google has revoked 58 malicious programs from the Android Market, wherein they have Trojans that were kept in pirated versions of genuine apps. Because of this, software security firms like Kaspersky, AVG, and Symnatec have developed solutions to function as antivirus for Android OS for smartphones.

AVG Antivirus for Android OS – AVG has recently released various antivirus applications for Android phones at Safer Internet Day 2011 on February 8, 2011. First off is the AVG Anti-Virus Free. This software inspects emails, SMS and websites for suspicious software and can monitor applications for malware prior to downloading them to the handset. Anti-Virus Free also detects your lost or stole phone through Google Maps using its Phone Locator feature. You can also backup your phone numbers, call logs, and messages to your SD card, although this feature is currently in Beta. The Task Killer feature eliminates phone tasks that slow down or freeze your smartphone. This antivirus system can be installed for free its security software AVG Mobilation. AVG Anti-Virus Free has its standard counterpart, the AVG Anti-Virus Pro. This software is a major improvement of the Anti-Virus Free, which has similar security features, although the Anti-Virus Pro has an actual VIP tech support.

Hopefully, these options of antivirus for Android OS from AVG help you learn about the importance of keeping your phones protected. AVG and Google’s Droid Security is a defensive combination that can keep your smartphones running.

Published by Spyware, Adware and Computer Security News (www.spywarenews.org)

Companies continue to test and rank antivirus programs. The three programs which always take their turns at the top are AVG, Avira and Avast. These antivirus programs are not only free to use but also promise high end scanning capabilities and destroy thousands of computer viruses. But of course, you wouldn’t want to clutter your PC with antivirus programs which could do pretty much everything as the other programs. In the battle avira vs avg vs avast, which one is the best? This review summarizes some of the interesting advantages and disadvantages of each of the three antivirus programs.

Avast

When you are trying to look for a stable, effective, and well-supported antivirus program, Avast is the right choice. Avast boasts of its frequent and fast updates whose cleaning features are the same as the Pro, which is its paid counterpart. Avast is also highly configurable which enables smooth operation. Many use Avast for its antirootkit and antispyware feature. When it comes to scanning your emails for viruses, Avast is the top pick. It has an internet mail shield which allows scanning of your emails from malicious sources.

However, Avast detects Trojans weakly. It could not delete, repair, or move to chest some of its Trojan detections. Other antimalware programs must be installed in coordination with the program to upgrade protection against Trojan. The latest Avast has also become bloated with many added features that could cause your PC to slow down.

…First, while it’s true that they share the same cleaning features, avast! Pro Antivirus is not the “paid counterpart” for avast! Free Antivirus — they are different products, with Pro Antivirus 5.0 offering also a virtualization sandbox (an AutoSandbox will be included also in the Free Antivirus version of our upcoming 6.0 series, but Pro Antivirus will always have additional features that do not come with Free Antivirus)….Jason Mashak

Avira

On a recent testing of antivirus programs, Avira ranked first for its high detection capability among other free antivirus programs despite its slow update. Avira has 90%+ detection rate in contrast to AVG and Avast whose rate barely made it to 80%. In addition to viruses, it also detects Trojans, malwares and rootkits. This feature is brought about by the use of a heuristic detection technology. This technology, which is unique to Avira, allows the program to detect viruses with the same malicious code, thus it doesn’t have to rely only on its virus definition database.

However, Avira does not scan emails. A paid upgraded version or other threat detection programs must be installed to get the feature.

AVG

AVG is perhaps the most user friendly free antivirus program. It allows you to specifically scan a file or the system when needed. Its update schedule can also be set according to what suits you better. Its email scanner allows you to scan emails in Outlook and Incredimail. In addition, it also has a link scanner, and a web and resident shield.

The downside is that AVG generates a huge amount of false positive detections. Its seemingly unwanted sensitivity can delete even those innocent and useful installers and programs without asking permission first. It also only detects viruses and basic spyware. A heuristic detection technology and an antispyware program such as Threatfire will have to be installed for additional protection.

Conclusion
Generally, no antivirus program is 100% perfect in terms of protection. It would take a lot of exposure to malicious insults before anyone could tell which one is better, especially that the viruses themselves continue to evolve and become more sophisticated. It’s also up to the consumer which suits him best.

A good protection plan is to have one antivirus program, a good anti spyware and shield, and a keyscrambler. Don’t use two antivirus programs in your computer. To be safer, use a lot of common sense. Have a back-up plan to be sure. Also avoid links or emails from unknown sources.

Over-all, Avira takes the credit. Though it updates slowly, it has a very good detection rate which is the very sense of having an antivirus program in your PC.

Odd as it mat sound, the computer virus is something specifically related to the information age. On one side of it the viruses can show us how vulnerable we are, as a properly generated and utilized virus can have devastating effects on the computer they are on. On the flip side of this they can also show us how intelligent and interconnected human beings have become.

Strange as it may sound, the computer virus is something of an Information Age marvel. On one hand, viruses show us how vulnerable we are — a properly engineered virus can have a devastating effect, disrupting productivity and doing billions of dollars in damages. On the other hand, they show us how sophisticated and interconnected human beings have become. So how does a computer virus work?

What is Computer Virus

A virus is a tiny piece of software that can piggyback itself into real programs. For example, a virus may attach itself to a spreadsheet program such a excel. Each time that spreadsheet is opened, the virus begins to run. It can also have the chance to reproduce itself by attaching itself to other programs.

One of the best way to avoid allowing a virus onto your computer is to make sure you run a virus program scanner on each and every item you download, before you open it. Once you have executed a program, its way too late.

This latest popular version AVG free security software now incorporates protection against spyware. AVG Anti-Virus Free Edition 8.0 is intended for personal and non-commercial use on single computers running Windows 2000, XP or Vista.

What is not included in the free version?

The AVG Free product does not include the proactive safe-surfing (”drive-by download” protection) of the full LinkScanner module that is included in the commercial AVG products, nor the protection against hackers, keyloggers, spam, phishing attacks and malicious file downloads that can come through instant messaging and attachments. The free product also does not include the local telephone support and round-the-clock e-mail support provided with the commercial products.

There are many programs out there that can help you with Spy ware and Mal ware protection.

Some of the best programs to us are as follows;

The Cleaner Trojan checker For Trojan checker.
Male-ware Protection – http://www.malwarebytes.org/mbam.php
AVG – Offers free virus protection for your pc without causing vulnerabilities

Many other are available but be sure you get them from reputable services. All information secured on hard drives makes some people thing they are secure. They are NOT if they do not follow the simple instructions to avoid opening up our computer to malicious attacks.