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Popular security utilities for OS X put to the test

Even though the prevalence of threats for the Mac remains relatively minimal, malware on OS X has raised its ugly head a bit in the past few years. Some in the Mac community have been affected by threats such as the Flashback malware, DNSChanger, and the MacDefender Trojan, among others. As a result, while the most effective way of keeping a Mac secure is to follow safe browsing and computing practices, you may also be considering using anti-malware utilities. But which ones perform best?

Recently, Mac security analyst Thomas Reed attempted to tackle this question in part by putting a … Read more

Protect your Android device with Zoner AntiVirus Free

With the large number of threats out there, mobile device security has become a serious subject. A good antivirus tool is essential in the prevention of intrusions and malicious software. Zoner AntiVirus Free is a great choice for those who don't want to purchase expensive software. It functions well and is packed with useful features.

Following a quick download, Zoner AntiVirus Free prompts the user for the typical initial scan. Once the device has been determined safe, the main menu becomes available. With clean, easy-to-read text, the main menu is simple to navigate. The current status of the device … Read more

Want to unlock your phone? Fix the DMCA

This week, a new federal mandate kicked in that makes it illegal for you to unlock a phone that you bought locked from a carrier. The rule states that unauthorized unlocking of a phone you bought -- even if you paid full price for it, minus a carrier subsidy -- is a violation of the Digital Millennium Copyright Act. Specifically, it violates a portion of the law enacted in 2000 that makes it illegal to bypass technology designed to restrict access to a certain product. And that provision has bedeviled consumers, researchers, and lawyers for 12 years -- it's … Read more

Anti-loneliness ramen bowl invites your phone to dinner

Normally, you spend dinner over a hot bowl of instant ramen, silently weeping and watching your salty tears mix with the steaming broth. Banish that loneliness by sharing your meal with a companion that won't give you a hard time or ask when you're getting married. The anti-loneliness ramen bowl will hold your smartphone at the ready so you'll never eat alone again.

The bowl is the creation of design firm MisoSoupDesign. The bowl itself is very sculptural, but the highlight is the smartphone holder that keeps your favorite tech buddy at the ready while you're chowing down.… Read more

Microsoft bombs another security test

Updated Thursday, January 17, 2012, at 4:50 p.m. PDT with comment from AV-Test.org.

For the second time in a row, Microsoft Security Essentials has failed to be certified as effective by AV-Test.org, an independent testing lab based in Germany.

The lab publishes test results every two months, and the test from November and December 2012 looked at 25 consumer antivirus security programs. Three failed certification: PC Tools Internet Security 2012, AhnLab Internet Security 8.0, and Microsoft Security Essentials 4.1.

This was the second test in a row in which MSE failed to earn certification. … Read more

Protect your Android device with AVG AntiVirus Free for Android

Is your Android device vulnerable to viruses and malware? Short answer: Yes. While threats to Android aren't yet on a par with Windows malware, it's a growth market, so it only makes sense to take steps to protect yourself and your device. Downloading apps only from the Play Store is probably the easiest way to keep your Android device safe from malware, but AVG Anti Virus Free for Android offers extra protection. This free app from one of the most trusted names in antivirus protection scans your Android smartphone or device for vulnerabilities such as unsecured settings and … Read more

Security Essentials fails latest AV-Test

Updated Monday, December 3, 2012, at 11:45 a.m. PDT with comment from Microsoft.

Updated Friday, November 30, 2012, at 1:00 p.m. PDT with comment from AV-Test.org.

In a month of uneven Windows 8 news and reviews, Microsoft is taking another hit. This time, its freeware Security Essentials finds itself in the crosshairs.

Independent German security suite evaluators AV-Test.org publish bimonthly tests that rate the effectiveness of the biggest Windows security suites out there, and the recently published results showed that MSE failed to earn certification on the most recent test. MSE was the only … Read more

Get Norton AntiVirus 2013 3-user edition free after rebate

Arguably the only thing worse than a sick Cheapskate (which I am) is a sick PC. That's why it's important to run reliable antivirus software, as the last thing you want is an infection.

There are plenty of good free utilities that will get the job done, but to my thinking, why not get the commercial-grade stuff if you can?

For a limited time, Newegg has Norton AntiVirus 2013 3-user edition for free. That's after redeeming a $45 mail-in rebate (PDF), which comes in the form of prepaid debit card.

Also available: Norton 360 Premier 2013 3-user for $9.99 … Read more

Why Google 'vertical' search shouldn't face antitrust action

It's likely we'll finally see the U.S. Federal Trade Commission make a decision on whether to take antitrust action against Google in the coming days. Among the charges is the idea that Google somehow is being unfair to competitors with "vertical" search. That has been, and remains largely to me, a laughable argument.

If the FTC did take action on this issue, it would be punishing Google for doing exactly what a good search engine should do.

Make no mistake. There are issues where Google deserves some antitrust attention. But vertical search isn't one … Read more

Free antivirus and malware scanner from a trusted name

Sophos Anti-Virus for Mac Home Edition is a simple-to-use antivirus and malware product for the Mac. Based on the Sophos antivirus line, Sophos Anti-Virus for Mac Home Edition is free and designed for those who need coverage on their Macs, but don't want to spend a lot of time and money. Sophos Anti-Virus for Mac Home Edition is a download from the publisher, not available in the App Store when we tested.

Sophos Anti-Virus for Mac Home Edition lets you tailor the way it behaves to some extent. It can work quietly in the background, taking care of most … Read more