Friday, October 12, 2007
The Importance of Updated Security Software
A recent survey from the National Cyber Security Alliance found that 98% of consumers felt that keeping their security software up to date was important. However, only 48% of those people actually kept their security software updated.
Why is it so important to keep my security software updated?
Security software relies on updates from your security software vendor to protect you. Once the updates stop (your license expires) you no longer receive updates and are no longer protected from new viruses and malware. In general, security software licenses last for one year and new computers come with trial versions that last from 90 to 180 days.
Isn't it good enough to protect myself from old viruses?
In 2006, The Shield Deluxe - Antivirus and Antispyware software powered by Kaspersky Labs generated over 86,000 pieces of code (signatures) to protect against viruses and malware. In 2007 that number will jump to over 170,000. 5 new malware samples are found every 2 minutes. If your security software expired yesterday, you are currently exposed to over 7,200 malwares today.
How do I find out if I am protected?
Your security software, be it The Shield Deluxe, Norton, McAfee or any other security software vendor, relies on your computer connecting through the internet to the vendors computers and downloading virus and malware updates (signatures). The simplest way to check to see IF you have active security protection is to open your security software and look for the Update button and click it.
If your security protection has expired, the simplest solution is to renew your current protection. While maintaining active security software does not guarantee you 100% protection, it is a basic necessity to smart web surfing. ¶ 7:45 AM 0 Comments
Why is it so important to keep my security software updated?
Security software relies on updates from your security software vendor to protect you. Once the updates stop (your license expires) you no longer receive updates and are no longer protected from new viruses and malware. In general, security software licenses last for one year and new computers come with trial versions that last from 90 to 180 days.
Isn't it good enough to protect myself from old viruses?
In 2006, The Shield Deluxe - Antivirus and Antispyware software powered by Kaspersky Labs generated over 86,000 pieces of code (signatures) to protect against viruses and malware. In 2007 that number will jump to over 170,000. 5 new malware samples are found every 2 minutes. If your security software expired yesterday, you are currently exposed to over 7,200 malwares today.
How do I find out if I am protected?
Your security software, be it The Shield Deluxe, Norton, McAfee or any other security software vendor, relies on your computer connecting through the internet to the vendors computers and downloading virus and malware updates (signatures). The simplest way to check to see IF you have active security protection is to open your security software and look for the Update button and click it.
If your security protection has expired, the simplest solution is to renew your current protection. While maintaining active security software does not guarantee you 100% protection, it is a basic necessity to smart web surfing. ¶ 7:45 AM 0 Comments
Saturday, October 6, 2007
Why Do Viruses Spread?
The National Cyber Security Alliance completed a survey about online security and security software and there were interesting results. 98% of consumers agreed that keeping security software up to date was important yet only 48% of the people actually have updated their software in the last month. This is the break that virus writers live for.
The inherent problem with antivirus software is that if you do not have a virus that has destroyed your computer or your data, antivirus software gets put in the back of your mind. Compound this with free trials that come with new computers that tend to only last 90 or 180 days ... consumers in general are vulnerable.
Now, viruses have also changed their complexion, no longer looking to destroy your PC (they keep the host alive), they prefer to use your unprotected PC to spread themselves to other unprotected PC's.
So what do you do?
1. Even if your security software auto updates, put a reminder in your PCs calender to run those updates manually once a month.
2. Understand that new viruses come out hourly and old ones mutate even faster, if your security software expired yesterday, you are NOT protected.
3. You spend hundreds, if not thousands of dollars on your computer, software and more importantly personal information, pictures, documents and more - renew your software annually. It generally costs $15 -$25 to renew and is simple to do.
There is no way to emphasize enough the importance of updating your security software, whether it be from PCSecurityShield, Norton, McAfee or any other vendor. If your software expired an hour ago, your exposure and risk increases by the minute.
Check to see if your software is active and renew today. ¶ 7:28 AM 0 Comments
The inherent problem with antivirus software is that if you do not have a virus that has destroyed your computer or your data, antivirus software gets put in the back of your mind. Compound this with free trials that come with new computers that tend to only last 90 or 180 days ... consumers in general are vulnerable.
Now, viruses have also changed their complexion, no longer looking to destroy your PC (they keep the host alive), they prefer to use your unprotected PC to spread themselves to other unprotected PC's.
So what do you do?
1. Even if your security software auto updates, put a reminder in your PCs calender to run those updates manually once a month.
2. Understand that new viruses come out hourly and old ones mutate even faster, if your security software expired yesterday, you are NOT protected.
3. You spend hundreds, if not thousands of dollars on your computer, software and more importantly personal information, pictures, documents and more - renew your software annually. It generally costs $15 -$25 to renew and is simple to do.
There is no way to emphasize enough the importance of updating your security software, whether it be from PCSecurityShield, Norton, McAfee or any other vendor. If your software expired an hour ago, your exposure and risk increases by the minute.
Check to see if your software is active and renew today. ¶ 7:28 AM 0 Comments
