Tag Archives: Antivirus

Avira

Avira Antivirus Security for Android – Version 4.0

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Previously discovered bugs have been successfully fixed in the latest version and new features have also been added to the application. You can now lock the applications you use on your mobile devices thanks to the new App Lock feature.

It’s all about performance and security

Although several improvements can be noticed in the design of the interface, most of the updates referred to internal processes and they were aimed at offering Android users the best possible protection. The latest version of Avira Antivirus Security also makes it easier for users to upgrade to the Pro version and thus benefit from a Secure Browsing experience on their Android devices.

Mobile applications secured with Avira’s App Lock

Officially released within the newest version of Avira Antivirus Security for Android, the App Lock feature enables users to protect their mobile apps against unauthorized usage by simply blocking access to them. This comes as an extra layer of protection highly welcomed for apps known to store precious data such as personal information, photos, videos or any other type of sensitive content.

“Our Mobile Development team is proud to offer Android users more than an antivirus application for their devices, an app that treats all privacy aspects equally serious. Data theft can occur under many forms and it is our duty to help the user benefit from extra layers of protection for all sensitive data. The updates in the latest Avira Antivirus Security version, such as the new App Lock feature, work exactly towards this goal: enhanced protection with no extra costs” said Cornel Balaban, Mobile Development Manager at Avira.

FREE Avira Antivirus Security for Android Version 4.0 is available for download in the Google Play Store

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Let us know what you think about the latest updates and what future changes you would like to see in our app: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.avira.android

The post Avira Antivirus Security for Android – Version 4.0 appeared first on Avira Blog.

Avast

Not your father’s antivirus protection

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avtest_certified_homeuser_2015-02

Avast received the AV-Test certification for home use products.

Do I really need security on my computer anymore?

Over the years, web standards have improved and the security of operating systems and browsers have become better. Because of these advances, some people question whether they need security protection at all. But you need to remember that in parallel to positive advances in protection, cybercrooks have improved their skills and become more stealthy and targeted.

Hackers are no longer mischievous kids breaking into government agencies because they can. “These days, cybercrooks have to make business driven-decisions like the rest of us because their resources are limited,” said Ondrek Vlcek, COO of Avast.

Current malware is often disguised as legitimate applications, malicious Android apps sneak by protocols of the huge download sites, and home and business networks are being attacked via weakly protected routers.

“Threats are no longer just targeting devices, but accounts and routers. A recent example is the iCloud hack where cybercrooks stole personal photos of more than 100 celebrities, including Jennifer Lawrence and Kate Upton,” said Vlcek. “This attack happened via their account and can as well be the result of a router hack. No matter which device you use, all Internet traffic flows through your router so you have to make sure it is secure. You don’t have to be Jennifer Lawrence to be attacked.

Not your father’s antivirus protection

Antivirus protection has come a long way since it scanned individual files. Avast has taken modern virus protection to a high art with real-time updates and heuristic scans that detect new threats it’s never even seen before.

Avast performs so well in protecting against “real-world” threats such as Trojans, worms and viruses as well as web and email threats, that it just received the AV-TEST certification for our home user products.

Avast scored perfectly in the detection of widespread and prevalent malware discovered in the last 4 weeks, and had very little incidence of disruptions caused by false positives. Our consumer products have basically no measurable impact on the performance of the computer while doing things that the average user does on a daily basis: Visiting websites, downloading software, installing and running programs and copying data.

Avast

Are you as smart as your smartphone?

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Smart phone

How do I find my apps on this thing?

Not too many years ago we had phones that only made calls. Smartphones are the newest generation of phones that bring a lot of possibilities right to our fingers through the apps specifically designed for them. We all got used to the Windows (or Mac) world, but now we are witnessing a revolution from “standard” programs and some specialized tools to a world where every common thing can be done by our smartphones. Sometimes it seems, that the device is smarter than we are!

But can it protect itself from the increasing number of threats?

You’ll find a lot of articles on the Internet which state that security companies exaggerate the need for mobile security and antivirus protection. You’ll read that Google Play and the new security technologies of Android Lollipop are the only things necessary for security. I could post many examples of such (bad) tips, but I don’t want to waste your time or mine.

Do you use only Google Play as your app source?

A common (and wise) security tip is to stick with Google Play for downloading apps. This is good advice despite the fact that we see here in the Avast blog that Google Play fails to detect some apps as malware. Look for our mobile malware senior virus analyst Filip Chytry’s articles. He continuously discovers holes in Google Play security.

However, what if you want apps that have been banned from Google Play? No, I’m not talking about (just) adult apps. Google banned anti-ad apps, for instance. So where is a safe place to get them? The answer is simple: outside of Google Play. The Amazon Appstore for Android is quickly increasing the possibilities.

Do you think that clean apps can’t become bad ones?

Clean apps can become bad ones, and with the new Google Play permission scheme, you may not even notice. This makes updating your apps (another very common and wise hint) an additional complication.

As the apps we love can turn against us, the best tip of all is that you install a mobile security app that helps you know what it being added to your phone.  Avast Mobile Security updates its virus database very often to detect the latest threats and allows you to install securely all the apps you love.

This makes you smarter than your smartphone! ;-)

 

Avira

Avira Antivirus Pro: is it really the best?

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Advanced Real Time Protection

It seems redundant to even mention it because a good protection is what everybody would expect from an Antivirus. Take a closer look at our product and you will notice that Protection is where Avira Antivirus Pro really excels. Fortunately, it’s not only us who say so, industry experts agree: we are scoring some of the highest results on a regular basis in the AV-Comparatives, AV-TEST and VB100 testings. We owe every success to our cutting-edge antivirus technology, including the Avira Protection Cloud. This little gem strengthens the protection, helps with detection, and makes it almost impossible for cybercriminals to bypass our defenses.

Ever wondered how the Avira Protection Cloud works?

Ever wondered how the Avira Protection Cloud works?

Faster and Safer

Avira Protection Cloud is not the only cool thing that makes Avira Antivirus Pro shine among all other security programs. With new digital threats emerging all the time, an antivirus has to be fully up-to-date. It is exactly why the information about malicious software required for detection is saved by Avira in V(irus)D(efinition)F(iles) files. With one of our latest upgrades those files received, they were enhanced to minimize the amount of data involved and to keep the updates small and therefor faster.

Easy to Use

All of the above might sound rather complicated, but let’s be honest: when you have to use an antivirus application you don’t want to go through pages of cryptic information, complex menus, and confusing instructions. Sure – the development and technology behind an antivirus can be complex but you, our user, should not be affected by it. That’s why our software comes with a clear and streamlined user interface designed with your comfort in mind.

Are you ready to give it a try? Benefit from a 50% discount on Avira Antivirus Pro using the following voucher code: YE9-DDP-R8X

The post Avira Antivirus Pro: is it really the best? appeared first on Avira Blog.

Avast

Good guys finish first: Avast is the leading security company worldwide

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Downloading

“Installing an antivirus product is the first, not last, step to having a safe and secure computer.”

Avast is the leader in the cyber security arms race.

There are others fighting the fight, but a 21.4% share makes Avast the leader in the antivirus vendor market as reported in OPSWAT’s quarterly market share report.

That’s good news for individuals and business owners concerned about protecting themselves from vulnerable networks, swiped passwords, pilfered finanical data, erased online identities, and stolen Social Security or national ID numbers. Opinions about the future of cyber-attacks range from doom and gloom to optimism about the steady progress in security, but the fact remains that in today’s world, we have to work around the Internet’s vulnerable design and motivated hackers challenging businesses and home users.

“Installing an antivirus product is the first, not last, step to having a safe and secure computer,” said OPSWAT’s Gears product manager, Adam Winn. “Avast’s popular antivirus and security products are helping to improve security for all. Creating accessible antivirus products for home users contributes to an overall improved security status for everyone, even businesses.”

The OPSWAT report contains the latest figures on antivirus market share and usage, as well as analysis of compromised devices. A disturbing finding from the report stated,

More than 90% of Windows PCs have not run an antivirus full system scan in the last 7 days. Of these, 15% hadn’t even had their antivirus definitions updated within the previous three days which might explain why over3% were found to be seriously infected.

“It’s reasonable to assume in an organization with 400 PCs, a full dozen are compromised,” said Winn as an illustration of the seriousness. “The interconnected state of computing has blurred the lines between home and business, especially with BYOD, remote working, and SaaS. For this reason, it’s in everyone’s best interest that traditional antivirus protection continues to be in place to deter casual and commodity attacks.”

A lack of regular updates and full system scanning is especially problematic. Organizations without robust endpoint management and solutions in place to identify and remediate these risks are giving insecure devices access to their networks and could find themselves in violation of data security regulations.

Avast for Business protects companies for free

A lack of regular updates and full system scanning is especially problematic. Organizations without robust endpoint management and solutions in place to identify and remediate these risks are giving insecure devices access to their networks and could find themselves in violation of data security regulations.

Avast for Business“Our anti-malware engine keeps businesses and individuals protected with up to hundreds of continuous streaming micro-updates throughout the day, providing realtime protection against today’s complex threat landscape,” said Luke Walling, GM and VP of SMB at Avast. “By protecting the most devices we have the best insight into that threat landscape, and that translates into better protection for all of our users. Avast for Business is our answer to providing businesses from startup to maturity a tool for the best protection, and there’s no reason for even the smallest of companies not to use it, because it starts at a price everyone can afford, free.”

The data for the report was collected by OPSWAT GEARS, a free device security and management tool. You can add your computer to the sample if you don’t mind them collecting information regarding the applications installed on your computer. Check it out here, https://www.opswatgears.com/

Avast leads in the antivirus vendor market with a 21.4% share

Avast leads in the antivirus vendor market with a 21.4% share

AVG

Why Android phones and tablets need Anti-Virus

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Smartphones and tablets are now as powerful as your three year old desktop or laptop computer, which is why it’s just as important to ensure they are secure. And this is especially true for Android devices. In fact, as much as 97% of all mobile malware (that’s fake apps, viruses and scams) is on Android.

But how does malware get onto your phone in the first place? Here are the three top ways that malware can get onto your Android device and how a simple security app can help to keep you safe.

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Android Security Basics

Installing ‘untrusted’ apps

Only using the Google Play Store, or another trusted source for your apps is the default advice for every Android device owner.  And it’s good advice because reputable market places will often scan their apps to ensure they’re safe before you download them.

However, Android also provides the ability to download and install an app directly from a website – as a file with the extension “.APK” – provided, of course, that you first enable the security setting to allow “Untrusted sources”.

Anti-Virus for Android will not only help detect potentially malicious apps, it will also alert you to ensure you keep that “Untrusted sources” security option disabled, except for rare occasions when you might need to temporarily enabled it.

 

Web links and browsing

It’s not just rogue apps that can give you a bad day.  Browsing web sites from your Android phone and tablet can put you at risk.  And there’s also the inconvenience of having your device stolen or lost forever.

Surfing websites from mobile devices is amazingly convenient for you, and the scammers. By exploiting known vulnerabilities, especially in those older Android devices that aren’t up to date, just clicking on a malicious link can be enough to wreak havoc.

Luckily, a good Anti-Virus app which can also scan links and provide protection against phishing attacks will help you surf more safely.

And when it comes to losing your Android phone to tablet, Anti-Theft features allow you to remotely locate, and if stolen, remotely erase your device for peace of mind.

Challenge of Keeping Updated

The ability to keep your Android phone or tablet running the best version of Android with all the latest security fixes depends on a number of factors.

Firstly, the manufacturer may have shipped your device with a modified version of Android to make it behave a little differently.  For example, if you have a Samsung device using the “Touchwiz” interface, or an HTC with the “Sense” look and features.

Second, if you purchased your phone or tablet through a telephone company there’s a good chance it came bundled with some extra apps and features too.

All of these modifications, while arguably adding some value, delay the deployment of security fixes released by Google.

Often you have to wait for  either your telephone company or the device manufacturer (or both) has to refresh their modified versions of Android before you get the benefit.

A good Anti-Virus app can help to keep your device secure until those security updates arrive.

These are just some of the reasons why Android phones and tablets need Anti-Virus.  Do you know of any more?

Avast

Is backing up your data the same as exposing it? In this case – Yes!

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Losing contacts from your mobile phone is highly inconvenient. There’s seems to be a solution –  You can find them online! The catch? Your contacts are in a publicly accessible place.

1playstore photo

Seriously.

If you care for your privacy you should always be suspicious about “Cloud Backup” solutions you find in the Google Play Store. The solution that is being analyzed here backs up your personal contacts online. In public.

Upon starting the application, you will find a screen where you can put your mobile number and a password of your choice. Then you can upload your contacts in the cloud.

 2app

A brief analysis inside this application shows us how exactly it backs up your contacts in the cloud. The contacts are associated with the phone number that you have given in the previous step and they are sent through HTTP POST requests in a PHP page.

3savedatacloud

Further analysis through IP traffic capturing with Fiddler helped usdiscover the results in the pictures above; a page located online, for anyone to see, that contains thousands of un-encrypted entries of phone numbers and passwords. Using the info in the app you can retrieve personal private data (contacts) from another user.

4fiddlerinfo 5datafromserver

We found log in data inside those entries from countries like Greece, Brazil, and others

The Play Store page says that this app has been installed 50.000-100.000 times. This is a big number of installations for an application that doesn’t deliver the basic secure Android coding practices. The developer must use technologies like HTTPS, SSL and encryption on the data that are transferred through the web and stored in the server. Nogotofail is a useful network security testing tool designed by Google to “to help developers and security researchers spot and fix weak TLS/SSL connections and sensitive cleartext traffic on devices and applications in a flexible, scalable, powerful way.“

6appinfoplaystore The application has been reported to Google without receiving any response.

Avast detects it as Android:DataExposed-B [PUP].

Samples (SHA-256):

F51803FD98C727F93E502C13C9A5FD759031CD2A5B5EF8FE71211A0AE7DEC78C 199DD6F3B452247FBCC7B467CB88C6B0486194BD3BA01586355BC32EFFE37FAB

AVG

Mac OS-X users hit with “iWorm” Malware

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The warning is particularly relevant to those users who choose to download pirated software. As reported on The Safe Mac, the “iWorm” Trojan malware has been distributed through a pirate software website offering infected commercial software applications, such as Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Illustrator, Microsoft Office and Parallels.

This particular Trojan malware has been identified as being able to receive commands from the remote attacker and can inspect and transmit your files from your Mac. iWorm can also download and execute additional components – potentially causing serious havoc and compromising your privacy.

Mac users who choose to download untrusted applications from pirate websites are often completely unaware of the risks; easily blindsided by the immediate cost-savings of avoiding purchasing the software legitimately.

All iWorm Trojan malware is detected by AVG Antivirus for Mac including:

  • Virus OSX/iWorm.A
  • Trojan OSX/Iservice.B

While the prevalence of Mac malware remains relatively low when compared to Windows PC users, it’s no reason for Mac users to be complacent. Make sure you protect all your devices today.

Until next time, stay safe out there.

 

Panda Security

Panda Security launches new 2015 Consumer Line with XMT Smart Engineering Engine #Panda2015

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  • Panda Security’s new consumer product line is now available. New solutions are lighter, safer and easier to use than ever before, and are based on the new XMT Smart Engineering architecture, a new engine for a new technological era
  •  Panda Global Protection 2015, Panda Internet Security 2015, Panda Antivirus Pro 2015, Panda Mobile Security and Panda Gold Protection leverage the power of cloud computing to combat maware threats

Madrid, August 13, 2014

Panda Security, The Cloud Security Company, today announced the launch of its new line of consumer solutions. Panda Global Protection 2015, Panda Internet Security 2015, Panda Antivirus Pro 2015, Panda Mobile Security 2.0 and Panda Gold Protection are the five products included in the security company’s 2015 consumer line which this year boasts the new XMT Smart Engineering engine as its main new feature.

The results of the latest comparative tests conducted by independent laboratories such as AV-Comparatives, AV-TEST and Virus Bulletin, where Panda Security achieved the best scores in detection, protection and resource use, showcase the excellent capabilities of the new XMT engine. With XMT, different technologies interact with each other to achieve new levels of efficiency and greater detection and disinfection power to eradicate all threats.

“In a context in which 160,000 new malware samples are created every day, as reported by PandaLabs’ Q2 report, we are very much aware that we have to provide users with the best protection. And the best thing is that the engine with which we’re achieving the highest detection ratios in the industry’s leading tests is the basis of all our endpoint protection products,” said Álvaro Elorriaga, Global Retail Director at Panda Security. “Our aim is to continue integrating technologies in the platform to stay in pole position when it comes to detection, and provide our users with maximum protection and minimum impact on their systems”.

Minimum impact on performance

Designed to provide complete protection with minimal performance impact, Panda Security’s new 2015 Consumer solutions harness the power of cloud computing to combat the myriad security threats users face today: viruses, hackers, online fraud, identity theft and all other known and unknown threats.

new antivirus

“The new 2015 Consumer line is based on four pillars that have allowed us to further improve our security solutions, adjusting them to our customers’ needs: protection, lightness, flexibility and stability”, explained Hervé Lambert, Retail Product Marketing Manager at Panda Security.  

Cross-Platform Protection

In addition to the new XMT engine, one of the most noteworthy features of Panda Security’s new 2015 solutions is the cross-platform protection provided by Panda Global Protection 2015 for Mac environments and even mobile devices. Furthermore, advanced users will find an additional layer of protection with Data Shield, a new module to protect user data against malware such as ransomware that tries to access sensitive information with malicious purposes (theft, deletion and encryption).

Additionally, the 2015 versions of Panda Internet Security and Panda Antivirus Pro include improved protection capabilities against viruses, hackers and Wi-Fi intrusions thanks to a Wi-Fi monitor that provides full visibility into all the devices connected to the wireless network. Along with these features, Panda Internet Security 2015 helps protect users’ children, identity and data with parental control, application control and online backup functionalities. “Despite Panda Antivirus Pro is the most basic solution in the entire line –it protects Windows environments only–, the truth is that it is much more than a simple antivirus. Besides providing fast and intuitive protection, it also includes other features such as a firewall, virtual keyboard, rescue kit and multimedia options”, explained Hervé Lambert.

New Panda Mobile Security Now Available on Google Play

Additionally, the new Panda Mobile Security 2.0 is now available on Google Play. This solution, designed to protect Android devices, includes features such as geolocation and anti-theft to remotely locate, lock and wipe lost or stolen devices. The new version is much more intuitive and user-friendly than before thanks to a brand new look and feel.

Panda Gold Protection
Panda Gold Protection

Panda Security’s 2015 Consumer product line also includes Panda Gold Protection, a complete solution designed to protect users’ data regardless of the device they are using: PC, Mac, and Android smartphones, tablets and Smart TVs. Panda Gold Protection is the only product in the entire 2015 line that features Panda Cloud Drive, an online backup and sync service with 20 GB of free space that allows users to store files securely in the cloud and access them from any computer, mobile device or Web browser at any time.

Users who want to take a free trial of Panda Security’s new 2015 solutions can go to http://www.pandasecurity.com/homeusers/

Also, users who want to buy Panda Security’s products can do so online on the company’s website or at the usual points of sale (retailers, dealers, shopping malls, etc).

Main features of Panda Security’s 2015 Consumer solutions

 

new consumer 2015 range

About Panda Security

Founded in 1990, Panda Security is the world’s leading provider of cloud-based security solutions, with products available in more than 14 languages and millions of users located in 195 countries around the world. Panda Security was the first IT security company to harness the power of cloud computing with its Collective Intelligence technology. This innovative security model can automatically analyze and classify thousands of new malware samples every day, guaranteeing corporate customers and home users the most effective protection against Internet threats with minimum impact on system performance. Panda Security has 80 offices throughout the globe with US headquarters in Florida and European headquarters in Spain

Panda Security collaborates with The Stella Project, a program aimed at promoting the incorporation into the community and workplace of people with Down syndrome and other intellectual disabilities, as part of its Corporate Social Responsibility policy.

For more information, please visit www.pandasecurity.com/

 

The post Panda Security launches new 2015 Consumer Line with XMT Smart Engineering Engine #Panda2015 appeared first on MediaCenter Panda Security.

AVG

How to switch to AVG antivirus

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Sometimes changing your security software can seem like a daunting and complicated task, especially if you’re not familiar with removing programs from your computer. There are many things to remember and check. It doesn’t always need to be complicated though, if you want to protect your Windows PC with AVG’s award winning security software, there are just a few steps you need to take to make sure it goes to plan.

Follow these five tips to help you avoid any complications when switching to AVG’s security software and have a hassle free experience:

Check your system specifications:

With any installation, you should check that your PC meets the minimum requirements for the software. This will ensure that it is compatible with your machine and that you have enough space and power to run it properly.

Action: You can find AVG’s requirements here: What are AVG system requirements and supported operating systems.

 

Ensure your system is up to date:

Security software can make alterations to your operating system, so it’s important to check that you are running the most current version of Windows. This will help prevent issues when AVG has to make changes to any system files.

Action:  Visit the Microsoft Windows Update page to make sure that you are running the most up to date version of Windows.

 

Remove other security software:

Before installing AVG security software, it’s important to check that you have removed any existing protection. It’s quite common for multiple installations of security software to conflict as they can both alter you system at the same time and also degrade performance.

Action: If you are having difficulty removing any existing security software, check out this How to remove conflicting anti-virus products article.

 

Check you are logged in as Administrator:

In order for AVG to install properly, it needs to be done by the system administrator. This will ensure that the AVG installer has access to all the files necessary for it to complete successfully.

Action: Read this How to check if I’m using an administrative account article to sure you are logged into Windows as an Administrator.

 

Install the latest version of AVG:

Whether you are reinstalling AVG or installing it for the first time, it is important to check that you are installing the latest version of our security software.

Action: For instructions on how to install the latest version of AVG, visit the How to download and install AVG article.

Tip: If you happen to experience any issues during installation, please refer to the article What to do when AVG installation is failing for help.Â