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4 reasons why Windows Security alone isn’t enough to protect your PC
Tech Optimizer
November 7, 2024

4 reasons why Windows Security alone isn’t enough to protect your PC

Microsoft's Windows Security suite, also known as Windows Defender, has evolved since 2006 into a more robust security tool. However, it has limitations: 1. Web protection is limited to Microsoft Edge, with the SmartScreen feature not available for Chrome or Firefox users. 2. There is no built-in VPN; a VPN service is only available through a paid Microsoft 365 subscription with a 50 GB monthly data cap. 3. It lacks an integrated password manager, leaving users to rely on third-party solutions for password management. 4. For business users, it does not provide endpoint protection or automated response capabilities, which are essential for recovering from attacks like ransomware or DDoS. Microsoft offers Defender for Endpoint as a paid service, but many businesses may still need third-party antivirus solutions for comprehensive protection.
TotalAV vs PCProtect: Which Is the Best Antivirus?
Tech Optimizer
November 7, 2024

TotalAV vs PCProtect: Which Is the Best Antivirus?

TotalAV offers superior protection and user experience compared to PCProtect, with affordability enhancing its appeal. TotalAV blocked all prepared malware samples and nine out of ten wild samples in tests, while PCProtect missed two prepared and three wild samples, achieving a 75% effectiveness score. TotalAV features an intuitive interface, effective password manager, and superior VPN, while PCProtect's interface could benefit from redesign. TotalAV provides three pricing options, with the basic version covering four devices, making it more cost-effective than PCProtect, which is available for three devices. Both antivirus programs support Windows, macOS, iOS, and Android. TotalAV has received high ratings from AV-TEST and AV-Comparatives, while PCProtect has not been evaluated by leading cybersecurity firms.
CrowdStrike strikes again, this time crashing Office apps in Windows 11
Tech Optimizer
November 5, 2024

CrowdStrike strikes again, this time crashing Office apps in Windows 11

Users of Windows 11 24H2 are facing connectivity issues, blue screen crashes, and failed rescue patches, leading Microsoft to block the update for certain affected devices. A specific problem has been identified where Microsoft Office applications, including Word and Excel, crash when CrowdStrike’s Falcon sensor antivirus software is installed, particularly when the “Enhanced Exploitation Visibility Prevention Policy” setting is enabled. Microsoft is collaborating with CrowdStrike to resolve this issue, which primarily affects organizations and managed IT environments. Individual users may consider reverting to a previous version of Windows 11 if they encounter other problems.
The Pros And Cons Of Behaviour-Based Antivirus Detection
Tech Optimizer
November 5, 2024

The Pros And Cons Of Behaviour-Based Antivirus Detection

32% of UK businesses experienced cyberattacks at least once a week last year, with an average financial toll of £1,630 per incident. Traditional signature-based antivirus systems struggle to recognize new threats, leading to the emergence of behaviour-based detection systems that monitor real-time application behavior. Behaviour-based detection operates independently of a database and can identify sophisticated threats, but it may generate false alarms, affect device performance, and raise privacy concerns. Most modern antivirus solutions now use a combination of both detection approaches to enhance cybersecurity.
The best antivirus software options
Tech Optimizer
November 3, 2024

The best antivirus software options

All products featured are independently selected by editors and writers, and Mashable may earn an affiliate commission from purchases made through links on their site. Antivirus software is designed to identify and eliminate viruses and malware, preventing potential damage to devices. Malware is a broad category that includes viruses, which are a subset of malware. Computer viruses replicate and spread across devices, infecting applications and emails, and can cause various types of damage. Anti-malware software offers broader protection against a variety of attacks compared to antivirus software. Key features to consider when selecting antivirus software include phishing protection, spyware and adware scanning, on-demand malware scans, and vulnerability scanning. It is advisable to upgrade from pre-installed antivirus software to more advanced solutions. Investing in quality antivirus software is important for protecting computers and sensitive data.
Beyond antivirus: Other essential tools to protect your Mac
Tech Optimizer
October 31, 2024

Beyond antivirus: Other essential tools to protect your Mac

Macs are facing an increasing number of cybersecurity threats, with malware targeting macOS rising from eight families in 2021 to 21 in 2023. To protect against these threats, users are advised to implement antivirus software, maintain regular backups using tools like Apple's Time Machine and cloud services, enable the built-in firewall, use password managers for secure password storage, and utilize a VPN for secure internet connections, especially on public Wi-Fi.
silver Android smartphone
Tech Optimizer
October 30, 2024

10 free portable apps you should always keep ready in your USB drive

Having a collection of essential portable applications on a USB drive can be beneficial for troubleshooting, working on different systems, or accessing favorite tools without installation. Here are ten essential free portable apps: 1. ClamWin Antivirus: Scans and removes malware from Windows devices; does not provide real-time protection. 2. Sophos Scan and Clean: Detects sophisticated malware like rootkits and bootkits; updates automatically with each scan. 3. FixWin 11: Offers one-click solutions for common Windows issues, simplifying troubleshooting. 4. ccPortable (CCleaner Portable): Scans and removes junk files to maintain PC performance; includes Health Check and Custom Clean features. 5. Everything Portable: A local search tool that indexes files and folders quickly for easy navigation. 6. GIMP Portable: An open-source photo editing software with various features for image manipulation. 7. Firefox Portable: A portable version of Firefox that retains bookmarks, history, and extensions for seamless browsing. 8. Notepad++ Portable: A code editor with syntax highlighting, code folding, and macro recording for developers. 9. Foxit PDF Reader: A lightweight tool for opening, annotating, and filling out PDF forms. 10. Free Download Manager Classic Portable: A download manager that supports resuming broken downloads and torrent files.
Comparing Antivirus Software 2025: Avast vs. AVG
Tech Optimizer
October 29, 2024

Comparing Antivirus Software 2025: Avast vs. AVG

Avast and AVG are antivirus software products developed by Avast Software s.r.o. Both platforms have similar pricing structures, with Avast priced at .99 per year for the first year and .99 for subsequent years, while AVG is priced at .88 for the first year and .99 for subsequent years. They support Windows, MacOS, and Android, and can protect up to 10 devices. Both offer a firewall and have a malware detection rate of 100% according to AV-Test.org's August 2024 Windows test. Avast has an overall rating of 2.5/5, with specific ratings of 2/5 for pricing, 5/5 for core features, 3/5 for advanced features, 2/5 for customer support, 4/5 for impact on device performance, and 0/5 for trustworthiness. AVG shares the same overall rating and similar scores in the same categories. Both platforms have a history of monetizing user data, with Avast facing an FTC order in 2024 and a .5 million fine for data practices. Neither platform offers antivirus solutions for iOS. Alternatives to consider include Microsoft Defender and Malwarebytes, which provide competitive features and pricing.
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