Filed under: Security, Windows, Freeware, Beta
Panda introduces free, cloud-based antivirus for Windows
by Lee Mathews Apr 29th 2009 at 11:00AM
The application aims to leverage the power of the cloud to better and more quickly detect and analyze new threats as they appear - which can be done in as little as six minutes, according to Panda. Called "Collective Intelligence," Panda's system utilizes anonymous data from users running the application and processes about 50,000 new threats each day.
In exchange for your participartion in Cloud, you're given totally free virus protection for your personal computer (sorry, no commercial use). That's a pretty good deal for a tool that is able to provide near-realtime detection and analysis. Temporarily off the 'net? No problem. Cloud maintains a local cache to keep you protected when you're apart from the Collective, Locutus.
Unfortunately I wasn't able to take Cloud Antivirus for a spin on my personal laptop. Not only is it not available as a native 64-bit application, but it won't even install on Windows 7 or Vista x64. I had to snag the screencap above via TeamViewer on my XP Pro system at work.
While running the scan, Cloud's processes consumed about 90Mb of memory total on my system, but CPU utilization was very light - rarely spiking above 10% and humming along at 4-6% most of the time. CNet reported much lower RAM use, but their number may have been referring only to Cloud's main process. (update: my system is now reporting about 20Mb idle).
If you're running a 32-bit version of Windows, Cloud Antivirus is a good, lightweight option.
[via webware]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Jon said 12:01PM on 4-29-2009
Who uses 32bit windows these days ?
Reply
Lee Mathews said 12:02PM on 4-29-2009
Not me personally, but I'd say 99% of my customers.
What about the rest of you?
der_tuxman said 1:54PM on 4-29-2009
What should a home user need 64 bit for?
Jon said 2:30PM on 4-29-2009
der_tuxman ... Thats a silly Question lets see .. Ram is Dirt Dirt cheap ... I do alot of HD streaming, converting .. Backing up Blurays ... Video editing , Photoshop not as a job but just normal home stuff .. Etc... i could go on and on .. Its almost silly for a home user NOT to use 64x .. 99% of the compatibility issues are non existent for home users .. At work i can see why we don't use 64x because of the software etc..
Matt said 12:11PM on 4-29-2009
Hmm..I only use anti-virus because my school forces me too so i use avast right now. I will probably give this a shot...I hope the network detects it and doesn't just lock me out.
Reply
Farseer (GDI) said 12:25PM on 4-29-2009
I guess that I'm not enlightened. Why would you choose to not use antivirus software?
rcarm said 6:09PM on 4-29-2009
I don't have anti-virus installed on any of my computers because I really don't waste my money and I'm not that stupid to get a virus on my computers. All I really need is windows firewall
rcarm said 6:11PM on 4-29-2009
Oops, i forgot to add "want to" after "don't"
der_tuxman said 1:55PM on 4-29-2009
What about the detection rate here?
Reply
minibar said 1:57PM on 4-29-2009
one day xp mode of win7 could be a game changer
http://www.downloadsquad.com/2009/04/25/windows-xp-mode-coming-to-windows-7-could-be-a-game-changer/
then a few days later inability to install 32bit app on win7 is referenced as "unfortunate" it could not be "taken for a spin" (same author.)
i like some posts of all dls bloggers, so the following is professional:
inconsistency (same author, short time span) with a bias favoring one product makes dls look like yellow journalism, and the past few months it's gotten a bit thick at times wrt win7.
Reply
Lee Mathews said 2:01PM on 4-29-2009
With all due respect, Windows XP mode has nothing to do with not being able to install an app on a 64 bit OS.
The problem is with Panda, not Windows. Please re-read.
kelub47 said 5:40PM on 4-29-2009
Umm... "one day" implies "not today".
Agustin Saldias said 2:06PM on 4-29-2009
Too bad panda has a history of detecting practically anything as a trojan/virus...
Pretty much like the ol'good norton antivirus.
Reply
HZ said 2:07PM on 4-29-2009
" good ol' ", typo :eng101:
Neoprimal said 5:26AM on 5-01-2009
If you own a computer, run any version of Windows software, EVER go online with said PC and not use an Antivirus, you're going to be in trouble soon enough.
Viruses come in very easily through banners as well as exploits nowadays and you don't have to be reckless to get one. Some OFFICIAL websites have even been able to infect (through the use of advertising banners, etc.) computers inadvertently. Not to mention, being off by a letter or two while trying to go to a popular website and ending up somewhere else that PURPOSELY has said infected banners, etc.
There are just, sooo many ways.
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Techfan said 10:57AM on 5-02-2009
I run vista 32x and this is working great for me. The user interface is pretty cool. Strange at the beginning as it is very different to the Panda AV pro I has using before, but I am quickly getting used to it. I dont like the fact that I dont see what the program is doing in the background, but having used Panda for years, i trust them.
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HB said 2:16PM on 5-05-2009
OMG, have you guys seen the advert on their website? The clipart slideshow thing is hilarious!!
Did you know 'Old Antivirus' is run by shifty looking paedophiles wearing overcoats whereas new antivirus is run by some sort of super attractive and ethnically diverse group of scientists who strike purposively authoritative and cool poses? Lol. Seriously, the ad agency that came up with that stuff should be fired!
'Old Antivirus' = robot; whereas
'New Antivirus' = carrot
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J.Mel said 5:57PM on 5-07-2009
Does anyone knows the latest on the woman that got her face eaten by a chimp? It's been a while since I heard anything about her.
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