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Filed under: Security, Utilities, Windows

AVG releases version 9 - Free version to drop on October 15th

AVG 9 is finally here -- and like other 2009/2010 antivirus suites the emphasis in the new version is on speed, performance, and minimizing the impact on system resources.

Even the install process has been streamlined, with developers reducing the number of tedious, finger-numbing mouse clicks from 22 to 11. Thank you, AVG, for doing this. It's a little thing, but no techy enjoys tapping "next" nearly two dozen times.

Grisoft says scanning speeds have been increased by as much as 50% and that version 9 also reduces Windows boot lag by 10 to 15%. The firewall is more intuitive and has been made less intrusive -- another small but welcome change.

The paid versions are available now through the AVG web site, and we've been told that the much-loved free version will be good to go in ten days.

If you're a believer in free antivirus, your preferred version will be up for grabs on October 15th. Keep your browser tuned to free.avg.com -- that's where the download will appear when it goes live. Of course, you'll also be able to read about the release here at Download Squad.

Filed under: Security, Utilities, Windows, Microsoft, Freeware, Windows x64

Microsoft Security Essentials leaves beta, available for download 9/29/2009


We knew it was coming soon, and now we know when: tomorrow, or - depending on whether you read this post before midnight - today.

Yes, Microsoft Security Essentials is set to shed the beta tag and will be available for public download starting September 29, 2009.

Many of our readers have been using the successor to Live OneCare since it first appeared as a leaked (and then official) beta build back in June of this year. Reviews have generally been very favorable. MSE has been praised for its good detection rates, infrequent false positives, scanning performance, and minimal resource utilization.

Once the download is live, you'll be able get Security Essentials right from Microsoft's web site. Chances are good that you will also be able to get your hands on the final version from Softpedia - just in case you need a backup plan.

MSE will be offered to users in 19 countries including Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, France, Germany, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Mexico, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Singapore, Spain, Switzerland, the United Kingdom and the United States.

If you've used the MSE beta, share your experience in the comments!

Filed under: Security, Windows, Commercial

Sunbelt offering a lifetime of Vipre antivirus for $99



Sunbelt's Vipre
might not be as well known as Norton or McAfee, but it's definitely a solid choice in desktop malware and virus protection.

Now, thanks to the fine people at HSN who also bring you products like Tony Little fitness gear and Carol Alt's line of cosmetics you can score Vipre's protection until you're stone dead for a mere $99.90. Plus $6.95 shipping and handling, of course.

For added craziness, you can even cover the tab in three equal installments of $33.30.

Let's put this into perspective: a three-year sub for Norton Internet Security will run you $164.99. At that price, you'd be able to buy Vipre for this entire lifetime and 65% of any additional existence you luck into afterward. That's pretty sweet. A little new age, perhaps, but still an excellent deal.

[via Sunbelt Blog]

Filed under: Security, Utilities, Windows, Commercial, Beta

Eset Smart Security Beta 4 available for download

Eset has released the first public beta downloads of their excellent Smart Security suite. It's available for both 32 and 64-bit Windows systems.

The list of enhancements in the new version is lengthy, including:
  • a new device driver has been added which can remove malware at boot time
  • improved scanning of files over 2gb, network files, and Microsoft Office documents
  • hardened kernel service that better resists malicious tampering attempts
  • scanning of SSL-encrypted SMTP and POP3 email, as well as IMAP mail
  • support for Windows Live Mail and Mozilla Thunderbird
  • better support for Windows Vista's UAC
  • a "Watch Activity" pane shows File and Network Activity and can graph by hour, minute, or second
  • addition of a text-mode UI with keyboard navigation
Among numerous new features and improvements to the antivirus/malware protection, the suite now also includes Eset's SysInspector, an excellent system diagnostic, monitoring, and reporting tool. Antispam and firewall features are also included in the package, as is the SysRescue tool which can create bootable rescude media.

Though Eset has yet to announce an official release date, my Beta 4 install license reports that it will remain valid until March 2, 2009.

[via CyberNet]

Featured Time Waster

Graveyard Shift - zombie-busting Time Waster

With Halloween fast approaching, it's a great time to get in some practice defending your territory against zombies. In Graveyard Shift, you take aim at zombies and other creepy-crawlies, blasting them into splatters of cartoony green guts. It's a casual first-person shooter, and it's very easy to get the hang of - use the mouse to aim, click to fire. Graveyard Shift has at least 15 levels, and it might even have some secret stages I haven't unlocked yet. They key to getting good at Graveyard Shift is learning to use ...

View more Time Wasters

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