Perhaps you, my readers, are tired(bored) to read articles about complicated malware analysis and how to disinfect the computer manually which sometimes is a tough job, so I thought it is a good idea to offer you an easier solution to keep your computer protected from malware. My idea is to reward my website visitors with a free 1 year license key for Avira Antivirus Premium 2012 — the license will be bought by me.
Avira Premium 2012 is an antivirus that I love for its simplicity, its low computer resources usage and effectiveness. Who visit the underground forums know aswell that bypassing it is a nightmare challenge for virus creators .
I don’t want to copy all of its features from the official Avira website, instead you can read about them right there.
The contest’s rules are very simple, you leave a comment here using a valid email address so I can contact you if you are winning the contest. The comment must be related to computer’s security(viruses, trojans, malware infections, your preferred antivirus and so on) and very important, it must contains at the end a random number of your choice between 1 and 100. Multiple comments from the same visitor or containing spamming links will not be approved.
The winner will be chosen using random.org website and your posted numbers, on 24 december 2011.
What are you waiting for, comment and spread the word.
Keep safe !
EDIT: The winner of this giveaway is number 75 – Huey
Avira is the best security suite available. I have used Norton 360 version 5.0 and currently using Vipre Internet Security. I have tried the free version of Avira and it was pretty impressive. The AntiAd/Spyware which shuts out online spies(rogue cookies) and annoying pop-ups is very impressive. Currently I don’t know of any other security suite which does that.
Rootkit Protection is another feature which helps a lot. Since it is combined with the package there is no need to install third party apps like rootkit revealer and the likes of it. Overall it does not affect System performance like most of the security suites out in the market. Hence it is a “must try” security suite.
Random number: 9
Avira is the best and most effective program I use. However, this Christmas could smile for me good luck and get the license:)
Random number: 22
Avira is the BEST!!
Random number: 99
Wow, Avira is on my favourite list. My key is 36.
I would like to have a license for Avira Premium is one of my favourites. My number: 75
Avira Super-Merry Christmas!!!I wish you good luck !!
I have been using avira free antivirus since I first bought my Pc. But guess now it’s time to switch to advance options…
My Number:-20
In my oppinion Avira is the best because Avira apply advanced techniques and the latest know-how to mantain quality standards agreed.My number: 13
If Avira Antivir free is good, the premium must be awesome, thanks. 34
If a ranom number wins your likelyhood does not increase when you praise Avira. Though it could also be a small sideeffect of the human brain, in that it blends out everything else when trying to get something.
Anyways, here are my predications for 2012:
1) A lot of new Expolitpacks & Bots will appear. They will get a lot of hype but won’t harm the “market share” of ZeuS & SpyEye or BlackHole for the first 4 months. After that Carberp (Not new but will get improvements) will rise and take a lot of ZeuS share.
2) A new big botnet will be discovered.
3) All new families of malware will be x64 compatible.
4) The ROP-Protection of Windows 8 will fail. (Well that isn’t a particularly bold statement. It has been broken before it was released.)
5) IPv6 still won’t be the most used one.
I LOVE AVIRA BUT I DON’T HAVE MONEY TO BUY IT ALWAYS..
Avira its one of the good antivirus. Thats why want to get it. Plz count me.
The Avira Rescue Disk is by far one of the best virus scanners available. Random Number: 54
Combining excellent efficiency and advanced technology, Avira AntiVir Premium is one of the best antivirus software available. I love: effectiveness, easy of installation and easy of use. Random number: 7.
Avira Free Antivirus (previously known as Avira AntiVir Personal Edition) has been my top choice amongst free real-time antimalware solutions since version 9 was released.
AntiVir can be relied on to protect a clean system to an exceedingly high degree; long-term use on more than a dozen different Windows boxes (XP to 7) has resulted in a consistent perfect score, as determined by second, third and fourth opinions from separate dedicated on-demand scanners (see below); two installations are in households with young people who, well, do what young people do… 🙂 It also continues to perform quite well in the most recent testing by the major independent testing labs, placing in the top tier.
Based on the latest testing by AV-Comparatives, the Heuristics settings for both AntiVir’s Guard and Scanner should be set to their highest level: R-click tray icon, L-click “Configure Avira Free Antivirus,” tick “Expert Mode” box; then expand ” System Scanner,” “Scan,” highlight “Heuristic” and set to “High detection level;” repeat for “Realtime Protection.” Click “Apply” in bottom panel, then “Okay.”
Computer Security Overview
Since no real-time protection will catch everything, I also recommend regular scans with at least one of the better on-demand scanners. As Hitman Pro scans so quickly, it can be used for a fast second opinion, then augmented with one of the following: Malwarebytes’ Anti-Malware, SUPERAntiSpyware or Emsisoft Anti-Malware (or more than one for a stubborn infection). I use all of these on a regular basis (depending upon the machine in question and the circumstances). But remember: no matter which application, the very last thing one should do before beginning a scan is to update it. [Note: Emsisoft tends to have the most false positives – and is a HUGE download.]
No matter which anti-malware solution one chooses (even if you should later change to another, as we all have done), the best security solution is to employ a “layered” approach – a relatively few applications that work synergistically, play well together and don’t bog-down the system.
The Firewall — Even though Win 7 has a far more robust firewall than previous versions of Windows – and which can be configured, you will be better served by one from a third-party vendor; I personally use (and recommend) Comodo, though the current ZoneAlarm is also a reasonable choice.
One free utility that, IMHO, should be on every Windows machine is WinPatrol; it can effortlessly prevent a whole panoply of very unpleasant things from happening and plays well with others (it also has some nifty features). Another highly-recommended application is Web Of Trust (WOT), a browser add-on for all the major browsers that will help steer you away from known malicious sites (unless, of course, you should elect to “click through” their highest-level warnings…).
Which brings up another issue: The Browser. IE 9 has substantial security enhancements over IE 8 and, even if one should choose another default browser such as Firefox or Chrome, if you’re running Vista or Win7, you should have updated to it.
As should come as no surprise, a Windows box that has not been updated with all of the current applicable security updates from Redmond cannot be protected. Frequently overlooked, however, are the sometimes many add-ons that Windows Updates does not cover, such as the Adobe Flash Player, Adobe Shockwave Player and the Java Runtime Environment (JRE) from Oracle. These (and other third-party components of the OS) can pose HUGE security threats if left unpatched. Fortunately, there is another must-have free utility, the Secunia Personal Software Inspector (PSI) that will monitor for any software-related security deficiencies and either alert you so that you can manually perform the update(s), or perform most of them automatically (I prefer to do mine manually…).
One last software recommendation is the Belarc Advisor. It turns out that occasionally (very occasionally) a Microsoft security update doesn’t completely install; that system may scan as fully up-to-date by Windows Update, but there could still be a serious security hole. The Belarc Advisor can actually detect whether all the necessary Microsoft security patches are present – AND in fact properly installed. If any are found not to be, Belarc will provide direct download links for whichever patches might need to be reinstalled.
IMPORTANT NOTE:
The Belarc Security Benchmark Score is a computed quantity based on a consensus of “best practices” for maximized security really only useful for computers in extremely high-security networks (or stand-alone settings) – maximum-security government laboratories or at the Department of Defense, for example.
In fact, for the vast majority of users, while some of the changes in settings that might be suggested to raise one’s score are both useful and safe, a number of them can render the machine virtually unusable for most purposes, as this warning implies:
“Warning: Applying these security settings may cause some applications to stop working correctly. Back up your system prior to applying these security templates or apply the templates on a test system first.”
You can read more about this by clicking on the Benchmark itself (an active link); there is an extensive discussion on the right, highlighted in yellow – or by doing your own search and reading relevant articles (such as this one from TechRepublic — http://www.techrepublic.com/article/gather-detailed-system-information-with-belarc-advisor/6177700 ).
If one does not have a router with a decent built-in [hardware] firewall, the cost will be a wise investment. (You might as well get a good wireless router for future expansion… Personally, I like Netgear, but again, others will have a different – and valid – opinion.)
Even with a router, utilizing a different DNS (Domain Name Service) than what your ISP provides can add still another layer of security (and also speed); take a look at What DNS Servers Do — https://www.techsupportalert.com/content/what-dns-servers-do.htm — and How to Change DNS Server (linked at bottom of previous page). Currently, I am using OpenDNS, but have also used the secure DNS from both Norton and Comodo.
Finally, THE most important security enhancement to your computer is… YOU. Observing best practices (sensible web surfing, care in clicking on links and opening of attachments, etc.) is your first — and ultimately last — line of defense. – 30 –
Have been running Avira Free A/V (since Avira AntiVir Personal 9 was released) on over a dozen Windows boxes (XP through 7); to date, none has experienced an infection. Along with its consistent high marks from the testing labs, I especially like its configurability (including being able to have it auto-update as often a one wishes). -30-
looking to have best Antivirus .In my opinion Avira premium is the right choice as it has highest detection and removal rate for malwares ,which are the biggest threats for the comming new year 2012 .
My random number is 77
Currently I’m using a free antivirus program which is limited in features. I like to have a full version antivirus program to give me more protection. Random number 11
won’t need need your free licence since i already bought mine on the 24th of december. And this is my first visit to your site, nice and clean by the way : )
whoever will have this licence will get a great little product and you’re right about its efficiency cand easyness to work with.
i was stuck with a malware of somekind taking over free avira antivirus version .. after a few steps to debug it, then installation of the full version .. bye bye problem and i still have to avoid certain websites and their way to dump their garbage and stuff without your consent.
I’m looking forward to browse your website and learn more about security. got a lot to learn 🙂
Best wishes for the new year 2012 coming up!
sounds good count me in sick of norton dam resource hog
Random Number 42
i think the winner name should be displayed.24 dec is gone way too far. Is this a plot to collect as many mail id or what?
ND, you are right, sorry for that, I have updated the post. I forwarded the license to the winner but he never come back to leave a feedback here. I can not say I am frustrated, but it would be nice to leave a “Thank you”. Nevermind, simply this is how are some people. So the reason for my delayed edit of the post was that I have waited for the winner to leave a feedback.
About you supposition that I collect emails, I don’t think you believe this one. As it is stated in the Privacy Policy, this site will never sell, rent or use the emails collected via comments. I don’t even collect them, I am interested in the comments and visitors feedback not in their emails.
I am planning to add in the future a giveaway for a free license for Malwarebytes Anti-Malware Pro, so please check back the site when you have time. If you have any suggestion I am glad to hear it.