Panda Cloud Antivirus emerges from Beta, bringing free, proven PC Protection to the masses

November 10, 2009 · Filed Under Internet Software, Security Software, Software News · Comment 

Panda Security goes beyond the basics with world’s most lightweight and complete free anti-virus service for home users

Panda Cloud Antivirus, the industry’s first and most comprehensive free cloud anti-virus service that protects consumers PCs against the latest malware, spyware, rootkits and viruses, emerged from beta after six months of user testing. To experience the expanded performance and support capabilities of Cloud Antivirus, as well as benefit from both online and offline security protection, consumers can download the free service from Panda Security at http://www.cloudantivirus.com/.

“Since the beta release of Panda Cloud Antivirus in April, we have been judiciously testing our cloud-based protection model, making upgrades in security and performance, and listening to our user community,” said Juan Santana, CEO of Panda Security. “With Panda Cloud Antivirus 1.0, we’ve really changed the game, providing our users the most powerful and lightweight free protection available on the market today.”

Recognized for being “the first anti-virus without an update button”, Panda Cloud Antivirus delivers the fastest protection against the newest and most dangerous viruses. This is made possible thanks to Collective Intelligence, Panda’s advanced system that gathers malware information from its global community of users in the cloud to automatically identify and classify new malware strains in minutes. Collective Intelligence combines local detection technologies with real-time cloud-scanning to maximize protection while minimizing resource consumption. Available in 11 languages, Panda Cloud Antivirus works under Windows XP (32 bits), Windows Vista (32bits and 64bits) and Windows 7 (32bits and 64bits) operating systems and only consumes 20 MB of RAM.

According to a recent PC World review of free anti-virus offerings:

“Among all of the free anti-virus software we tested for our latest roundup, Panda Cloud Antivirus was the best app at blocking known malware. The approach is intended to take advantage of the latest signatures without the need for signature-database updates-and if its excellent showing at detecting malware in AV-Test.org’s zoo of half a million samples is any indication, the approach works. Panda’s app produced an impressive 99.4 percent overall detection rate.”

Notable new features and upgrades to Cloud Antivirus from the initial beta include:

– New and improved interface makes Cloud Antivirus even easier to use
– Improved performance with cache optimization and memory management lowers CPU utilization and memory consumption
– New website and Collective Intelligence Monitor give users access to a list of malware from the community that is updated in real-time
– Online support forums now available at http://www.cloudantivirus.com/forum/index.jspa

Source: Panda Security

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PandaLabs releases Safe Summer Web Guide offering consumers tips for protecting PCs

July 16, 2009 · Filed Under Security Software, Software News · Comment 

Panda Security, the Cloud Security Company, announced that PandaLabs, Panda Security’s laboratory for detecting and analyzing malware, issued its Safe Summer Web Guide, a resource that provides consumers with valuable tips on using the Internet securely and safely this summer.

In the summer, people often use their computers for more leisure-oriented activities, and the use of services such as chats, online games, software downloads or online stores increases as users have more time on their hands. Children also tend to spend more time in front of the computer during the summer because of their vacation schedules. Cyber-crooks, however, will try to take advantage of this increased activity online to target new victims.

PandaLabs’ Safe Summer Web Guide is an important resource for consumers to provide measures on keeping their PCs protected, and ensure that they are aware of this increased risk. Following are PandaLabs’ recommendations for consumers to keep their computers protected this summer:

  • Pay close attention to your email. This is a frequently used channel for spreading threats, as well as phishing attacks and other scams distributed in spam. Typically at this time of year, waves of spam emerge offering unrealistically cheap vacation offers. These messages either surreptitiously ask users to reveal confidential data or prompt them to download information, which is really an infected file. So, ignore all emails from unknown senders.
  • Promptly install the latest security patches for your applications. Cyber-crooks frequently launch attacks that exploit security holes in commonly-used programs. Developers are continually making security patches available to resolve the problems detected. If your application doesn’t notify you that these updates are available, you should enter the product’s official page occasionally to check whether any patches need to be installed. It is therefore a good idea to update applications on your computer just before you go on vacation and also when you return.
  • Don’t download programs from dubious Internet sites – they could be infected. The summer period also tends to see a rise in the number of downloads people make. It is important to take special care with what you download from the Internet. In particular, you should scan all downloads before running them, as much malware is distributed under the guise of files such as films, series etc., to trick users.
  • Exercise caution with information you enter on social networks. Make sure you don’t publish details like the day you’ll be going on vacation, especially if details of your address are available on the same social network.
  • Leave your router switched off when not using your computer for an extended period of time. This will prevent other users connecting to your network – possibly with malicious aims – in your absence. For example, someone could connect to your network and download malicious code which could remain on the network until you start your computer and consequently infect it.
  • Take precautions if you use shared computers. Many of us go to cybercafes on vacation to read emails, chat with friends, stay in touch on social networks, etc. In this case, you should take a few precautions. Firstly, don’t enable any option that saves passwords on the local computer when you are logging into accounts from public computers. This would obviously allow the next user of the computer to access any of your accounts. Also, make sure the computer you use is not infected. At the first suspicious sign (pop-ups, malfunction…), stop using the computer. Finally, never use shared computers for bank transfers.
  • Use parental control programs. During the summer vacations, children will undoubtedly be using the computer more than usual. That’s why it is as important as ever to instruct them on how to use the Internet safely. It’s a good idea to set timetables for using the Internet, keep an eye on them when they are browsing and prevent them from accessing certain pages or content that could be unsuitable for them. Given that parents will not always be around to monitor how children use the Web, it is advisable to install a parental control program, a tool that will help establish which Web pages your children can see, and which they can’t.
  • Make sure your computer has an up-to-date and active antivirus solution installed. There are free antivirus programs available from the Web, such as Panda Cloud Antivirus, which you can download from www.cloudantivirus.com.

Source: Panda Security

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FarStone Technology Releases DriveClone Express 6-A GREEN Application-Backup Entire PC with No Installation

April 13, 2009 · Filed Under Linux, Productivity Software, Security Software, Software News · Comment 

The First and Only ‘Green Software’ on the Market to Backup and Clone Your Entire System Including OS! Supports Both Windows and Linux Systems!

FarStone Technology, a trusted name in backup and recovery solutions, is launching the new DriveClone Express 6. This software is a reliable force in PC protection, while upholding environmental awareness. As a “Green Backup Software,” it requires no installation and leaves no trace of file or registry on your hard drive.

With the new DriveClone Express users will appreciate the benefits of a New Win-PE 2.0 engine that is 100% compatible with new hardware, a powerful Universal Restore function that can restore your backed up files to similar or dissimilar hardware, and the U.S. Department of Defense compliant Data Shredding function that can securely eradicate an entire hard drive. This software provides protection for all data, applications, music, settings, and even your OS.

“With increasing awareness of environmental degradation along with the continued demand for technological innovations, it is important to provide consumers with software that does not leave an imprint,” explains Thomas Lin, CEO and President of FarStone Technology, Inc. “DriveClone Express 6 allows our customers to receive reliable backup and recovery protection without installation, files or registry left on a hard drive.”

Features:

  • Green Application: Requires no installation and does not use hard drive space.
  • Bootable USB disk: Use a USB disk as a self bootable device.
  • Complete Backup: Make an image of your entire hard drive which allows you to restore the entire system from a disc in case of system failure.
  • Universal Restore: A powerful function which can restore system images onto different hard drives.
  • Win-PE Engine: 100% compatibility with any future or existing hardware.
  • RAID Support: Supports Raid 0/1/5/10/JBOD.
  • Pre-Windows Recovery: Allows users to launch DriveClone Express even if your operating system fails to boot.
  • Data Shredding: Meets the U.S. Department of Defense standard for clearing.
  • CD/DVD Support: Save a copy of your entire hard drive onto a CD or DVD.
  • Image Integrity Verification: Ensures that backup images function properly.
  • Clone Drives: Enables cloning of a single partition or an entire hard drive.
  • Support both Windows and Linux operating systems.

Source: FarStone Technology, Inc.

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