Windows Vista Just a False Sense of Security

Microsoft has endowed Vista's kernel with highly restricted access, in a bid to improve security in its new operating system. This extra security has succeeded in locking out hackers, malware purveyors and has apparently locked out security software as well.

Competing security software manufacturers say Vista's security system alone is not enough to protect users from threats. Security firm, Webroot Software reported in January that its security testing of Vista revealed significant holes in its security shields. The tests showed Vista to have ineffective blocking capabilities and weak antivirus capabilities in the default anti-spyware and antivirus components within Vista. Webroot also found problems in Microsoft's Live OneCare security suite.

Webroot said Windows Defender failed to block 84 percent of a testing sample set that included 15 of the most common variations of existing spyware and malware. On top of this, Windows Defender did not perform at the level of many third-party security applications.

Free Antivirus and Firewall Software: What is Good?

Free antivirus is one of the most in-demand downloadable software on the Net today. Even with the limited protection they offer, computer users still use them because they're free. There are actually good antivirus firewall software programs that can be downloaded for free.

Take a quick look at some of the antivirus firewall software programs that are actually reliable yet free.

AVG Free. AVG Free is one of the widely used free antivirus applications. It has real-time threat scanner and checks out which website is safe to visit and which has a possible threat (for Internet Explorer and Firefox only). It updates regularly and does not require large system resources.

Avira Antivir. This is a technical user's choice of antivirus program. The average computer user may find it not very easy to use because you have to be knowledgeable about some technical stuff to be able to use this. But, despite that, it is considered the most meticulous in protecting your computer and also the fastest.

Avast! 24.8 Home Edition. It has all the features that the commercial Avast! Antivirus program has. It is good in protecting your computer and detecting possible malware, though it may not be as good or as aggressive as Avira Antivir.