Computer Security & Viruses/virus programs

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Expert: - 12/1/2011


Question
is there a big difference between free anti virus such as Microsoft's free one and programs that cost between 40 and 70 dollars such as webroot or nortons
         thank you very much
         gershon borock  

Answer
Yes. The difference that I have observed is that nearly everyone who asks me for help with a some sort of malware infection has been using one of the free antivirus programs.

You should make certain that whatever program you buy includes more than just antivirus protection. It should include a firewall and protection against adware and spyware. It also should include technical support. These products are usually called something like "Internet Security" suites.  

Computer Security & Viruses

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Carolyn Meinel

Expertise

I cover Windows, Linux, TCP/IP and Ethernet security questions. I do not cover Mac, smart phones, or other networking issues.

Experience

Books by Carolyn Meinel: wrote a chapter for The Hacking of America book (see http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1567204600/happyhacker) My article Code Red for the Web for Scientific American was reprinted in the book Best American Science Writing 2002 (see http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0060936509/happyhacker). My book The Happy Hacker: A Guide to Mostly Harmless Hacking is now in 4th edition with a Japanese edition (see http://happyhacker.org/hhbook/).

Organizations
IEEE, AAAS

Publications
See a list with some online links at http://cmeinel.com

Education/Credentials
MS, Industrial Engineering, The University of Arizona Took a course in computer forensics at the University of Texas at Austin/

Past/Present Clients
DARPA, SAIC, Palmer Labs

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