When it comes to malware protection, the first product that comes to mind is Norton AntiVirus 2011. Symantec has improved its award-winning antivirus and anti-malware yet again to lead the way again in home computer protection.

One of the things that makes Norton AntiVirus 2011 stand apart is its ability to provide maximum protection without sacrificing performance. Here are some of the features that make this possible.

Norton Insight

There are tons of files on every computer, ranging from the operating system’s files that make the computer run, to the family photos a user scanned in and stored, to the files that run the free Solitaire game that comes with every computer. These files are completely innocent and, for the most part, always there. With Norton Insight, AntiVirus 2011 may scan these files once or twice to catalog them, but then will recognize that they are not a threat and not run a full scan on them every time. This speeds up the time it takes for Norton AntiVirus 2011 to do a full scan and takes less of the computer’s resources.

Norton System Insight

Rather than an active malware detection scanner, Norton System Insight tracks a computer’s usage to make sure it is running at peak performance. System Insight tracks all activity on a computer, including installations, downloads, scans, and detected threats. It also collects information related to those activities, like memory and CPU usage. Then System Insight takes all that information and creates graphs to show the user how their activities affect their computer’s performance.

Proactive Performance Alerts

This is a new feature to Norton AntiVirus 2011. It works by proactively alerting the user when an application has slowed down the protected computer. For example, with Norton System Insight running, it may detect that an application is using far more resources than what the computer can handle, and an alert will be given to the user the opportunity to adjust what they’re using.

Smart Scheduler

When Norton AntiVirus 2011 performs a full scan, it can still drag down the performance of a computer. With Smart Scheduler, Norton will only perform large scans and updates when a computer is not in use.

Silent Mode

Today’s advanced computers have become full entertainment systems, with the ability to watch movies and television shows, as well as playing advanced games. Norton AntiVirus 2011 delays non-critical updates and scans when a user is watching a movie or playing a full-screen game.

Internet security and antivirus protection has become a necessity in today’s online world. We’re connected to the Internet all the time and therefore have to watch this the cyber door all the time.

If you wish to ensure your computer is running at its peak performance, you need to protect it. If you want to make certain it has an optimum chance of avoiding any form of malware, you need to take proper internet security measures. These can range from using inbuilt computer systems to purchasing malware specific software. When considering what to do to make sure you provide your computer with the highest degree of protection consider the following measures as necessary:

Use Antivirus Software

This is one of the most basic and essential forms of protection against malware. It comes in all types – some are more specific than others are. Some are strictly protection, detection and removal of viruses. Others may also handle such things as adware and spyware. Note what the application of the software is before you purchase it.

Antivirus software also ranges in cost. There are free versions available on the net. Some actually come with your computer. One of the more prominent “names” is Norton. Other well-known ones are McAfee and BitDefender. There are also Avast, AVG, Zone Alarm, Panda, Trend Micro and Kaspersky. Read the stats and see what each promises. If it is free, make certain it is not actually malware masquerading as a virus fix.
One other important aspect of antivirus software is updating. Do keep it current. Go to the parent website and download the latest version. Some computers and companies automatically inform you when the latest version is available. If not, make sure you check every some time.

Use A Firewall

This was always imperative if you were on dial-up. It is still an important part of keeping your system secure. Make sure it is not only on your computer but is running. Be sure to activate it. Also, be sure you don;t run multiple firewalls that may come into interference and cause problems with your Internet connection. Many antivirus and Internet Security programs recommend to turn Windows built in firewall OFF if using their firewall feature. Plus, most of us today use some kind of firewall that is built into our Internet routers. From here, it turns you may have three different points where you need to either turn the firewall ON or OFF, or to configure it properly.

Warning – Sender Unknown

Receiving e-mails can be a joy. It can brighten your day. It is great to keep current with absent friends and relatives. It is also a way of receiving homework and job assignments. But e-mail can also cause serious problems in your computer that you can spread quickly and unwittingly to other computer systems.
If a virus is attached to an e-mail message, this is exactly what can and will happen. Avoid it in a simple manner. Do NOT open any mail – and particularly any attachments, you receive form an unknown sender.
This would include clicking onto unknown links (web addresses) that came in such emails. Many times today, those crooks will not send a virus via email, but will send you that link which will take you to a website from which you will download an application that will open a back door so they can access your computer and use it for various purposes. You will not even notice that you downloaded some application which is usually small and takes a part of a second to install. Fortunately, a default settings of common browsers like Internet Explorer or FireFox will prompt you about downloading something, but not always. This depends on both browser settings and malware on that website.

Conclusion

There are other ways to ensure your computer is relatively safe from viral and other types of malware predators. A thorough check-up by specialists annually is another option. Yet, the best measures are always preventative. Put in place a firewall, use antivirus like Norton AntiVirus or Norton Internet Security or other anti-malware software and do not open any suspicious packages or visit suspicious web sites on the Internet.

One of the biggest problems I had when I was a big-time online gamer was the constant battle between the game I was playing and my Internet security software. It used to be that you could have the most powerful gaming computer available, but you would still have to shut down your security software so it wouldn’t drain your computer’s resources. To me, it just seemed like defeating the purpose.

Luckily, Trend Micro has developed a solution to invasive security programs. Trend Micro’s new Titanium Maximum Security software promises to not slow your computer down while it’s active. The key to the program is the company’s Smart Protection Network, which actively monitors all of cyberspace all day, every day. That way, Trend Micro can search for viruses, spam, and other security threats before they reach your computer, thereby barely using any of your computer’s resources.

The Trend Micro Titanium Maximum Security software is Trend Micro’s top-of-line software in its new Titanium line of products, all of which feature the Smart Protection Network. Aside from the better computer performance, one of the best features of the Maximum Security software is that it features an automatic warning system against suspicious links in instant messages and in e-mails.

That’s a really great innovation, and I’ve seen first-hand how that can be useful. My cousin’s Yahoo e-mail account was hacked last month, and her e-mail sent out an innocent looking e-mail to everyone in her address book. This was just after she had sent a few mass e-mails to her family and friends for her wedding pictures, so it looked like it was a continuation of that. But sure enough, it was a link for a “male enhancement” Web site. Titanium Maximum Security would have warned that you may not want to click on this link.

Other features included only in Titanium Maximum Security include system utilities that clean your computer’s registries, start-up manager, and temporary files; file deletion that meets the federal government security standards; 10 gigabytes of online backup storage; and the ability to remotely lock files in case your computer is stolen.

Trend Micro has long been one of the top names in anti-virus software and online protection. And whether you’re a high-end gamer, shopping for Christmas presents online, or simply checking your favorite social networking site, Titanium Maximum Security offers all the security you’ll ever need without slowing you down. I would highly recommend this product for your security needs.

It’s about mobile and wireless today.

Cellular phones, iPhones, iPads, Netbooks, televisions, Blu-Ray players, Xbox 360, Playstation 3, Nintendo GameCube – these are what many people use to access the World Wide Web these days. No longer are desktops and laptops the only way connected to the Internet. In fact, by 2013, handheld devices will be the most popular way for people to access the Web. This is why Symantec has created Norton Mobile, to be ready for the day (that is quickly approaching) for when computers are not the main way for people to access the Internet.

Norton Mobile is a mobile destination that gives security and non-security offerings for the mobile platform to mobile users. Some of these offerings are listed below.

Norton Smartphone Security – This application is a free download that will protect your private information with anti-theft and threat protection. It works with Android and Symbian/Windows phones. Remote lock and wipe will protect your information in the event that your phone is lost or stolen. Application blocking allows it to prevent your battery from being drained and prevents CPU spikes. Roaming state detection prevents you from getting unexpected roaming charges as well.

Norton Connect Beta – A mobile application that allows users of Norton Online Backup or Norton 360 to access, email, and share backed-up files with their mobile device without a need for their computer!

Norton DNS – An application that is available for both the mobile and PC environment, this application will be free for everyone and will investigate every URL you type into your browser to ensure that it is safe for you to access. Norton verified Web filtering will provide basic antiphishing, antimalware, and anti-spyware services that will actually speed up your Web surfing, as these servers will be faster than the slow, default DNS servers that you use to traverse the Internet now. Beginning in June, Android users can also download a small, easy-to-install mobile application for faster and safer Web access on your phone.

As we continue in the Internet and Wireless Age, we will continue to access the Internet away from our computers, whether it would be with our cell phones, iPads, high-definition and 3-D televisions, or Blu-Ray players. Technology continues to advance, but unfortunately, so do the hackers and criminals who want to get at your personal information by any means possible and by any avenue possible. That is why it is comforting to see that Symantec has recognized the changing platform of how we access the World Wide Web and taking steps to provide us with products and downloads that will protect the mobile devices we now use to access the Internet.

You buy an antivirus software package and load it onto your machine. You run a thorough scan to detect any threats and agree to allow the program to remove them.

Your machine is protected once and for all, right?

Not so! If you’re not keeping up with antivirus software updates, you could be leaving your computer and your files vulnerable to attacks, hacks and prying eyes. To ensure you have the latest and best protection, you need to stay on top of software updates. If your antivirus software program doesn’t offer updates, chances are you need a new program.

Why are updates so important?

If you’re like me and you follow the latest news in the world of viruses, Trojans and worms, you know the threats are constantly changing. As hackers come up with new ways to make people’s lives miserable, antivirus software companies need to come up with new ways to stop them. The best programming firms do just that. They offer their existing clients access to the latest coding to protect against emerging threats. Most do this at no charge to their clients who buy annual subscription packages.

Depending on the antivirus software you have selected, you’ll be able to update in a few different ways. They include:

• Automatic updates – Most of antivirus software packages that are designed for users with their computers online all the time offer automatic updates. You simply install them and they make sure the latest virus protection protocol is in place. In many cases a pop-up will be shown to inform you about the latest update.
• Manual updates – In rare cases antivirus programs require users to click a box to actually download their updates. Make sure to do this if this is the case with your particular software. These updates are often urgent and should not be missed out on.
• Renewal updates – Many companies that sell antivirus software offer annual renewals of an original purchase. This takes the old software and upgrades it to have the current year’s protection protocols. These, too, should come with regular updates as information in the industry changes.

Even the best antivirus software on the market cannot fully protect a machine from attack if updates are not made on a regular basis. If you want to safeguard your files, make sure you follow your software’s protocol for getting regular updates. If your program doesn’t respond to new threats with updates, be very wary. It is probably time to look into a different program that provides better coverage.

The Norton 360 security software from Symantec provides confirmed performance. It offers you a light and fast all-in-one solution for PC and online protection. With Norton 360, you are protected against botnets, hackers, worms and viruses. In addition, you are safe from online identity theft, all of your important files are protected and your PC will always run at top performance. All you need is a single subscription and up to three of your PCs will be under Norton’s protection.
Here are some of the questions that people are asking about Norton 360:

• What exactly is different about the Norton 360 Premier Edition?
  The difference between the Norton 360 regular edition and the Norton 360 Premier Edition is the online storage space, which is included in the package subscription. The subscription to the regular edition comes with two gigabytes of storage space and you have the option to buy more if you so choose. On the other hand, the Norton 360 Premier Edition comes with twenty-five gigabytes of online storage space and you still have the option to purchase even more.
• Can I use coupons when buying Norton 360?
  Yes, you can use coupons when you are shopping for Norton 360. The product coupons can be applied subsequently to putting items in your online shopping cart on the Norton website. Once you enter the coupon code in the designated field, just click on the button to apply. If the coupon code you use is valid, you will see the price of your order change. Visit the Norton Coupons page to find some great moneysaving offers.
• If I have already installed Norton 360 on three PCs, can I remove it from one and install it on a different computer?
  The Norton 360 security software can only be installed on three computers at a single time. If you have another computer on which you wish to install Norton 360 and you do not want to purchase an additional license, you have to uninstall it from one of the existing PCs before you can install it on the new computer.
• If I already have an older version of Norton 360, am I eligible for an upgrade?
  Yes, if you have a valid subscription for an older version of Norton 360, you are eligible to receive a free upgrade to the most recent version. However, it is not an automatic upgrade. You must install the latest version manually. Begin by downloading the most recent version available at the Norton Update Center. Then simply install it and use your existing Norton 360 product key.

More frequently asked questions with answers can be found at this Norton 360 FAQ page.