Reap the Benefits of Defragmentation

Making any large and significant changes to your computer doesn’t have to be scary. In fact, it doesn’t have to be difficult either. Defragging your hard drive or your registry is one of those tasks that sounds difficult, daunting and overwhelming. For both beginners and advanced users, there are tools available, such as registry repair software, to help you throughout the defrag process. But before you decide to use these utilities on your computer, you need to know what you are doing, how defragmentation works and why it is so crucial for your computer’s overall performance.

What is Defragmentation?
When you install and uninstall software on your computer, you create fragments or holes in your hard drive and registry. When you store data on your computer, that data is first stored in those empty holes. Consequently, this means data could be stored in various locations. Because all of the data is randomly scattered, it takes the computer much longer to find all the pieces, making your computer run at a much slower pace.
When you defrag your hard drive or your registry, you are taking all those pieces of content and putting them together. You reorganize your data into a much more efficient pattern. You remove all of those empty holes, increasing the overall speed and performance of your computer.
Both your hard drive and your registry need regular maintenance and cleaning to run at their best. To someone unfamiliar with computer parts, you may not even notice a difference with the speed of your computer if you have a fragmented drive. If you install or uninstall many applications, store a wide variety of data and do much work on your computer, defragging will make a world of difference for your PC's performance.

Defragging Your Hard Drive
When most individuals think about defragging, they think about their hard drive. Your hard drive is where your data is stored. Whether we like it or not, we are constantly deleting and creating data, which causes data fragments on the drive. When you are defragging your hard drive, Windows offers step-by-step instructions to help you through the defrag process. This process can take anywhere from a few minutes to several hours.

Defragging Your Registry
Your registry is crucial to your computer. It is where all of the hardware, software and system preferences are stored. If the registry becomes fragmented, it will cause significant slowing to your PC. If too many files are fragmented, it can actually cause damage to the registry files.
If you are looking to defrag your registry, you must buy additional software. Windows does not provide any tool to defrag your registry. Making any change to your registry can be very dangerous, so you must be very cautious when completing the task. The best registry repair software offers registry-defragging capabilities and walks you through the process. It also provides additional tools, such as backup and restore features, that help you secure and save your data in case a mistake does occur or problems do arise during the defragging process.

Insurance

If you are thinking of not having your own car insurance then you will not be given the privilege to drive a car in any streets within the United States. If this is what you are thinking right now, then you need to answer this question. How can you pay your medical bills and the medical bills of other people in case you encounter an accident on the road and it is your fault? If you do not have lots of money, then you really need to start hunting for the best auto owners insurance.
The need for auto insurance should not be questioned by anyone who wants to drive in the United States. It is true that getting a car insurance will just add to your annual expenses, but you have the option of paying a monthly fee for your car insurance. As you find the best company that can give you reliable car insurance you need to ask first for this type of payment option.
Once you get an initial quote from an insurance company, then you need to know that the cost of financing is not included in the monthly payment. Companies that can offer auto owners insurance can give you several options that will meet your individual needs. When it comes to payment, there are choices that you need to choose from such as paying the auto insurance in just two equal payments or pay half and divide the rest into six month or 12 months period. All the choices are all yours to decide so you need to make a wise decision by weighing things first.
You will encounter companies that can offer free quote for you and auto insurance is very easy to locate. If you want to good insurance rate, there are factors that can affect a good rate. Age is one of the major factors that can affect auto insurance rate. If you are a driver at the age of 25 years old and below, then you need to expect higher insurance rate because insurance companies view you as a huger risk of getting into an accident. As much as possible insurance companies determine high risk age group so they can put high insurance rate.
Auto owner insurance policy also includes deductibles in the agreement. This is the amount of money that you will be required to pay right before the company pays any amount for your accident. It is important for you to realize that the lower the deductible is the high your monthly payment will be. By selecting a higher deductible is one way to lower down the insurance premium that you need to pay.

Health: Weight Loss & Fitness

How many times have you spent the last half of your workout on the special ab machine at the gym or doing countless sit-ups only to see no results? You’ve done every ab workout that you’ve heard of, all to no avail and getting that ever elusive six pack that you’ve been wanting to show off in your new swim suit? Here are 3 “Six pack” myths that may be holding you back. 

Myth 1.You need to do a lot of ab exercises. The reason this is a myth is because you can get away with doing a relatively few ab exercises and still see massive results. My abdominal exercises at the most last 25 minutes (but most lasting around 15 minutes) and I see tremendous results.

Myth 2. You need to do ab exercises everyday. False. Abs do not need to be worked any more than any other part of the body. You don’t do chest and back exercises everyday do you? You don’t do quad and hamstring exercises everyday do you? Then you shouldn’t do ab exercises everyday either---it results in overtraining. Your muscles (even your abs) need time to recuperate and grow. The most I train my abs is three days a week after my strength training workouts.

Myth 3. The ab crunch is still the best ab exercise. The reason this is false is because there are so many other exercises out there that can do the job! I’ve done complete ab workouts that don’t include a single crunch---it’s all done either standing up or sitting on a mat---and it works your abs like crazy.

For more detailed info on finding those hidden Six Pack Abs, check out my Free 65 Page Report!

Bryan Akers is a Beachbody Coach and has been enjoying working part-time with individuals at all fitness levels achieve their goals through a variety of at-home workout routines and programs. For more information be sure to check out his website and stay up-to-date on his latest projects. 

Linux desktops: KDE vs Gnome

What is a desktop anyway?

The term desktop refers to the graphical environment where you do your work. The desktop usually consists of a workspace (called the root window) with pretty icons and quite possibly a menu that pops up when you click on it, usually a panel on the top or the bottom and/or top of the screen with a menu and a lot of other practical services you may never even notice.
The most important part of any desktop is the window manager, this is the application that handles window placements and movements. The window manager is what draws a border (or no border) around your windows and makes them maximize, minimize, moves and behave according to your preferences.

KDE vs Gnome, What is the better desktop environment?

KDE and Gnome are complete desktop environments that consist of a large number of tightly integrated yet still separate pieces of software. Gnome uses a window manager called metacity, KDE uses kwin. Both these desktops can be used with any other window manager if you do not like the default choice.
Linux is like Lego. You can build your own desktop environment. Both KDE and Gnome are just big packages with software aimed to look and feel the same way, work well together and generally give you a nice experience. If you dislike a component, then replace it with something else. It's that simple.
Application that are "made for gnome" or "made for kde" can be used with any desktop. This only means that that the program use a set of library functions found in their underlying gnome-libs or kdelibs. You do not need to use the actual desktops to use the applications, software made for KDE and Gnome can be used with any window manager / desktop as long as you got the proper libraries installed. There is no reason to use only applications made for the desktop you prefer, the "best software" for one task is made for KDE, the best for another task is made for Gnome. Use the best from both worlds.
Both KDE and Gnome can be customized to behave exactly the way you want. What desktop you prefer is your own choice and preference. When in doubt, try to learn both. Or experiment with other desktops. Remember, *nix applications are not locked to the desktop they are made for, Gnome applications can be used in KDE and vice versa.
There is no "best desktop", but there is a desktop that's best for you. It's a matter of preference, and hardware.

The Future is Freedesktop

Freedesktop.org is a software project aimed at developing shared technology standards for the X Window System. They provide common protocols like System Tray Protocol Specification, standard that allows developers to write a program that will work in KDE, GNOME, Fluxbox and other desktops who follow the Freedesktop recommendations.
is a free software project to work on interoperability and shared technology for desktop environments for the X Window System. The most famous X desktops are GNOME and KDE but any developers working on Linux/UNIX GUI technology are welcome to participate. 

Hardware requirements

Desktop	Required RAM	Required CPU
fluxbox/idesk	48	100 MHz
XFCE4	128	200 MHz
Gnome 1.x	256	500 MHz
Gnome 2.x	384	800 MHz
KDE 3.x	512	1 GHz

These values are general rules of thumb. KDE will start on computer systems who should have been moved to museums long ago, like a Pentium 100 with 64 MB RAM, but it will run horribly slow. Any computer box can be used for the right purpose if you select software according to it's capacity. A Pentium 100 will let your write email and surf the Internet if you choose the MUTT email client and the web browser Lynx.
For a hot new box with lots of RAM and a fast CPU I recommend KDE 3.x or Gnome 2.x. Gnome is bloated and KDE is even more bloated. This is great, but all those fancy features demand more CPU and ram.
XFCE4 is a very nice complete fast and lightweight Desktop Environment and is probably the best choice for old, but not ancient hardware. The ROX desktop is another good light choice.
For really old hardware you should use something simple to draw icons on your desktop (like idesk) and a fast window manger like fluxbox (based on blackbox), waimea or icewm

The Best Desktop

Again: Try them all. This is your choice. There are plenty of Live-CD Linux distributions that let you try both KDE and Gnome without installing anything at all. Knoppix is a nice alternative.
Some people claim KDE is the best choice for beginners.

• Is the Linux Desktop Getting Heavier and Slower? 
• Linuxworld
  • KDE 3.1 vs. GNOME 2.2: How GNOME became LAME
  • Why KDE applications have a bright desktop future
• KDE Usability Project

Desktop Overview
Complete Linux Desktops:

• GNOME
  • Complete Linux desktop.
• KDE
  • Complete Linux desktop.
• XFCE
  • Light Linux desktop.
• ROX
  • "Light" Linux desktop. The ROX filemanager Filer is clean and nice. ROX Panel and the Filer are excellent and can be used with other desktops.

Popular Windows Window Managers:

• ION
  • Untraditional window manager using frames and floating workspaces, this helps you use the available on your screen more efficiently.
• Fluxbox
  • Excellent Window manager, tabbed windowing, layers and more.
• EvilWM
  • Minimalistic no-fuzz window manager with all basic features, excellent if you like borderless windows.  

Be Safe on Your Social Networks

Social networks are a wonderful tool that keeps us in touch with long-lost friends and family members. They provide a way for instant communication with individuals and help us find friends that we haven’t seen for years. However, even with all of the good that social networks bring, they also contain a few drawbacks as well.

Because social networks are popular among individuals of all ages, they are prime targets for security and privacy threats. It is not uncommon to find a malicious link posted on yours or your friend’s wall. There are also several third-party apps you can download onto your social network that are created by phishers. Luckily, several Mac internet security applications and similar programs provide a tool that will scan your social network and alert you of any suspicious links or sites. But even with this extra layer of protection on your computer, security and privacy threats lurk everywhere on a social network, and without proper caution you can easily become victim to an identity thief or other online predator.

Beware of phishing websites

Social networks have become popular targets among phishers. Phishing is a way to gather another individual’s passwords, usernames, financial information and other personal data. These types of attacks are prevalent because individuals do not think anything is wrong with a link because a friend posted it on one of their social networks.

Unless you are extremely cautious about which websites you enter information on, rarely will you know you are being attacked by a phisher. Oftentimes, you will be redirected to a webpage that looks similar to your regular login page for your social network, bank, email, etc. However, the URL is different and you are not actually on a secure website. And after logging on to one of these fake websites, you have just submitted your personal login information to the phisher. To ensure this doesn’t happen to you, always check the URLs on your login webpages and make sure you only log in to the actual, secure website.

Be cautious of what you post

Even though social networks are the ideal way of staying up-to-date with all of your friends’ lives, that doesn’t mean they need to know every small detail about your day. It is easy for cybercriminals to watch social networking postings of a company and its employees or a family and their friends. They can easily piece together small tidbits of information posted about certain events or activities on a social network wall. They can then use those to their advantage, determining functions, tools and resources to help them gain access to the information they need to steal your identity.

Always check to make sure that your privacy settings are on. If not, anyone can see what you are doing and find important personal information about you with a simple Google search. Be cautious what you post, and make sure you're using privacy settings so your private life stays private.

Third-party apps may not be all fun and games

Third-party apps are easy to use and integrate directly onto your social network. They make it easy to play games, read and access resources. However, many of these third-party apps are providing your information to other companies. These apps also provide a variety of security and privacy vulnerabilities. Not all third-party apps sell and use your information, but always be aware of what apps you download and how much permission you grant the apps to use.

Just be smart

One of the best things to do when using a social network is to be smart. Be aware of who you are friends with and do not confirm any user you don't know. Confirming people you don’t know is often one of the easiest ways for any cybercriminal to gain personal information and data about your life. It only takes one person to cause a significant amount of damage.

Don’t forget to log out of your social network when you are done, especially if you are using a public computer or a public network. Be cautious of all photos you post, all personal information that can identify you, and be sure your privacy settings are turned on and working properly.

Virus Statistics

Anti-virus software and computer security companies tend to amp up fear about the possibility of your computer being infected with a virus or malware. While scare tactics help sell software, are there really that many viruses out there lurking around every corner of the web? According to statistics, the answer is yes, but you probably shouldn't be too worried. As long as you're careful, you can avoid and deter threats, no matter the number.

The History of Virus Statistics

Back before the wide-spread use of the internet, viruses were virtually unheard of. Viruses are created to spread from one computer to another. Before the internet was widely used, viruses were limited to individual networks of computers, hardly a tempting target for someone wanting to create widespread damage.

The very first virus was created in the early 1970s. It was called the Creeper virus and affected computers on ARPANET, which is known as one of the first forms of today's internet. This virus wasn't malicious and was quickly eradicated with the first anti-virus program, the Reaper.

In 1981, the first hacker-made virus appeared. It was created by a kid in high school and spread through Apple floppy drives.

Yearly Statistics of Viruses

As the years passed, the threat of viruses grew and ebbed, according to statistics. In the 1990s, when the internet became widely used, around 20 major computer viruses were created. The list of notorious '90s viruses includes Shifter, OneHalf, SrcVir, the Chameleon and the Concept Virus.

In 2001 the numbers bloomed to around 34,000. In 2004 the number of viruses skyrocketed from 17,425 in the previous year to 52,151, according to statistics. Since 2006, the number of viruses has gradually been decreasing, according to a statistics report by the Information-Technology Promotion Agency. There were only approximately 14,000 viruses in 2010.

These numbers may seem low since many people confuse the term virus with other attacks that may affect your computer. As noted above, viruses are programs created to spread from one computer to another. Other forms of malware are not able to spread themselves and must be manually downloaded to move from one machine to the next. If you add up all types of malware and look at the statistics, the numbers are much higher.

Protecting Your Computer

Of course, you need to be wary of any type of malicious program that may damage your computer, no matter what the statistics say. Security software with virus and malware defense capabilities offer the best protection. Software that is kept current will block most threats as they are created and identified, no matter how many threats there are. Another easy way to avoid computer infection is to avoid using jump drives that haven't been checked for malware. Many security software packages include the ability to scan jump drives.

While the statistics show that viruses and other forms of malware are abundant, it is easy to keep your computer safe. With constantly improving technology, it will be harder and harder for hackers to create a virus that can outsmart security software, which will eventually lessen the numbers even more.

Surf Safely: Secure your Browser and Protect your Computer

 For most of us, online browsing has become essential to everyday life. But the internet is rife with dangerous threats, ranging from your computer becoming infected by malware to cyber thieves stealing your personal information. Taking action to secure your internet browser will enable safer web surfing and can help ensure your hard drive and personal information aren’t at risk. Here are a few ways to secure your internet browser for safer surfing.

Update Your Browser Regularly
As internet browser technology evolves, so do the unsavory individuals looking to exploit new online vulnerabilities. Subsequently, it is imperative to keep your web browser regularly updated. Internet browsers periodically release important updates that fix security bugs and loopholes. In fact, many of the top browsers, including Google Chrome, have automatic updates and will prompt you to download an important update. Security updates can typically be downloaded directly from the browser’s website as well. In a similar vein, also update your operating system regularly, especially if you are using the OS’s default browser (e.g., Internet Explorer on Windows).

Use the Pop-up Blocker
Most internet browsers have a built-in pop-up blocker that prevents pop-up windows from opening and cluttering your screen. The blocker can help prevent harmful malware from installing on your computer. If you’re using an application that requires you to temporarily disable the pop-up blocker, be sure to enable it when you are finished.

Enable Fraud Protection
A phishing website is a fraudulent website that is masked as a trustworthy one in order to acquire personal information such as passwords and credit card information. Often these websites can steal cached data on your computer without you even knowing it. To prevent this, enable your browser’s fraud protection, which typically “blacklists” known phishing sites and blocks access to them. This blanket protection ensures you don’t inadvertently visit a known phishing site.

Install Only Trusted Programs
It may seem obvious but only download software or programs from known, trusted sources. A surprising number of internet users download free programs from unknown sources and inadvertently install damaging spyware or viruses onto their computers. If you are unsure about a particular program, do some research online; chances are if it isn’t a legitimate program or application, you won’t be able to verify it online.

Look for Private-Browsing Features
Most internet browsers have privacy features that allow you to easily clear your browsing history and personal data. This is important if you use a shared computer, whether in your office, at the library or in a computer lab. Many browsers also have private browsing or private tabs, which allow you to surf the web without leaving any trace of the sites you visit.

Seek Robust Encryption Support
Only use internet browsers that support the latest encryption standards of SSL and TSL. These types of encryption establish an encrypted link between your browser and the website you are using in which sensitive data can pass through securely.

Internet security can be a complicated and tricky thing. But a little know-how and some easy preventive techniques can go a long way towards providing you with a safer browsing environment in an online world rampant with security threats.

Securing Your Portable Tech: The Top 10 Guarding Gadget Tools

Christmas 2011 was one for the record books in terms of portable tech, with more than 6.8 million mobile devices activated on Christmas Day. Furthermore, an approximate 1.2 billion apps for both Apple and Android devices were downloaded over the Christmas weekend. If you were one of the millions lucky enough to score one of these hot devices, now is the time to look into options for protecting it from theft, damage and other viable threats. From heavy-duty cases to mobile virus software, these top 10 tools can help you safeguard your pricey new gadget from the inside out.

 1. Protective Cases
The Griffin Elan Form

This one may seem obvious but a staggering number of people still don’t use anything to protect the exterior of their mobile devices. Using a durable protective case can help keep your smartphone or tablet in optimal condition for longer, especially if you tend to be tough on your devices. Fortunately, cases are typically built for both form and fashion, offering maximum protection in stylish and slim silhouettes.

 2. Remote Wipe
Find My Phone App

Mobile gadgets may be pricey but they are easily replaced if stolen. The data on them, however, is much more important. These days, cell phones store all sorts of personal information – think cached online banking passwords, email accounts and more – and can become hazardous in the hands of an unsavory type. In the event your device is stolen, a remote wipe application allows you to remotely wipe all of its data. All of the major mobile platforms support some kind of remote wipe application. 

3. Cloud Services
iCloud

A cloud service automatically and securely stores your content in the cloud so it is always available on any of your synced computers or devices. For instance, any content, including photos and contacts, that you add to your mobile phone is automatically synced to your account. The advantage of using a cloud service to protect your gadget (assuming it’s an internet-connected one) is if it’s ever damaged or lost, you can still access the content that was stored on it through your cloud service.

 4. Screen Protectors
ZAGG invisibleSHIELD

A fundamental component of any gadget is the screen, especially on a touchscreen device such as a smartphone or a tablet. Screen protectors, like ZAGG’s invisibleSHIELD, provide comprehensive scratch protection that can extend the life of your device. Completely transparent and amazingly thin, screen protectors come pre-cut to exactly match the contours and dimensions of your specific device.

 5. Mobile Virus Software
BullGuard Mobile Security

Any internet-connected device is susceptible to viruses. Viruses can wreak havoc on your smartphone or tablet, interfering with use or in the worst case scenario, rendering it ineffective. Mobile virus software blocks viruses and keeps you from unintentionally downloading or installing harmful viruses when accessing the internet on your device.

 6. Cell Phone Parental Control Software
PhoneSheriff

While smartphones allow you to stay connected on the go, such widespread accessibility can be laden with risk, especially for young users. If your kid was gifted a new smartphone for Christmas, mobile parental control software is a must. Such software allows you to monitor your kids’ wireless communications and control their internet usage, preventing access to questionable or explicit content. Some applications even allow you to create a list of “trigger” words or phrases, alerting you when your child sends or receives any message containing one of the listed words. Cell phone parental control software helps keep your child safe and provide you with peace of mind.

 7. GPS Phone Tracking
AccuTracking

Mobile devices and other gadgets are becoming smaller, pricier and subsequently, more vulnerable to theft. Thousands of devices are stolen each year, and replacing your gadget can cost hundreds of dollars, particularly if you don’t have insurance through your carrier. A GPS phone tracking app turns your device into a GPS tracking device, so you can pinpoint the real-time location of your phone in the event it is lost or stolen. GPS phone tracking is also ideal for parents who want to keep tabs on their kids when they are away from home.

 8. Antispyware Browser App
Trend Micro Smart Surfing

An antispyware browser app, such as Trend Micro’s SmartSurfing for Apple devices, helps guard your gadget against web threats. Malware, spyware and phishing sites are all used to steal personal information - think stored passwords, financial documents or inforamtion gleaned from email accounts - off of computers and mobile devices. The app denies access to malicious URLs and helps protect your device against phishing attacks. You can also modify your protection level, choosing the level of protection you feel necessary.

 9. iPad Lock
iPad Security Lock

An iPad lock is a physical locking mechanism that secures the tablet to a fixed object such as a table. While tablet locks are primarily used in retail environments, they are ideal for any consumer who wants to keep roommates, colleagues and others from swiping their tablet without permission.

 10. Mobile Security Service
McAfee WaveSecure

For total gadget security, opt for a mobile security service. Mobile security services for smartphones and tablets are all-inclusive security suites, providing tracking, antivirus protection, and remote lock and wipe capabilities in one seamless application. The services don’t come cheap and most are subscription-based. However, you may find the comprehensive security and subsequent peace of mind the service provides are well worth the cost.

Whether you were gifted a smartphone or a tablet, it is imperative to take the necessary precautions to keep your gadget secure both internally and externally. Doing so will extend the life of your gadget and keep all personal information stored on the device safe and out of the wrong hands.

Social Media: Enhancing Your Online Website

Social networks have become a favorite online pastime. With such a large number of individuals spending their time on these online mediums, you can expect many of your customers and potential customers to have social networking profiles. You can take advantage of these social networks by increasing your online presence, improving your reputation and spreading the word about new products from your eCommerce website. By taking the rights steps and avoiding a few common social media mistakes, you will see an increase of traffic and possibly an increase of revenue to your website.

Start with the basics

One of the first mistakes merchants make is creating a profile on dozens of social networking sites at once. When first stepping into the social networking world, begin with the largest and most popular networking sites. Create a Facebook page and a Twitter account first because those are the most popular services and are where many of your customers may be spending their time. Also, evaluate the type of customers your eCommerce website brings and carefully consider which social networking sites they would be using. When working with social networks, thinking of your customers is key.

After you have decided which social network you will use, create strong profiles. Give plenty of information about your company and provide detailed posts and links that will make potential customers interested and curious about your site.

Post a variety of content

Posting interesting pieces of content to your profile is how you can captivate your customers and make them excited about specific products or events. Write original articles with information that provides assistance and guidance to your customers. However, make sure the content is proofread and well written. If not, customers will not waste their time and will quickly leave your site.

One of the best types of content you can post on your profile is videos. Product videos, tutorial videos and even videos explaining why your company is the best are an exciting and intriguing way to grasp customers.

 Don't overwhelm your customers

Even though adding content is what social networks are all about, be smart about what you post. Some merchants are carried away with the amount of posts and links they share. Keep your information current and available, but don't post information every few minutes. Before you post, think carefully about whether your customers will find the information useful or if it will attract potential customers. There is nothing worse than finding you have lost several "friends" from constantly pestering and annoying them with your posts.

Incorporate share buttons

Placing social networking share buttons on your website allows your customers to share your website on their social network profiles. Share buttons are an excellent way to spread the word about specific items on your webpage, and they can dramatically increase your online presence. You can place Facebook, Twitter, Blogspot, Google+ and other share buttons anywhere on your webpage. However, before you go placing these buttons on all of your webpages, think about whether the information is worth sharing.

Constantly maintain and improve

You cannot have a social networking profile and think that is good enough. You have to be diligent in maintaining and constantly improve your profile. Add new links, and post videos and pictures. Social networks need to constantly have a little TLC if you want to use them as tools to improve your eCommerce website. By working hard and keeping a well-maintained profile, it will give your website the boost in traffic it deserves.

The Antivirus Software Reviews

There are a lot of anti-virus software packages to choose from, and you may be feeling intimidated. You want to make the best choice, but you might not know where to start. That's where we come in. We've compiled a bite-sized list detailing the highlights of a few of our favorite products from our review catalogue.

 

BitDefender Antivirus Plus
Long considered one of the top dogs of the anti-virus applications, BitDefender packs a lot of bite. A full scope of protection, including an array of techniques for keeping browsers secure, plus stellar 24-hour support, is why we picked BitDefender as our TopTenREVIEWS Gold Award winner.

 

 Kaspersky Anti-Virus
Kaspersky’s security labs have created a work of art. While a high price turns away a few users, Kaspersky has passed AV-Test’s analyses with a 100-percent success rate. That means nothing gets through. Plus, Kaspersky is highly customizable, making this program a joy for tech-savvy users. We gave it our TopTenREVIEWS Silver Award for its consistently high success rate and serious extra features.

 

Norton AntiVirus
A long-time default for OEM installations, Norton has quite a name in the anti-virus community. This isn’t without reason, however; Norton has a robust set of features that defend against internet marauders. Unfortunately, a few compatibility issues remain.

ESET Nod32 Antivirus
The simplicity of ESET might make it a good choice for users who like a streamlined experience. While its security features still remain competitive, we found that ESET’s interface might be a little too plain for TopTenREVIEWS readers.

AVG Anti-Virus
As one of the most-downloaded free anti-virus products, AVG has established a solid base of users. AVG Anti-Virus 2011 won’t disappoint those familiar with the free version. An excellent range of security features are sure to keep your system protected, but a tendency to overprotect and cause false positives are definite drawbacks.

G DATA AntiVirus
G DATA makes keeping a machine secure pretty simple. A solid database of virus signatures, as well as heuristic scanning, make G DATA an excellent choice, but the program is missing common features like gaming and laptop modes.

Avira AntiVir
Avira’s powerful scanning technologies, such as ProActiv behavior scanning, make it a great anti-virus program. With over two decades of respectable security experience, Avira is a safe bet. But the current version lacks necessary features, and its heuristics technology tends to create false positives.

Vipre Antivirus
While Vipre hasn’t been around for very long, the current version of its anti-virus program brings some solid features to the table. All types of malware are covered by Vipre, including Trojans, rootkits, keyloggers and more. The installation is a bit of a hassle, though, since it requires a restart.

Trend Micro Titanium
Trend is one of the few programs on this list that utilizes cloud technology for real-time scanning and updates. While this sounds impressive, Trend’s security and feature sets still lag behind the others.

Webroot AntiVirus
Webroot lacks certain features, like a laptop mode and a recovery CD. On the other hand, malware is defenseless against Webroot’s capable Spy Sweeper.

These are only a few of our top-rated anti-virus software picks. Check out our full reviews to find a more in-depth examination of each product so you can select the best from the rest.