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 The Best Tools to neutralize Trojan horses
AntiTrojan Tools Overview
Here is PC Flank's opinion of the best anti-viruses and anti-trojans.
Anti--Viruses
the KAV - Kaspersky Anti-Virus
http://www.avp.ru
version: 3.6.1.4
price: $49.95 (1 year)
The program, formerly known as AVP, was created by russian developers. The Kaspersky Anti-Virus (KAV) is acknowledged as one of the leaders of the market and one of the most widespread anti-viruses in the world. Recently, the KAV has been heavily advertised worldwide and gaining new markets.
Besides the vast database of viruses definitions, the KAV is able to unpack many different archives and packers utilities. The program enables the user to scan entire disks as well as certain directories and files.
In addition to the scanner, the program has "Script Checker" feature to check the scripts, antivirus monitor, the utility that creates emergency restoration disks , the tool that checks e-mail messages and finally the program that enables to control all the utilities of the KAV.
On the other hand, the interface of the recent versions of the program is not so user-friendly especially for novice users. That's why it takes some time to learn all the settings before starting to use the KAV. The KAV has so many features and options that it makes one to ask if an ordinary home user really needs all this features and special options.
The logging utility enables to explore all the details on all checked files.
The company also supports www.viruslist.com, a decent web site, where the users can obtain info on almost any virus or Trojan of the KAV viruses definitions database.
McAfee VirusScan
http://www.mcafee.com
version: 5.21
price: $39.90 (2 years)
The program was created by the famous company, that's why many users trust in the quality of this product and choose it as their default anti-virus.
The McAfee anti-virus is less functional than the KAV but is more user-friendly, what is very important for the rookies.
In addition to the virus scanner, the software has following utilities:
Email Scan - checks e-mail messages and file attachments
Internet Scan - checks all files downloaded from the Internet
Alert Manager - warns about the detection of new virus over the Internet
Emergency Disk Utility - creates emergency restoration disks
And more...
The program allows to check certain disks, directories and files.
Once the scanner has detected a virus, you can see Info on the virus.
Norton AntiVirus
http://www.symantec.com
version: 7.01
price: $39.95 (plus shipping & handling)
Indeed, NAV is the most famous anti-virus in the world.
The anti-virus was created by Symantec, the leading company on the market. But because of the big size of the distribution kit, expensive Tech Support, very high system requirements and other reasons, the product does not justify its expensive price.
According to the program info, Norton Antivirus has the largest database of virus definitions in the world, but actually the database contains the old MS-DOS executable viruses at least in one third. Such viruses cannot infect modern operating systems so the true value of the database is a little exaggerated.
Like previous products, as well as the scanner, the NAV has various utilities, that enable the users to more closely monitor their systems.
One of the main advantages of this software is very nice, user-friendly interface and well-designed Update utility
Anti-Trojans
The Cleaner
http://www.moosoft.com
version: 3.2
price: $29.95
The Cleaner was the first tool, which was designed to protect users' computer against Trojans only.
Because the first version of the program emerged long time ago, many Internet users are familiar with this software and trust the quality of this anti-trojan.
However the interface of the Cleaner is very unfriendly what makes it the biggest drawback of the program. So the Cleaner's default settings does not allow its users to scan certain file or directory. For example, if you want to check a file saved on your Desktop you will have to scan the whole hard drive of your computer. However advanced users may guess that all they need to scan certain file is right-clicking on it in Windows Explorer and then choose an option to check the file with the Cleaner.
The developing of the program has been delayed a couple of times and even now the update of the program is not generally available.
But despite all these bad points the Cleaner is still one of the most popular Anit-trojan tools.
As seen from the screen-shot, the Cleaner is extremely quick in scanning files, but on the other hand by default the program scans using only the masks set by the developers and does not enable user to choose his/her own scan criterions. So if the Trojan was hiding itself under extension, unknown to the Cleaner, the program would not check it during the scanning process. On the other hand, the operating system might allow the user to execute such file and therefore infect the system. To check the file with unknown extensions the users have to turn on an option to scan hidden files, but as it is turned off by default rookie users even dont know about it.
The Tauscan
http://www.agnitum.com
version: 1.6
price: $29.95
This software is created by the developers of the Jammer, the decent security utility used by many users. The Tauscan has appeared on the market only few years ago and is very easy- to-use especially compared to Cleaner or TDS.
The major advantages of the Tauscan are easy "like Windows Explorer" navigations system, the Wizard feature designed especially for rookie users and finally the ability to explore the database of Trojans definitions contained in the program. Another good point is the ability to scan certain files, directories and disks.
However, the Tauscan is not able to scan compressed files.
Finally, the product is recommended to all users as very powerful and easy in use anti-trojan solution.
TDS-3
http://tds.diamondcs.com.au
version: 3
price: $49
This anti-trojan appeared on the market later than the Cleaner did and for some time was a real rival to the Cleaner. But as time passed, the developer had tried to turn the TDS into an unique all around network security system and eventually has made very user-unfriendly interface. The usability of the program became poor point as well.
However, the program has a lot of features that make it very functional in use. There are a lot of very useful network utilities combined in the TDS but unfortunately even the advanced users are having some difficulties in understanding and configuring this software. Another weak points of this product are the high price and operation of the TDS even on powerful machines with modern processors, not to mention slow machines. The interface is designed very poorly what makes the user feel the program is not legitimate because it looks like a cracker tool. As for the advantages of the TDS, the main are plug-in support and ability to choose own scan criterions to scan certain files and directories.
This program can be recommended to the advanced users looking for all-in-one solution for his/her home computer or network.
continue to:
"Comparison results"
back to:
"AntiTrojan Tools Introduction"
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