| An Associated Press (AP) report recently stated that | | | | computers, which may contain sensitive personal |
| security products still sell despite the widespread | | | | information, at risk. That is indeed a good sign |
| availability of free software. Falling under the | | | | because it simply cannot be emphasized enough that |
| category of security would be anti virus software, | | | | the threats to computer security are a reality. If you |
| anti spyware software, email spam blockers, firewalls | | | | own one of those fancy firewall programs that |
| and the like. The article points out that many internet | | | | provide real-time reports on the IP addresses of |
| service providers give out some form of free | | | | computers sniffing at your computer, you will surely |
| versions of these computer security products but | | | | agree that every other minute some rogue on the |
| still, security vendors are moving forward with the | | | | internet is trying to poke into your computer.Almost |
| release of their latest line of products.Consumer | | | | all of these anti virus vendors now provide an entire |
| behavior can sometimes be an extremely complicated | | | | suite of computer security programs. This means |
| puzzle to analyze. But clearly, this news article actually | | | | that aside from the anti virus program itself, you also |
| reflects a seriousness among consumers in protecting | | | | get a firewall, email spam blocker or filter, and anti |
| their personal computers. A few years ago, the | | | | spyware all integrated into it. All these programs have |
| concept of computer security was not even in most | | | | a built-in scheduler that will download updates without |
| consumers' radar screen which could have probably | | | | regular user intervention, a feature that the free |
| contributed to the proliferation of viruses, worms, | | | | software may not have. This reflects an attitude |
| trojans and other forms of malicious software.Free | | | | among consumers that they do not mind spending a |
| computer security products actually have been | | | | few dollars more for the convenience. After all, a |
| available to the consumer for a number of years. It | | | | computer is supposed to enhance productivity and |
| all starts when the consumer buys a computer | | | | spending time tinkering on each security software |
| system. The computer system vendor usually | | | | certainly takes away from it.For those still deciding on |
| bundles a CD-ROM that contains the usual necessities | | | | which vendor to purchase from, the decision could |
| such as browsers, pdf readers, system monitor tools | | | | not be any simpler. All the security vendors offer |
| and an OEM version of an anti virus program. OEM | | | | free downloads of trial versions of their products. |
| version (as against retail version) stands for Original | | | | The trial versions usually offer you an entire month |
| Equipment Manufacturer, and these products can be | | | | to use their products before some of the key |
| described in simple terms as bare bones programs. | | | | functions are disabled. Some vendors are also given |
| OEM products are sold by the manufacturer (for | | | | bragging rights by reputable consumer groups |
| example, the anti virus company) to the computer | | | | through the form of awards of excellence in their |
| system vendor at greatly reduced cost and that is | | | | industry.Similar to test driving an automobile before |
| why the vendor can afford to pass it on to the | | | | buying, go ahead and test drive a security product |
| consumer for free. But to reduce the cost may | | | | before deciding on the one that is right for you. In |
| necessarily mean reducing functionality, meaning less | | | | today's wired world, you certainly should put your |
| features or no operating manual, etc.Perhaps learning | | | | foot down on those nosey enough to pry into the |
| from bad experiences in the past with computer | | | | privacy of your personal computer.Webmaster of |
| viruses, it is evident from the AP report that | | | | and just happy to be of help. |
| consumers simply do not want to place their | | | | |