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