I first came across and wrote about DriveSentry last year ( ).  In the intervening period, the company has been busy developing a new product which is currently available exclusively from the PC World chain of stores.  This product is DriveSentry GoAnywhere. It has been developed to safeguard removable devices from the one million plus Internet viruses that have been identified by computer experts.

click image to enlarge Let me start with a thank-you directed towards the technical support guy at Yoggie who was invaluable in getting this next product up and running on my system. The product in question is Yoggie Gatekeeper Pico which has been developed to provide, what is described as, Pentagon level protection when venturing out on to the Internet.

From the back and side, the box certainly looked like the standard packaging used by Symantec for its utility products.  However turning the box around revealed a see-through panel showing the software CD as if indicating that the enclosed product could see through any malicious attack made on your system.  This product is Norton 360 version 2.0 which arrives with the promise of providing all-in-one security with comprehensive, automatic protection.

So what I am looking at is two different anti virus programs from the same maker. Drive Sentry and Drive Sentry Go Anywhere. The first sits on your PC and the second resides on your stick drive so you can safely insert it into another PC which may or may not be infected by a virus or three. I have used both the full PC package and the stick drive version. My problem is that unless you get a virus you will never know if the products work.

By bundling together three software utilities, Avanquest has created Perfect Image 11 Backup & Protect Suite.  The titles involved in this suite are Perfect Image 11; DiskCopy & Clean; and AutoSave 2.  This collection of titles is aimed at providing the means to deal with different aspects of hard disk management.

Now up to version 8, System Suite Professional brings together a collection of utilities developed to maintain, protect and enhance your computer's performance.  Following the entry of a 29-character serial number, the product's installation process gives you a range of choices as you decide whether to include the Firewall and antivirus/spyware options or not.

Rather than take the pick-and-mix route when deciding on how best to protect your computer from outside influences, you could opt for an all-in-one approach as adopted by BitDefender Total Security 2008.  Arriving with the promise of providing comprehensive proactive protection, this product is aimed at digital families and those looking for a total solution for their peace of mind needs.

As part of its stated policy to protect users' computers from various malicious threats, Softwin has released the latest versions of its BitDefender range of products.  Aimed at providing protection for all your Internet-connected needs for the family or small business user is BitDefender Internet Security 2008.  This product takes over the role filled previously by BitDefender Antivirus Plus v10 and BitDefender Professional Plus v9.

Anybody visiting the BitDefender stand during a computer exhibition will have no trouble realising that the company (Softwin) behind the product lives and breathes protection.  Whether it is its give-aways, such as sun block and prophylactics, or its various products, protection is the name of the game.  The Softwin has recently released new versions of its BitDefender software including BitDefender Antivirus 2008.

Have you considered who might be sharing your computer's functionality?  I do not mean sharing with members of your family or colleagues but those individuals with whom you are not acquainted.  The presence of these unwanted visitors is a clear indication that your system has become infected by spyware that can include Trojans, keyloggers, adware, system monitors and cookies.

The Internet is a veritable cornucopia of information and source material whatever your interests.  However it can also be an extremely dangerous place to venture unprotected, as well as being the portal through which attacks can be launched against your computer and the personal data it holds.  System Shield 3 Internet Security is a product from iolo technologies that is designed to help protect the user from such dangers.

It has been estimated recently that there are currently more than 900 million viruses circulating the Internet each day.  While it is entirely possible that none on these viruses have your or even my name on their hit list, it is not a chance you should really encourage by leaving your computer unprotected from attacks.

How safe is safe?  The question, in this case, refers to that wide ranging environment we know as the Internet.  Like any community, the Internet has its fair share of individuals (and organisations) whose sole aim is to inflict misery on others through various nefarious schemes.

Rather than take the route of producing a single product aimed at meeting the needs of everybody, SOFTWIN has opted for the approach of having various flavours of its BitDefender solution so that users can select the most appropriate version that is best suited to their needs.  Recently I took a look at the company's BitDefender Antivirus 10 product which combines antivirus and antispyware features.

Since its inception in 1990, SOFTWIN has developed into the leading European manufacturer of security solutions through its BitDefender range of products.  Joining this family is BitDefender Antivirus 10 which is available as either a box product or a download from the web.  This product provides protection from both virus attacks and the threat of Spyware.