Monday, November 29, 2010

Software : In Depth: 14 must-have security apps

Software : In Depth: 14 must-have security apps

In Depth: 14 must-have security apps

Posted: 29 Nov 2010 07:00 AM PST

One segment of computing in particular is constantly evolving. Security software has to keep up with new attacks and protect us from new-found dangers, mostly because hackers never seem to sleep.

These 15 apps protect your and your family whenever – or wherever. Sure, anyone can download a free virus scanner, but these must-have tools go beyond the basics.

1. Handy Safe Pro

Handy Safe, like a myriad of iPhone apps, stores passwords and protected info, but offers a few extra features of note. One is that the app itself is encrypted from break-ins, and you can archive the stored data to the cloud. You can store credit cards, PINs, e-mail passwords, serial numbers and more. The app works on Symbian and Android devices – but we expect a Windows Phone version soon.

2. Invincea Browser Protection

The first browser that runs in a virtual environment, Invincea avoids the trap of constant updates – it's essentially like using VMware as your virtual operating system (OS) but just for browsing the web. The main advantage is that, with any malware or virus attack, your actual OS is protected. Invincea watches for malware and virus-like behaviour, warns you about attacks, and blocks threats instead of using signature files.

3. TrendMicro Smart Surfing

Smart Surfing is an iPhone app that uses TrendMicro's cloud protection for your mobile internet travels. When you open a URL, the app first checks the reputation of the site and if it is known distributing harmful software. You can set the reputation level to either allowing only known reputable sites or blocking harmful sites.

4. 123 Corporation Secret 123

One of the most troubling problems in the security field has to do with unencrypted emails. Employees in a company decide, on a whim, to send out financial data over their e-mail, which is a relatively easy way for hackers to steal the information. Secret 123 is a free Outlook plug-in that lets users add encryption to an outgoing message. The main benefit is ease-of-use, since the button is so easy to find.

5. BitLocker

One of the best security apps for daily use is probably one you already have installed. Included free with Windows 7 and Windows Vista Enterprise and Ultimate Editions, BitLocker is a quick and painless way to add encryption to external hard drives and USB thumbdrives. You can lock down these drives before sending them in the mail or storing them long term.

BiTlocker

6. Track and Protect

For anyone using an expensive smartphone, tracking its whereabouts in case of theft is critical. Track and Report works with Symbian and Android devices and lets you send remote commands to the device – such as capturing a photo, finding the current location, and listen to audio. You can also find out a new SIM card number.

7. ToneCheck

Another Outlook plug-in that protects employees, ToneCheck watches all outgoing messages and warns the user if the tone is inappropriate, insulting, or could possibly get the company in trouble. The app catches most insults and even learns from user behavior. Free in beta currently for any company.

8. AVG

AVG might not be the most comprehensive anti-virus software on the market – there are no cloud-based signature updates and no advanced admin console for tracking viruses within a company – but the tool does maintain an up-to-date registry of known virus, malware, and spyware threats to keep your PC safe.

AVG

9. Advanced Registry Optimizer

Registry errors cause PC slowdowns – but from a security standpoint, the registry is also a potential breeding ground for corrupt and damaging software. Advanced Registry Optimizer is a cleaning tool find corrupt and suspicious entries and works in the background to make sure your registry is running at the fastest speeds possible.

10. GoGoStat Parental Guidance

This free app for Facebook is for parents who want to track their kids and make sure there's no inappropriate behaviour. You first install GoGoStat in your Facebook account then add your kids (which they approve). You can get alerts about chat messages, when photos are uploaded, and new contacts.

11. ezDataCloak

Look for this new web security tool in the future – it lets you exchange heavily encrypted messages on a website so that you and the receiver are the only ones who could possibly read the message, without ever transmitting the message over common e-mail protocols and potentially revealing private information. We've tested a limited alpha release but stay tuned for the first beta release this year.

12. Ixia IxDefend

This robust security application scans firewalls to make sure they're actually working. Ixia is known for their networking analysis tools. XeDefend simulates common network attacks and thoroughly searches your network for all endpoints and makes sure the firewall is actually working as you intend it to.

13. PeaZip

Call it the poor man's way of encrypting files, the PeaZip archiving tool is a must-have for those who need to compress files and add extra encryption to make them secure. The tool supports every compression format under the sun (such as ZIP, ARC, GZ, and TAR) and works fast on both Windows and Linux boxes.

14. McAfee Total Protection for Endpoints

Running a memory-hogging anti-virus app just doesn't make sense any more, now that companies such McAfee and TrendMicro offer cloud-based options. A small app runs on the desktop, but the signature files are maintained in the cloud. Even better, you can pull up an admin console and quickly see any infections and whether someone has not installed the app yet (or you can install it for them remotely).
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