Wednesday, August 31, 2011

smartdollars The Computer Savvy Weblog

smartdollars The Computer Savvy Weblog


AVIRA Free Anti-Virus Version (10.2.0.700) – Freeware Review

Posted: 30 Aug 2011 04:06 PM PDT

The Rating Scale Breakdown:

  • 0  – 0.5 – Abysmal
  • 1.0 – 1.5 – Terrible
  • 2.0 – 2.5 – Poor
  • 3.0 – 3.5 – Average
  • 4.0 – 4.5 – Great
  • 5.0 – Excellent
  • Undetermined – Too soon to tell or lacking evidence to provide a solid answer
  • Not Tested – Has yet to be requested or there is some limitations to prevent accurate test results

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Price: Free

A. Installation AVG5.0 "Excellent" – Really easy to install and often. You won't even require reboot.

B. Un-installing AVG4.5 "Great" – Very easy to un-install. But you will require a reboot. To completely remove AVIRA from your system————————–

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C. Stability Of Program – 1.5 "Terrible" – We have received an OVERWHELMING NUMBER of e-mails about the lack of stability with the new AVIRA Free Anti-Virus (10.2.0.700)

DISCLAIMER: In this case both myself and my team have experienced the same issues as reported by our readership. It TRULY IS A SAD DAY for all AVIRA FREE ANTI-VIRUS supporter out there.

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D. Has AVIRA Free Been Compromised By Hackers Or Virus5.0 "Excellent" – No issues reported thus far

E. Speed of Scan3.0 "Average " – Pretty slow when you compare it to most other freeware anti-virus software out there.

F. Does AVIRA Free Do Automatic Updates By Itself Without Any Issue4.0 " Great" – Yes, and this time around there seems to be no stalling and or hanging. When we manually update AVG. As we have seen in older versions of AVG Free 2011.

G. Internet Browser Cookie Detection Rate And Removal Test1.5 "Terrible" - You are way better off with something like SUPERAntiSpyware or CCleaner that is more dedicated to removal of Internet cookies. AVIRA's Internet cookie detection rate is terrible even with the option active and checked off.

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1. Anti-Virus Detection Rate Test:

1A. Windows XP3.5 "Average"

1B. Windows Vista3.5 "Average"

1C. Windows 7 - 3.5 "Average"

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2. Anti-Spyware1.5 "Terrible" – AVIRA still seems to miss very common and not so common spyware/adware. You are much better off with SUPERAntiSpyware or Spybot as your adware, spyware, malware protection.

3. AVIRA WebGurad - 3.0 "Average" - Not a fan. But it can be very very useful to some.

4. AVIRA Security ToolBar - 2.0 "Poor" - This toolbar can cause crashes on a number of Internet browsers. And it is really hard to un-install. We also noticed it caused some strange behavior when dealing with certain websites.

5. Residential Shield Test - 5.0 "Excellent" – Avira even with all the issues related to Avira's new service pack 2. AVIRA has one of the best residential shields I've come across.

6. Root Kit Detection Rate - 4.0 "Great" – Even thou AVIRA does not have a dedicated Root Kit scanner like the new AVG 2011 does. It still has a rather good detection rate overall.

7. AVIRA Support Not Tested- With only a free rather complex forum to use. This has to be one of the easier parts of AVG to rate SADLY.

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My Overall Score: 38.5/75

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51.3 % = D

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My Final Verdict -PART 1- Avira Free seems to have suffered from a pre-mature SERVICE PACK 2 release (This still remains the case with yet another minor update to it). There are still so many issues with this updated version. I don't even know where to start. AVIRA seems to fail at almost all of what it was actually good at before Service Pack 2 was let loose on the public. You can't trust AVIRA to scan by itself anymore. The new toolbar is pretty much a waste of time and will often lead to drastic cut in Internet browser speed. The new toolbar may even cause your Internet browser to not even load up or stall and or hang.

My Final Verdict -PART 2- I highly recommend you stick with AVIRA Free Anti-Virus (10.0.0.652) also known as the PRE-SERVICE PACK 2 version of AVIRA. I highly recommend you disable AVIRA'S PRODUCT UPDATES. Until all of the kinks of SERVICE PACK 2 have been patched.

Some of our readers have even blocked all UPDATES including AVIRA's Virus Definitions. BUT that is not something I would personally recommended as  it would defeat the purpose of having a virus program such as AVIRA free installed.

I would be more inclined to recommend to just skip or un-install AVIRA and install AVG or  AVAST Free instead. Just to avoid this headache all together.

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Here are 2 links to download AVIRA Free Anti-Virus:

1. http://www.avira.com/en/support-download-free-antivirus (AVIRA's Main Site)

2. Download link not available at this time for this version (Via download.com/Cnet)

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Return To The Main Reviews Page

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Till The Next Review,

Kirbe

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Monday, August 29, 2011

smartdollars The Computer Savvy Weblog

smartdollars The Computer Savvy Weblog


Toluna Survey Panel – Survey Site Review (Aug 2011)

Posted: 28 Aug 2011 09:10 PM PDT

Name: Toluna Survey Panel

Link: http://us.toluna.com/ -US Site Link-

Link: http://ca.toluna.com/ -Canadian Site Link-

Who Is Eligible To Participate: US or Canadian residence only

Type of Award Or Payment: Points/ Cash / Paypal Money / Sweepstakes / Product Samples

Points Or Cash Normally Earned Per Survey:  100 – 1,000 points

Sign-Up Time: Fairly Short

How Many Survey Invitations Should You Expect Per Week: 0 – 30

How Long Does It Take To Collect A Reward Or Cash Out: between a year to a year and a half

Do They Spam You: No

Overall Rating: 3 out of 5 – This survey panel has proven it self in spades to me. I still feel the amount of points required to cash out could be a little less. Imagine needing over 60,000 points just for the $20 USD/CAD Paypal payout. There is however is a bright spot, there are way more surveys available these days. And way more points that you can now collect via promoted Q+A's and multiple choice questions.

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Return To The Main Reviews Page

——————————————————————

Till The Next Review,

Remy "Se7en"

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Blog Update #180 – (CSW) Reviews “Wondershare’s” PDF to Word Converter Free

Posted: 28 Aug 2011 04:38 PM PDT

Dear Readers,

As the title suggested. (CSW) will be doing a review of "Wondershare's" PDF to Word Converter Free this coming week.

—————————————

-Between Aug 22nd 2011 – Aug 28th 2011-

—————————————–

Last Weeks Top Computer Savvy Weblog News Post

- AVG Free Anti-Virus 2012 Beta – Is Now Available To Download Via AVG Free Anti-Virus Beta Testing Program

—————————————–

Last Weeks Top Computer Savvy Weblog Feature

- Scam Watch: JustAnswer.com Is It A Scam ? Or Is It Just A Really Bad Investment ?

—————————————–

Last Weeks Top Computer Savvy Weblog Review

- AVIRA Free Anti-Virus (10.0.0.652) Vs. AVG Free Anti-Virus 2011 (10.0.1390) – Side by Side Review

—————————————–

Till The Next Blog Update,

Remy "Se7en"

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Saturday, August 27, 2011

smartdollars The Computer Savvy Weblog

smartdollars The Computer Savvy Weblog


EPD 56: Fan Mail Friday’s (08/26/2011)

Posted: 26 Aug 2011 08:56 PM PDT

Dear Danny and Kirbe,

I was wondering how got your jobs writing for (CSW) ?

Sent in By Beverly

—————————-

I was wondering how you guys got your jobs writing for (CSW) ?

Danny's Reply: Hummmm…..interesting question Clover. I guess that would depends on who's side you wanted my side or Remy's side. Ok well the questions seems to indicate my side. So here is goes….

Remy near the very start of (CSW) found me cold, alone and hungry (Huge SARCASM) and unloved on my very own lame blog. He was one of the only people to comment on said blog.

Of course with commenting technology the way it is. I found out what his e-mail address and website link was pretty quickly. (In this case a blog link). At that time it was called the Internet Savvy Weblolg.

Then soon after I was e-mailing (CSW) of course Remy answered me back. This when on for a long while. I also was reading Internet Savvy nearly everyday by this point. I really enjoyed it a lot and learned a lot.

I soon left my own blog venture after being accepted as a writer in Remy's pre 2.0 update over at Internet Savvy. I was just doing news and researching for him. We became really good friends. At this point  it had been almost 1 and 1/2 years. Remy told me he was gonna pack up and call and end to things over at Internet Savvy Weblog.

He then told me he had been working on something else. He called it a work in progress this was back with Barry and Mister Random. Were around. I can't say much about them other then to say Barry had my current position (But he had a different name on the site. So you won't see him listed as Barry.). Oh then of course Mister Random, he did Xbox reviews as well as some features. Remy was always talking about him being a huge influence.

I soon found out it was a very early version of (CSW). Only it was called "Computer Savvy's Weblog" (No "the" in the title and very bad grammar. Also at this point, no short form (CSW) ether.) Other interesting note Remy was doing video game reviews mixed with a light spattering of what you now see on (CSW) at that point.

I then came aboard. Then after weekly e-mails and after my first batch of Computer Savvy's Weblog certified posts. Remy gave me a go at my purposed "WTF" weekly feature.

After a bit of time. "WTF" was really doing well and a few people had to leave by that point. So after proving myself Remy promoted me to my current station as Managing Editor and Secondary Features Editor.

So I hope that long winded story answers your question Beverly.

Kirbe's Reply: Ok straight off Beverly. There is no long winded story here. (CSW) and yes it was current "The Computer Savvy Weblog" by this point. Had a recruitment drive looking for new writers. I applied with a writing sample and my CV. I soon found out my that I was turned down because of my writing sample. So I sent Remy (hell maybe even Danny at this point) another 2 writing samples.

I got another e-mail and it said that I was 1 of 5 chosen for 3 spots that (CSW) had. All 5 of us was writing for (CSW) not everyone got published. But we submitted all our stuff to be reviewed.

Now I can't remember what the final review was. But I wrote it and was e-mailed shortly there after by Danny that said "Welcome To The Team". So I was hired and started off at the bottom as a Contributor and Researcher.

Worked my tail off and still do and now I am Junior Editor and loving it. I hope that soon I'll be a Senior Editor or higher. But only time, the (CSW) team and our readership will be able to make that happen.

So as Danny said above "I hope that long winded story answers your question Beverly."

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Return To The Main Features Page

——————————————————————

Till Next Friday,

Danny + Kirbe

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Friday, August 26, 2011

smartdollars The Computer Savvy Weblog

smartdollars The Computer Savvy Weblog


New Skype (5.5.0.114) Version Change Log

Posted: 25 Aug 2011 11:45 AM PDT

Hello and welcome everyone……

The follow is a the full all-be-it short change log for the new 0.1 update….Enjoy

Today Not actually today but back on Aug 23rd, 2011 for thous of you wondering (No, for what ever reason. We STILL were UNABLE to update via Skype's own built in update feature. Go figure) (SARCASM).

We've released an updated to Windows (5.5.0.114) which includes:

- 'Call' technical info showed frame-rate incorrectly at 60 instead of 30

- Sometimes Facebook contacts where shown with "?" when there was trouble with Facebook connectivity

- Sometimes the video froze while making a videocall to some older Skype versions on Windows or Mac.

- Sometimes Skype crashed while making a videocall to some older Skype versions on Windows or Mac.

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Link To Download Skype: http://www.skype.com/intl/en-us/get-skype/on-your-computer/windows/

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Till The Next Update,

Remy "Se7en"

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New Skype (5.5.0.114) Version Is Now Available To Download

Posted: 25 Aug 2011 11:39 AM PDT

Dear Readers,

Ok, everyone there has been a very minor update to Skype out this past Aug 23rd, 2011 and this would be version (5.5.0.114) for all of us who are still keeping track.

—————————

Link To Download Skype: http://www.skype.com/intl/en-us/get-skype/on-your-computer/windows/

—————————-

Till The Next Update,

Remy "Se7en"

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Thursday, August 25, 2011

smartdollars The Computer Savvy Weblog

smartdollars The Computer Savvy Weblog


New Spybot – Search & Destroy Definition Update Available (2011-08-24)

Posted: 24 Aug 2011 03:50 PM PDT

Dear Readers,

Hello and welcome to my post that will be continuing to following all of the Spybot – Search & Destroy weekly definition updates.

Here is the full list of updates:

2011-08-24

Malware

- Fraud.InternetSecurity2011

- Win32.FraudLoad.edt

- Win32.Renos

Trojans

- Win32.AVKillsvc.e

- Win32.FakeAlert.ttam

- Win32.Muollo

- Win32.OnLineGames.down

- Win32.OnLineGames.gen

Total: 2459549 fingerprints in 774630 rules for 6298 products.

————————————-

To see the full list in it's original glory. Please use the following link: http://www.safer-networking.org/en/home/index.html

————————————–

If you would like to download Spybot – Search & Destroy please use the following link: http://www.safer-networking.org/en/spybotsd/index.html

————————————–

Till The Next Spybot Update,

Remy "Se7en"

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Wednesday, August 24, 2011

smartdollars The Computer Savvy Weblog

smartdollars The Computer Savvy Weblog


What Does The Short Form “NTFS” Stand For ?

Posted: 23 Aug 2011 01:56 PM PDT

RR 4.0

Network Technology File System or "NTFS" – is the standard file system of Windows NT, including its later versions Windows 2000, Windows XP , Windows Server 2003 , Windows Server 2008, Windows Vista, Windows 7.

NTFS is preferred to the FAT file system for Windows operating systems. NTFS has several improvements over FAT such as improved support for the use of advanced data structures to improve performance, reliability, and disk space utilization, plus additional extensions such as security

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Return To The Main Features Page

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Till Next Time,

Remy Se7en

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What Does The Term “IT” Mean ?

Posted: 23 Aug 2011 01:40 PM PDT

RR 4.0

Information Technology or "IT"- is defined by the Information Technology Association of America as the study, design, development, implementation, support or management of computer-based information systems. IT deals with the use of electronic computers and computer software to convert, store, protect, process, transmit, and securely retrieve information.

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Return To The Main Features Page

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Till Next Time,

Remy Se7en

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Monday, August 22, 2011

smartdollars The Computer Savvy Weblog

smartdollars The Computer Savvy Weblog


OMD Snapshot Survey Panel – Survey Site Review (Aug 2011)

Posted: 21 Aug 2011 09:10 PM PDT

Name: OMD Snapshot Survey Panel

Link: No Link (Private Survey Panel Only)

Who Is Eligible To Participate: Anyone

Type Of Awards Or Payment: Sweepstakes / Product Samples

Points Or Cash Normally Earned Per Survey:  Nothing

Sign-Up Time: No Sign Up Required. OMD uses references from other Survey Panels

How Many Survey Invitations Should You Expect Per Week: 0 – 5

How Long Does It Take To Collect A Reward Or Cash Out: Have not collected any rewards or prize as of yet

Do They Spam You: No

Overall Rating: 0 out of 5 – This survey company is 100 % private and only through other survey clubs and sites. Will you even be able to get invited to this survey panel. There are websites links for this survey site, but there are links for other parts of the world like the UK and ASIA. I still have not been able to find a site link for the US or Canada. And so far I have yet to win a prize or earn any money or rewards from them.

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Return To The Main Reviews Page

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Till The Next Review,

Remy "Se7en"

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Sunday, August 21, 2011

smartdollars The Computer Savvy Weblog

smartdollars The Computer Savvy Weblog


New Mozilla FireFox 7.0 Beta Is Now Available To Download

Posted: 20 Aug 2011 09:19 PM PDT

Dear Readers,

It appears that Mozilla FireFox has a new 7.0 Beta build. Which is now available to download in a ton of different languages to suit you taste and background.

** I personally have not downloaded this new beta build as of yet. But a few of our members may.

So I can't say I would recommend it because it is still in the very very early Beta stages. But if you do give it a whirl by all means let us know what you think and I'll post it..

Here is the link to the FireFox 7.0 Beta download: http://www.mozilla.com/en-US/firefox/all-beta.html

Till The Next Update,

Remy "Se7en"

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Blog Update #179 – (CSW) Updates Our Paypal Scam Mail List/Database This Week

Posted: 20 Aug 2011 09:10 PM PDT

Dear Readers,

As the title suggested. We are going to be doing a large Paypal mail scam list/database update later this week. And if you are interested to see what I am talking about please see link: Scam Watch: PayPal Scam Explained + Example

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-Between Aug 15th 2011 – Aug 21th 2011-

—————————————–

Last Weeks Top Computer Savvy Weblog News Post

- AVG Free Anti-Virus 2012 Beta – Is Now Available To Download Via AVG Free Anti-Virus Beta Testing Program

—————————————–

Last Weeks Top Computer Savvy Weblog Feature

- Scam Watch: JustAnswer.com Is It A Scam ? Or Is It Just A Really Bad Investment ?

—————————————–

Last Weeks Top Computer Savvy Weblog Review

- AVG Free Anti-Virus Version (9.0.901) – Freeware Review

—————————————–

Till The Next Blog Update,

Remy "Se7en"

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Saturday, August 20, 2011

smartdollars The Computer Savvy Weblog

smartdollars The Computer Savvy Weblog


EPD 55: Fan Mail Friday’s (08/19/2011)

Posted: 19 Aug 2011 08:06 PM PDT

Dear Remy,

I was wondering how you got your start in writing ?

Sent in By Kendra

—————————-

I was wondering how you got your start in writing ?

Reply: Well, since I don't have a lot of time tonight. I'll give you the short story. Basically I got a really rather crappy job at my lame duck high school newspaper. I'm actually pretty sure. The year I left that school they closed up shop for lack of interest in said paper.

The ongoing joke was the best part of that paper was the lunch menu. Which as you may surmise I actually wrote. But instead of just saying what was for lunch I came up with catchy all-be-it lame names for each item.

Name like "The Prom Cream's Cherry Cheese Cake" or "Don't Meat Loaf Me Behind". I know very lame humor. My titles always reflected my mood or some very juicy bit of high school gossip.

"The Prom Cream's Cherry Cheese Cake" name gave me a standing a lot of interesting reactions. But that is a story for another Fan Mail Friday…….

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Return To The Main Features Page

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Till Next Friday,

Remy "Se7en"



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Thursday, August 18, 2011

smartdollars The Computer Savvy Weblog

smartdollars The Computer Savvy Weblog


New Spybot – Search & Destroy Definition Update Available (2011-08-17)

Posted: 17 Aug 2011 09:05 AM PDT

Dear Readers,

Hello and welcome to my post that will be continuing to following all of the Spybot – Search & Destroy weekly definition updates.

Here is the full list of updates:

2011-08-17

Malware

- Fraud.XPTotalSecurity

- Win32.Aurodrion

- Win32.Cycbot.B

- Win32.FraudLoad.edt

- Win32.Renos

Trojans

- Win32.Bifrost

- Win32.Muollo

- Win32.OnLineGames.down

- Win32.OnLineGames.gen

- Win32.Ruskill.em

- Win32.Timer.hda

- Win32.ZBot

Total: 2458742 fingerprints in 774477 rules for 6298 products.

————————————-

To see the full list in it's original glory. Please use the following link: http://www.safer-networking.org/en/home/index.html

————————————–

If you would like to download Spybot – Search & Destroy please use the following link: http://www.safer-networking.org/en/spybotsd/index.html

————————————–

Till The Next Spybot Update,

Remy "Se7en"

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