2. Internet Security. Firewalls.

The Internet has enabled today's attackers to reach billions of potential victims each day. And thousands of new malware are constantly being unleashed on the Web and in email. The most important antivirus protection needed today centers around the ability to detect and prevent new malware attacks via the Web or email. AV-Test is the definitive resource for antivirus testing that most closely approximates what a real life user will encounter.

Those programs are called “firewalls”. Here are some of them:

1. Symantec Norton Internet Security 2010

Symantec Norton Internet Security 2010 out-performed all other antivirus scanners when it came to detection of new Web and email threats, nabbing an average of 94% over a 3 month period. This was several percentage points higher than the second place contenders which scored 88.7% on average. Norton Internet Security 2010 also performed well on the overall removal of infections, scoring a 5.0 out of a possible 6.0. In addition, Norton Internet Security 2010 scored highest for performance and usability, at a 5.5 out of possible 6.0. Such solid performance in each of the three core categories (protection, removal, and usability) makes Symantec's Norton Internet Security 2010 an ideal choice for your Windows antivirus needs. [11]

3. AVG Internet Security 9.0

AVG Internet Security 9.0 protected against a 3 month average of 88.7% for new malware delivered via the Web and email. However, while AVG Internet Security 9.0 demonstrated solid ability in the Web/email protection category, it fared less well with removing existing malware, scoring only 4.0 out of a possible 6. While detection of rootkit-enabled/stealth malware was 100%, it's ability to remove existing malware was only 57%. Overall usability was good; AVG Internet Security 9.0 scored a 5.0 out of possible 6 in the performance and usability category.

4. Trend Micro Internet Security Pro 2010

Trend Micro Internet Security Pro 2010 prevented 87.7% of new Web and email malware in the 2Q10 AV-Test analysis. Unfortunately, it failed to deliver when it came to detecting and removing existing infections and results for usability and performance were equally disappointing, scoring only 4.5 in each.

8. Kaspersky Internet Security 2010

Kaspersky Internet Security 2010 prevented 81% of the new Web and email malware in the 2Q10 AV-Test analysis. Kaspersky Internet Security 2010 also had the highest scores in detection and removal of existing malware (a 5.5 out of possible 6.0) and for overall usability and performance (also 5.5 out of possible 6.0). This well-roundedness not only earns Kaspersky a spot on the best antivirus to protect against Web and email threats, but also earns it a spot in the overall best antivirus for Windows and a top pick for the best antivirus for netbooks and older PCs. [12]

Conclusion.

To sum up, the main aspects of computer threats, viruses and antivirus systems have been considered. Hopefully, this work gave you a presentation about how viruses can affect information on your computer and the reasons why you have to be protected from them. As the number of viruses increases every day – the only way is to stay up-to-date to modern antivirus systems and try not to surf suspicious web sites.

Computer virus writers are not a homogenous group; their motivations could be the need to express their dissatisfaction with their social level, draw attention, become famous and well known, to achieve their revenge, or to prove their technical ability. It seems that the virus writers desire to accomplish their goal conceals their vision from viewing the ethical and legal issues. Another reason could be their dissatisfaction with their society, since the ethics and legal codes belongs to it, and they want to revenge for everything in their society including the ethics and legal codes. The legal penalties are not deterring virus writers, but seem to encourage the writers to accept the challenge of writing and releasing a virus to cause the maximum destruction and get away with it or cause serious damage and become famous.

By comparing the increasing number of home users with the increasing number of computer viruses each year, we can easily realize the growing threat of computer viruses towards home users. The increasing awareness of computer viruses and basic IT security principles will help home users to eliminate the threat of computer viruses.

Being safe means being protected.