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How does a-squared compare against other malware protection software?

To demonstrate the effectiveness of a-squared we decided to test a-squared against several well known software products. The test set contained Trojans, Worms, Dialers and Spyware for which a-squared was updated between January 01, 2005 and March 31, 2005. Please note that is not an independent test. We just scanned all our new files of the first quarter of 2005.

The test set contained: 86% Trojans, 8% Spywares/Adwares, 4% Worms, 2% Dialers.

Kaspersky and Norton anti-virus are typical representatives of anti-virus software. Even we were taken aback at the poor performance in detecting dialers and spyware of such well known software.

TDS-3, TrojanHunter and The Cleaner are specialist programs primarily for Trojans, but performed badly even against Norton.

Ad-Aware is the only program we tested that specializes in Spyware/Adware that scans actual files. However we couldn't find any other spyware tool in this category with a better detection rate. Incredibly, the term Spyware is the most published term in media currently, yet Spyware while inconveniently slowing down your machine's response, it is not the most dangerous problem to inhabit the internet.

What is astonishing is that each of the tested products are advertised as protecting you from Trojans, Worms, Dialers and Spyware.

What distinguishes the a-squared scanner?

Before we start: a-squared is not a virus scanner, it is complementary to antivirus software. Why? Well, anti-virus software has evolved over the decades to recognize and remove classical viruses. Most programs originate from the time when viruses were spread mostly by floppy disks. However, with the advent of multimedia and broadband access to the internet, the environment has changed dramatically. Today most computers are connected to another via some sort of network or internet access. As a result, malware has also evolved to take advantage of the internet technologies to infect computers.

Classical viruses today constitute only a fraction of the dangers, you are constantly exposed as users of the internet. While classic virus protection is needed, protection against Trojan horses are just as important, if not more so... . Such trojans are used by so called hackers in order to control your PC remotely. Often the domestic PC becomes a Spam email server or serves is used to store someone elses illegal picture or video material. The worst possible scenario is that your PC is used without your knowledge to store child pornography... and you can be prosecuted for it. a-squared specializes primarily in the recognition of trojans. Read more about trojans in the article: Trojans - myths & facts

In order to infect your PC with a trojan, you are tricked into downloading a small file that contains the trojan server which needs to be installed. The most frequent method is to spread the trojan by worm viruses (worms). Worms are spead mostly as email attachments which silently install the trojan and then begins to replicate itself using your email addresses. Your PC is now a controlled zombie, which responds to the instructions of an aggressor even though you can still use it.

Another danger, however only users of analog modems are exposed to which, are Dialers. Dialers are small programs which are downloaded and installed with or without your knowledge.. a couple of mouse clicks is all it takes. Once installed, Dialers change your dial in number to premium rate number. Each time it dials can cost you Several hundred dollars in telephone calls. The a-squared scanner recognizes more than 3 million different Dialers. Read more about Dialers in the article: Dialers in detail

An additional risk is Spyware/Adware. It concerns programs and/or modules, which show annoying advertisements. Since the advertisement should be user targeted, Adware in the background often creates a user profile, by storing the surfing behavior of the user. If this happens without your knowledge, it is called Spyware. Spyware represents no direct danger for your PC or you, but your surfing habits are monitored and therefore your privacy is at risk. a-squared also detects Spyware/Adware.

Try it for yourself today! Get the power of a-squared scanner on your side!

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