Three Tools To Test Your Internet Security Software

Yesterday, I installed Comodo Internet Security. I’ve used a combination of softwares for security before this changing: Avast as an anti-virus software, SuperAntiSpyware as an anti-spyware software and Comodo Firewall Pro as a firewall. This combination is really good for me although it sometimes does not synchronize and not be stable. I move to Comodo Internet Security (it includes anti-virus software - Comodo Antivirus and the powerful firewall - Comodo Firewall Pro) which is more synchronous and stable. However, I don't know whether the ability to protect my computer against malwares and attacks from internet is good or not? So I try to test my new internet security system by using these three online tools.

EICAR

First, I want to test the ability to fight against virus of my new internet security software. I use EICAR.org to test.

EICAR is a website written by European security experts. It allows you to download a simple text file about 68 characters which mimics the behavior of a virus. The exactly content of that text file is: X5O!P%@AP[4\PZX54(P^)7CC)7}$EICAR-STANDARD-ANTIVIRUS-TEST-FILE!$H+H*

You just download the file in many formats to your computer and try to launch it. The common file formats are .txt, .com, .zip. You can test by download these file using two internet protocols: HTTP or SSL.

Your antivirus should alert and delete the file once it is completely downloaded onto your computer. Or at least it should alert that file is a virus when you are trying to open it. If not, it should retire because it is really too weak to protect you. There are many good and free anti virus softwares out there for home users such as Avast, Avira, AVG you can download and install. And they are quite strong enough to protect you if you don't usually visit warez sites or porn sites and click on dangerous links.

SPYCAR

Next, I want to test the ability of my internet security system to protect me from spyware. The tools I used to test are from spycar.com

Spycar provides you many small utilities mimic the spyware-like behavior which try to change the configuration of your windows registry, IE. Firefox utilities will be released soon.

To start the test, you download each files from Spycar and run it. You must create a profile before the utility trying to change something in order to clean setting and restore your computer to the original.

These are utilities trying to configure the windows registry to auto run when windows start:

And these are utilities to change the IE configuration like change homepage or remove Security Tab (spyware and adware usually do these stuff when they are successfully beak into your system):

Your anti-spyware or firewall should recognize these changings and prevent or at least alert to tell you otherwise it should retire as well. My favorite anti-spyware is SuperAntiSpyware because it is free, consumes a small computer resource, and the update time is really fast.

After running some tests, you download TowTruck 1.0 to tell you the result and clean up settings have been changes.

AuditMyPc

The last test is for firewall. A good Internet Security software must have a strong firewall because it is the essential and indispensable element in a internet security suite. I use the test from AuditMyPc.

After visiting AuditMyPc test page, this website will trying to grab you current IP of you computer. If the IP on the website is not correct or you want to do the test for other computer, you can view the IP of that computer by doing: Start > Run > type CMD then enter. In the MS Dos Prompt, type IPCONFIG and copy the number of IP Address in the result. This the most accurate way to identify the current IP address of a computer.

Now, you fill in the text box the appropriate IP you want to do the test and click on the link Security Scan

There are two Options for you to do the test: [Standard Security Scan] and [Ranged Security Scan]. I use [Standard Security Scan] option because it is for most internet users and I am just a basic home user, that's enough for me.

After choosing the right option, just click on the button Start Scan. It will take a while to start scanning

If you firewall is a good one, this result should appear:

There are many good and famous free firewall softwares for home user such as Zone Alarm, Comodo. You can download and install them to enhance the security of your system.

Although these tests are actually simple and basic, a good internet security software should pass all. You should also update your security software regularly so that they can protect you from new dangerous malwares. And one thing which is really effective and easy to prevent you from almost dangers from Internet is not to visit and clicking on suspected sites (warez, porn) and links.

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