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If you use either Symantec Norton Anti-Virus 2010 or McAfee Virus Scan Plus 2010, you might be interested in knowing that a recent report by AV-Comparatives — an Austrian non-profit that assesses differences between anti-virus software, informing the public of their findings — concludes that Microsoft Security Essentials runs faster than the two aforementioned competitors.

Still, Microsoft Security Essentials placed 6th overall amongst 16 products tested by the firm. Coming in at the 8 spot was Symantec Norton Anti-Virus 2010, while McAfee VirusScan Plus 2010 came in 10th place. Microsoft Security Essentials was rated “very fast” in every test category, with just one other anti-virus program — F-Secure Anti-Virus 2010 — qualifiying for the “very fast” honor in every test category.

This is of particular significance for those of you looking to install a security solution that doesn’t hinder the performance of your computer, a problem that persists with many anti-virus programs.

Microsoft Security Essentials has received high marks for its relative lack of bloat and fast performance. More enticing, Microsoft Security Essentials is free, making it the superior alternative to anti-virus solutions that are both costly and less efficient.

You can grab Microsoft Security Essentials here.

If you’re interested in reading more about the findings from AV-Comparatives, here’s their PDF.

Below, you’ll find a chart detailing the results of their assessment:

If you’re a user of Avast, the popular anti-virus program developed by ALWIL software, you should know that a recent definition update (those routine downloads that keep the virus definitions of your anti-virus software current) tagged hundreds of valid files as security threats.

The company promptly responded to the error, summarily releasing a fix just hours later. However, users are still burdened with the task of reinstalling those legitimate files.

Aiding in that effort, Avast has an easy to follow guide that walks you through the process of recovering files incorrectly tagged as threats.

In the event you’re using Avast 5 beta  or Avast 4.8, this solution may not be effective, requiring that you run a fresh reinstall of programs to which the tagged files are linked.

That’s certainly a frustrating solution, one that some users may have no choice but to use.  To date, there is no single solution that works for every user. So, read the instructions provided by Avast. If that works, great — but you may have to reinstall the program if their solution fails to deliver.

If you’re an Avast user and you suspect this bungled update has affected the performance of your computer, call our office. Geek Choice is always here to assist you.

Many of our customers know how high our opinion of AVG is. This award-winning anti-virus and security software is one of the most effective countermeasures to the always looming threat of maleware that stalks the internet during your jaunts through its halls. Previously, it came in two versions, the professional version and a free trial version that eventually requires you to upgrade after prolonged use.

If you’re someone familiar with the trial version, you know all too well how frustrating it was to boot up your computer and find that you were no longer able to use its services. While the professional version is a more robust version, offering real-time protection where the trial version placed the onus on you to run the scans, none of us frown upon those things which are free.

Well, AVG is now offering their latest update to the free package – version 9.0 – to the public for as many uses as they choose.

Yes, that’s right.

No matter how long you have this version, or how many times you use it, AVG Free 9.0 is yours forever. You won’t be prompted to upgrade to the professional version – ever. It’s completely free, available for unlimited use, and just as powerful as the previous iterations of what was once the “trial” version.

Of course, as was the case before, the free version will still not offer real-time protection. The benefit of real-time protection is knowing that you’re always secure, no matter what you’re doing, the AVG protection steeling you against malware threats while running in the background.

However, for those of you are vigilant and pro-active when tending to the security of your computers, this is as good as it gets.

Download AVG Free 9.0 here.

Virgin America has teamed up with Google to offer customers free in-flight WiFi between November 10th, 2009 and January 15th, 2010. If you get the opportunity to take advantage of this special offer from Virgin America, the security of your internet will probably be the last thing on your mind, but it shouldn’t be. Any time that your computer is connected to a public wireless network without proper precautions, you’re at risk.

When you’re on an open wireless network with other people, those other users can do more than just access the internet; they can get into your computer as well. Any information that you don’t have properly protected can be opened, copied, or even deleted from another computer without so much as a notification to you. It might seem a bit unlikely that someone would do something so drastic, but remember that you’re going to be on a plane for several hours with a bunch of other people who have nothing better to do than push boundaries. Depending on the quality of the in-flight movie, you might have a fellow passenger who thinks it’s more entertaining to watch you panic. (They exist, check out the NY Times article The Trolls Among Us if you can’t believe it.)

The good news is that you can do something about it. In addition to your standard firewall and anti-virus, there are several methods that our certified techs can use to secure your system and keep all of your private files private. Call today to set up an appointment with one of our techs, whether you’re hopping on a Virgin America flight or not.

That disgruntled kid in the seat next to you will just have to surf the free internet instead.