Facebook Plunges Again
Tumblr 101: Tips And Tricks To Get Started
Panda introduces free, cloud-based antivirus for Windows
The application aims to leverage the power of the cloud to better and more quickly detect and analyze new threats as they appear - which can be done in as little as six minutes, according to Panda. Called "Collective Intelligence," Panda's system utilizes anonymous data from users running the application and processes about 50,000 new threats each day.
In exchange for your participartion in Cloud, you're given totally free virus protection for your personal computer (sorry, no commercial use). That's a pretty good deal for a tool that is able to provide near-realtime detection and analysis. Temporarily off the 'net? No problem. Cloud maintains a local cache to keep you protected when you're apart from the Collective, Locutus.
Unfortunately I wasn't able to take Cloud Antivirus for a spin on my personal laptop. Not only is it not available as a native 64-bit application, but it won't even install on Windows 7 or Vista x64. I had to snag the screencap above via TeamViewer on my XP Pro system at work.
While running the scan, Cloud's processes consumed about 90Mb of memory total on my system, but CPU utilization was very light - rarely spiking above 10% and humming along at 4-6% most of the time. CNet reported much lower RAM use, but their number may have been referring only to Cloud's main process. (update: my system is now reporting about 20Mb idle).
If you're running a 32-bit version of Windows, Cloud Antivirus is a good, lightweight option.
[via webware]
Comments
18
Subscribe to commentsJonApr 29th 2009 12:01PM
Who uses 32bit windows these days ?
Lee MathewsApr 29th 2009 12:02PM
Not me personally, but I'd say 99% of my customers.
What about the rest of you?
der_tuxmanApr 29th 2009 1:54PM
What should a home user need 64 bit for?
JonApr 29th 2009 2:30PM
der_tuxman ... Thats a silly Question lets see .. Ram is Dirt Dirt cheap ... I do alot of HD streaming, converting .. Backing up Blurays ... Video editing , Photoshop not as a job but just normal home stuff .. Etc... i could go on and on .. Its almost silly for a home user NOT to use 64x .. 99% of the compatibility issues are non existent for home users .. At work i can see why we don't use 64x because of the software etc..
MattApr 29th 2009 12:11PM
Hmm..I only use anti-virus because my school forces me too so i use avast right now. I will probably give this a shot...I hope the network detects it and doesn't just lock me out.
Farseer (GDI)Apr 29th 2009 12:25PM
I guess that I'm not enlightened. Why would you choose to not use antivirus software?
rcarmApr 29th 2009 6:09PM
I don't have anti-virus installed on any of my computers because I really don't waste my money and I'm not that stupid to get a virus on my computers. All I really need is windows firewall
rcarmApr 29th 2009 6:11PM
Oops, i forgot to add "want to" after "don't"
der_tuxmanApr 29th 2009 1:55PM
What about the detection rate here?
minibarApr 29th 2009 1:57PM
one day xp mode of win7 could be a game changer
http://www.downloadsquad.com/2009/04/25/windows-xp-mode-coming-to-windows-7-could-be-a-game-changer/
then a few days later inability to install 32bit app on win7 is referenced as "unfortunate" it could not be "taken for a spin" (same author.)
i like some posts of all dls bloggers, so the following is professional:
inconsistency (same author, short time span) with a bias favoring one product makes dls look like yellow journalism, and the past few months it's gotten a bit thick at times wrt win7.
Lee MathewsApr 29th 2009 2:01PM
With all due respect, Windows XP mode has nothing to do with not being able to install an app on a 64 bit OS.
The problem is with Panda, not Windows. Please re-read.
kelub47Apr 29th 2009 5:40PM
Umm... "one day" implies "not today".
Agustin SaldiasApr 29th 2009 2:06PM
Too bad panda has a history of detecting practically anything as a trojan/virus...
Pretty much like the ol'good norton antivirus.
HZApr 29th 2009 2:07PM
" good ol' ", typo :eng101:
NeoprimalMay 1st 2009 5:26AM
If you own a computer, run any version of Windows software, EVER go online with said PC and not use an Antivirus, you're going to be in trouble soon enough.
Viruses come in very easily through banners as well as exploits nowadays and you don't have to be reckless to get one. Some OFFICIAL websites have even been able to infect (through the use of advertising banners, etc.) computers inadvertently. Not to mention, being off by a letter or two while trying to go to a popular website and ending up somewhere else that PURPOSELY has said infected banners, etc.
There are just, sooo many ways.
TechfanMay 2nd 2009 10:57AM
I run vista 32x and this is working great for me. The user interface is pretty cool. Strange at the beginning as it is very different to the Panda AV pro I has using before, but I am quickly getting used to it. I dont like the fact that I dont see what the program is doing in the background, but having used Panda for years, i trust them.
HBMay 5th 2009 2:16PM
OMG, have you guys seen the advert on their website? The clipart slideshow thing is hilarious!!
Did you know 'Old Antivirus' is run by shifty looking paedophiles wearing overcoats whereas new antivirus is run by some sort of super attractive and ethnically diverse group of scientists who strike purposively authoritative and cool poses? Lol. Seriously, the ad agency that came up with that stuff should be fired!
'Old Antivirus' = robot; whereas
'New Antivirus' = carrot
J.MelMay 7th 2009 5:57PM
Does anyone knows the latest on the woman that got her face eaten by a chimp? It's been a while since I heard anything about her.