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NOD32 - Real time Virus Detection & Removal

		ARTICLES Antivirus Solutions - NOD32 What is it? NOD32 is a complete anti-virus solution for users who will appreciate minimal system impact and the best detection rates for viruses over any program. In fact, NOD32 boasts a world record for never failing to miss a single ‘in the wild’ virus to date earning its 29th VB100 award on November 11, 2004. It features an impressive track record and combines powerful advanced heuristics with a minimal footprint to maximize system performance. NOD32 is generally preferred for gamers who appreciate the availability of complex ‘tuning’ mechanisms within the program to maximize performance and although easy to learn, they can be daunting for a beginner who might prefer ‘point & click’ solutions available from McAfee or Norton. The latest versions of the program combine all of its features in an easy to use control center that is a substantial improvement over previous releases, which featured separate modules. Updates are seamless, arriving quietly to keep virus protection at a high level. Using the most basic options, users will appreciate its minimal impact on the system with little to no effect on performance. The advanced design allows an impressively fast scan with ‘real time’ protection although it rarely seems evident that the program is even running. Detection of a virus or intrusion is straightforward and immediate and if detected a warning window flashes open to alert the user. Once acknowledged, the program performs its duties to address the problem and promptly returns to scanning and protection. NOD32 actually features two modes of detection, a scan that examines files and alerts you of potential problems and a ‘clean’ mode that does the same but completes cleaning at the same time. PC Magazine Review Virus Bulletin Review Compatibility: NOD32 is compatible with Microsoft Windows 95 / 98 / ME / NT / 2000 / 2003 / XP, through a number of UNIX/Linux, Novell, MS DOS operating systems to Microsoft Exchange Server, Lotus Domino and other mail servers. How much can NOD32 detect? As stated on the ESET Software site: “Since May 1998, NOD32 has been the only antivirus product in the world that has not missed a single (ItW) worm or virus in the rigorous testing conducted by the Virus Bulletin. This time the Virus Bulletin re-tested the Windows 2003 Server platform. Since the last time the Virus Bulletin tested this platform, close to 90 new worms were added to the “In the Wild” (ItW) category. Once again, NOD32 won the 100% Award for detection of all (ItW) worms and viruses while getting no false positives. Additionally, NOD32 outperformed all 26 products tested by having the fastest scanning rates for the executable files! As stated by the Virus Bulletin, “NOD32 continues to be entitled to quote its unblemished record of (ItW) detection”. How much does it Cost? NOD32 is competitively priced in the anti-virus Market. You can buy a yearly subscription to the service, which offers real-time scanning and updates for $39.00. In comparison, the VirusScan product available from McAfee will cost you $39.99 per year (a $5 off promo was available at the time of this article) while Trend Micro’s Pc-Cillin is $49.95 although neither alternative boasts a similar level of awards from virus bulletin for recognition and detection. (All prices were checked in US dollars for comparison purposes.) Where can you get it? NOD32 is available from a variety of retailers and affiliates in each country by ESET software. I spoke with Vincent Marcello at Southbourne Internet in the UK who offers the product for sale. Since ESET has undertaken initiatives to deliver a competitively priced product worldwide, you can now get an excellent product at a great price too. You can purchase the product through his site by visiting the NOD32 Antivirus section.