Avast for Business goes free...

Following on from my previous post about Cryptowall, Avast recently launched a free business version of their proven antivirus software.

Avast! (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

While the personal version of Avast Antivirus has always been free, the huge difference here is twofold:

• The free business version runs on PC desktop and server platforms (Windows XP, Vista, 7, 8, 10, SBS, Server), as well as Apple Macs (that old saying "Macs don't get viruses" no longer applies, folks);
  
  
• The solution is cloud-based.
  This is a big plus, since it can then be managed, monitored and administered from virtually anywhere.
  

Traditional business antivirus solutions, which are designed to protect servers as well as workstations, can set you back a fair deal.

Startups and smaller businesses however, may not have the capital to put down on commercial antivirus solutions, and this is where Avast comes in.

I am currently testing the free business solution to get a feel for it, and interestingly, there are no limitations in terms of installs or licences, so you can install it on as many devices as you need to:

The cloud-based control panel is also well laid out, and provides a tidy overview of your protected devices, as well as a real-time threat status.

I have to say that it all looks rather appealing, especially since it costs the same as a breath of fresh air...

The only real "gotcha" is that you can upgrade to a premium paid version.

This obviously offers a more formidable arsenal of antivirus wizardry, however I expect that most users will find the free version more than adequate.

I recommend that you sign up now and get it while it's free!

Related articles

• How to Keep your Computer Safe from Malicious Software
• 5 Free Tools to Prevent Viruses and Spyware from Crippling Your PC
• 7 Cloud-Based Accounting Apps That Make Your Finances Fun
• Tech Q&A: Windows 10's new Edge browser is blocking Norton Security

Read More

The most irritating part of Windows XP...

I love Windows XP.
Well, I don't actually LOVE it in the traditional sense of the word, but man oh man it stands out as one great operating system.

Sure, it has already been double-eclipsed by the likes of Windows Vista (aaarrgghhhh!) and Windows 7 (...hmmm not doing too badly so far!).
Even so, many of my clients and colleagues alike still swear by it, either because of all the bad press surrounding Vista, or because they fear that Windows 7 may be as bad as Vista... :)

I just have one point of contention about Windows XP - when Microsoft were coding it, designing it, creating it and making it a reality, what on earth made them think that Windows XP will only ever be installed in a noise-friendly environment?
Have you ever installed Windows XP yourself? Try it out sometime if you haven't - there is a point near the end of the install where some chilled out "Enya"-like music decides to play (if the correct sound card driver loads), while you click through various configuration screens.
Now this is all well and good, and it certainly isn't the worst piece of background music that they could have chosen, but it wouldn't have killed Microsoft to put a darn MUTE button in there somewhere...!

I am a bit of a geek, since only a geek could ever be caught installing Windows XP late at night... the point here is that the last thing you need at that point is music to come blaring out during your installation - and Microsoft seem to have set the volume level to "just too loud".
The music continues on as you click through various options, and for the life of me I have never been able to find out how to shut it up.
No amount of "Mute" combo keys can do the trick, at least not in my experience. One post I found online suggested cutting off a 3.5" headphone jack and plugging it into the audio out, which tricks the PC / laptop into muting the sound :)

BTW, if you want to hear the music I am referring to, but don't feel like doing a full XP install, just navigate to C:/WINDOWS/system32/oobe/images/title.wma if you are running Windows XP - that's your song!

Read More

Need a compact yet powerful laptop...? Look no further...:

Looking for a decent laptop and wanting to try out the new Windows 7?

Well here's a deal that you should seriously consider - the Dell Vostro 1320 comes pre-installed with Windows XP Pro (in case you don't want to switch to Windows 7 just yet), but it ships with the Windows 7 DVD as well, and the upgrade process is pretty quick.

Featuring a decent set of hardware specs, this is a compact workhorse (weighing only 1.86kg) that will still be going strong years from now.
Check it out:

Dell Vostro 1320

13.3" Widescreen (1280 x 800)

Intel® C2D P8600 2.4GHZ

2Gb (1x2Gb) 800MHz DDR2

250GB HDD (7200RPM)
8X DVD+/-RW
MS Windows XP Professional
802.11(b/g) & Bluetooth
1.3MP Webcam
Intel® Integrated GMA X4500
WinXP Pro & Win7 Pro Media included
No Bag
MS Works 9.0
3 Year Next Business Day
6-cell 48WHr Li-Ion Battery
Weight - 1.86kg
Current Pricing = R 12250
 
Order now by clicking here to email me.
As always, T's & C's apply:
- terms strictly COD;
- pricing subject to stock availability;
- please allow 4 - 6 working days for delivery.

Read More

Compaq 610 Laptop on Special - nice specs at a decent price :)

So by now you have surely heard of Windows 7...

Your colleagues have mentioned it, no doubt you have heard it mentioned it on TV somewhere.
Maybe you read about it in Popular Mechanics...

Now you can get it for yourself with this special on the Compaq 610 Notebook, and if for some reason you decide Windows 7 is not for you, it's no problem because HP will throw in copy of old faithful, XP Professional for you :)

Check it out:

HP Compaq 610 (VC271EA)



Replaces NX553EA
Intel Core 2 Duo T5870 (2.00GHz, 800-MHz FSB, 2-MB L2 cache)
2GB RAM - 1 DIMM
320GB 7200rpm HDD
Mobile™ Intel® Graphics Media Accelerator X3100
DVD +/-RW DL SuperMulti Lightscribe
W/Lan 802.11 b/g
Bluetooth 2.1
15.6" HD LCD
2 MP Webcam
3 x USB Ports
1 x ExpressCard/34 slot
1 x Secure Digital (SD)/MultiMedia Card (MMC) slot
Windows 7 PRO 32
Office Ready 60-day Trial
XP Pro Downgrade Option (CD Included)
Including Carry Bag

Current Pricing = R 6850

- Pricing is subject to stock availability;
- Pricing valid for 7 working days;
- Terms strictly COD.
- Please allow 4-6 working days for delivery (A delivery fee will be added for delivery outside of Johannesburg)

Drop me a mail here if you want to place an order or for more information on the product.

Read More