CNET Community Hot Topics weekly newsletter
August 1, 2006
Dear CNET members,
There's nothing better than free stuff! And when you're talking about free software to help us protect our computers from the malicious elements of cyberspace, it just doesn't get better than that! CNET's Download.com special collection gives our users an awesome list of 10 programs comprising the best free security and antispyware software available out there on the Internet. While most of you are probably familiar with at least one of these popular and free security programs, I'd like to think that there are some free security programs that go unmentioned as sleepers--under the radar, yet extremely good and powerful--that we just aren't aware of yet. That said, join us in the latest CNET Download.com security discussion and share some tips with your community on a few of the free security programs that you prize as being the best, and tell us why these programs make your list of favorites to counter Internet pests. Through your opinions and experiences, I'm sure many of our readers would be able choose wisely as to what programs they would like to utilize on their systems. So make your opinions count, and vote on the submissions that you found most helpful to you.

Cheers!
Lee Koo
Manager, CNET community

Got suggestions? Send us an e-mail:
messageboards@cnet.com
This week's hot topic:
Your favorite security program
As malware and viruses grow more and more sophisticated, even the savviest Internet users are getting hit. In the latest CNET Download.com security discussion, "What's your favorite free security program?", many of you contributed your methods to this madness by sharing with us your favorite free security utilities and why they make your computing life better by protecting your machine.

Educating yourself comes first and free
CNET member Smoaky gives us of a combination of the free security software that he uses to keep his computer pest-free. He emphasizes that using your brain by educating yourself as to what to look for and learning what programs will keep you and your expensive computer safe should be the foremost.
Read Smoaky's full post in CNET TalkBack

Security programs are good only if you update them
CNET member alphun offers a laundry list of purchased and free security apps he uses. But he reminds our members that you can have all the security programs under the sun on your computer, but they're no good unless you keep everything updated and run scans regularly.
Read alphun's full post in CNET TalkBack

One program alone won't do it
You can't rely on just one security program for protection. For the best protection, CNET member heymrpaul CNET member heymrpaul utilizes a variety of security programs, many of which he runs simultaneously. This way, he keeps his OS happy, and he'll won't have to worry about his system coming to a grinding halt because of malware or viruses.
Read heymrpaul's full post in CNET TalkBack

Speak Up!
Which security programs do you depend on? Is there just one, or a variety of security apps that you stick with to prevent malicious deeds from latching on to your computer? Read the latest CNET Download.com discussion: "What's your favorite free security program?" and share with us the free security programs you use to prevent nasty cyberworld threats and invasions.
CNET security resources:
• Security center: How-to
  From CNET Download.com

• Latest news on security threats
  From CNET News.com

• CNET Security Center
  From CNET.com

• Virus & security forum
  From CNET forums

 
Weigh in on this week's hot topic:
Do you think paid versions of security applications provide more protection than free versions?
(Please click on button to vote)

 Yes (why?)
 No (why?)
 Maybe (why the uncertainty?)
 I don't know
Last week's poll results 
How much do you edit in your
digital photos?

Quick Hits
Here are some interesting comments you've recently submitted on CNET. Read up on it and talk about it.

• Is it time for DVD camcorders to die?
Now that we're seeing solid hard drive-based camcorders such as the Sony DCR-SR100, with video that's easy to burn to DVD, have DVD-based camcorders outlived their usefulness?


• How has HDMI worked for you?
Although the High-Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI) usually provides improved video quality, it sometimes has problems actually interfacing. Have you experienced any?
• Security Watch: Spin city
It's as if the more that Microsoft says its new software (Vista, IE 7, Office 2007) will be secure, the more likely you'll believe it's true, but lately CNET Editor Robert Vamosi's Microsoft spin-detection meter has been operating well into the red. How long do you think Microsoft will go without a major security flaw after the final version of Windows Vista?

The e-mail address for your CNET Community newsletter is test.tester@cnet.com. Click here to manage your newsletters, including this one.

If you no longer wish to receive this newsletter, please unsubscribe.

Privacy statement
CNET Networks takes your privacy seriously. Because we gather certain types of information about our users, we want you to clearly understand the terms and conditions surrounding the collection and use of this information. We encourage you to review our privacy policy.

Copyright 2006 CNET Networks, Inc. All rights reserved.
CNET Networks, Inc.
235 Second Street
San Francisco, CA 94105
U.S.A.