Security software like a-squared Anti-Malware protect the computer system from threats and attacks not only on the Internet but also locally. Unlike its name might suggest a-squared Anti-Malware makes use of two scan engines to protect, detect and remove trojans, viruses, spyware, adware, worms, bots, keyloggers, rootkits and dialers. The software combines the a-squared Anti-Spyware and the Ikarus Anti-Virus engine without the usual disadvantage of increased scanning times.
The installation of a-squared Anti-Malware requires the creation of an account and a somewhat extensive configuration. It is here that various security modules, notification settings and auto update settings are configured. These settings can be later edited in the program’s interface.
The program interface displays a left sidebar and a main area that changes depending on the selection in the sidebar. The security software always starts with the Security Status which displays the status of the background guards, the program version, last update, license information and the time and date of the last scan.
Each background guard can be configured and activated (or deactivated) in this menu. A-squared Anti-Malware uses five background guards of which two are used for scheduled scans and automatic updates. The three other guards are used to scan files on execution, use heuristics to detect unknown malware and surf protection to protect the user from Internet threats.
Where a-squared Anti-Malware really shines are the configuration options for those background guards. The Malware-IDS guard for instance uses heuristics to monitor malicious activity. The configuration of this module allows the user to configure exactly what the intrusion detection system should monitor. It is for instance possible to disable keylogger or hosts file monitoring. This would make sense if another program was installed that would already monitor those areas.
Those in depth configuration settings are available in other modules as well. The computer user can configure the surf protection guard to block, alert or don’t block various threats and hosts on the Internet from ad or tracking hosts to phishing and fraudulent hosts; Each with their own action defined. This is a powerful way of protecting the computer from web surfing threats.
Another example of this is the on execution scanner which can be configured extensively. It is for example possible to configure application rules to monitor, block or allow specific applications, use the a-Squared community as a guideline to allow or block programs from being executed and even activate paranoid mode which will display a lot of alerts to the user.
Scans are scheduled by default but can be executed manually all the time. Four types of scans are available that range form a quick scan to a deep and custom scan. A quick scan will only scan the active programs and some other locations and files while a deep scan will scan all files on the hard drive. This obviously has an impact on the time it takes to complete the scan.
A-squared Anti-Malware comes with an additional program called a-squared HiJackFree which can be used to display information about processes, ports, autoruns, services, hosts, Windows Explorer add-ons and ActiveX components. The program is available for free at the Emsi Software website and can be very helpful in aiding a manual analysis of specific files.
A 30-day trial of a-squared Anti-Malware 4.5 can be downloaded from the developer’s website. It is also possible to download a free version of the security program which does lack the realtime protection.
Christmas Giveaway
We have ten licenses for a-squared Anti-Malware 4.5 to give away. Please let us know which security software you are using currently.
Raju is giving away Returnil Virtual System 2010 Home Lux, make sure to check it out as well.
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thank you in advance as i really need this software to solve my problem with a nasty worm W32.Gammima.AG which is causing crashes in my Laptop and i am afraid i might lose it.. i tried all the major AVs without benefit… so please send me the licensce and thank you all Ghacks.com for these fine giveaways
i need this
Right now, I’m using Malwarebytes’ Anti-Malware unfortunately trial, free avira antivirus in combination with Comodo firewall.Not so bad…
Thank you for this post… i am using NIS 2010, but it failed in certain points so i will benefit from this great software…. please…
please send me the key… i use BIS 2009
Thanks for the giveaway! I currently use Microsoft Security Essentials with the default Windows 7 firewall.
this is a good one … i ve used the trial version and i would love to have the full version for me… currently i use AVIRA personal … thanks Ghacks.net
i’m using norton internet security 2010 now..
thanx…
thanks guys… i have missed thier promotion and i really regret it .. i use a trial of NAV 2010.. please give me the lic.
Using zone alarm pro which I got free. Would like to win this. Thanks.
The Security suite I am using is now Norton IS. This is one highly rated malware scanner. So i would like to win this.thanks.
i use KIS 2009 and it really bad.. i always have to format my PC as it remove key registry keys when removing malwares… please i need this product
Now i’m using BDIS 2010, i don’t use an anti-malware yet… i hope i will use a-squared Anti-Malware 4.5 from now :)
P.S.: Sorry for my english… :))
hi.. merry Xmas.. i use Mcafee … kinda slow?? thanx
yeah, would really like one of these.
currently im using the fullpackage of comodo. firewall, av, defense+..
Please consider me…
Thanks
I’m currently using Spyware Doctor with AntiVirus and a-squared free as a backup. I would really like to have a full subscription to the latter, especially after a support snafu I experienced with the former. Thanks.
I used comodo CIS with asquared and CIS was better…. at now i used kaspersky suite with comodo firewall and im happy
thanx… please send me the Lic.. i use NIS 2009… thanx
thank you for it… give me please .. i need this prog as i use its free version now and i loved it and wish to upgrade
i’m currently using avira. would love to get the a-squared license. i hear it’s the best.
danke… i wish to get this program as it is one of my favourite although i use cloud antivirus now… please cosider me
I’m currently using NOD32 AV, and i would like to win this.
What about me?
Thanks
I am using a2-Squared Anti-Malware+Online Armor for my laptop and Avira Free+Comodo Firewall for my desktop. Since I wanna replace my Avira Free with something that have less “False Positive”, a2-Squared will fit me if I can win a license.
Thanks.
i have one lisence will expire in 60 days.give me one lisence
I’ve been using the free version of this for a while now and it’s been incredibly helpful. I’d really appreciate the realtime protection. Any chance I can be given a license?
well, i’m using kaspersky anti- virus, i’ve tried the trial version before and it is really good, unfortunenately it expired already , i hope i’ll get one key, thanks a lot….
A-squared Anti-Malware has saved my computer several times already!
It’s my favourite program to remove rare worms that other programs can’t find! (ad-aware, spybot, antimalware, microsoft defender)
Thank you A²!
I wish I’ll get a license as Christmas-gift!
I use Malwarebytes free version. Would love to try this.
KIS supplemented by freeware versions of SUPER Antispyware and Malwarebytes. KIS expires soon, so a-squared would be great