The Best Antivirus App for Windows - from Lifehacker

The lifehacker website has changed its recommended anti-virus app for Windows. They recommend Avast Free Antivirus for the best balance between protection, ease of use, and cost. Their former favourite, Microsoft Security Essentials (also known as Windows Defender in Windows 8), has not been performing well enough in tests to keep its top ranking. For more information, see the lifehacker report The Best Antivirus App for Windows

Don't click on suspicious links - even in Skype messages

The usual warning is not to click on suspicious links in emails. Now an attack has been found where a compromised Skype account is used to send out a message containing a web link. If the link is clicked on, the user can be infected by some nasty malware which, apparently, are not detected by some anti-virus software. The Skype message is very simple - it contains just one goo.gl shortened link. So be careful with links on Skype - try to make sure there is a real person behind any message before you click.

App Security Provider MyPermissions Raises $1M in Funding

A company providing a service that allows users to police access to their personal data has raised $1million. The only surprise here is how little this is. By linking directly to application permission pages for services like Facebook, Twitter and Google, it alerts the consumer when an app access their personal data, giving them control over their personal information. Great idea. App Security Provider MyPermissions Secures $1M in Funding

Latest Advice on Browser Security Settings

The Veracode blog, 'All Things Security', has provided a useful set of security settings for 3 popular browsers: Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox and MS Internet Explorer 10. It's interesting to see the 3 together and the different ways each has to control security and privacy. In Chrome you select 'Settings' and then click on 'Show Advanced Settings' - hidden at the bottom of the screen. In Firefox they are in the 'Options' menu under tabs 'Security' and 'Privacy'. In IE10 you click on Internet Options where there are tabs again for 'Security' and 'Privacy', but you also need to go to the 'Advanced' tab and scroll down to 'Security' there. Veracode have suggested turning off Javascript but this makes most sites unusable. As ever, security is a trade-off!

eCrime Wales - excellent cyber security resource

Have to give top marks for the eCrime Wales website. Full of useful info, helpful videos and a link to report eCrime if you become a victim.