Now, most of the former COMODO users would be thinking “no way in heck would ever use COMODO again” this is mainly due to the bad rap it has received about the programs pop-up/notification windows. These pop-ups are used to “train” COMODO as to what on your computer you want to allow access to the internet (firewall) or whether or not a program is allowed to create, modify, copy or access a file on your PC (defense+).

Most people complain about the defense+ module, as it will bombard novice users with questions about whether COMODO should allow this or that. While it is an extremely useful future in preventing a malware infection from spreading, it can be quite a nuisance. Those who have the patience to “train” this program will experience an extra layer of protection. Those who do not have the time and patience, can disable it safely and use only the firewall module with minimum nags.

COMODO Firewall is a free, excellent source of protection for PC users. While I would love to post the memory usage and performance impact of this program, the truth is it can’t be measured. The impact on your PC’s performance and memory will vary dramatically based on your current internet activity (I.E when web browsing COMODO’s memory usage will rise.)

Tests from Matousec:

COMODO Firewall was put to the test vs a suite of 84 different security tests:

Breakout2, Coat, ECHOtest, Kill1, Kill2, Leaktest, PerfTCP, PerfUDP, Tooleaky, Wallbreaker1, Yalta
AWFT1, DNStest, Ghost, Jumper, Kill3, Kill3b, Kill6, Wallbreaker3, Wallbreaker4
AWFT3, AWFT4, DNStester, Kernel1, Kill3f, Kill4, Kill7, SSS2, Suspend1, Thermite
CopyCat, CPIL, CPILSuite1, Kernel1b, Keylog1, Kill3e, Kill8, Kill9, SSS, Suspend2
Breakout1, CPILSuite2, Crash1, Crash2, Crash3, Crash4, Kernel2, Kernel3, Keylog2, Kill3c, Kill3d, VBStest
CPILSuite3, Crash5, Crash6, DDEtest, ECHOtest2, FireHole, Flank, Kernel4, Keylog3, Keylog4, Kill10, Kill11, Runner
BITStest, FireHole2, Keylog5, Keylog6, Kill12, OSfwbypass, Runner2, Schedtest, SSS3
Kernel4b, Kernel5, Keylog7, Kill5, NewClass, Schedtest2, SockSnif, SSS4
Crash7, Driver Verifier, BSODhook, ShadowHook

COMODO Firewall came out on top, scoring a 100% protecting rating, blocking all 84 tests.

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My final recommendations are to not install the COMODO Anti-Virus, and to disable Defense+ for those who do not have the patience to “train” the program.  Afterwords you will have an excellent and effective firewall.

My rating for COMODO Free Firewall. 10/10 – Couldn’t be better.

Here’s my solution: create a vehicle to take the payload up a ramp that unfolds, drive it off the edge of a cliff, and a chain to swing it into the goal.

Initial state

Unfolded

For the win!

Update: Demo of this game is available

Carl's first attempt at playing VVVVVV beta - win!

What is a “Cloud Anti-virus?”

“Unlike traditional antivirus software, cloud antivirus refers to the type of antivirus that runs on the cloud (remote server). Cloud Antivirus will scan all your files through the internet and run the tests on their own server, in this way it won’t disrupt any of your computer activity nor will it slow down your computer.” -addictivetips.com

-Panda Cloud Free Antivirus

-Processes (2)

-Memory Usage (256k to 12mb has been observed)

Download Size (19-21mb)

*NOTE* Panda Cloud will not install if you have an existing Anti-Virus product on your PC.

“A benefit of cloud antivirus is that instead of having to update traditional antivirus software routinely, it automatically updates the virus definitions in the cloud and then scans your files to see if it is infected with any of the new virus. It saves the headache of having to manage the antivirus software daily.” -addictivetips.com

Tests from MRG:

Test #1 uses 50 malware samples which were downloaded 24 hours before the test was conducted, thus showing the products ability to detect malware-like behavior when it does not have the virus definition for said files. As well as Panda’s response time for flagging a malicious file that is “in the wild”.

Results. Samples missed out of 50: Panda Cloud missed 1.

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Test #2 uses 100 malware samples which were downloaded 24 hours before the test was conducted. Same as above.

Results. Samples missed out of 100: Panda Cloud missed 7.

While you may be shocked by these numbers thinking “Oh no, my Panda Cloud isn’t blocking 8 viruses” in reality these numbers are exceptional. On par with the industry leading products.

Tests from AV-Test.org: Placed Panda Cloud against half a million virus samples. Panda came out on top scoring an impressive 99.4 percent overall detection rate.

———-

My own personal tests will place Panda Cloud  up against 18 different test files that will try to: Create auto-start entries, and modify IE security settings. I will also test Panda Cloud’s reaction to downloading two different versions of the Eicar Test File. One .com and the other a zip.

In my tests I had Panda scan the folder containing these files, it quickly detected and neutralized all 18 files. The Eicar Test File .exe was downloaded to the computer but almost immediately neutralized. The same for the zip file.

The only downside I will give this program is the lack of multi-protection, such as web scanning, HIPS, self-protection (meaning that the program can be shut down by malware).

To wrap it up, I will give this product my first rating. 7/10 – Great for the light browser (low risk), but still much to improve.

Don’t miss the Gundem comment with a parody of fresh prince…

http://gizmodo.com/5402795/facebook-status-update-clears-teen-from-criminal-charges

Click link above for story and how to remove or prevent this from happening to you.  Most people who are able to jailbreak their phone should also know how to secure it, but that’s not always the case with people running scripts by hacks, where they don’t fully understand what they’re doing.

But I keep changing my lighting design for my first project – a six-sided gazebo.  I started with 4 clusters of three 5mm white LEDs along a 3 ½′ section. That’s twelve small LEDs to wire for one section.  I used 2 sections per side, 6 sides. I had 5 half sides built.  I was going to light only 3 of the six sides because the 12 LEDs in each of the 2 sections per side are very bright, but now I’ve changed the design to make one long 7′ section with six 10mm LEDs.  The larger LEDs don’t seem to be as bright but are more ambient and less directional.  6 sides times 6 LEDs means 36 of these larger LEDs instead of 2 halves per side times 4 clusters times 3 per cluster times 3 sides – 72 LEDs to wire. Much easier (less wiring) to just use the larger LEDs and have more ambient, less directional light.

I’ve 3 of the 6 sides finished.  I should be finished by this weekend, hang them and wire them into the 12 volt solar-powered rechargeable batteries and get a photo of it to post here.

Then from there, the next LED project is the convention display lights for Barbara “squeaks” Chapman.  Her lights are three 4′ sections of 8 blue 10mm LEDs – 24 total. They’re not specifically for lighting, but will work in attractor mode, flashing animations of lights to attract convention-goers to her table.  They’ll be powered and animated by either a PC laptop via USB or a battery-powered microcomputer.  I’m leaning toward the microcomputer, but will decide when I go to do the animations. Her next convention is next March 10-12, so I have plenty of time. I’ll post progress here as I get photos.

Here’s a few commands to get you started:

fluff, drink a cup of tea (Try milk, water, and soda, too. Try cups, bowls, glasses, etc)
eat a taco, fluff (type: !fridge look inside to see what’s available for fluff to eat.)

!score
!score top

See, you get points for giving drinks when the bot is thirsty and food when hungry. How many points depends on how thirsty and hungry fluff is, so if you wait a long time before giving the bot what it needs, you score larger.

There will be other things which give points, including some games.

Be sure to say hello to fluff and bye; hug fluff, also.

Oh, and you can also teach fluff things.

Just make sure you address fluff and use IS or ARE. Here’s some examples:

fluff, my TV is broken.
Transformers are robots in disguise, fluff.

My favorite command is: fluff, status
Give me some comments and I’ll tell you more about what you want to know!

PinkSodaPop likes to !fridge open and !fridge close …  If the door is already open, fluff will remind you to close it.  If you !fridge look you can see if it’s open or not.

The scoreboard is similar, another virtual object:  !score will tell you your place on the scoreboard, and !score look will show you the scoreboard with others’ scores on it.  You can ask for other people’s scores by name: !score Carl and you can even smell the scoreboard:  !score smell

What other virtual objects would you like?