Computers

CyberDefender offers a free software suite to combat spyware, viruses, and spam. In a recent press release, they say that according to a recent test, “CyberDefenderFREE Outperforms Costly Security Software Products at Removing and Blocking Spyware” and that “it has received high marks for removing and blocking spyware in a new review released this month from PC Magazine.”

It goes on to say “In the study, CyberDefenderFREE(TM) 2.0 scored higher at removing spyware than companies such as McAfee, Grisoft (AVG), and Trend-Micro PC-cillin and scored the same as Windows Live OneCare.”  It also provided this comparison chart:

The casual reader may come away with the impression that CyberDefender was the top scoring software product in the category. Only when clicking the provided link to the full PC Magazine test results are the actual rankings revealed:

*MOUSE PRINT:

Translation: 10 other products scored higher than CyberDefender for spyware removal, and 16 products were superior at spyware blocking.

While CyberDefender never said their program was the “best,” and most of what they did say was literally true (except the part about them receiving “high marks”), the clever spin they used in their press release can easily create an impression of superiority which is not borne out by all the facts.

Subsequent to the publication of the above commentary, CyberDefender’s SVP of Corporate Communications contacted Mouse Print*. Below is a portion of a longer email:

This press release and its posting on the newswire was directed to media – not consumers.   We offer this product for Free or without supported advertisements for $11.99. We felt our messaging was understandable to members of the press. That was our audience for a press release. I apologize for any confusion.

Windows Vista is the much touted and latest operating system from Microsoft. Like most software, the publisher establishes minimum hardware requirements of your computer for the program to operate normally.

Microsoft says that a “Windows Vista Capable PC includes at least a modern processor (at least 800 MHz), 512 MB system memory, a graphics processor that is DirectX 9 capable.”  [See website.]  They do indicate that the nifty new Windows Aero interface only comes in the premium versions of the software and that advanced or additional hardware may be required.

Many computer makers have been marketing their computers as “Windows Vista Capable.”  The trouble is your idea of a “capable” computer may differ from that of manufacturers and Microsoft.

According to Dell, if you buy their minimum configuration for a “Windows Vista Capable” computer, here is what you can expect:

*MOUSE PRINT:

Translation: The computer will turn on, but you can’t do too much with it.