This month the theme in Software Center is security software. With various kinds of malware threats lurking around on the Internet, it makes sense to have a security software with multiple functionality. Spyware Doctor with AntiVirus isn't a full-fledged security suite (like Norton Internet Security); but it does offer protection from various malware.

We also review Avast Home Edition. It's an antivirus software with an identity of a media player. You can even change skins! But how good is Avast at its core task?
There's more free security software. Try the latest version of ZoneAlarm. It is a great personal firewall that hides all the technicalities typically seen in enterprise software.
If you manipulate and view images there are two freeware you should consider: Paint. Net and FastStone ImageViewer. The former offers almost everything you'd expect from an image editing program. And FastStone is one of the better image viewers found on the Internet.

If you are disgusted with the default e-mail client then try Thunderbird. It's built on the same principles as the Firefox browser. And you can even extend its functionality with add-ins.
Then there's db Poweramp, which has a unique way of converting music.

The Software of the Month is Microsoft Works 8. This is a productivity suite for home users and for those who just want to do basic tasks like typing a letter, preparing a report,
or creating a list. Find out how close Works 8 comes to the full-fledged Microsoft Office suite.

Freeware reviews by Nikhil Rastogi - feedback@chip-india.com
Ratings Explained The parameters used for evaluating software are assigned a graphical rating out of a scale of 5. These measures include performance, features and ease of use. The overall rating shown in the reviews is based on all these factors.

In addition, there is a value for money rating for each application. This rating is obtained by compiling the features and the utility of the application against its price. In case of freeware and shareware tools available for downloading from the Internet, we replace the price with the download size (and therefore, the time taken to download the applicationl for arriving atthe value for money rating.

an increase in the number of available software these days, computers continue to be susceptible to malicious programs on the Internet. The Spyware Doctor - With Antivirus 5.0.1, offers much more when it comes to eradicating spyware, Trojans and viruses, when a system is online.

The installation is quite a breeze, but it takes a while for the software to download the latest updates during the initial setup process. Post installation, the 'Register Spyware Doctor' screen appears, which prompts a serial (bundled) key. Without this, you may not be allowed subscription (automatic) updates.



FEATURES: Apart from standard features such as scanning the computer, this latest version of Spyware Doctor blocks spyware, Trojans, rootkits and a lot more. It offers three options for scanning: the first, Intelli-scan, allows scanning startup files and running applications.

Full Scan runs an elaborate scan through the entire system, which includes running processes, startup, browser, Windows Registry and more. Custom Scan helps customizing the scanning process and choosing from the drives to scan and type of scanners to be used, such as browser, file, registry and so on.
One of the attractive points in the software is the OnGuard feature, which can be turned on/off from the main interface window. It's a comprehensive guard preventing various malware from attacking the system in different areas of the operating system. The various guards bundled in this tool-kit are used for browsers, cookies, files, key loggers, networking, backend processes and Windows startup.

These OnGuard functions help you block malicious add-ons andunintentional/suspicious-alterations made to the browser. Apart from add-ons, they also disallow cookies that leak information from the computer. The 'File' and 'Keylogger' Guards warn/prevent the user from executing infected files and help him
block key loggers. Another great feature is the Process Guard. Programs that attempt to acquire partial or full control over the operating system are backed by rootkits or Trojans that run in the back
end (processes). thus enabling them to be undetected by the OS's security system. Processes guard detects and blocks such harmful and hidden processes.

TIPS:
When scanning, you may also make settings to scan for rootkit programs. Each Guard can be individually enabled or disabled.
If you're on a network and behind a proxy, you can make the relevant settings from the main 'settings' window. PERFORMANCE: On Startup, OnGuard Detection is quite sluggish (80-100
percent CPU usage; heavy on memory). For Pentium PCs with around 512 MB RAM it takes 3 - 4 minutes at startup. But, if you're using the latest hardware, this software should work without hassel. VERDICT: At a modest price tag as this one, the feature set offered is pretty good. So, if you're looking for features that concentrate on antispying, go for it.

FOR: Rich feature-set.

AGAINST: Taxing on CPU and memory on a mainstream (older) machine.