Description:
AOL released a new Active Security Monitor, a program that continuously checks the status of your security applications.
With so many options for keeping your system spyware- and virus-free, it's tough to gauge how well your security tools are working. AOL's Active Security Monitor quickly scans your PC and rates the effectiveness of your protection. It can diagnose one computer or your entire home network.

The Good:
* It is free to download whether you are an AOL customer or not Unlike Microsoft's Windows Live OneCare, a subscription service which provides surprisingly little specific information about the overall security of your PC.
* Features an overall security score, with individual security scores for your firewall, antivirus, antispyware, Windows and browsers, wireless, P2P, and utilities apps, along with details regarding each.
* Easy to use interface (click any of the problem areas to see a report of what AOL Active Security Monitor finds wrong with your computer).
* Detailed report of the current status of the machine and a very cool-looking graph displays the relative score of your PC over a period of days, allowing you to see how well you are maintaining your desktop's security.
* The application scans in a snap, and it delivered an accurate security score in our tests.

The Bad:
* AOL's monitor offers no security applications of its own, but it does provide access to download or purchase security applications online.
* While the program does offer one or two corporate plugs, the main focus remains on protecting your computer, not on hawking subscription services.
* Help windows open only in IE and that disregarding IE settings can lower your score.

Conclusion:
AOL Active Security Monitor is a quick and easy way to know if you're truly protected from computer viruses, spyware, identify theft, network intrusions, and other serious security threats.
It's a good choice for your personal computer's security, but it's not a corporate option.

You can download AOL Active Security Monitor free from here.

written by Florin C.