Aladdin enhances anti-spyware, identity protection features of security utility.
Aladdin Systems is updating its Internet Cleanup for Windows, enhancing its security features to fight pop-ups, spyware, and identity theft. Internet Cleanup 4.0 is priced at $29.99 and is available immediately from Aladdin Systems. For a limited time, current users of Internet Cleanup 3.0 will be able to upgrade for $19.99. The upgrade and full version both include a one-year subscription to data updates for the anti-spyware and anti-adware features, according to the company. Enhanced Security This release brings the Windows version more closely in line with the Macintosh version of the product, which in Version 2.0 already has some of the new features found in Internet Cleanup 4.0, says Pauline Shumake, senior product manager. For example, the Windows edition now features Net Blockade, a tool already found in the Mac edition. It manages and blocks cookies, banner ads, and pop-ups. The program can also detect and remove key loggers, which record keystrokes, and other trojan horse programs. "We've also greatly enhanced the spyware protection," Shumake says. "And we update the signatures constantly" to cover new intrusive programs as they appear online. A new Personal Information Blocker tool lets users specify exactly what information must stay on the PC--such as a credit card or social security number, Shumake says. A pop-up warns a user if that information is about to be released, and requires a password to continue the transaction. This way, adult users in a family can still shop online while controlling the e-commerce of younger family members. With Windows XP, the blocking feature can also be assigned to specific user profiles. "This version has more focus on privacy, security, and identity protection," Shumake says. Internet Cleanup now works with more browsers than previous versions, supporting Microsoft Internet Explorer, as well as Netscape and other Mozilla-based browsers, Shumake says. Cleanup Tools Still, the product retains its hallmark cleanup functions, offering such features as erasing browsing tracks and "shredding" files and folders. Now, the program can even shred chat files sent through Instant Messaging. It can also be set to monitor files sent through IM, to block spyware or other malware, according to Aladdin. In that vein, a new locking mechanism lets users protect designated folders and files by password-protecting them. Internet Cleanup uses 128-bit encryption, says Jeff Hyman, vice president of product management. Another new feature is a scheduler, which enables users to perform local cleanup operations on a preset schedule. Internet Cleanup still performs its traditional "cleanup" functions by erasing Internet data trails. Upon startup, users get a Statistics Report that tells them whether spyware is present on the PC, identifies cookies and history files, and provides related information. For business users, the cleanup feature can now work across networks. Tech managers can run the program on networked PCs to scan remote drives and delete for security purposes the cache of temporary Internet files such as recently visited sites and other common files. This is Aladdin's first update to Internet Cleanup since acquiring the product in 2002 from V Communications, which had purchased it from Kroll Ontrack.
Reproduced from an article published by PC World
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