StopZilla Vs. Exterminate It
As the Internet grows over time, so do the number of malware and computer virus infections. In essence, malware is malicious code designed to exploit weaknesses in the downloader’s operating system or other software to gather information about the user, steal data or cause infected computers to malfunction. In response, numerous companies offer software designed to mitigate the problem. STOPzilla and CurioLab’s Exterminate It! are two prominent examples.
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STOPzilla’s Unique Features
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Perhaps STOPzilla’s most unique feature when compared to Exterminate It! is its True Real-Time Protection functionality. Using background processes called Active Enforcers, this feature constantly analyzes your computer’s activity to detect malware and viruses before they become entrenched. It also automatically scans all downloads for malware and other potential problems. Further, STOPzilla includes an advanced pop-up blocker, though similar pop-up blocker tools are included with many Web browsers.
Exterminate It!’s Unique Features
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Unlike STOPzilla, Exterminate It! doesn’t run in the background, functioning instead as an as-needed malware scanner. Exterminate It! offers something called the Submit State feature. When Exterminate It! finds a possible malware issue not found in its local malware database, it produces a Submit State report and forwards it to CurioLab. CurioLab then sends the user a custom-made database update, reducing the need to constantly update malware definitions.
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Similarities Between STOPzilla and Exterminate It!
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Trial versions with similar limitations are available for both applications. They’ll scan your system and identify threats, but won’t remove them until registered. Both applications are enhanced by round-the-clock customer support and, when registered, can disinfect computers suffering from an equally wide range of computer viruses and malware. Their general similarities are limited to these considerations. Ultimately, the choice between them will come down to the way you use the Internet.
Considerations
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The most significant consideration when choosing between STOPzilla and Exterminate It! is whether or not you want the constant, real-time protection offered by STOPzilla, or the as-needed, customized protection offered by Exterminate It!. If your computer has limited resources, STOPzilla’s background operation may slow down your computer. Further, unlike Exterminate It!, STOPzilla is a subscription service, making it the more expensive option in the long run. Generally, STOPzilla is more appropriate for users who spend a lot of time on the Internet, downloading multiple files per week. Exterminate It!, by contrast, is generally more appropriate to those whose online activities bear relatively minimal risk.
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