Spyware, viruses, & security : Must vent frustration about AV and Spyware scanners
Uninstall tool
by JonathanCase - 5/7/07 3:18 PM In reply to: anti-virus suite by crack/oneThere is a special Norton Uninstall tool you can download from Symantec. If you uninstall Norton, run the tool afterwards, as the AV leaves a lot of stuff behind. As well (or instead of ) AdAware, give Superantispyware (free and paid versions) a try. Very thorough antispyware. It's a good idea to keep a few demand scanners on hand. As said above, no one scanner will always get them all. For a demand AV scan (second "opinion"), Dr Web's Cureit (free, 5 Mb download) requires no installation and thus can be run while the resident AV is still operating.
NO need for multiple programs!
by kailasa108 - 5/4/07 7:53 PM In reply to: Must vent frustration about AV and Spyware scanners by KaHOnasI disagree with the other people here. IF you are using software that is CONSISTENTLY the best, you do NOT need to run multiple programs - which can sometimes interfere with each other.
For good protection you need REAL-TIME SCANNING. Period. Running more than one scanner at a time doesn't work. Running periodic multiple AV scans is a LOT of work that doesn't pay off (what if you don't run a scan until 2 days after you're infected?!)
Do your homework. Go online and RESEARCH independent (that is, non-sponsored, non-profit) testers' results of AV, firewall and anti-malware programs.
The reason you got infected is you are using some of the "weakest" software available!
Here's what I found and here's what I use:
Best Internet Security Suite: (the simplest approach - one vendor - one setup and you're done) - Kaspersky Internet Security 6.0
The component approach (which is better than KIS, but more work to install and maintain):
For AV - either Antivir PersonalEdition Premium (you can check them out with a free version first) or NOD32. Antivir is great, and they just added a rootkit detector into their program. These 2 programs each catch more viruses than the 3 top "bestsellers" combined!
For firewalls - I WAS using Outpost Pro, but with version 4 the program is unstable. Go with COMODO Personal Firewall - it's even free. It is VERY easy to use and passes all of the leak tests in its standard format. It also has a built-in HIPS (Host Intrusion Prevention System) - the new generation of malware prevention.
For anti-malware - The main problem with these programs is the amount of resources (CPU and memory) they use. (Install one and sit and watch your Task Manager for a while.) With version 5, Spyware Doctor, while a good program, has turned into a hog. Which might be OK if you're running a 3.0ghz Pentium 4 or a dual processor rig - otherwise not. So, my vote goes with AVG's Anti-Spyware (formerly Ewido). If you want to run another AM program - use BOClean. Very few know about this program - the ones that do swear by it. It's now available for free through COMODO (and supported by the original designer).
Best yet - instead of running 2,3, or 4 AM programs - which mostly use "signatures" to track bogeys - install a HIPS program. This is a new generation of protection - HIPS watches your rig's activity - all of it - and blocks anything suspicious, until you clear it. Bogeys don't have a chance to install themselves! After testing several of the top recommended ones - here's my pick for ease of use and protection. CyberHawk. They have a free version, or you can demo their top version for free. The other HIPS I tried are either too intrusive, resource hogs or are of doubtful value.
Cheers!
Comodo doesn't have HIPS yet (version 2.4).
by arq3d - 5/4/07 8:38 PM In reply to: NO need for multiple programs! by kailasa108HIPS will be available with version 3.
to the contrary
by rhamton07 - 5/4/07 11:05 PM In reply to: NO need for multiple programs! by kailasa108I belong and have belonged to numerous security related forums and the experts whom I regularly correspond with totally disagree. Multiple programs are a must!
see link:
http://temerc.com/hddncounttuts.html
They are correct!
by STEELJAW - 5/5/07 7:10 AM In reply to: to the contrary by rhamton07No one anti-virus or anti-spyware program is going to work %100 everytime. Read the reviews from CNET, PC WORLD, MAXIMUM PC, and TOM's HARDWARE? The basic package that's been recommended is one good realtime anti-virus program and two anti-spyware programs (at least one realtime). Also, this should be followed up with a stingy software or hardware firewall. I have been running Norton SystemWorks 2005 Premier, Webroot's SpySweeper, Spybot-Search and Destroy (Free Version), and Check Point's ZoneAlarm Pro for about two years and only one trojan (a web site drive by) has made it thru the gauntlet. My HERO program ,ZoneAlarm Pro, stopped it from dailing home. Also, it wouldn't hurt to get a free virus/security scan from Norton's web site if you are running another anti-virus program. Hey, Internet Security comes with a price, but you'll either pay now or you'll pay dearly later.
RE:Frustration about AV & Spyware scanners- New option
by JR.Kovacic - 5/5/07 7:42 AM In reply to: Must vent frustration about AV and Spyware scanners by KaHOnasFirst, let me point out I am responding to this forum for two reasons, first to help you out and in doing so make you aware of our company. I will only mention us once by web site URL and only at the end of this forum and only for the purpose of assisting you in cleaning your computer. My main purpose is to help you clean your system and to mention a few observations - an FYI.
The FYI section - (skip to the end to clean your system).
The signature based products which predominate the security landscape are really having a tough time with the new security threats, yet are critical to your security - but you already know this. We recommend a layered approach and realize signature based systems have an important role to play in your security. But one size does not fit all.
Today's business model (using definition updates) requires an annual subscription rate to maintain cash flow (so does ours) for ongoing support and R&D. This is not unfair, that is why these companies can do as well as they have given the huge change in the security landscape. BUT... the whole security landscape HAS changed. There is big money to be made creating malware for the misguided (but talented) programmers and the companies and organizations they program for. Whereas, it is hard today for large companies to remain profitable without regarding their fellow competitors as enemies. There is only one enemy here - badware. So we as warriors in the battle against malware - must get along! This concept flies against most corporate convention, it is a weakness and hurts the end users.
The security landscape HAS changed. We see it in the proliferation of patches to the OS. Without these OS security patches limited user accounts are no guarantee of protection, hence the Zer0-Day security holes. While tremendous strides have been made to ease the burden of patch distribution and to stay on top of new threats, it is a reactive measure.
Laptops are the biggest obstacle to timely updates across an entire company. They are the weakest link. Some laptops require the user account to work with elevated privileges, administrator or power user. And the worst offenders are executive officers of most companies, myself included. We want to be full administrators and demand protection and ease of use of the OS. I am sorry if that causes some concerns but that is just the way it is, my time is valuable and I do not want any restrictions. I work with my PC like it a M.. and I love it. Let's be honest that is the way we all prefer to work if we could and it didn't increase the TCO of the IT departments.
Today more than ever we gamble with our protection. Like a poker game, we are betting the measures put in place, limited user accounts, anti-virus and anti-spyware will protect us from threats. We realize our systems are still at risk but gamble that with a little luck and the lock downs and patches that we will weather most storms and miss the others. To those who have followed the conventions and rules of best practice but still have been burned we offer a complementary approach. I will not go into details, that WOULD be a sales pitch. Instead I will just say we work hard to complement our fellow companies battling the security threats that plague our friends and family as well as our customer base. To me it is personal what is going on today and we all need to work together to protect everyone from today's security threats.
THE HELP SECTION (skip to here - from the top)
If what you use did not work for your present problem, apply for our trial download (you must use a business email address). Run our cleaning product (no name mentioned here) to clean your infected system. This way we get your computer cleaned without you having to re-image it. What you do after that is up to you, but at least we can help you out.
Thank you for your patience with this long reply. You may ignore the last line if you wish it is our web address (I put several carriage returns in place to keep it out of sight for the other forum members, I do not wish to offend anyone), I don't know how else to help you without giving out our URL.
www.itSoftwareProducts.com
Frustration!
by huishh - 5/7/07 9:39 AM In reply to: Must vent frustration about AV and Spyware scanners by KaHOnasI have McAfee, but it always tells me that I havechangerd operating systems thus will no work! I have aways had Windows XP. What can I do to purge my system, as it acts like it is infected. It is very slow, and sometimes hangs.
Hank huish0608@msn.com
Using AV and Spyware Scanners together
by johnemry - 5/7/07 11:42 AM In reply to: Must vent frustration about AV and Spyware scanners by KaHOnasOne might think that running three or four programs at the same time might increase the odds of catching a problem; however, it might be possible that one program will suspect one of the other programs is a problem. I had a problem with my computer locking up and finally discovered that if I only run Symantec and Websweeper in the background, the lock ups quit. I then run SpyDoctor and AVG occasionally and then shut them down. I do find bugs missed by the first two programs and no lock ups. May be some other problem, but this works for me. For what it is worth.
Short & sweet here.
by mados123 - 5/7/07 8:52 PM In reply to: Must vent frustration about AV and Spyware scanners by KaHOnasTo stay in the realm of free solutions:
-AVG Free, Anti-Virus - let the full scans complete their tasks during downtime.
-Spyware Doctor v.5, unregistered version for real time protection. You can review its scan results and manually remove stuff if/when necessary.
-Firefox Browser w/ No Script Extension. Cookies off for more privacy, add individual sites if necessary.
-Periodic Scans with Ad-Aware SE.
-Windows Firewall or Zone Alarm. You probably are on a router with NAT and Firewall protection already so Windows Firewall should be fine.
-Windows updates.
-SpamFighter for email, if using Outlook or Outlook Express, maybe Thunderbird.
My personal experience is that despite having Norton installed, many computers I have worked on have still been infected (probably by being a target itself - never mind it being a resource hog).
Also use good sense if going to "questionable" websites - stick to the ones you know.
And also, thank you for serving our country.
| Forum legend: | |
 |
Locked thread |
 |
Moderator |
 |
CNET staff |
 |
Samsung staff |
 |
Norton Authorized Support team |
 |
AVG staff |
 |
Windows Outreach team |
 |
Dell staff |
 |
Intel staff |
