Spyware, viruses, & security : spyware/ antivirus
many thanks
by davjo1 - 4/23/08 12:05 PM In reply to: Hello davjo1 again by bw-mailHi BW,
thank you will have a lok at that opion.
all the best dave.
Antivirus/malware software
by Galdhrim - 4/23/08 12:35 AM In reply to: spyware/ antivirus by davjo1If you are looking for apps free to protect your laptop, I would recomend:
Comodo Firewall: very good firewall, it also includes an antimalware tool (it is named Defense+, it can be annoying at first, but it is worth a try. Tip: check their forum in order to know the right settings to avoid most of the annoying behavior). If Defense+ becomes a problem, you can disable it, and keep using the firewall, however, Defense+ should be very efective to keep you safe, since it doesn't allow any unknown program to modify the key places of your computer, unless you authorice it. The firewall won a firewall contest just a few days ago.
Antivirus: There are a lot of antivirus software, however, I know very few free antivirus, and I would trust just Avast. It is free if you are a home user (you dont use your computer to make profit). It has got good reviews, but I couldn't see details. It will detect and stop most viruses, but probably will miss the malware/trojan installers (it is antivirus, not antimalware). You will need to register the AV, but it is free.
Antimalware/spyware: Spybot Search&Destroy, an excellent program, free. I had problems once with real time protection, so I just use the detection tool, but probably by now it has been already fixed.
And if your computer gets a virus... DONT pay for desinfection (if you can avoid it), look for some forum (you can search using hijackthis keyword), probably you will find a forum with people that can tell you how to remove the virus yourself.
AVAST,SPYBOT,THREATFIRE,CCLEANER, REGISTRY-DEFRAG & dSK Def
by pierjean - 4/23/08 9:51 AM In reply to: Antivirus/malware software by GaldhrimI agree with Galdhrim. this is an excelent combination. avast,and Spybot Search and destroy.
I do not know Comodore but Threatfire does the same thing meaning protecting the registry form unwanted intrusions. It does not take space on your computer, is compatible with other AV and is not bothering if left on default setup. I compare my Threatfire to a Dobermam sleeping silently in front of my door and only barking when some stranger want to reach for the door! The door will not open without your agreement.
it does not need feeding (not updating of signature) works realtime even for brand new viruses. works well with both AVAST and Spybot....it is the one what raise an eyebrow FIRST for ANY suspicious activity.
what I wanted to add is that after cleaning your computer from spywares and viruses... still using free tools, use a registry defragmenter tool to reorganise the keys and recover some speed....
Do not follow any randow free program that is asking you to scan your computer from internet to supposely clean your computer from viruses...(unless really welknown websites) most of the time they are misleading in order to sell their product.
if your computer is very slow you may want to first:
1) -CCleaner to clean the registry from orphan keys in the registry and other clogging files.
that will get you some speed.
http://www.ccleaner.com/
you may also want first to download the "Malicious software removal tool from windows.
http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=malicious+removal
3) run your antivirus full scan
http://avast.download--free.net/
and
http://www.threatfire.com/?gclid=CKGrxMPO8ZICFQY_agodGDHU3g
If possible, I recommand doing this in safe mode (F8 upon booting)
in order to block eventual viruses from loading and eventually become stealth and untouchable.
4) full scan with spybot search & destroy.
http://www.safer-networking.org/en/mirrors/index.html
clean all that is found and immunize.
5) again, clean the registry and junk files with cc cleaner
THEN....(that is often forgotten)
6 )free REGISTRY-DEFRAG
TO DEFRAGEMENT the registry and reorganise all keys allowing yet more speed for your computer.
http://www.brothersoft.com/free-registry-defrag-70592.html
7) finally use the disk deframenter tool in windows to defragment your complete hard drive.(start\all programms\accessoiries\system tools\ disk defragmenter.
that should do it.
good luck.
Pierjean
indebted to you.
by davjo1 - 4/23/08 11:09 AM In reply to: AVAST,SPYBOT,THREATFIRE,CCLEANER, REGISTRY-DEFRAG & dSK Def by pierjeanHello pierjean,
Once again i am overwhelmed by all this advise provided by your good self and other people on these forums, you have all given me all the infomation i need. I only wish i had found these forums sooner,
the people on here are great, so willing to help a novice like myself.
thanks again, and all the best.
you're welcome!
by pierjean - 4/23/08 12:46 PM In reply to: indebted to you. by davjo1You're welcome.
I have got some help in this forum in the past and I was returning the favor!
I am glad things are working out for you!
Pierjean
LEARNING ALL THE TIME.
by davjo1 - 4/23/08 11:02 AM In reply to: Antivirus/malware software by GaldhrimHi Galdhirm,
i would like to say thank you for your excellent reply to my post,
i will try what you suggest, you have provided me with some very useful imformation.Sorry i have not replied sooner, but i had trouble
with clicking the links in the e.mail informing me that i had an answer, when i tried to come to the forums via the e.mail nothing
was happening when i clicked the link.so i did a system restore,
that seems to have fixed the problem,although i have lost some programmes in the process. Anyway thanks again for taking the time to help me, really is appreciated.
Free AV Programs
by howiem - 4/23/08 5:53 PM In reply to: LEARNING ALL THE TIME. by davjo1For AV programs there are a number of considerations:
1. High virus detction rate
2. Low use of system resources
3. Compatibility with other programs
I suggest that you go to www.av-comparatives.org and click the link "Comparatives" on the left, and read the latest report. For some months now Avira has a better detection rate than either AVG or Avast. It addition Avira has a much better detection rate for the category "other malware" than either of the other two freebies.
If you have a suspicious file, you can have it checked at www.virustotal.com or http://virusscan.jotti.org/
For general security, never click on links in email or Instant Messengers unless you rare sure you know where they lead to. You can copy any web address and go to www.linkscanner.com to test the link to see if the site contains malicious code. If so, stay away from it. Even legitimate web sites can be compromised. But I repeat my previous advice for using Sandboxie, since even if you get a virus or other malware from the Internet while surfing in a sandbox, it will not affect your operating system. The malware rmains in the sandbox and deleting the sandbox will get rid of the malware without any damage.
reply to free programs
by davjo1 - 4/24/08 12:33 AM In reply to: Free AV Programs by howiemGood morning HOWIEM,
Thanks very much indeed fortaking the time to provide me with this
useful & informative advice. i will vist the sights you suggest,
the suspicious file sight sounds really great, ONCE AGAIN THANK YOU.
Dave
| Forum legend: | |
 |
Locked thread |
 |
Moderator |
 |
CNET staff |
 |
Samsung staff |
 |
Norton Authorized Support team |
 |
AVG staff |
 |
Windows Outreach team |
 |
Dell staff |
 |
Intel staff |
