Anti malware software you choose?
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Don't run an Antivirus (AV) product all the time, it's pointless. If you can't figure out why, ask and I'll explain but you should be able to get it. Get a decent firewall, Commodo is ok, run that constantly. And make sure all your programs and OS are up to date. No point having an AV without a firewall and a secure system. Once a week, update and run Malwarebytes, it's an antimalware program and quite good. Then update and run Spybot Search and Destroy. PC = secure and happy. That's for a Windows based PC anyway.
I'd like to hear your thoughts on "Don't run an antivirus app all the time" if you care to share! Thank You, Jason P Sage
Know way too many languages... master of none!
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Hello, Well, the topic line says it all: which would you choose? Free would be a nice option here... Thank you in advance! PS: it seems that in my couple computer Microsoft Security Essentials has allowed some critters to go in without advice... X|
[www.tamelectromecanica.com] Robots, CNC and PLC machines for grinding and polishing.
Symantec - bar none
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Malware Bytes Free version is great for removing Malware once you get it. I haven't used the paid version so I'm not sure how good it is at catching the Malware before it takes over your computer. I would like to hear some comments on how good the paid version of Malware Bytes is since I have considered getting it for my company. Does it catch/pick up the Malware before it strikes? For a free solution Malware Bytes and AVG work nicely. The Free version of Avast isn't bad either and it allows you to do boot time scans, which some of the other Anti-Viruses I've used don't have that option. Surf Dog
I have been using the paid version of Malware Bytes for about 1 year, problem free for home computer. I have it running with Avira no problems. I've had McAfee, Norton, and Symantec in the past and have gotten hosed (kids). Malware support spent 4 days helping me clean up the mess - Friday thru Monday, answering emails within a 2 hour window. For a one time fee, I was impressed with the response & quality of the help. McAfee & Symantec had non-existant customer support, and impacted the performance. Don't notice performance issues either with Malware & Avira. http://www.malwarebytes.org/mbam.php[^] http://www.avira.com/en/solutions/home_home_office.html[^]
Toto1107
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Hello, Well, the topic line says it all: which would you choose? Free would be a nice option here... Thank you in advance! PS: it seems that in my couple computer Microsoft Security Essentials has allowed some critters to go in without advice... X|
[www.tamelectromecanica.com] Robots, CNC and PLC machines for grinding and polishing.
AV-avast pro High praises the free edition is great but I like the added script stuff. I have used AVG but hated the way it updated and slowed the machine down. (Find update-install-reboot-look another update.) Malware-MBAM, spybot s&d system tools to handle the stuff those can't-sysinternals Love autoruns
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Hello, Well, the topic line says it all: which would you choose? Free would be a nice option here... Thank you in advance! PS: it seems that in my couple computer Microsoft Security Essentials has allowed some critters to go in without advice... X|
[www.tamelectromecanica.com] Robots, CNC and PLC machines for grinding and polishing.
I have been using "AVG Anti-Virus" for years and have recently added "Super Anti-Virus". I do alternating scans with both tools and have had no problems in years... I also have PC-Tools "Spyware Doctor" and "Trojan Hunter" but don't seem to need them...
Steve Naidamast Black Falcon Software, Inc. blackfalconsoftware@ix.netcom.com
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I'd like to hear your thoughts on "Don't run an antivirus app all the time" if you care to share! Thank You, Jason P Sage
Know way too many languages... master of none!
I don't know his/her thoughts but here is mine... I am not an ignorant user of my PC. I've been on the internet for as long as I've been using a PC (~15 years). I've seen and dealt with almost every malware or virus to come along during that time. In college, I frequently cleaned up other people's PCs and after college I worked tech support for one of the largest internet providers in the world for a few years where I helped other people over the phone clean up thier PC. On my PC, I know what is running and when it is running. I almost always have task manager running for other purposes so keeping an eye on the processes list is second nature. My computers all sit behind a firewall and I leave windows firewall enabled as well. I don't use browser plugins and don't allow autoupdate apps to run in the background on my PC (once again, I keep task manager open and I notice when a newly installed app starts one up). While I am browsing the web, when I come across a site that pops up a window that I didn't ask for, I close IE (yes, I primarily use IE) with task manager (task manager to the rescue again)... essentially, I am my own anti-virus/anti-malware....and in the rare occasions when someone else uses my computer and gets it infected, there are a plethora of excellent free tools available to remove it.
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Hello, Well, the topic line says it all: which would you choose? Free would be a nice option here... Thank you in advance! PS: it seems that in my couple computer Microsoft Security Essentials has allowed some critters to go in without advice... X|
[www.tamelectromecanica.com] Robots, CNC and PLC machines for grinding and polishing.
FYI I wont advertise Avast, I'll just post my experience so far: At first I used Avast4, then switched to AVG because i couldn't install it 'offline' after Windows reinstall. AVG was very good until they developed 'update failure' 2 yrs ago. Now I'm back to Avast Home and just love it.:thumbsup: Do you know how Vista/7 user actually runs in a separate, non-system session and elevation dialog is shown when system actually switches to 'SYSTEM' session? Avast5 has the same 'feature' when you try to uninstall it (well, I wasn't stupid yet to try to infect-test that). Also, Avast now uses html-renderer GUI, so any malware that is smart enough to simulate user click on the "yes I want to uninstall my antivirus" button won't be successful much (for now), because there isn't any HWND to find except the top window. It's free for home users, and you register through it's own dialog, no need for web browser, just enter your email and name, you have 60 days for that. If you buy pro license it unlocks pro features. Last time I checked, it's still cheaper than NOD32. Free edition has mail scanner, real-time scanner/shield, and it actively monitors all web traffic so it blocked 'drive-by' sites more than once for me. It also has silent 'gamer' mode. In the end, the interface is very much not-ugly. But that's just me. When you actually encounter smart malware, nothing will save you after you double click it, believe me - my golden rule: When in doubt, don't! I hope I helped. :)
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Hello, Well, the topic line says it all: which would you choose? Free would be a nice option here... Thank you in advance! PS: it seems that in my couple computer Microsoft Security Essentials has allowed some critters to go in without advice... X|
[www.tamelectromecanica.com] Robots, CNC and PLC machines for grinding and polishing.
Other posters have already mentioned MalwareBytes Anti-Malware (free) and SpyBot Search & Destroy (free) and Panda Cloud (free). I feel TeaTimer, part of SpyBot, is rather useless nowadays so I leave it off. Panda Cloud seems to catch things other AV vendors don't, but it comes at a performance penalty vs. no A/V at all. That's to be expected, but you can usually fine-tune McAfee or Norton to not totally hog your CPU and disk I/O when you need it. When I use my normal software (Propellerhead Reason) Panda locks up the program for a long time when I click Save. Sometimes I just shut it off while I save my work. Not the best, IMO, but better than nothing and you can't beat free. Webroot Spy Sweeper 2010 was worth every cent at $30 from the store. It cleaned up an awful mess that MBAM + SpyBot + Panda + ComboFix + all my other tricks just couldn't. It appears that some malware will actually try to alter your computer and router's DNS settings, in addition to setting up proxies in your browser. Reset those and flush the DNS resolver cache if you're getting awful redirects. An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure, as they say, but it sounds like you might need the pound of cure at this point. To prevent further malware, uninstall Java completely (it's a tough bugger... Add/Remove Programs doesn't completely get rid of it) and keep your patches up to date. Enable the PID column in your Task Manager so you can kill things by the number via the Start-Run command if you must, such as when something disables starting new programs, disables cmd, disables regedit + sys info + msconfig, and autokills taskman after half a second (hope you can read fast)... I've seen stuff do all that and then some.
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Hello, Well, the topic line says it all: which would you choose? Free would be a nice option here... Thank you in advance! PS: it seems that in my couple computer Microsoft Security Essentials has allowed some critters to go in without advice... X|
[www.tamelectromecanica.com] Robots, CNC and PLC machines for grinding and polishing.
Been using Avast! since 2006 and I love it. The free "home" version is great. I love the ability to run boot time scans and it has picked up drive by attacks many times on my wife's machine. As for performance I have to double check from time to time that it is even running because it just stays out of my way.
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Don't run an Antivirus (AV) product all the time, it's pointless. If you can't figure out why, ask and I'll explain but you should be able to get it. Get a decent firewall, Commodo is ok, run that constantly. And make sure all your programs and OS are up to date. No point having an AV without a firewall and a secure system. Once a week, update and run Malwarebytes, it's an antimalware program and quite good. Then update and run Spybot Search and Destroy. PC = secure and happy. That's for a Windows based PC anyway.
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I don't know his/her thoughts but here is mine... I am not an ignorant user of my PC. I've been on the internet for as long as I've been using a PC (~15 years). I've seen and dealt with almost every malware or virus to come along during that time. In college, I frequently cleaned up other people's PCs and after college I worked tech support for one of the largest internet providers in the world for a few years where I helped other people over the phone clean up thier PC. On my PC, I know what is running and when it is running. I almost always have task manager running for other purposes so keeping an eye on the processes list is second nature. My computers all sit behind a firewall and I leave windows firewall enabled as well. I don't use browser plugins and don't allow autoupdate apps to run in the background on my PC (once again, I keep task manager open and I notice when a newly installed app starts one up). While I am browsing the web, when I come across a site that pops up a window that I didn't ask for, I close IE (yes, I primarily use IE) with task manager (task manager to the rescue again)... essentially, I am my own anti-virus/anti-malware....and in the rare occasions when someone else uses my computer and gets it infected, there are a plethora of excellent free tools available to remove it.
Thanx - got it... Lightweight - and you Micro-Manage your Pc to reduce exposure - Nice! Takes a very savvy user - which you evidently are.
Know way too many languages... master of none!
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Hello, Well, the topic line says it all: which would you choose? Free would be a nice option here... Thank you in advance! PS: it seems that in my couple computer Microsoft Security Essentials has allowed some critters to go in without advice... X|
[www.tamelectromecanica.com] Robots, CNC and PLC machines for grinding and polishing.
Not free but the best tradeoff between low overhead and effective protection IMHO: Nod32[^]
Melting Away www.deals-house.com www.innovative--concepts.com
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I'd like to hear your thoughts on "Don't run an antivirus app all the time" if you care to share! Thank You, Jason P Sage
Know way too many languages... master of none!
Think of it like this. Imagine a party, you've got your old mum wandering around the area with a notepad which contains descriptions and photo's of people she considers unhealthy for you, if she sees any of those people, they're outa here. Anyone else though, is perfectly fine. If one of your guests popped a few pills beforehand and starts raging and stabbing people, mum's going to look at him, look at her notepad, and move on. The firewall is your bouncer who's at the gate. If anyone looks suspicious, he confirms with you to make sure they're allowed. Some people are just too seedy, they don't get a second glance. Instantly barred. Your AntiVirus will only detect and remove items it has in it's libary, making it useless against any new threat. This is why updating it is essential, and it's also why running it permantly is a waste of resources. If a brand new virus is out, and you don't have the fingerprint/description with photo, then your AV is useless. Your firewall on the otherhand, stops malware BEFORE it hits your computer. Watching task manager like the other person suggested won't work for any virus even slightly sophisiticated. I collect virii/viruses as a hobby, and there's quite a few which are practically invisible. Quite intriguing little programs. But if you run a firewall 24/7, practice safe browsing (anything that says FREE CODEX HERE!! is to be avoided at all times for example), and update and run an AV and an antispyware program once a week, then you'll be more secure than the majority of people. Including the one above me. EDIT: 'ed to change "wondering" to "wandering". Cause hitting Preview to check for any error so obvious seemed a waste of time. -.-
modified on Monday, June 28, 2010 5:39 PM
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chrissb wrote:
Don't run an Antivirus (AV) product all the time, it's pointless. If you can't figure out why, ask and I'll explain but you should be able to get it.
I'd like to hear a credible explanation. Personally I think that's insane.
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Hello, Well, the topic line says it all: which would you choose? Free would be a nice option here... Thank you in advance! PS: it seems that in my couple computer Microsoft Security Essentials has allowed some critters to go in without advice... X|
[www.tamelectromecanica.com] Robots, CNC and PLC machines for grinding and polishing.
I use Kapersky Security and would highly recommend that. I've had problems with Norton in the past and would stay away from it. If you want free, I would say either AVG or Avast. I'd suggest paying for Kapersky though, even if just for the Anti-Virus/Spyware program rather than the full security suite. Hope this helps.
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Think of it like this. Imagine a party, you've got your old mum wandering around the area with a notepad which contains descriptions and photo's of people she considers unhealthy for you, if she sees any of those people, they're outa here. Anyone else though, is perfectly fine. If one of your guests popped a few pills beforehand and starts raging and stabbing people, mum's going to look at him, look at her notepad, and move on. The firewall is your bouncer who's at the gate. If anyone looks suspicious, he confirms with you to make sure they're allowed. Some people are just too seedy, they don't get a second glance. Instantly barred. Your AntiVirus will only detect and remove items it has in it's libary, making it useless against any new threat. This is why updating it is essential, and it's also why running it permantly is a waste of resources. If a brand new virus is out, and you don't have the fingerprint/description with photo, then your AV is useless. Your firewall on the otherhand, stops malware BEFORE it hits your computer. Watching task manager like the other person suggested won't work for any virus even slightly sophisiticated. I collect virii/viruses as a hobby, and there's quite a few which are practically invisible. Quite intriguing little programs. But if you run a firewall 24/7, practice safe browsing (anything that says FREE CODEX HERE!! is to be avoided at all times for example), and update and run an AV and an antispyware program once a week, then you'll be more secure than the majority of people. Including the one above me. EDIT: 'ed to change "wondering" to "wandering". Cause hitting Preview to check for any error so obvious seemed a waste of time. -.-
modified on Monday, June 28, 2010 5:39 PM
I agree with most of your comments here sir. I'm well versed with what what a firewall does... and I agree they are important; however one thing I'm particularly fond of with my AVG Protection and Firewall (And certainly others are capable of the same thing) is that I'm notified when an application (MalWare .. or otherwise) attempts to use the network. Generally a FireWall is a one way defense.. but I certainly... Love systems that let you control what can come in.. and what (and from who/what) can go out.
Know way too many languages... master of none!
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Hello, Well, the topic line says it all: which would you choose? Free would be a nice option here... Thank you in advance! PS: it seems that in my couple computer Microsoft Security Essentials has allowed some critters to go in without advice... X|
[www.tamelectromecanica.com] Robots, CNC and PLC machines for grinding and polishing.
For general anti virus duties Avira Antivirus is excellent. It consistently has the best or very close to the best detection rates in the industry and an excellent reputation. There is a free 'nagware' version (apparently the startup nag can be disabled with relative ease) and several paid for versions. Generally it is much cheaper than the big names. I use the paid version because I think they deserve my money. It also does not suck away your computers performance like some of the competitors products, so I don't mind leaving it running constantly. For anti malware i have used use malwarebytes anti-malware. I haven't needed it since switching to avira anti virus, but have used it several times for cleaning up friends machines. I believe the free version only does on-demand scans rather than constant protection, but you shouldn't need an anti malware program on constantly, if you have a good AV program. Regardles, check out the security section in Gizmo's Freeware Reviews and form your own opinion on what is best for you and also to get an overview of various security technology options available outside of anti virus/malware programs (Incidentally, an excellent site for finding reviews on all all sorts of freeware). http://www.techsupportalert.com/ For the people who say you don't need to run AV constantly, I fully agree - if you are aware of what potential virus and malware entry points there are, then you can either lock them down (firewalls, sand boxed browsers etc) or apply a little common sense. Personally, I don't trust myself to resist the lure of Nigerian benefactors...
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Hello, Well, the topic line says it all: which would you choose? Free would be a nice option here... Thank you in advance! PS: it seems that in my couple computer Microsoft Security Essentials has allowed some critters to go in without advice... X|
[www.tamelectromecanica.com] Robots, CNC and PLC machines for grinding and polishing.
Personally, I would choose ESET NOD32/SmartSecurity. I have been using it for 10+ years and NEVER had a nasty get through on systems ranging from DOS6.22 through to Win7. There are versions available for a number of Linux distros (with more in beta) and even a Mac version in Beta. There is support for Mobile smartphones too with WinMobile 5 --> 6.5 support now with Symbian due iminently (in public beta now). In fact, I like the software and trust it so much that I have even become a reseller and partner. More info can be found at http://www.mrt502.co.uk/eset.aspx Yours, MRT502
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Hello, Well, the topic line says it all: which would you choose? Free would be a nice option here... Thank you in advance! PS: it seems that in my couple computer Microsoft Security Essentials has allowed some critters to go in without advice... X|
[www.tamelectromecanica.com] Robots, CNC and PLC machines for grinding and polishing.
I'll add another vote for Avira Antivir. -low system resource usage -normally does well in tests. -free I use Comodo for firewall but have stuck with Avira for antivirus.