Spyware Warrior

leader

When my norton subscription ran out I decided to try avast antivirus pro as a trial with the intention of using the free version when the trial ran out. I can't afford a paid av right now so I want to know if avast is the best free av protection i can get, or is there one better that i could get. Question

Please let me know.

Thanks Very Happy

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trickyricky · Posted: Fri Jul 14, 2006 1:25 am Post subject:

Yes, Avast is excellent. Obviously others will come along and sing the praises of Antivir and AVG, which are also very good, but the best one is the one that you get along with the best. I have used AVG and am currently running Avast and am virus-free. Avast is the most configurable of the top 3 free ones and that's why I prefer it to the others for my use.

random/random · Posted: Fri Jul 14, 2006 2:19 am Post subject:

Avast! is a very good free antivirus, and is the one I use
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paperghost · Posted: Fri Jul 14, 2006 5:54 am Post subject:

It's the one I use, and I'm very happy with it.

suzi · Posted: Sun Jul 16, 2006 12:08 pm Post subject:

Fwiw, I scan a lot of new malware files at jotti and virustotal, sites that use multiple scanners from a number of different companies, and of the free AVs, Avast and Anti-vir seem to be faster than AVG in getting new malware in their definitions.

Most of the time Avast and Anti-vir will detect something before AVG.

But even those 2 generally don't update definitions for new malware as quickly as others like Kaspersky, Bit Defender, etc.

Here's an example I scanned at jotti last night:

leader · Posted: Sun Jul 16, 2006 6:21 pm Post subject:

Thanks for the info guys. Smile

Btw Suzi do u think I should consider using the kaspersky trial b4 going with the avast free? Question

I've heard kaspersky is very good. I had even considered purchasing their av once I was able to afford an av system. Is Kaspersky the best for the paid av software? Think

P.S. sorry I don't know what fwiw means. Embarassed

Thanks

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suzi · Posted: Sun Jul 16, 2006 8:48 pm Post subject:

Leader, if you practice safe computing -- that is:

1. You don't use file sharing - p2p
2. You don't go to risky websites like porn sites, crack or warez sites
3. You don't click open emails from unknown sources and never open attachments unless you confirm with the sender what it is
4. You don't download junk like wallpapers and screensavers unless you know it's from a reputable site (no adware/spyware)
5. You don't click on links in IM, or accept files through IM
6. You use an alternate browser
7. You have Service Pack2 and keep Windows updated/patched
8. Even if you user an alternate browser, you use IE-SPYAD and/or a hosts file...

One more -- you don't click on links in IRC sessions.

Then you're most likely fine with free Avast.

It's a matter of opinion what is the best paid AV -- some people would say something other than Kaspersky is best, I'm sure. Kaspersky happens to be my favorite, in part because they do update so frequently.

But what suits one person might not suit everyone, so you'd have to evaluate them and make that choice yourself.

Fwiw means "for what it's worth". Sorry, I shouldn't use those acronyms so often.
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wyrmrider · Posted: Sun Jul 16, 2006 8:51 pm Post subject:

what os are you running
I, and several others, hae had trouple with kaspersky and W98-ME-
so
yes
do the trial first

OF the three Avg- antivir- Avast
which is easiest on resources?

I'm currently using antivir but I think Avast was a little easier on resources using w-98

any other experiences out there?

fcukdat · Posted: Sun Jul 16, 2006 10:20 pm Post subject:

Hi Leader

KAV's database of malware is one of the best i have encountered when testing AV/AS/AT softwares.You can get the benefit of their scanner for free c/o their website>>>
http://usa.kaspersky.com/services/free-virus-scanner.php

But please note although this will give you the benefit of KAV's technology the download is not realtime protection but simply the scanner engine.

There would be no harm in having Avast free for realtime protection backed up with KAV online scanner for periodic sweeps Wink

HTH

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suzi · Posted: Sun Jul 16, 2006 10:27 pm Post subject:

Osage · Posted: Mon Jul 17, 2006 10:32 am Post subject:

While its more true with spyware apps---there are so many malware types out there that no single product will contain all the definitions.
So doing those on line scans may be an extra protection if your particular AV application missed something.--and someone else's scanner has that tell tale signature you need to get the few remaining
off.

While I too use Avast---I was at the Kasperski site last night doing an online scan---and can happily report it came up with nothing.

But even if it came up with something--and failed to remove it---just having the name of your virus or worm---allows you to google it--and that in turn will link you to a wealth of on line tools that will just remove that one piece of malware.---knowing you got it is just step one---removal is the final step two.

suzi · Posted: Mon Jul 17, 2006 9:55 pm Post subject:

I didn't mean to suggest that Kaspersky's online scan isn't useful -- I've found it very good to identify new malware, but I thought it should be noted that it doesn't do removal, as an fyi.
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leader · Posted: Tue Jul 18, 2006 2:43 pm Post subject:

leader · Posted: Tue Jul 18, 2006 2:45 pm Post subject:

suzi · Posted: Tue Jul 18, 2006 5:15 pm Post subject:

Osage · Posted: Tue Jul 18, 2006 9:18 pm Post subject:

Being somewhat of a forum junkie---it saddens me to report I just came from another forum where they were discussing PC boot times and how to mimimise it---with more than one poster advocating that all anti-spyware apps, AV apps, and software firewalls just be pitched as un-needed dead loads on boot time.

Although I and others argued against this, certain valid points were raised---namely some applications have now become huge resource hogs without adding any extra real protection compared to less piggish apps that can do the same thing without causing excessive boot times--especially cited in this particular thread were complaints about the newer free zone alarm firewall--vs. the much older free ones.

And the less potent your PC---the more likely it will be significantly slowed in boot time in just having enough layers of protection. So I might recommend this forum start posting data on just how high a load a given app is compared to similar one.--and which work on all OS's --and which just work on a few select OS's.

But I will not bill my self as a security expert---but its just amazing the level of ignorance that is out there regarding computer security
on various forums not devoted to computer security.---so I also recommend that this site become more evangalistic. Or we will just be preaching to the same small choir.

But to Leader---I have been practising the rules I have leaned on this forum and have been using Avast for about a year and a half. In all that time, I have never been hit by a computer virus--although a few have been caught and killed by Avast in the act of trying to install. But minor things always get through---but the worst I have seen in my year and a half with avast has been a few tracking cookies who find their stay on my computers very short--because I scan often.---and Avast is not the only arrow in my arsenal.

But recently I purchased a very cheap, very good, but crippled used computer infested by malware in its young life of less than a year---and evidently owned by someone who was a poster person for computer carelessness--and had the adventure of getting over two thousand pieces of malware off of it--and in the process I pitched any and all malware attracting programs---mainly just due to the basic advice on this forum---but special thanks to all here who helped me----I am now an even bigger believer in basic computer security. And now have added that extra layer of protection in win patrol and process guard--who warn me when a app tries to install.

suzi · Posted: Tue Jul 18, 2006 10:01 pm Post subject:

wawadave · Posted: Wed Jul 19, 2006 8:50 am Post subject:

i used nod32 av i like works well low resources used.

kasper is the other i like.
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leader · Posted: Wed Jul 19, 2006 6:44 pm Post subject:

Osage · Posted: Wed Jul 19, 2006 7:43 pm Post subject:

To Leader,

Looks like you have the basics down--and are running more anti-spyware than I am----but your big gaping hole is lack of
sp2---so I would really recommend you add that. One program I am somewhat impressed with is super anti spyware--which seems to have some definitions I lacked and it removed a few bad guys on my computer and my wifes computer. But it sure is a resource hog.

The other question I have is how fast is your computer? If its fast and modern, it can pull many applications and still boot fairly fast. But get too many apps that are resource hogs on a less than fast modern computer and you can get long boot times and slow performance.---but lots of what you have are not resource hogs and have almost zero footprint---keep those and maybe look into having equal protection with learner apps when your apps are slowing you down.

While I don't know that much about zone alarm since symantec bought them, I have heard the new zone alarm firewalls are resource hogs--so at a minimum go to something like gibson research shields up and test your firewall---then you could test what I use which is sygate 5.5---something I use because its a firewall that plays well with my small lan--and I have also heard nice things about the comodo free firewall--which won't play nice with my lan.--or try the Kerio one--- or even some of the older zone alarms---all these are learner and some more configerable---and one nice thing about sygate--it warns me when I am getting port scanned.

Just my two cents---lets see what others more expert than I have to say.

suzi · Posted: Wed Jul 19, 2006 9:24 pm Post subject:

leader,

I didn't think you were being sarcastic at all. Smile

It looks like your current set up is good, but like Osage said, Service Pack 2 is a must. The malware pushers target users who don't have SP2 because there are plenty of vulnerabilities that can be exploited otherwise. Example --

http://blog.washingtonpost.com/securityfix/2006/07/myspace_ad_served_adware_to_mo.html

herbalist · Posted: Thu Jul 20, 2006 3:34 am Post subject:

When AntiVir had so many problems moving to version 7, I tried Avast on my old box. Wouldn't work right. One component or another wouldn't load dependably.
From what I can see, all the AVs have bloated up significantly in the last year or so, partly due to the huge detection files but just as much with eye candy and nearly useless features.

leader · Posted: Fri Aug 04, 2006 4:30 pm Post subject: Sorry for delay in responding.

Osage · Posted: Fri Aug 04, 2006 6:57 pm Post subject:

To leader,

Welcome back and glad to hear you are feeling better.

In terms of Gibson research---Steve Gibson does have a website--but to find the shields up firewall test just google "shields up" without the quotes. I certainly don't want to bill myself as an expert---there are many on this forum far more expert than I---but I have noticed one thing about the people I do regard as expert---they are open to trying
new things--- would recommend you do try a leaner firewall to see if it gives you a faster boot---and also plugs all your ports. And although I have not tried it, many recommend the Kerio one---but lets see what recommendations others give you also.--and shields up is not the only firewall test site.

Also rememeber--if you make a software change you don't like--you can always uninstall it and try something else.---this forum is a great place to come to get various points of view---only you can decide what to try, what to keep, and what to pitch---especially easy when many like Avast are free.

Also consider a memory upgrade to speed things up---I upgraded my wife's computer from 256 MB ram to 512 MB for really cheap money just a week ago---knocked over 50% off the boot time with no other changes.

suzi · Posted: Fri Aug 04, 2006 7:26 pm Post subject:

Actually Steve Gibson does have a website, www.grc.com.

At the bottom of this page, there are navagation links to other postons of the site, including discussions.

http://www.grc.com/default.htm
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leader · Posted: Wed Aug 09, 2006 7:31 pm Post subject:

Osage · Posted: Thu Aug 10, 2006 7:10 pm Post subject:

To Leader,

There are a number of things you can do to make a memory upgrade easy. (1) Go into system information and get your motherboard specs.
(2) You can go to wwww.crucial.com, download their memory selector and it will kick out the exact right crucial memory specs for you. (3) Or go to Kingston---there you have to input your motherboard model #,
and it will give you the right Kingston memory modules specs. (4) Google everest home edition which is a freebie benchmarking program that will give you information about what you have in the PC
in terms of memory. (5) If you are really cheap and willing to gamble--check ebay and see if you can find exactly the matching memory from a system pull. (6) Adding memory is an easy do it yourself job--lots of instructional stuff you can download.

I just went to a local computer store---paid $34.00 and installed it myself.---my older PC runs much better now. But I am always reluctant to tell someone else how to spend their money--but always willing to help or share experiences.

But I will leave that open to see if any one else more expert cares to weigh in with other suggestions.

leader · Posted: Mon Aug 28, 2006 11:55 am Post subject:

Sorry for the delay in responding. Embarassed

I appreciate those tips osage. Smile

I will try them. Please post anymore tips you have for getting the most out of the comp. I can use plenty with my old pc. Wink

Thanks

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') Jeremiah 20:9, Mark 12:30, and Romans 10:9-11, 13. (' Angel

')

Erikalbert · Posted: Mon Aug 28, 2006 9:34 pm Post subject:

leader · Posted: Mon Sep 18, 2006 1:47 pm Post subject:

I have heard of products that also free up wasted memory. Do these products really work and can anyone suggest a good product if they do work? I believe I have seen a few advertised on majorgeeks.com, but I don't know if anyone here has tried any such program and had any success. Question

Thanks

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') Jeremiah 20:9, Mark 12:30, and Romans 10:9-11, 13. (' Angel

')

aBenG · Posted: Mon Sep 18, 2006 3:01 pm Post subject:

I tried FreeRam XP for a while. It did make more RAM available when RAM dipped to a set point, but slowed or stopped other running programs every time it did so - got so annoying I got rid of it. Sad

There may be better ones about but I doubt on balance they will do much (if anything) to improve your system performance.
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roger_m · Posted: Mon Sep 18, 2006 5:14 pm Post subject:

wyrmrider · Posted: Mon Sep 18, 2006 7:15 pm Post subject:

cacheman may work for you and it's free
I use it sometimes with windows 98 to run 1 mb ram and to tell me when resources are low- it does free up some ram also

Doug Taylor · Posted: Mon Sep 18, 2006 9:29 pm Post subject: McAfee Site Advisor

Hi,

In a post I made “Long Time” in the “Talk About It” forum I asked Nick what he thought about McAfee’s SiteAdvisor. I use Comcast for my ISP my only other choices in my area are satellite or dialup neither are a good choice. Comcast offers free McAfee firewall and anti virus so I use them. I received a link from McAfee for a DL of SiteAdvisor. After reading it I decided to try it. It is interesting it works with Google and Yahoo when you search a topic it tags sites in the search with a green, yellow or red flags. With explanations like “Site produces spam” or “attempts to change settings.” I went out on a quest to test it using sites that I knew would stress my entourage of anti spyware applications and settings. Even though I didn’t start out through Google or Yahoo it flagged sites with a green, yellow or red alert and a few times flat out refused to let me connect; giving an acceptable explanation each time. I have not used it long and this type of software is new to me if anyone has an opinion of it or is willing to try it I would very much appreciate you comments. As always,

With our Lord’s blessings,

Doug

Doug Taylor · Posted: Mon Sep 18, 2006 9:32 pm Post subject:

Arrgh! link for the brave at heart.

"http://www.siteadvisor.com/download/iemedia.html?cid=20070"

Sorry it didn't come through.

Xtr-ChessReal · Posted: Wed Sep 10, 2008 7:47 am Post subject: Spybot Search and Destroy

unless I missed something in this thread I have not seen a mention of SS&D.

I tech for Comcast my biggest issue is Norton AKA Symantec - what a load of crap.

the McAfee stuff works fine

my second biggest issue is ignorant computing

I fricken hate Vista

Though I am not supposed to legally I generally offer help to Comcast clients that appear to be overwhelmed with computer issues. Sometimes I ask for a small fee 30$ for the 2 hours of time spend on them. I like helping people when they genuinely just don't know the basics. Usually older people, with grand kids that come in and mess everything up.

The only tool I ever use on these machines is Spybot S&D and then I do some regedit and kill off keys I know are bad.

Qwest quickcare is a joke btw. I always remove it.

Keep in mind I am not trying to sterilize the machine just get it up to speed so they can continue with my instructions like getting all the windows updates, get McAfee running, etc.

I have no AV on my machines at home, teatimer is excellent at stopping anything trying to load. You just have to be aware and read all the pop-up dialogues.

approximately 10 years ago now ( maybe less ) I came to this site needing help, I went through the steps with HJT and ran SS&D. Its all I have ever needed.

This site is all I recommend for people to get help to understand what is happening.

You just need to read the pop-up dialogs and make informed decisions, have a question come here and find the answer.

Thank you Suzi for running an excellent site.

X->out
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suzi · Posted: Wed Sep 10, 2008 8:31 am Post subject:

Xtr-ChessReal,

Did you notice this thread is 2 years old? Wink

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Xtr-ChessReal · Posted: Wed Sep 10, 2008 5:58 pm Post subject:

Yeah I know, but of course not until after I hit the submit button.

I was hoping no one would respond. It's embarrassing. Shocked

X->sneaks out Embarassed

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suzi · Posted: Wed Sep 10, 2008 9:06 pm Post subject:

That's ok, others have done the same thing without realizing it.
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Please do not PM or Email me for personal support. Post in the Forums instead and we will all learn. Smile