Spyware Warrior Spyware Warrior
Help with Spyware, Hijacking & Other Internet Nuisances
 
FAQ :: Search :: Memberlist :: Usergroups :: Register
Profile :: Log in to check your private messages :: Log in

How do I know which security program/s to use?

 
Post new topic   Reply to topic    Spyware Warrior Forum Index -> Anti-Spyware and Security Software Discussion
View previous topic :: View next topic  
Author Message
FANG
Newbie


Joined: 28 Dec 2007
Last Visit: 19 Jan 2008
Posts: 1
Location: Moldova

PostPosted: Fri Dec 28, 2007 8:11 pm    Post subject: How do I know which security program/s to use? Reply with quote

I am looking to find the best security program/s for my computer, which is running Windows XP.

Currently I have been using:

Ad-aware 2007
AntiVir PersonalEdition Classic
Spybot - Search and Destroy
SpywareBlaster
SpywareGuard
Trend Micro online scan (http://housecall.trendmicro.com/)
Windows Live Online Safety Scanner (http://safety.live.com/)
Zone Alarm
Opera browser

It is annoying to use so many programs and I would prefer not to have to run so many scans each week. I am also not sure if these programs are the best ones, so I thought I would come here to ask for help.

I was planning to look at the Spyware Warrior product comparison page, however, I notice that the Spyware Warrior website has not been updated for quite some time.

If anyone could point me in the right direction, I would be most grateful!
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
Tarq57
Warrior


Joined: 13 Apr 2007
Last Visit: 09 Apr 2011
Posts: 105
Location: NewZealand

PostPosted: Thu Jan 03, 2008 3:04 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Hi. Not a frequent poster here, but the answer to your q is probably somewhat subjective.
How often you run a scan should largely depend on how safe (or not) a surfer you are, and how many objects are found when you scan, and how dangerous those objects are.
Every user interested in security probably has his/her favourites, and different computers run better with some applications than others.
What runs best on your computer, and what you like, is best assessed by you. Try some out. I see you appear to use mainly freeware. (Me too.)
You might want to look at Superantispyware, AVG antispyware (formerly Ewido, trial for 15 days, then reverts to demand scanner) or Asquared. They're all widely considered good, and probably superior to AdAware and Spybot for detection/cleaning. And they have free versions. SPywareTerminator is another free antispy, with resident protection and HIPS. If you really want to get into serious protection, you could try virtualisation and/or imaging applications, like Sandboxie or Returnil. If you use the PC for banking etc, it's wise to have very good security.
Avira consistently scores well at avcomparatives.org, a reputable AV test site.
I use a hosts file, MVPS hosts, managed by a program called Hostsman. Seems effective. I've since removed the S&D immunizing, also the SpywareBlaster.
I got rid of AdAware2007 after a couuple of weeks. Useless forum support, problems with updating, fp's etc. (Looks nice, though.)
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
tripkill201
Warrior


Joined: 24 Jun 2007
Last Visit: 23 Feb 2008
Posts: 175
Location: Approximately 2.3698 billion light years away.

PostPosted: Thu Jan 03, 2008 1:33 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Tarq57 wrote:
Hi. Not a frequent poster here, but the answer to your q is probably somewhat subjective.
How often you run a scan should largely depend on how safe (or not) a surfer you are, and how many objects are found when you scan, and how dangerous those objects are.
Every user interested in security probably has his/her favourites, and different computers run better with some applications than others.
What runs best on your computer, and what you like, is best assessed by you. Try some out. I see you appear to use mainly freeware. (Me too.)
You might want to look at Superantispyware, AVG antispyware (formerly Ewido, trial for 15 days, then reverts to demand scanner) or Asquared. They're all widely considered good, and probably superior to AdAware and Spybot for detection/cleaning. And they have free versions. SPywareTerminator is another free antispy, with resident protection and HIPS. If you really want to get into serious protection, you could try virtualisation and/or imaging applications, like Sandboxie or Returnil. If you use the PC for banking etc, it's wise to have very good security.
Avira consistently scores well at avcomparatives.org, a reputable AV test site.
I use a hosts file, MVPS hosts, managed by a program called Hostsman. Seems effective. I've since removed the S&D immunizing, also the SpywareBlaster.
I got rid of AdAware2007 after a couuple of weeks. Useless forum support, problems with updating, fp's etc. (Looks nice, though.)

Actually, it's 30 days.
_________________


The stakes are immense, the task colossal, the time is short. But we may hope — we must hope — that man’s own creation, man’s own genius, will not destroy him. -Albert Einstein
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
tripkill201
Warrior


Joined: 24 Jun 2007
Last Visit: 23 Feb 2008
Posts: 175
Location: Approximately 2.3698 billion light years away.

PostPosted: Thu Jan 03, 2008 1:33 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Tarq57 wrote:
Hi. Not a frequent poster here, but the answer to your q is probably somewhat subjective.
How often you run a scan should largely depend on how safe (or not) a surfer you are, and how many objects are found when you scan, and how dangerous those objects are.
Every user interested in security probably has his/her favourites, and different computers run better with some applications than others.
What runs best on your computer, and what you like, is best assessed by you. Try some out. I see you appear to use mainly freeware. (Me too.)
You might want to look at Superantispyware, AVG antispyware (formerly Ewido, trial for 15 days, then reverts to demand scanner) or Asquared. They're all widely considered good, and probably superior to AdAware and Spybot for detection/cleaning. And they have free versions. SPywareTerminator is another free antispy, with resident protection and HIPS. If you really want to get into serious protection, you could try virtualisation and/or imaging applications, like Sandboxie or Returnil. If you use the PC for banking etc, it's wise to have very good security.
Avira consistently scores well at avcomparatives.org, a reputable AV test site.
I use a hosts file, MVPS hosts, managed by a program called Hostsman. Seems effective. I've since removed the S&D immunizing, also the SpywareBlaster.
I got rid of AdAware2007 after a couuple of weeks. Useless forum support, problems with updating, fp's etc. (Looks nice, though.)

Actually, it's 30 days for the AVG Anti-Spyware trial.
_________________


The stakes are immense, the task colossal, the time is short. But we may hope — we must hope — that man’s own creation, man’s own genius, will not destroy him. -Albert Einstein
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
Tarq57
Warrior


Joined: 13 Apr 2007
Last Visit: 09 Apr 2011
Posts: 105
Location: NewZealand

PostPosted: Thu Jan 03, 2008 1:41 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

30 days for the trial.
My apologies, quite correct.
http://free.grisoft.com/doc/download-free-anti-spyware/us/frt/0
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
nx42qr7
Warrior


Joined: 22 Apr 2007
Last Visit: 02 Jul 2011
Posts: 86

PostPosted: Fri Jan 04, 2008 6:27 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

I felt when first I logged on,early 2002, using a new Dell Dimension 4300 Computer which had Windows XP-Home that looking from the outside in was not the way to learn what was best for me or for my computer.Third party applications however they are made available do not an Operating System make.Though all this is fine it is a very useful experience when learning about the computing experience to learn about your computer,that is from the inside out.What makes Johnnie Run ? I think your browser is critical,learning how to manage the place cookies have is terribly important.It is a real demand which can assist the would be internet use with a real advantage.You really dont need cookies though some sites require cookies as the only way to enter, these instances can be managed,Do you know what a Host File is? How to rid its content if you feel it is necessary?The list and education that is required can make a real difference whereby even the onset of a malware infection can be dealt with surprisingly well.I would suggest a system of checks and balances whereby your computers ability is mitigated only by your knowledge of said computer. http://www.us-cert.gov/ www.cert.org/ The better your knowledge of your computer and the tecknology thereof the better a computing experience you will be provided with. I as well test my browser through a browser testing service that enables me to know first hand just how well my defensive posture is standing up. http://bcheck.scanit.be/bcheck/ Keeping you computer up to date is important. This is only a start.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
mikey
Malware Expert


Joined: 12 Feb 2004
Last Visit: 19 Jun 2013
Posts: 1067
Location: CenTex

PostPosted: Fri Jan 04, 2008 9:21 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Just a bit OT

nx42qr7 wrote:
...I as well test my browser through a browser testing service that enables me to know first hand just how well my defensive posture is standing up. http://bcheck.scanit.be/bcheck/ ...


Here is the only thing they can see from my browser;




While I really think they offer a good service to the community, I hope you don't come away from their site with any false senses. They only test a few things as compared to the hundreds of exploits out there. The thing they do best is make folk aware of the info given away by the browser and for that I thank them. Folks should be aware of the info given away with any connectable...not just the browser.

Jason has some very nice checks at his place too; http://www.jasons-toolbox.com/BrowserSecurity/ He also offers the best scripting control that I know of and I personally did a public comparison a few years ago. http://www.jasons-toolbox.com/programs.asp?Program=Script%20Sentry And it's freeware too. Smile

Also, folks might find the 'browserspy' tests to be of interest; http://gemal.dk/browserspy/

There are many sites around who offer tests of many exploits. I have made a few of them available for DL in one place here; http://forums.voiceofthepublic.com/mikey/index.php?page=9

You might also find my old FYI page of related use for a quick check of what is reported in your headers; http://www.voiceofthepublic.com/FYI/FYI2.shtml I have found that simply munging the user agent as noted in the pic above to defeat many exploits all by itself.

Anyway, I hope this gives the folk reading this more to think about.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Visit poster's website
Lusher
Warrior


Joined: 06 Jul 2007
Last Visit: 23 Feb 2008
Posts: 85

PostPosted: Sat Jan 19, 2008 11:51 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

If you really want to see if you have anything that could be exploited, the best is probably the java based http://secunia.com/software_inspector/ . In my experience, All the other services listed in this thread are totally outdated or are way to slow to respond.

Even better (in terms of apps covered) is the local download https://psi.secunia.com/ , but it is still in beta.

Of course even this only keeps track of a limited subset of apps, but almost all the popular ones are covered.... Of course non-announced vulnerabilities will never be covered... Very Happy
_________________
CastleCops Comprehensive List of freeware security software

CastleCops Comprehensive List of online scanners
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
Display posts from previous:   
Post new topic   Reply to topic    Spyware Warrior Forum Index -> Anti-Spyware and Security Software Discussion All times are GMT - 8 Hours
Page 1 of 1

 
Jump to:  
You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot vote in polls in this forum



smartBlue Style © 2002 Smartor
Powered by phpBB © 2001, 2002 phpBB Group