Anti Spyware/virus/adware Etc

[Bubba Bob]

Last year when I got in a mess with a virus and had to post up an HJT to remove it, I realized something. AVG, was worthless. Not just AVG though, any antivirus Ive ever used never completly got rid of a virus. Mcafee, Norton, Avast... Anytime I got a virus I would have to go in a remove it manually. So logically, why have them? Ive been with out "protection" for over a year now with ZERO problems. No anti virus/anti adware/blah blah... No PC slow downs while anything updates or scans or checks or... you get the point. I see no real benefit of using them now, as all they are good for (to me) is to let me know I have a virus.

Discuss/Thoughts?

Im sure some of yall are doing the same... right?

Edited April 5, 2008 by Bubba Bob

[JSKY]

Well. Other then a Firewall, Avast Virus Protection and Microsofts Defender. I don't use any of the others.

[blim]

I think a big key is careful surfing.......but if anyone else uses your computer, it's probably best to have some protection. No one is gonna respect your idiotbox like you do yourself. Thinking of last week when 10 year old niece was playing "Barbie-sites" online and got a couple pop-ups (thank God she got me and didn't click on them!)

Liz

[The Dragon Slayer]

I have the same thought lately because AVG keeps tagging MSOOBE a trojanhorse. I googled the result and found that MSOOBE was a system file for product activation if it's in the system32 folder which it was. AVG automatically heals it which means that I've to restored it. I also double checked running a Housecall online scan which found nothing. With all the different scanning softwares that I use, they always only find a few cookies for me to delete. With careful surfing and cloning my harddrive, I may just do what you've done. If I ever get a virus, I just switch the cable and I'm back to business.

[TheTerrorist_75]

I believe in Panda. I will usually surf different sites when reading HJT logs to see how someone became infected. Panda has stopped a lot of malware cold. I still scan with AdAware 2007 twice a month and usually it only finds one MRU. Now and then I double check by running most of the online scans from Kaspersky, Eset and Panda ActiveScan. My PC has stayed clean for the last seven years since I started using Panda. I also like it's firewall because I can disable/enable all programs inbound and outbound connections.

I also use SpywareBlaster. I used to use the MVPs Host file but it was causing connection issues with some of my tech sites that I belong to. Why it does that I have never found out.

[bozodog]

I run Avast.

Yep that's it. Of course, we are behind a router. So Avast is only for my e-mail.

[deaf_girl]

I used Panda for a while and never really had any problems. I'm currently using ESET Nod32 and have to say I really like it. It's lightweight and hasn't let any thing in.

I think Newegg is selling the OEM version for $20.00 right now

[shanenin]

I fully agree, they all suck. I don't have any faith in them. Half of my computer business is cleaning computers of spyware that are "fully protected" with various anti-malware products. I am reluctant to sell any products in my shop. People will still get infected then quietly blame me for their problem and not call back for future business.

If clients ask my advice I usually will recommend spyweeper with antivirus, but tell them it WILL miss stuff. I tell them the best thing they can do is not to install anything they find free on the web unless it is from a reputable company. You can have the best commercial product in the world, but with bad web habits you WILL get infected.

For what its worth, I don't use any product on my main workstation.

[hitest]

I fully agree, they all suck. I don't have any faith in them.

Agreed. I don't run Windows at home, but, do have a few Windows boxes at work. I run the commercial version of NAV, Ad Aware 2007, Spybot S&D. I scan the units on a regular basis and I do practice safe surfing:-)

[Pete_C]

Last year when I got in a mess with a virus and had to post up an HJT to remove it, I realized something. AVG, was worthless. Not just AVG though, any antivirus Ive ever used never completly got rid of a virus. Mcafee, Norton, Avast... Anytime I got a virus I would have to go in a remove it manually. So logically, why have them? Ive been with out "protection" for over a year now with ZERO problems. No anti virus/anti adware/blah blah... No PC slow downs while anything updates or scans or checks or... you get the point. I see no real benefit of using them now, as all they are good for (to me) is to let me know I have a virus.

Discuss/Thoughts?

Im sure some of yall are doing the same... right?

I have always been of the opinion that if you get a virus; that after you use an automated tool or antivirus program to remove it ; it is still very important that you go to the antivirus programs database and check their manual removal instructions to see if there are additional follow up steps to ensure that you have removed all the components and reversed all the changes.

Sure, most folks feel that running the removal tool alone is sufficient and that it should totally remove and reverse the changes; but this is often not so. Often you must restore registry keys it has deleted, change permissions it altered back etc.

This is why malware removal experts rarely just tell you to "fix it with hijackthis" or to use one tool. They have you run tools which reveal the changed items and then tell you how to fix what they discover.

They may use a tool which ennumerates specific locations , or one which lists files and folders created recently and when they were created and then notes any changes made to registry and dates. Often the only way to properly identify the changes is by identifying one entry and looking at everything else with the same date and time modification.

So , the best thing is not to get infected in the first place.

Here such things as the TeaTimer in spybot which monitors your registry and asks approval when something tries to change it and real time scanners which scan all incoming traffic and heuristic scanners which look at the behavior of files and halt virus like activity until you approve it all come in handy.

Free can be good, but is rarely complete. IE what one paid Internet security suite will do well may take four or five free applications to come close .

For example; Avast antivirus, Spybot S&D with TeaTimer enabled, a firewall http://www.iopus.com/guides/free-firewall.htm enabled and router, Threatfire http://www.threatfire.com/ or PCTools freeware version of SpywareDoctorhttp://www.pctools.com/spyware-doctor/download/ (The starter version available with the google pack), and an anti trojan (The AVG anti spyware , formerly ewido is a good anti trojan, but the real time protection guard ends after thirty days leaving you wide open)(A2 has no real time protection, Windows defender is better than nothing, Trojan Hunter http://www.anti-trojan-software-reviews.co...ojan-hunter.htm is also best used to scan things you have downloaded before you install).(NOte threatfire and PC-Tools Spyware Doctor starter edition do offer realtime anti trojan scanning).

Or you can go with an inclusive security suite, I like Bit Defender internet security, F-Secure internet security ; but any of the big boy internet security suites now is fairly inclusive. The problem is that there are more than just viruses out there.

[Honda_Boy]

RARELY have I ever gotten a virus but AVG saved my first self built PC's hide once. My brother was home and decided to check his email while he was there and wound up unleashing 2 viruses on my system. Norton died immediately (that's when I realized Norton was worthless). I installed AVG real quick. It couldn't update but it was enough to stop and delete the viruses. System restore back one week and all was well.

Now I run AVG Free, AdAware 2007, and Spybot S&D on both my laptop and desktop. I use Vista's firewall for the laptop but I use right now, COMODO Firewall Pro on the desktop. I'm still trying to decide if I like it or not. Aside from that, I'm on a router. I practice safe surfing but occasionally I wind up somewhere that has me skeptical so Spybot and AdAware help me out. AVG is just there as a precaution for email or what have you. I know it's not incredibly useful but I always abide by "Better Safe Than Sorry". It's like wearing a seat belt. Some think, "naw, I ain't gonna wreck so why wear it?". I always wear mine, I always use anti-virus.... that's not Norton or McAfee. I can also compare to it to other "protection" but that's not quite appropriate on here

Also I use my PC's to scan "client" hard drives here and there. Friends and such that have infected systems, I'll put their drive into one of my systems as a slave and scan them with AVG to clean them up. That saved my friend's wife's PC. Scanned and cleaned the drive, put it back in the system it came from and voila, it was running more or less like new.

Edited April 8, 2008 by Honda_Boy

[KimslanD]

Scanning a drive as Slave will not pick up registry issues.

But I must give two points of view on this topic

1.

It is best to always advise users to use an updated AntiVirus and a good firewall

I say this, because other reading this thread may say, "well besttechie.net said I don't need it"

Which may cause some backlash here from disgruntled members

In saying that, as any Malware specialist is aware, no one Antivirus or spyware protection will help all, with the exception of hitmanpro.com (not to be confused with the old hitmanpro known spyware program)

But hitmanpro.com, actually also uses many tools to remove 99% of all Virus/Trojan etc etc.. So again, it's not actually a single program. (just an automatic, little user input program, again using many 3rd party applications)

2.

Ironically I must agree with the responsible Safe Surfing practice, usually (in most cases) does not show any signs of Virus or Spyware on a users computer. How often has anyone had their Antivirus popup with Virus found, unless downloading or visiting non "safe" sites. Put it this way, I visit all over the place and mine doesn't.

Yes I have had Viruses on my system before, but this was back in the days of when I was searching music and games sites. Actually the biggest culprit of them all is p0rn sites (as I'm sure most are aware)

In saying that, if you do decide not to run Antivirus (or any good protection) make sure that all your data is backed up externally; and I wouldn't recommend doing credit card transactions without a good firewall.

But if all data is securely backed up, and you are not visiting the less savoury sites, then I cannot see much issue with doing this. It does help to have your computer fully imaged for quick restore though just in case

Be aware that to return an image back to your HardDrive, usually takes about 30mins (without the data)

I use Ghost, but Acronis True Image and Drive Image have better reviews.

Just one other relevant point (more!)

There are many free Linux boot CDs that can be used to fully surf the Internet safely. You don't even need a HardDrive!!

If users are just surfing the net, and not exactly downloading. You cannot go past Live Linux CDs (No Antivirus required!)

Please continue with your topic, sorry to interrupt.

[Bubba Bob]

It is best to always advise users to use an updated AntiVirus and a good firewall

I say this, because other reading this thread may say, "well besttechie.net said I don't need it"

You raise a good point.

To new or inexperienced PC users, please use a good anti spyware and antivirus. Using a computer on the internet is like riding a bike, it takes a while before you can do it safely, and even then you still fall down once in a while.

[shanenin]

I was kind of guilty of saying that. I was trying to stress that good surfing habits are more important then any anti-malware program.

[Matt]

In saying that, as any Malware specialist is aware, no one Antivirus or spyware protection will help all, with the exception of hitmanpro.com

Heh, a bit confident in a service are we?

I wouldn't recommend doing credit card transactions without a good firewall.

What?? When you do a credit card transaction over the internet, your security doesn't rest in the hands of your firewall, it rests in the site's encryption. If you do insecure credit card or banking online, anyone who sits en route between you and the site can pick up your information, regardless of a firewall.

Anyway... Yes, a firewall is one of the most important security measures you can take. Hardware or software, windows or third-party, you just need one. Otherwise, you're sitting open for an attack.

As for malware scanning software: I don't use them. I have AVG on my Windows machine but nothing else. I haven't run an anti-spyware program in years. However, I have tested MalwareBytes Anti-Malware, and it does look promising.

The main point is that malware changes so much faster than automated tools ever will be able to (with definition-based scanning anyway).

[tjet]

Don't forget that no matter what the program you must know how to use it.

A warning box pops up and wants you to give or deny permission.

If you don't know what to select the best will not protect you.

[Andro1d]

I have used ESET Smart Security since it was in BETA, and I have had no problems at all. I highly recommend it.