For those who say they don't need AV because they watch what they download have probably not ever seen a virus enter through a browser exploit. My wife's laptop was running Norton 360 (Bleh) and got SystemGuard 2009 pushed to her computer through a banner ad on the Peopleofwalmart website.
She was running XP SP3 with all the current updates and IE 8. N360 let it sail right on through.
If you really give a crap about your security, get Kaspersky Internet Security.
My second job is working at a computer store and people all the time are like "It can't possibly be a virus, I don't do anything other than surf and use Limewire" DUR!
So why do I see jujafuyu.exe, qabozega.exe, 12938123098123.exe, sysguard.exe and crap running in their task manager?
Viruses are 100x more advanced than what they were 2 or 3 years ago. They hook into the appinitdll section of the registry, security provider keys, winlogon sections, session managers.
They execute as system processes that activate before you even log in that most of the time cannot be terminated by the user and can't be removed from within windows once infected. You have to scan the drive from another computer and if you're lucky it will still boot after you clean it. Then if it does, you probably get all sorts of errors at startup, and may not even have working internet access. Then comes things like lspfix, HJT, and rescanning with MBAM, Superantispyware and Hitmanpro to clear out the bad registry keys.
My suggestions:
1. Kaspersky Internet Security
2. Kaspersky Antivirus
3. Webroot Internet Security
4. Webroot AV with Spysweeper
5. Microsoft Security Essentials (Free and works well)
__________________
Known as Stonent on XDA
Last edited by MrDangerous; July 16th, 2010 at 01:49 AM.
I have Kaspersky Internet Security on my home PC, which is a 3-user copy, so I also installed it on my Mums PC & sisters laptop.
My netbook runs Microsoft Security Essentials, which I actually prefer over AVG now. AVG seems to have gotten a bit "chubby" (or maybe that's just me who thinks it?)
I also run Malwarebytes anti-malware and Super Anti-Spyware regularly on all of the above. Working in support in the past I think I can say with some conviction that one of the best anti-virus protections you can get is quite frankly a little bit of common sense, along with a decent bit of software. Your 2nd cousin thrice removed has sent you an email with a strange attachment out of the blue? Well don't open it you fool! Don't click stupidly titled videos on Facebook. And don't use Limewire!
Very happy with Kaspersky and MSE as a freebie alternative
Microsoft Security Essentials is free and works incredibly. It's removed infections even our corporate Trend Micro missed. That includes a few rootkits. The installer and program are very small especially compared to the bloated and slow AVG. I pair this with Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware and they work well together. The best defense is keeping programs, especially JAVA, Adobe Reader, Adobe Flash, Browsers, etc. up-to-date. Know what you are downloading, what sites your visiting and what emails your opening. If it looks suspicious...it probably is.
Device(s): Samsung Galaxy S II, HTC Evo 4G, Amazon Kindle Fire
Thanks: 52
Thanked 199 Times in 144 Posts
Avast is the best out there and it's free. Norton, Mcafee, and the old school favorite, AVG are all resource boggers now... On top of that, they don't work near as well as some of the other options out there.
As for Malware (including Spyware and Adware), Malwarebytes is the best I have found. It is also free. Another good one for spyware is spybot, but it doesn't cover Adware.
Avast is the best out there and it's free. Norton, Mcafee, and the old school favorite, AVG are all resource boggers now... On top of that, they don't work near as well as some of the other options out there.
As for Malware (including Spyware and Adware), Malwarebytes is the best I have found. It is also free. Another good one for spyware is spybot, but it doesn't cover Adware.
Avast is the one with the broken packages, is it not? I'd hardly consider this to be the best. I've seen a slew of computers come by that can't update Avast because the "package is broken". Not to mention their virus/malware catching ability is decent at best.
Device(s): Samsung Galaxy S II, HTC Evo 4G, Amazon Kindle Fire
Thanks: 52
Thanked 199 Times in 144 Posts
Quote:
Originally Posted by ProgRocker
Avast is the one with the broken packages, is it not? I'd hardly consider this to be the best. I've seen a slew of computers come by that can't update Avast because the "package is broken". Not to mention their virus/malware catching ability is decent at best.
When the made their last major update the packages became broken, ye, but the only thing you needed to do was uninstall it and download the new version from their website. And besides, they fixed the broken packages within a week.
Microsoft Security Essentials is free and works incredibly. It's removed infections even our corporate Trend Micro missed. That includes a few rootkits. The installer and program are very small especially compared to the bloated and slow AVG. I pair this with Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware and they work well together. The best defense is keeping programs, especially JAVA, Adobe Reader, Adobe Flash, Browsers, etc. up-to-date. Know what you are downloading, what sites your visiting and what emails your opening. If it looks suspicious...it probably is.
+1
I have Microsoft Security Essentials on the Bootcamp partition of my Macbook (Windows 7). Doesn't seem to be a memory hog, and you can't beat a zero dollar price tag.
Of course my daily and primary virus defense is much better - OSX
For real though, your browsing habits will be far more efficient in virus prevention than an anti virus. Porn sites, celeb sites, warez sites, etc will all be virus, trojan, malware havens.
I have used AVG and Spybot S&D for years, along with good browsing habits. No problems reported here. I have the auto update and scan run every night while I am sleeping, so speed isnt an issue.
I have tried a number of others, all seem the same to me.
Very important here, Good browsing habits.
I never use virus protection.
Every couple of months I will run trend micro house call, But never find anything.
Make sure you know what your downloading and you wont need anything.
It's just like real life, If stop sleeping around you don't have to use protection.
__________________
Best way to say thanks is by pressing the Thanks button Follow me on Twitter
For a free AV, I always install and recommend to my clients Microsoft Security Essentials.
As for a paid AV, I always install and recommend ESET NOD32 Antivirus.
Along with being an IT tech, I am a malware removal specialist on several well known malware removal forums. Once a user is clean, here is what I recommend they do as far as security goes.
Nice job your log looks clean!
Please use the following suggestions to help prevent reinfection.
Click Yes to beginning the Cleanup process and remove these components, including this application.
You will be asked to reboot the machine to finish the Cleanup process. Choose Yes.
System Restore maintains a backup of your programs and may also backup infections. I recommend using the following link on how to disable and then enable System Restore. Windows XP Windows Vista Windows 7
The following is a list of tools and utilities that I like to suggest to people to help keep from getting infected again. As a note, all of the tools and utilities mentioned are either free or have free versions available.
Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware - A very powerful tool which searches and kills malware that infects your system.
**Tutorial on installing & using this product can be found HERE**
ThreatFire - Great antivirus supplement when using a free security program approach using behavior-based security.
**Tutorial on installing & using this product can be found HERE**
FileHippo.com Update Checker - Stay up to date on all of your applications with this powerful tool that will scan, detect, check, and secure the applications installed on your computer.
WOT Web of Trust - Warns you about risky websites that try to scam visitors, deliver malware or send spam. Protect your computer against online threats by using WOT as your front-line layer of protection when browsing or searching in unfamiliar territory.
MVPS Hosts file - This handy download replaces your current HOSTS file with one containing well known ad sites and other bad/malicous sites. This prevents your computer from connecting to those sites by redirecting them to 127.0.0.1 which is your local computer, meaning it will be difficult to infect yourself in the future.
TFC Cleaner - Great tool to help speed up your computer and knock out malware that like to reside in temporary folders.
Firewall A firewall is very important program in order to protect your computer from hackers. I notice that you don't have one installed! Therefore I recommend Online Armor, PC Tools Firewall Plus, or Outpost.
**Tutorial on Firewalls can be found HERE**
Internet Browser - Internet Explorer is not the safest nor the fastest internew browser anymore. There are way better alternatives out there that are faster, more secure, and have many more useful features. I recommend Opera or Google Chrome
It is important to run only one of each type of protection program in resident mode at a time since conflicts can make them less effective. This would mean only one resident antivirus, firewall and scanning type of anti-spyware. Programs like Spyware Blaster and MBAM do not conflict with any of these since they don't have a real time scanning engine that would conflict.
Windows Updates - It is highly recommended to make sure that both Internet Explorer and Windows are kept current with the latest critical security patches from Microsoft. To do this just start Internet Explorer and select Tools > Windows Update, and follow the online instructions from there.
I use avast free. Great program and auto updates. Malware anti-malware bytes is a great compliment to any antivirus program. Also, try spybot search and destroy it is still a pretty alright program.
After problems with Norton I changed to BitDefender 2 years ago. I've found it excellent and my desktop has been running fine since. I've just had a new PC delivered today so when I get home tonight then first thing I need to do is add on anti virus. 2 months free Norton is offered, and I'm tempted to give it another shot however if I do am I going to have to spend hours removing all the guff it dumps in your system??
Same here. I went to BitDefender after Norton completely screwed up my computer(took a day to get it back to normal). I now have BitDefender on all the computers in the house.
BTW, BitDefender is running a special until 8/19(?). License for 3 computer for 2 years at around $60 - $70. I stumbled upon it since I have a new computer as well and need another license.
Having been an avid Linux user for the past 10 years it's been a long long time since I've had to think about virus protection at home.
Due to job changes it looks like I'm gonna need a laptop running MS Windows 7 so have been looking at virus protection. The Microsoft Security Essentials actually seems pretty good and is very light weight. Of the paid brands it seems the current leader is ESET NOD32. I think I will be running them side by side for a while to see what they catch.
I see a lot of people in here saying a firewall on your PC is essential but as an IT Administrator I can tell you it's really not. Running a software firewall will just use pointless resources on your PC. The firewall should be at the bridge between your local network and the outside world. Most home routers come with a firewall built in so use it. Having 2 firewalls does not make you safer if a port is blocked at the first firewall, it's blocked, full stop. Blocking it at a second soft firewall on your PC will be pointless. I would suggest to enable the Windows firewall (if you use Windows) but don't install a 3rd party firewall just for the hell of it as all you'll be doing is using additional resources.
I would suggest you to use Norton Antivirus. It has a firewall between two walls and protects your PC against rootkits, by which the system can detect unwanted files. This will block all sites infected with viruses and also do all suspicious or unauthorized changes to your applications.
Most of my useful experience, for what it's worth was derived from my negative experiences with computer security software more than positive. This is because most positive experiences seem to be based on absence of evidence. There's really no way to be sure whether a good security application is doing it's job, or just reassuring you all the way along.
When I read testimonials about such products, and most of the positive comments are based on: "nothing happened, so I feel safe," that's pretty much worthless to me, because its based on absence of evidence. Most of the negative comments are based on real experiences. If security software is truly doing battle with malware, there should be more evidence than "potential issue blocked," but some actual dialog about the specific threat, and how it was stopped.
Since it's only the really sloppy and bad malware that shows its presence, the good ones reside on your system unnoticed, waiting for a chance to steal your personal information, a second-rate security app merely has to look like its doing its job, and keep reassuring you that "all is well." You never really know how well it works until your computer is locking up, your bank account has been compromised, or all your friends got sent a link to a website in Libya.
After problems with Norton I changed to BitDefender 2 years ago. I've found it excellent and my desktop has been running fine since. I've just had a new PC delivered today so when I get home tonight then first thing I need to do is add on anti virus. 2 months free Norton is offered, and I'm tempted to give it another shot however if I do am I going to have to spend hours removing all the guff it dumps in your system??
I dumped Bit Defender a few years ago and went to Kaspersky because I was disgusted with the way Bit Defender was always finding issues, and declaring "no action possible" and then referring me to a website where I could "read about it." I was not happy with this.
I'm having second thoughts about Bit Defender nowadays, because it's possible that Bit Defender was actually tackling issues that other security apps were just ignoring. It's too easy for a security app to ignore issues it can't fix, and to constantly reassure the user that "all is well." I'm starting to believe that this is the game being played by some of the popular internet security apps.
I think the real benchmarks should be based on how much is caught in the net, not simply whether all seems to be well based on nothing being caught. I would like to see the real stats comparing the effectiveness of all the major internet security apps, based on the number of threats they actually block and deal with.
I'd like to know where I could find such information.
For those who say they don't need AV because they watch what they download have probably not ever seen a virus enter through a browser exploit.
I run Windows 7 without any AV. But then I'm not surfing with it and only use Windows when I absolutely have to, such as to run Samsung's Kies software for my Galaxy S phone.
Thats about the only serious out in the wild (not proof of concept) malware threat to OS X that I know of. If one does not do illegal warez, then IMO one is totally safe using OS X without any AV.
