malware/spyware/virus replacement

Forums › Desktop computing › malware/spyware/virus replacement

MooPoo

251 posts

Ultimate Geek

#74987 11-Jan-2011 11:05

Currently i use MSE for virus protection but what do people here use for resident protection from malware/spyware etc?

I can google and find products, but I am after recommendations from people who use these programs please.

I could put spybot etc on but they really only do a scan when you tell them to, and probably wont work if you pick up a malware bug Like my brother in law did recently.

Im after a program that will stop the malware etc coming in.

Are there any decent free programs around? I know of malwarebytes but the free version doesnt do real time protection and thats what i am after.

Cheers

A computer lets you make more mistakes faster than any invention in human history - with the possible exceptions of handguns and tequila.

--------------------------------------------

Earthquakes. Shift Happens.

1 | 2

Geek @ Coastguard NZ
13765 posts

Uber Geek

Retired Mod

ID Verified

Trusted

Lifetime subscriber

#426052 11-Jan-2011 11:17

Long as youre running a decent AV package, then you should be fine. I run Comodo AV and havent had any form of malware etc come in and anything suspect gets stopped by the AV.

Gavin / xpd / FastRaccoon / Geek of Coastguard New Zealand

LinkTree

freitasm

BDFL - Memuneh
79250 posts

Uber Geek

Administrator

ID Verified

Trusted

Geekzone

Lifetime subscriber

#426054 11-Jan-2011 11:26

It seems this same topic surfaces every few weeks...

Last week I posted a list of free antimalware tools in my blog.

Also previous discussions (all in the first two pages in the forums):

http://www.geekzone.co.nz/forums.asp?forumid=50&topicid=73046

http://www.geekzone.co.nz/forums.asp?forumid=50&topicid=73634

http://www.geekzone.co.nz/forums.asp?forumid=50&topicid=72350

BlakJak

1275 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

#426056 11-Jan-2011 11:28

I read the subject and wondered if the word 'detection' or perhaps 'prevention' was missing...

/me ducks

No signature to see here, move along...

MooPoo

251 posts

Ultimate Geek

#426144 11-Jan-2011 14:40

I have read those posts, thanks Freitism

everyone is saying how good MSE is but its what was on my BIL comp when it got infected twice, so how good can it be really?

MooPoo

251 posts

Ultimate Geek

#426145 11-Jan-2011 14:41

BlakJak: I read the subject and wondered if the word 'detection' or perhaps 'prevention' was missing...

/me ducks

It was left out on purpose so i could get peoples opinions and not be passed over as another "whats out there" post.

Rather its a "what do you use" post.

Jaxson

8041 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

#426151 11-Jan-2011 14:51

MooPoo: "what do you use" post.

I've been using that Antivir free antivirus for years and never ever had a problem. It doesn't seem that popular (didn't make Freitisms list for example) but it's consistently up there or past AVGs free offering in most tests.

Malwarebytes seems to be the lastest in fashion product. I liked Spybots immunise feature, but I honestly don't know if that does anything! Ad aware used to be great but is so resource hungry and slow now.

I've heard of that CWshredder and Hitman pro is it? Mostly you go looking and find these things when you have a serious problem yourself. Father in law got hit by the system tool trogan last week. Have to dip the USB drive in bleach after that one.

Sorry, there doesn't seem to be a lot of live protection options when you're only looking for free products.

BlakJak

1275 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

#426152 11-Jan-2011 14:52

MooPoo:
BlakJak: I read the subject and wondered if the word 'detection' or perhaps 'prevention' was missing...

/me ducks

It was left out on purpose so i could get peoples opinions and not be passed over as another "whats out there" post.

Rather its a "what do you use" post.

The Answer for me is MSE + Firefox + NoScript

Have not had an issue yet. But I suppose i'm not an average user, either.

No signature to see here, move along...

Equinox IT

Cloud spending continues to surge globally, but most organisations haven’t made the changes necessary to maximise the value and cost-efficiency benefits of their cloud investments. Download the whitepaper From Overspend to Advantage now.

freitasm

BDFL - Memuneh
79250 posts

Uber Geek

Administrator

ID Verified

Trusted

Geekzone

Lifetime subscriber

#426155 11-Jan-2011 14:54

Every AV will let something pass. It's a combination of software and behaviour. Does your friend install everything he sees, click every link from every email he receives? If yes, the chances of getting an infection are bigger...

MooPoo

251 posts

Ultimate Geek

#426157 11-Jan-2011 14:58

Jaxson: Sorry, there doesn't seem to be a lot of live protection options when you're only looking for free products.

I have been looking and found a program called "spyware terminator". Its free and says it gives "100% realtime protection"

time will tell i guess.

www.spywareterminator.com

it also does anvtivirus if you want it but I haven t enabled that part of it. still using MSE

oxnsox

1923 posts

Uber Geek

#426162 11-Jan-2011 15:14

AV / Malware / Spyware protection represent just one side of the issue... how you use your machine is the other.

What ever options you choose won't stop you having a problem if you rummage in the dubious backwaters of the net...... just as having your seatbelt on won't stop you having an accident..

I prefer a mix and don't rely totally on a single solution. And I clear my cache regularly... (and make backups).

powerforce

162 posts

Master Geek

#426166 11-Jan-2011 15:21

Iv been thinking about paying the $25 or however much it is to get the full version of malwarebytes.
Seems pretty cheap considering its a 1 off payment, not a subscription.

1080p

1332 posts

Uber Geek
Inactive user

#426271 11-Jan-2011 19:36

You cannot beat the CommonSense Inc. line of products. People claim they are everywhere but finding them can be difficult at times.

thorax

75 posts

Master Geek

#426273 11-Jan-2011 19:49

Theres always a few zero day vulns going around so I guess if you are targeted there's not much you can do about it, best protection is to stay away from dodgy sites and adopt a zero trust policy.

MooPoo

251 posts

Ultimate Geek

#426332 11-Jan-2011 23:32

thorax: best protection is to stay away from dodgy sites and adopt a zero trust policy.

This works well when the people doing it know what to stay away from in the first place. Unfortunately lots of people don't.

Damager

2125 posts

Uber Geek

#426341 11-Jan-2011 23:51

MSE here, never had a problem on 2 desktops and 3 laptops on the same network. i have visitors jumping on all of them at one point or another. i'm very careful but no doubt they get to some dodgy websites and files but i have never ever had any problems. it's been years since i've had a serious virus.

- Telstra HTC Touch Pro2 - Energy ROM WM6.5.5 20 Oct/Cyanogen Mod Froyo 2.2 - R.I.P
- AT&T Galaxy S Captivate 16GB on XT (now with brother)
- Samsung Galaxy S2 on XT- Runs ICS 4.0.3 Resurrection Remix 9.2
- Business Hours - Work In The Electricity Industry, After Hours - DJ/Turntablist - Will Scratch Vinyl For Free'
- What's next??? S3?

1 | 2