These are the apps that I have been using on my personal computer and I have had no issues with them and I have yet to be infected by any sort of malware.
Anti-Spyware
Anti-Virus
Anti-Rootkit
Scanning:
These are the apps that I have been using on my personal computer and I have had no issues with them and I have yet to be infected by any sort of malware.
Anti-Spyware
Anti-Virus
Anti-Rootkit
Scanning:
For cleanups on other pc's I use SuperAntispyware and Dr Web's Cureit as starters.
Runscanner and or Hijackthis if needed.
On my own systems Sandboxie, Returnil and Ghost Images/Clones are mainstays.
I'd add Secunia Personal Software Inspector to that list. If it can be categorized as security software. In any way a useful tool to monitor your sotware for the latest updates. Checks for Windows & Office updates as well. https://psi.secunia.com/
This is good utility to close some pesky Windows ports: http://www.firewallleaktester.com/wwdc.htm
NOTES:
-Do not close NetBIOS, or you might lose your internet connection. Instead use this method.
-Utility doesn't work with 9x.
Have to add Superantispyware to that list.
Also MVPS hosts file, and Hostsman to manage same.
Heartily endorse Secunia software inspector.
A question:
Does the Ewido micro scanner require a huge definitions update each time it's opened? (My download appears to do this, in a similar way to Cureit, but about 3 X the size.)
Spyware Guard is OLD OLD OLD. I dont think they plan to do anything with it either.
I feel like all I do is say the same things over and over but here it goes:
AV: AVG,Avast, OR Antivir.
Firewall: Windows firewall(dont bother with others)
Antispyware: Superantispyware(AVG too but it may not be around much longer)
Real time antispyware: Dont bother but if you must Defender isn't so bad. It will at least warn you about changes to specific parts of the system and doesn't cause slow downs.(I actually installed it again on one pc with no change it boot time or performance.)
Other: Spywareblaster, Firefox+Adblock(no script if you can stand it)
Dont bother with anything else. It just leads to head aches and problems.
These are the apps that I have been using on my personal computer and I have had no issues with them and I have yet to be infected by any sort of malware.
Anti-Spyware
Scanning:
Protection:
Anti-Virus
Scanning:
Protection:
Anti-Rootkit
Scanning:
I noticed you list F Secure Blacklight for Anti-Rootkit. Are you paying for that. I was using the free tool they had but that was discontinued last year.
The title of this thread is misleading. Should say 'favorite' instead of 'best'.
I noticed you list F Secure Blacklight for Anti-Rootkit. Are you paying for that. I was using the free tool they had but that was discontinued last year.
I went to the link and it's free again. It was a highly rated Anti-Rootkit scanner especially for people that are not familiar with rootkits because it is very simple to use. It was recommended on many anti malware sites. This is the first I have heard that it is available again.
I use AVG Free on one system and Avast on the others.Spyware Guard is OLD OLD OLD. I dont think they plan to do anything with it either.
I feel like all I do is say the same things over and over but here it goes:
AV: AVG,Avast, OR Antivir.
My DSL modem has a built in firewall.Firewall: Windows firewall(dont bother with others)
I tried them but they never found anything except cookies that I want.Antispyware: Superantispyware(AVG too but it may not be around much longer)
I use Windows Defender.Real time antispyware: Dont bother but if you must Defender isn't so bad. It will at least warn you about changes to specific parts of the system and doesn't cause slow downs.(I actually installed it again on one pc with no change it boot time or performance.)
I use it.Other: Spywareblaster
I don't like Firefox.Firefox+Adblock(no script if you can stand it)
True except I use HostsMan with HostsServer, hpHOSTS and MVPS HOSTS files and WinPatrol PLUS because I know what they do and how they protect my systems.Dont bother with anything else. It just leads to head aches and problems.
I feel like all I do is say the same things over and over but here it goes:
AV: AVG,Avast, OR Antivir.
Which are you currently using? I'm still using AVG free, it's kept me virus free for years now and I've no reason to change but I'm not looking forward to the new version
I'm still using AVG free, it's kept me virus free for years now and I've no reason to change but I'm not looking forward to the new version
Same here. I hope they don't mess this up. It looks like they will be a while in releasing the free version any ways. They will get the pro version running smooth first. That gives you some time to see how it's going. Who knows maybe they will come through and release a great app that is an improvement over the current version.
Which are you currently using? I'm still using AVG free, it's kept me virus free for years now and I've no reason to change but I'm not looking forward to the new version
My preference is still AVG. Its always done its thing with no fuss.
I'm waiting for the new version as well. I hope they dont make it bloated, thats my biggest concern. If they do I'll probably start using antivir.
My DSL modem has a built in firewall.
My router does but I also have a laptop. Trust me you want the windows firewall on while using a public network:
http://forum.piriform.com/index.php?showtopic=14809
I don't like Firefox.
For me its a toss up between firefox and IE7 with the pro add on. The only thing that honestly keeps me using FF is live bookmarks. I do not like the way IE7 does RSS feeds. I just want to see headlines, not a special page with the whole stories on it? Not much point in that.
True except I use HostsMan with HostsServer, hpHOSTS and MVPS HOSTS files and WinPatrol PLUS because I know what they do and how they protect my systems.
I actually do like winpatrol. However he said free and the free version of winpatrol is sort of crippled. Instead of telling you about changes instantly it only does so after the fact. I never really compared it to what defender is monitoring or what the free spybot teatimer does but its probably all monitoring the same things(start ups, active x, bhos, ect.) Why pay for what you can get free.(Even the database is sort of worthless considering all that info is available from google searches.)
I quit using host files since all I wanted them for was to block ads. Now IE7 pro is out and firefox has adblock.
My preference is still AVG. Its always done its thing with no fuss.I'm waiting for the new version as well. I hope they dont make it bloated, thats my biggest concern. If they do I'll probably start using antivir.
Does Antivir still have problems with updates? There was a lot of problems with definition updates.
Does Antivir still have problems with updates? There was a lot of problems with definition updates.
I don't/haven't ever had problems with it.
I have seen the download be sort of slow but for the benefits a slow definition file download is tolerable(in my opinion anyway).
SpywareGumrd is meant to be used in addition to an anti-spyware program, not in place of one. And yes, it does help. I use F-Secure BlackLight, the free edition, because it still helps in finding rootkits. Sorry for the misleading title, but only the best security freeware will be added to the initial post. And for the rest of you, quit whining and just be grateful that there are posts like this. They are useful to some people, especially those who are new to freeware.
I use the Windows firewall on my XP systems but the venerable old WinME system only has the modem firewall for protection but I don't use it much any more.My router does but I also have a laptop. Trust me you want the windows firewall on while using a public network:
I use the IE7Pro add on but I don't use the RSS feed in IE at all.For me its a toss up between firefox and IE7 with the pro add on. The only thing that honestly keeps me using FF is live bookmarks. I do not like the way IE7 does RSS feeds. I just want to see headlines, not a special page with the whole stories on it? Not much point in that.
I have used FeedDemon but I'm not into RSS much yet.
Yea but by using the PLUS version the information is only one click away.I actually do like winpatrol. However he said free and the free version of winpatrol is sort of crippled. Instead of telling you about changes instantly it only does so after the fact. I never really compared it to what defender is monitoring or what the free spybot teatimer does but its probably all monitoring the same things(start ups, active x, bhos, ect.) Why pay for what you can get free.(Even the database is sort of worthless considering all that info is available from google searches.)
By the way, I received the PLUS version update for free because I recommended WinPatrol wherever I go.
Yea but with the HOST file the request do not even leave your system thus not incurring un-necessary network traffic.I quit using host files since all I wanted them for was to block ads. Now IE7 pro is out and firefox has adblock.
Its all about what one is comfortable with
I can't even upload a pic of what I'm talking about as the upload size is so limiting and I don't want to get into ImageShack slow service.
Spyware Guard is OLD OLD OLD. I dont think they plan to do anything with it either.
I emailed them makers of SpywareGuard and asked if they had any plans of releasing more updates to it, and they emailed me back with a link to a post on their site. The post clearly states that yes, it is outdated, but if used in addition to an anti-spyware program, it still helps prevent infection. It isn't meant to be used by itself.
SpywareGumrd is meant to be used in addition to an anti-spyware program, not in place of one. And yes, it does help.
It doesn't do anything the average antispyware application doesn't do. Not much point in running 2 programs for the same thing unless you like slow computers.
And for the rest of you, quit whining and just be grateful that there are posts like this. They are useful to some people, especially those who are new to freeware.
Their are a few thousand topics just like this one on here.