andrew1263 Posted March 23, 2006 Share Posted March 23, 2006 Hello. I am currently using McAfee Security Center, Ad-Aware SE Personal, and SpyDoctor. I've posted my HiJackThis Log for review too. I don't think I have good Anti-Spyware/Anti-Virus programs because I always find the same stuff problems. So i'm looking for a new program to use. Seems like everyone uses Avast, Anti-Vir, and eTrust. Any suggestions? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cww Posted March 23, 2006 Share Posted March 23, 2006 Asking which is 'the best' product may be a bit contentious - I suspect different folk may chip in with their opinion as to what is best, although it's probably a bit like asking "how long is a piece of string?" The products you're using are all recognised as competent in their field. Although I wouldn't choose McAfee, it's pretty sound - but then most anti-virus programs are. So I think you'll probably be quite OK with a freebie such as AVG (altho un-installing McAfee might be a b*tch). Um, take it the McAfee Security Centre includes a firewall? If not, try Sunbelt-Kerio or ZoneAlarm freebies (only have one actually running). There's a few other reputable products you could use, such as SpywareBlaster, ewido (free or commercial), WinPatrol, a HOSTS file, etc. Bearing in mind that you are already using competent products, do you visit the darker side of the web? I'm not knocking what you do/where you go, just curious why you're having probs when you're using pretty decent stuff already. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
krit86lr Posted March 23, 2006 Share Posted March 23, 2006 Hi Andrew1263. Welcome. Cww gave you good suggestions of programs to use (in addition to what you are already using). But winpatrol isn't freeware so I haven't used that, but I do hear good things about it. I have more additions to add. Your choices for security are fine, but you should have more. I wouldn't feel secure only using those 3 programs. I personally use 8 programs + hardware firewall. You could replace McAfee with eTrust to lighten resource use on your computer. The first year of service is free. eTrust First of all, use everything that is listed in the Spyware Removal Guide. There is one bad link in the guide. Microsoft Antispyware is now Windows Defender. One thing that isn't mentioned is DSOStop2. The good thing about this one is that you turn it on once, and never need to do anything with it again. Also, make sure that you are using a secure browser. If you are using IE you should switch to FireFox. Opera is good too. Remember to update your software before running them, and scan your computer often. I personally run a few scans once a week, and do intense scanning once a month. Still haven't ever found anything on my computer. Also, be careful which sites you download from. Here are some safe sites Softpedia - FileHippo - MajorGeeks - Very Good Site (when you click the link you will recognize the name of the site. The site isn't finished yet, but it's a great place for downloads). As for your firewall. Read this thread, and make your choice. You can test both out to see which one works best for also. ZoneAlarm - Outpost Happy, safe surfing! Windows Pro Media 8.1 x64 | 8GB Ram | 500G HDD 7200 RPM | All that I know about my graphics is that it's Intel Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
krit86lr Posted March 23, 2006 Share Posted March 23, 2006 I forgot one more thing. SpywareBlaster is definitely a handy tool (this was suggested by ccw). But it isn't a scanner so you need to remember to update then re-enable all protection. I check for updates about once a month, but I'm not sure what the recommendation is for how often you should check for updates. Windows Pro Media 8.1 x64 | 8GB Ram | 500G HDD 7200 RPM | All that I know about my graphics is that it's Intel Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cww Posted March 23, 2006 Share Posted March 23, 2006 Ah, there's two versions of WinPatrol, a free version and an enhanced commercial version. I'm not sure WinPatrol is an essential item, but it's useful and seems to work without problem. SpywareBlaster, as krit86lr said, isn't a scanner which detects and deletes spyware on your pc, it's designed to stop it getting on there in the first place. Great idea and seems to be pretty effective. Don't throw away your anti-spyware apps though! I found Microsoft Windows AntiSpyware to be a bit buggy so, as you've got SpyDoctor and Ad-Aware, I personally wouldn't bother with Windows Defender, unless you want to drop SpyDoctor and use a freebie instead. However, while most freebies are just about at good as the commercial products, anti-spyware apps are one area where I think it's worth paying for one (and using a freebie as well). But that's a personal opinion. It's possible to make IE far more secure by adding Enough-is-Enough from Eric L Howes - but it makes IE a bit of a pain to use. Like krit86lr said, get Firefox (or Opera) - both free. As for firewalls, Outpost Pro is very effective - but I wouldn't necessarily recommend it to anyone who isn't fairly well aquainted with firewalls. It does work 'out of the box' but there are lots of options - great for those who know what they are doing, maybe confusing to mere mortals (such as me). Outpost free I don' think is so good, probably nowhere near as good as ZoneAlarm free. Just, there's something I like about ZoneAlarm - can't really put my finger on it. The Sunbelt-Kerio firewall possibly isn't quite as effective as ZA but it's good and, by all accounts, easy to use. CounterSpy is also pretty good - started life as a licensed version of Giant, which MS bought out and re-named Windows AntiSpyware (now Defender), at that point Sunbelt went their own way with it. Gets good reviews. All JMO Going to check out DSOStop2 - like the sound of that! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
krit86lr Posted March 23, 2006 Share Posted March 23, 2006 I definitely agree about Windows Defender being buggy. Personally, I keep it disabled. I only enable it when I do my instense scanning, or before posting a HJT log. Can't help you with the firewall thing. Unless you're willing to spend $60 or so, and get a hardware firewall. It's definitely worth it. Windows Pro Media 8.1 x64 | 8GB Ram | 500G HDD 7200 RPM | All that I know about my graphics is that it's Intel Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cww Posted March 23, 2006 Share Posted March 23, 2006 I've heard hardware firewalls are about foolproof but I've never got a round tuit. I take it that, once you've got it, that's it? Or do you have to update them (sorry if that's a dumb question). Just I was thinking - if you buy a firewall, not only is there the initial outlay, there's also the yearly subscriptions. Of course, being foolproof is one thing - I'd need it to be idiot proof as well Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
krit86lr Posted March 23, 2006 Share Posted March 23, 2006 I've heard hardware firewalls are about foolproof but I've never got a round tuit. I take it that, once you've got it, that's it? Or do you have to update them (sorry if that's a dumb question). Just I was thinking - if you buy a firewall, not only is there the initial outlay, there's also the yearly subscriptions. Of course, being foolproof is one thing - I'd need it to be idiot proof as well You update them for free on the manufacturer website. The only time that configuration might get tricky is if you have a network. Otherwise it's easy. It comes with a CD that sets it up for you. There isn't a subscription cost. You buy it, and that's the only cost. Mine was about $60 with the rebate. Windows Pro Media 8.1 x64 | 8GB Ram | 500G HDD 7200 RPM | All that I know about my graphics is that it's Intel Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andrew1263 Posted March 23, 2006 Author Share Posted March 23, 2006 Yeah, i was just asking which you guys prefer because whenever I do scans it finds WinFixer and trojan.startpage.gen and no matter how many times i remove it, it's still there. and for WinFixer, i've used Vundofix.exe, but it still keeps finding it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
krit86lr Posted March 23, 2006 Share Posted March 23, 2006 Yeah, i was just asking which you guys prefer because whenever I do scans it finds WinFixer and trojan.startpage.gen and no matter how many times i remove it, it's still there. and for WinFixer, i've used Vundofix.exe, but it still keeps finding it. Well, I saw your HJT log which was the right thing to do, and Andy will be able to help you fix it. Trojans, and Worms require special removal tools. The good ones usually aren't fixed by the scanners (when I say good, I mean the really bad ones). The prior instructions will help you to not get these things in the first place. But removal can be very difficult. Especially if it gets into system files, and so forth. But you'll be fine. Andy is really good at killing that kind of stuff. Windows Pro Media 8.1 x64 | 8GB Ram | 500G HDD 7200 RPM | All that I know about my graphics is that it's Intel Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andrew1263 Posted March 23, 2006 Author Share Posted March 23, 2006 yeah!! hopefully i will have no more computer problems Thank God for Andy!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
krit86lr Posted March 23, 2006 Share Posted March 23, 2006 Hey Andrew, Read This Windows Pro Media 8.1 x64 | 8GB Ram | 500G HDD 7200 RPM | All that I know about my graphics is that it's Intel Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andrew1263 Posted March 23, 2006 Author Share Posted March 23, 2006 Thanks krit!! I guess SpyDoctor is just glitched and I have nothing to worry about. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cww Posted March 24, 2006 Share Posted March 24, 2006 Quick thought - we are talking about the most recent version of the pctools product here, aren't we? If it's (seriously) glitched, I would worry. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andrew1263 Posted March 24, 2006 Author Share Posted March 24, 2006 well, it's not recent. i have the SpyDoctor Version 3.1.0.312. This is an older version that is free. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cww Posted March 24, 2006 Share Posted March 24, 2006 OK, I think there was another app by the same name which wasn't too good - hence the "is it the pctools app" question. Although I think even the pctools app was a bit dodgy at one time. Pretty essential to use up-to-date anti-malware apps - new malware is released regularly and some apps, e.g. NOD32 anti-virus and ewido anti-trojan, often release updates several times a day. If you're using an out-of-date anti-spyware app you might want to consider Windows Defender (beta 2) instead. I'm hesitant in suggesting a beta but it's probably the best of the freebies - tests I've read show it ahead of Ad-Aware and Spybot. Mentioning no names, some of the free trial versions of commercial anti-spyware products aren't all they could be and seem to contain false-positives, which may make people think their pc is infected when it isn't. The excuse I've heard is that the companies concentrate on their paying customers (fair enough), but it may goad people in to buying a product when they don't actually have a problem. The pctools product has recently received some good reviews but SpySweeper has been around longer. Although I wasn't particularly impressed with the free trial version of SpySweeper the full product seems very sound. As does CounterSpy. So far as I'm aware, the free version of ewido is pretty much the same as the commercial version, with a few minor exceptions, e.g. no automatic updates and, possibly, no real-time scanner. Still very good tho. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
krit86lr Posted March 24, 2006 Share Posted March 24, 2006 Yeah, you should get rid of SpyDoctor. Andy was right about it. First of all, it does have a glitch. And furthermore, it gives false/positives to make the consumer feel the NEED to buy. Or, they make the updates not work so that you have to buy it. So, basically use everything in this thread. They're good, and you can updated them. Plus! They're free. Good Times. Happy Surfing. Windows Pro Media 8.1 x64 | 8GB Ram | 500G HDD 7200 RPM | All that I know about my graphics is that it's Intel Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eldmannen Posted March 24, 2006 Share Posted March 24, 2006 I think that all Antivirus software sucks. I dont think there exist any good one. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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