Are the AntiVirus & Anti Spyware progs I use good enough?

#1 samoyed

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Posted 12 December 2008 - 08:58 PM

Hi,

I am now using the following:

1) Spyware Blaster 4.1
2) Lavasoft AdAware 2008
3) Spybot 1.6
4) AVG AntiVirus 8 (free version)

Are they good enough?

#2 nigglesnush85

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Posted 13 December 2008 - 10:25 AM

Hello samoyed,

Can I ask what firewall you are using?
A look at the comparatives of many AV products can give you an idea on how good an AV product is http://www.av-comparatives.org/ In many cases, some will find things that others would miss.

Could I suggest you look at http://www.malwarebytes.org/ in the place of Spybot or AdAware?

Sadly, there is no one solution that fits all, the products one person uses may cause problems with another persons setup.

Regards,

Alan.

#3 extremeboy

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Posted 13 December 2008 - 03:24 PM

Hello.

In addition to what nigglesnush85 have said, Quietman7 has a quote that:

No single product is 100% foolproof and can detect and remove all threats at any given time. The security community is in a constant state of change as new infections appear. Each vendor has its own definition of what constitutes malware and scanning your computer using different criteria will yield different results. The fact that each program has its own definition files means that some malware may be picked up by one that could be missed by another. Thus, a multi-layered defense using several anti-spyware products (including an effective firewall) to supplement your anti-virus combined with common sense and safe surfing habits provides the most complete protection.

*Note that having multiple antispyware programs is encouraged, but not multiple antiviruses.

Below are just some recommendation of Programs, I recommed to others:

Install and maintain an outbound firewall
Install the MVPs hosts file, and update it regularly
You can use the HostMan host file manager to do this automaticly if you wish.
For more information on the hosts file, and what it can do for you, you can view the Tutorial on the Hosts file
Install an Anti-Spyware program, and update it regularly
Malware Byte's Anti Malware is an excellent Anti-Spyware scanner. It's scan times are usually under ten minutes, and has excellent detection and removal rates.
SUPERAntiSpyware is another good scanner with high detection and removal rates.
Both programs are free for non commercial home use but provide a resident and do not nag if you purchase the paid versions.

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If I'm helping you and I don't reply within 48 hours please feel free to send me a PM.

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#4 m0le

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Posted 13 December 2008 - 04:02 PM

I'm just going to add, to EB and Alan's excellent advice, that the real secret of antispyware and antivirus is that you update them regularly.

And even then a new virus is still gonna get you if you go to the wrong parts of the web.

NB: I still have a soft spot for Spybot as it got me clean a number of times in the past, so by all means get MalwareBytes to blast out the worst but for realtime protection Spybot still does the trick for most average spyware.

I want no laughter from the crowd, thank you.

If I have helped you fix your PC then please donate. Thanks

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#5 samoyed

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Posted 14 December 2008 - 08:09 PM

Hi guys,

Thanks for all the advice & tips.

I am using Windows firewall.

I tot Spyware Blaster is already running in the background so with Spybot 1.6, I try not to use the resident shield real time.
I have already downloaded Malwarebytes and ran some scans.
As for SuperAntiSpyware, should I use the real time protection?

I worry that with so many things running at the same time, my pc will be very slow.

Thanks.

#6 m0le

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Posted 14 December 2008 - 08:26 PM

Yes, you only need one realtime antispyware and one antivirus running. Any more and it slows the system unnecessarily.

MalwareBytes is more destroy than search so keep that back just in case but you don't need it running at start up, nor Spybot and SuperAntispyware. You don't need 3 at all so ditch one.

If I have helped you fix your PC then please donate. Thanks

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#7 samoyed

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Posted 14 December 2008 - 09:29 PM

Hi m0le,

Thanks.

So I shall continue to use AVG Antivirus 8 (free version).
Then I shall use SuperAntiSpyware real time protection.

I will leave the rest for when I need to run scans.

Thanks again.

#8 quietman7

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Posted 15 December 2008 - 07:49 AM

Note: mvps.org is no longer recommending Spybot S&D or Ad-Aware due to poor testing results. See here - (scroll down and read under Freeware Antispyware Products).

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#9 JamesFrance

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Posted 15 December 2008 - 08:13 AM

m0le, on Dec 13 2008, 10:02 PM, said:

And even then a new virus is still gonna get you if you go to the wrong parts of the web.

Or even to a reputable site that that has been interfered with.

Unless you have a better firewall than Windows, which will alert you if an unknown application tries to phone home. If it also has a HIPS like Comodo's Defense+ it would also alert you if anything unknown tries to run or install itself.

IMHO the firewall is more important than the AV.

James

#10 samoyed

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Posted 16 December 2008 - 06:51 PM

Hi Everyone,

Thank You for all your advice.

Ok, I am going to do away with Lavasoft Adware and Spybot.

I will retain Spywareblaster,AVG AntiVirus 8 Free Version, Malawarebytes and SuperAntiSpyware.

I am looking for another firewall.

Question:
I read the link on Understanding & Using Firewalls. I have a ADSL2 access point + router and a Linksys ATA.
Do they already have firewall inbuilt in them. How do I find out.

#11 JamesFrance

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Posted 17 December 2008 - 02:41 AM

Yes your router will have an inbound hardware firewall, but like the Windows XP one will have no outbound protection.

Try Comodo or Online Armor to see which firewall you prefer.

James

#12 nigglesnush85

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Posted 17 December 2008 - 06:58 AM

I agree with James, they are both good products.

http://www.comodo.com/
http://www.tallemu.com/

Regards,

Alan.

#13 quietman7

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Posted 17 December 2008 - 08:31 AM

Choosing a firewall is a matter of personal preference, your technical experience, features offered, the amount of resources utilized, how it may affect system performance and what will work best for your system. A particular firewall that works well for one person may not work as well for another. You may need to experiment and find the one most suitable for your use.

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