BleepingComputer.com: Antivirus, Antimalware, And Antispyware Resources

arcman, on Jan 25 2007, 08:13 PM, said:

Having tried the Active Virus Shield, I would not add it to the list. It is malware/spyware. Any AOL product is a virus in itself.

Jesse Bassett, on Feb 2 2007, 11:37 AM, said:

You're going to have to back that up with a very reputable source for me to not dismiss that claim outright.

There are some concerns that the EULA could allow AOL to display ads on it in later releases, but as it stands now the program is only differs from retail Kaspersky by having an AOL skin, an AOL toolbar (not required for install), and the lack of an integrated browser AV plugin. If it were a virus or spyware I sincerely doubt it would be hosted on majorgeeks, softpedia, zdnet, etc. And if it had malware components then the Spysweeper installation on my test bench would have likely picked up on it.

I have to agree that calling Active Virus Shield and thus Kaspersky malware/spyware is delusional, since KAV is my AV of choice. Maybe calling AOL that is tongue in cheek?

Anyway I've also considered having it put on the list, and made some notes on it the other day. My main problem with it is that it is only free for a year, like the EZArmor suite that CA Associates used to(?) offer. Following are my quicknotes and sorry they aren't formatted very well

Quote

I was going to do more research on this before posting, but thought at least this much needs to get out.

Grinler said:

The website has changed. Unfortunately the new web address doesn't appear to be working. The new web address is listed as: http://www.hosts-file.net/

Orange Blossom

This post has been edited by Orange Blossom: 05 March 2007 - 02:32 PM

Fixed

If you cannot bootup or logon in normal or safe mode, and a Repair Install, Recovery options in Vista or Recovery options in Windows 7 do not work, you may be able to use a Rescue Disk.


These are links to Anti-virus vendors that offer free LiveCD/Rescue CD utilities that are used to boot from in order to repair unbootable or damaged systems, rescue data, and scan the system for malware infections. Keep in mind there is no guarantee the repair will be successful and you may need to try more than one. Burn it as an image to a CD disk to get a bootable CD. All (except Avira) are in the ISO Image file format. Avira uses an EXE that has built-in CD burning capability.

• Avira AntiVir Rescue System - Tutorial for Avira Rescue CD.
  If you encounter problems running the Rescue Disk, you can get further assistance at the Avira Support Forum.
  
• Dr.Web LiveCD. Be sure to print out and follow the instructions provided in the User Manual.
  
• F-Secure Rescue CD - How to create F-Secure Rescue CD -Video: How to Remove Malware with F-Secure Rescue CD.
  If you encounter problems running the Rescue CD, you can get further assistance at the F-Secure Support Forum.
  
• BitDefender LiveCD - Index of /rescue_cd
  If you encounter problems running the Rescue CD, you can get further assistance at the BitDefender Support Forum.
  
• Kaspersky RescueDisk - alternate download
  
  • How to record Kaspersky Rescue Disk 10 to an USB device and boot my computer from it?
    How to record Kaspersky Rescue Disk 10 to a CD/DVD and boot my computer from the disk?
  If you encounter problems running the RescueDisk, you can get further assistance at the Kaspersky Support Forum.
  
• Panda SafeCD for Panda users consists of an ISO that you can either burn to a CD/DVD or create a more convenient Boot USB stick.
  If you encounter problems running SafeCD, you can get further assistance at the Panda Support Forum.
  
• AVG Rescue CD
  
• eScan Rescue Disk
  
• Norton Bootable Recovery Tool
  
• SystemRescueCD (Linux system rescue disk available as a bootable CD-ROM or USB stick)
  
• ESET Smart Security 4.x and ESET NOD32 Antivirus 4.x users can refer to these instructions for creating a bootable Rescue Disk.

If you are not sure how to burn an image, please read How to write a CD/DVD image or ISO. If you need a FREE utility to burn the ISO image, download and use ImgBurn.

-- Note: In order to use a rescue disk, the boot order must be set to start from the CD-ROM drive. If the CD is not first in the boot order, the computer will attempt to start normally by booting from the hard drive. The boot order is a setting found in the computer’s BIOS which runs when it is first powered on. This setting controls the order that the BIOS uses to look for a boot device from which to load the operating system. The default will normally be A:, C:, CD-ROM. Different computers have different ways to enter the BIOS. If you're not sure how to do this, refer to:

• Changing Your Computers Boot Order
  
• How to Set AmiBios to Boot from CDROM.

This post has been edited by quietman7: 25 October 2011 - 08:35 AM

So I am really new at this and am really glad I found this site. I downloaded Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware to remove the various infections on my computer. In addition to Anti-Malware protection, do I need to download different programs for Spyware, Adware, Anti-virus, etc...? That seems like a lot. Or will the Anti-Malware be enough? Is there not a single program that is all incompassing?

Post #1 of this topic by Grinler provides a list of trustworthy resources.

No single product is 100% foolproof and can prevent, detect and remove all threats at any given time. Just because one anti-virus detected threats that another missed, does not mean its more effective. The security community is in a constant state of change as new infections appear and it takes time for them to be reported, samples collected, analyzed, and tested by anti-vendors. Security vendors use different scanning engines and different detection methods such as heuristic analysis or behavioral analysis which can account for discrepancies in scanning outcomes. Depending on how often the anti-virus database is updated can also account for differences in threat detections.

Further, 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 anti-spyware products (including an effective firewall) to supplement your anti-virus combined with common sense, safe computing and safe surfing habits provides the most complete protection.

• Important Tip: Always remember that security begins with personal responsibility.

I have been using Kaspersky IS eversince version 7 came out ( 5 years ago?). Before that I was using ESET.

I do not know if there is a single (or multiple) objective sources of information as to which AV is (if not the best) at least the Better antivirus software.

I have found that it is not necessary paid products which are worth it - Microsoft Security Essentials seems a very good free alternative to many 'proud' programs such as Norton or even Kaspersky.

It would be nice to know such an objective source of information, as all I have now is my own experience, which I would say is not too objective provided I have used a single AV for the past 5 years.

Btw, I am extremely pleased with KIS, but anything better is more than welcome.

Quote

Independent Anti-virus software Comparisons & Tests

• Independent comparatives of Anti-virus Software <- click the "Comparatives" link on the left, then click Main Tests.
  
• Virus Bulletin Comparative Tests
  
• AV-Test.org
  
• NSS Labs Consumer Anti-Malware Products Group Test Report <- click on the link to "Read the full report now"
  
• NSS Labs Corporate Endpoint Protection Products Group Test:
  
• Anti-Malware Test Lab

These kinds of comparative testing results will vary depending on a variety of factors to include but not limited to who conducted the testing, what they were testing for (type of threats, attack vectors, exploits), what versions of anti-virus software was tested, what type of scanning engine was used, and the ability to clean or repair. There are no universally predefined set of standards or criteria for testing which means each test will yield different results. As such, you need to look for detailed information about how the tests were conducted, the procedures used, and data results. Read Anti-virus Testing Websites: An overview of testing sites

Anti-virus Software Reviews

• ICSA Labs
  
• NerdModo's Top 10 Antivirus Software
  
• Best Antivirus Software - Editor's Choice
  
• TopTen Review: AntiVirus Software Product Comparisons
  
• gizmo's Best Free Antivirus Software

I have just purchased a new Toshiba laptop with Windows 7. It came with a trial version of Norton. Trying to decide what Internet Security Suite to go with. Suggestions?

And then what additional products to add? Planned on the paid version of Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware. But what else do you guys recommend as necessity products? I am overwhelmed by the list of options and don't want to over do it.

Any suggestions will be much appreciated.

Thanks.

Take a look here: Answers to common security questions: Prevention & Choosing an Anti-virus or Firewall

quietman7, on 28 June 2011 - 06:44 AM, said:

I did a little testing on this one and mount the ISO image in a deployment workbench and it works

Just tested it on a USB bootable and works as well



Thanks you for this wonderful info quietman. Hope to see your future post

This post has been edited by TM_Paul: 26 October 2011 - 04:37 AM

You're welcome TM_Paul .

Just wanted to leave a link update for the Resources sticky.
8. The MVPS Hosts File or similar HOSTS file will actually block a list of known bad sites from even loading in your browser. It can also be used to block ads, banners, 3rd party cookies and more. Operating system compatibility and installation instructions are provided.

The MVPS Hosts File link goes to the main mvps.org page. There doesn't appear to be a link to the hosts file tool/installer.
The main page and direct link to the MVPS Hosts file is below.
Main Page = http://winhelp2002.mvps.org/index.htm
Direct link = http://winhelp2002.mvps.org/hosts.htm

Keep up the good work...