Avast WEBforum
Consumer Products => Avast Free Antivirus / Premium Security (legacy Pro Antivirus, Internet Security, Premier) => Topic started by: goranilic on June 30, 2009, 01:53:24 AM
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Hi all,
I am new to this and BTW I'm not into comp softwares.
Use to used Norton, last 2 years MicroTrend... which expired last week. After scanning it reported 4 corrupted PDF files with something "Bloodhound"!!! (BTW never heard about this fella!?) In the mean time (last 3 days) I was reading reviews, on the PC World, CNet..., about AV Softwares. So, I've decided, downloaded, installed AVAST! HOME Edition. After everything's done I scanned my comp with 3 different scanners and didn't notice anything similar to "Bloodhound"!
I'm not very active for downloading stuff online (some music, some videos). Usually, I use my comp for business related. Files that were corrupted were some contract offers, and info's from my clients. Means, I have a lot in stored, or received trough email on HDD.
After downloading Avast! everything's smooth (I was afraid it's not ON...lol), but I want to hear from you guys do you recommend any other Anti-spyware-malware software to use beside Avast! I've read some opinions, that avast! malware-spyware protection is side not so strong. Since this is Windows Vista I have (by default) Windows Defender already, and now Avast! Home Edition and (by default) Windows Firewall.
Well now, I am kinda nervous about my protection. Don't see "Blodhound" around, I don't know how bad is this, but I know there's a lot bad stuff floating.
Avast users, please feel free to suggest/recommend do I need anything else beside avast (strongly believe this is good choice for AV)!
Thank you very much in advance!
Gor
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Bloodhound is just an indication that this is a Trend heuristic scan.
The biggest thing is to ensure that you have uninstalled previous AVs as that can really get in the works. Some AVs are particularly a pain in the rear (Norton for one), which even after uninstalling frequently leave remnants which can conflict with avast.
A link worth looking at, which is a program removal tool that can remove the remnants of a number of different Norton Programs:
Removing your Norton program using SymNRT (http://service1.symantec.com/SUPPORT/tsgeninfo.nsf/docid/2005033108162039)
Remove Trend Micro's AV, see http://esupport.trendmicro.com/support/viewxml.do?ContentID=EN-1034142&id=EN-1034142#P79_1922 (http://esupport.trendmicro.com/support/viewxml.do?ContentID=EN-1034142&id=EN-1034142#P79_1922)
You can start by looking at my signature for the general application I use.
If you don't want to lose it back it up.
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Thanks DavidR,
first of all Trend heuristic scan doesn't mean a lot to me, but yes first I uninstalled TrendMicro!..lol.
Second, you are saying I can add more layers of protection? If so, I'm eager to know what's not in conflict with Vista/Avast! Home. I believe I understand that I can't have another AV beside Avast! (l was thinking G Data or ESET Nod32).
Third, how about Windows Firewall and Defender. How they are reliable? Should I change Firewall? I was thinking maybe to add one more Anti-Spyware... or I need to replace WDefender.
Thx again,
Gor
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The standard convention is only one resident AV or they will conflict as they essentially work in the same way, by hooking files before they run so that they may be scanned first and these low level drivers can conflict. So you can have other on-demand AVs.
The same convention should also be applied to anti-spyware/malware (AS) applications only one resident and no real limit on on-demand AS applications.
I have never used windows defender and never rated it much.
The windows Vista firewall has the outbound checking disabled by default. Any malware that manages to get past your defences will have free reign to connect to the internet to either download more of the same, pass your personal data (sensitive or otherwise, user names, passwords, keylogger retrieved data, etc.) or open a backdoor to your computer, so outbound protection is essential.
So you could also enable the outbound protection of the Vista firewall, but it isn't very friendly, is rule based and you have to create the rules. - See Vista Firewall Control, http://www.sphinx-soft.com/Vista/index.html (http://www.sphinx-soft.com/Vista/index.html) and this, http://www.sphinx-soft.com/Vista/faq.html (http://www.sphinx-soft.com/Vista/faq.html). Also check out this topic for some user friendly help for the Vista Firewall Control, Outbound protection, http://forum.avast.com/index.php?topic=30234.0 (http://forum.avast.com/index.php?topic=30234.0).
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I'm not very active for downloading stuff online (some music, some videos). Usually, I use my comp for business related. Files that were corrupted were some contract offers, and info's from my clients. Means, I have a lot in stored, or received trough email on HDD.
From the avast website:
This edition is FREE OF CHARGE for non-commercial & home use only. Both of these conditions should be met! If you are not a home user or if you use your computer for business purposes, we offer a wide range of more suitable products providing higher data security, starting with avast! Professional Edition (http://www.avast.com/eng/avast_4_professional.html).
If you are using the pc for business you will need to buy the pro version
-Scott-
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Hi goranilic, Bloodhound Heuristics can be helpful; it sniffs out potential threats that have not yet been identified or defined. But on the flipside, it can also hit on things that are harmless. Norton heuristics quaratined my camera driver once and I spent a whole day figuring out what the heck was wrong. As far as I can tell, avast! only uses heuristics for email. It may use it for other stuff, I don't know, but I can't find any options anywhere else to turn it on or off.
I also have Windows Defender and Firewall and in my opinion they are both good programs, but they aren't designed to handle viruses, you still need antivirus protection. But it's not recommended to have more than one antivirus program running at the same time. Many people experience all kinds of problems with this. You can have more than one on your system, it's only when you try to run them both in real time that you'll have problems.
avast! is different from any other antivirus program I've used. It's taken me awhile to get used to it, but now that I've sorta gotten the hang of it I would highly recommend it. :)
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Thanks Scott and Norel.
So what do you recomend for additional protection on Vista (beside avast!), that will not conflict with eachother?
I was considering some of these:
-Spyware Blaster
-SUPERAntiSpyware Free Edition
-Spybot Search & Destroy
-PC Tools ThreatFire
-WinPatrol
-Malwarebytes’ Anti-malware
Not all of them off course..lol....or maybe something else
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I would recommend you to use both superantispyware free and malwarebytes free.I have malwarebytes on my system and is really light on memory.Never conflict with avast.
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"IMO only", MBAM and SAS would be the most preferable choice^^
Also add WinPatrol^^
BTW thanks for choosing Avast! over other AVs^^
-AnimeLover^^
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Yes, agreed. SUPERAntiSpyware and Malwarebytes are pretty good. :)
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@ goranilic
From your list I would get rid of spybot s&d, Threatfire and keep the rest.
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Well i dont think he need other security since he got the Microsoft recommandation. He got a Anti Virus (Avast!),Anti Spyware (Windows Defender & Avast! Anti Spyware),Firewall (Windows Vista Firewall) and UAC. Btw you should turn on Windows Automatic Update for sure. Windows Products for update is my recommandation.
I think all of this would be ok excepted if you got child then use Windows Control Parental. My self i say why add more protection when Avast! is really a great anti virus.
PS : More u add security more your pc will be slow. And this will cause many problem to my eyes so i think until you got the recommendation of Microsoft all should be ok. But if later you find a alert or something strange and your cpu is infected maybe you will need to download some follow program like Malwarebytes or SuperAntiSpyware.
Mr.Agent
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The "more you add the security more your pc will be slow," is patently wrong, if what you are adding is on-demand and or passive.
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It is tendency AV softwares Pro in its main business only and AS as their side addon. So adding SAS and MBAM and has a regular scan would be better.
The "more you add the security more your pc will be slow," is patently wrong, if what you are adding is on-demand and or passive.
+1
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Well why need another anti spyware and a anti malware when you got a anti virus and anti spyware ? I dont think you need that mush security. Anti Virus,Anti Spyware,Firewall are like essential that Microsoft did said.
Also Avast! detect 98,7 % of the virus so with Windows Defender he would can detect maybe the rest its would be like really fair with the Firewall and UAC.
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Well why need another anti spyware and a anti malware when you got a anti virus and anti spyware ? I dont think you need that mush security. Anti Virus,Anti Spyware,Firewall are like essential that Microsoft did said.
Also Avast! detect 98,7 % of the virus so with Windows Defender he wld can detect maybe the rest its would be like really fair with the Firewall and UAC.
Because they are specialist anti-spyware scanners, avast 'doesn't' scan the registry for spyware related entries. If avast finds a spyware file then it would check the registry for associated entries, but it doesn't do it pro-actively during on-demand scans.
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Specialist ? Well hackers are intelligent now a day. Like they try to hide their virus on the program or something like that i dont know. But for sure i do agree with Microsoft for their recommandation of security that is essential. If you think registry is really a big thing to infect a pc then its not. The most dangerous would be that a virus hit your pc or identity. So that why a Anti Virus and Anti Spyware with Firewall is there for resolve the problem.
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Specialist ?
<snip>
If you think registry is really a big thing to infect a pc then its not.
<snip>
Yes, specialist as that is their 'only' specialist task.
You're clearly wrong again, take a wander into the viruses and worms forum and check out SAS and MBAM logs and there are many registry entries that are dangerous.
Changing the registry allows for later disablement of firewall, AV, etc. without a peep from the WSC. There are many such registry hacks/exploits and avast simply doesn't even look for them, but specialist anti-spyware applications do..
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Well maybe your true but i think i can choice what i want for security or no right ? I payed my cpu so i can choice what i want like the others users :)
Bye and have a nice day.
PS : I did hear that some registry can destroy your pc (if you delete a false positive) But maybe its true or no. But for sure im happy with what i got for secure my pc. I know what i use and i got some security program that what its important.
Mr.Agent
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This is what i suggest
AVAST 4.8 ANTIVIRUS
ONLINEARMOR FIREWALL or another one
Dr Web Antivirus CureIT free
Avast is a very effective antimalware scanner and it will take care of everything bad trying to attack your computer.
Onlinearmor firewall is one of the best firewalls IMO and it will do the job
Dt Web CureIT will scan only when you download it and run it. It has no impact on your resources.Many will enclude SAS or MBAM free but while i had them they served me nothing. So i uninstalled them e few months ago and everytime i do a scan with CUREIT i am clean.
Also i will recomend AVG LINKSCANNER free tool which i find effective in site rating or WOT
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Like i can see every guy and specialist got his own security and its the way to the users if he choice this or no. Like i say i got all Microsoft mentioned for a essential security to protect my pc. So if i want bonus i will do it. But for now im not plained to install/uninstall a security to replace or something.
So i appreciate your recommendation David but for now i dont need it. Just dont worry about my pc. I handle it.
Bye and thank you.
Have a nice day.
Mr.Agent
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Well maybe your true but i think i can choice what i want for security or no right ? I payed my cpu so i can choice what i want like the others users :)
Bye and have a nice day.
PS : I did hear that some registry can destroy your pc (if you delete a false positive) But maybe its true or no. But for sure im happy with what i got for secure my pc. I know what i use and i got some security program that what its important.
Mr.Agent
Yes its your choice, but when giving/offering/suggesting advice to others then you have to be a little more careful and confirm what you say is fact rather than conjecture.
So now you have said some registry can destroy your PC, which if anything supports having a specialist anti-spyware as it is entirely possible for malware to do exactly that. That is why a specialist application is more likely to get it right in that regard, however, like anything security related you shouldn't take anything at face value and conform detections before taking action.
Registry cleaners too would fall into that category could damage your system, but they too are specialist tools and choose the right one which back-up before removing registry entries are less likely to cause unrecoverable issues. The same is true of specialist anti-spyware that back-up/quarantine detections to give a recovery option.
As you said your system your choice, but that is it your choice, so others should make their own informed decision based on fact rather than conjecture.
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Well i can say i got some security program and yeah Avast! is a part of my anti virus and i can say since i got Avast! i never did got any problem. Before i was having Kaspersky,Mcafee,Norton...... And my computer was getting owned all time by these virus. But until i get Avast! its learning me a lot and now i recently dont get virus or something. So yeah i did learning a lot with Avast! by these nice users. And if there was a follow problem again a virus that Avast! or my anti spyware scanner that will fail again it. For sure i would try these 2 on demand anti spywares that u said. That what its great to suggest. Because more we talk about anti virus product and security. Then more we will know and discover.
Mr.Agent
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Ok guys, that was very helpful so far. I really had better picture about this. Since I post this thread asking for "Advices, suggestions, recommendations" just wanted to hear from more experienced/knowledgeable what works. If someone thinks "essentials" are enough that's OK, I respect that. But I am looking for additional layers of protection to have "piece of mind".
@DavidR
I have read some nice reviews about "Threatfire" (and some so-so) why you don't recommend it? ???
When I was reading some reviews on other sites, there was something it was really annoying. It is advertisement that pops-up when you slide mouse over a word that is "underlined" with 2 lines. I would really like to avoid this thing. How?
Sorry for bothering, but like I said I'am not very experienced about software.
Thanx again,
Gor
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@ goranilic
From your list I would get rid of spybot s&d, Threatfire and keep the rest.
wth. I like SpyBot.
Gor, there are multiple layers of protection you can have, but you need to be careful not to have multiple antivirus programs installed simultaneously. AV programs' primary function is as something called TSR (Terminate and Stay Resident,) which means the Antivirus runs in the background and acts accordingly when it needs to. If you have mutiple AV's installed at the same time, they can sllloooowww your system down by scanning each other or the same files you're trying to access, together, all day long. There are other programs called antispyware or antimalware, which don't scan your system in the same fashion, and thus don't conflict with your antivirus. Among these antispyware programs, some of them edit your Hosts file or registry to block installation of certain spywares, while others are used to scan your computer for spyware to discover if any are installed. SuperAntiSpyware, Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware, and Ad-Aware only run scans when you tell them to check for spyware (unless you pay, and it will schedule it.) SpywareBlaster edits the registry and host file to block spyware installations. SpyBot does both.
Okay, so first thing... Norton sucks. Never use Norton. Ever.
Second, Avast is wonderful as an Antivirus software. It's free and imo, it works at least as well as Trend's PC-cillin does, if not better.
Third, with regard to "multiple layers of protection," I would suggest installing SpywareBlaster, SpyBot, SuperAntiSpyware AND Anti-Malware.
Use SpyBot's immunize ability and SpywareBlaster to prevent certain programs from ever installing.
Use SuperAntiSpyware and/or Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware to scan for spyware if you're suspicious that any could be installed on your machine. These two programs have better active scanning abilities than SpyBot does, but I find that SpyBot's Immunize option works well.
And, of course, use Avast!. I got a virus/malware once with AVG, that Avast! would have detected.
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@DavidR
(1)I have read some nice reviews about "Threatfire" (and some so-so) why you don't recommend it? ???
(2)When I was reading some reviews on other sites, there was something it was really annoying. It is advertisement that pops-up when you slide mouse over a word that is "underlined" with 2 lines. I would really like to avoid this thing. How?
#1 Personally I have never felt the need to use it given the other protection that I have and there have been a number of topics reporting problems with it and other programs (firefox add-ons for one).
#2 This is normally in the html code (mouseover) that can change the text colour, size and as you can see small notification pop-ups. It entirely depends on how they achieve that (javascript, html or css, etc.) and the browser you are using. So there really is no easy way to answer as there is no information to work with.
Me I would suggest firefox and noscript as if this is script based (javascript not html) then noscript would block it unless you gave permission for that site to run scripts.
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Thanx DavidR for all help it's highly appreciated,
Let me hear opinion for couple more freebies:
Spyware Doctor Starter Edition - paid version has very high reviews
Spyware Terminator
Returnil Virtual System
Thx,
Gor
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Sorry I forgot to add
a-squared Anti-Malware 4.0
THX
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Spyware terminator review- part 1 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0YjBO2hmwvI&feature=channel_page
part 2 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RpEYEXwBme0&feature=channel_page
A sqaured review - http://www.youtube.com/profile?user=mrizos&view=videos&query=squared Watch all 5 part
Spyware doctor starter edition has decent detection but is a memory hog
Never tested Returnil virtual system
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Never tested Returnil virtual system
It's not an antispyware but a "system freeze" tool, a full sandbox of the system partition: nothing is saved to it, you restart your computer and it's turned back to the original (freezed) state.