To define the best anti-virus program is hard, because we all have different views about the programs. A while
ago, I thought that it`s "Kaspersky", but now I think that it`s maybe not it.

A couple of minutes ago I discovered a troyan program :

Backdoor.Win32.SdBot.add
file: c:\windows\system32\zgl.exe;
c:\windows\system32\pll.exe;
:sos:
And the only option that I have is to delete these two files, because they were troyans and "Kaspersky" could not desinfect them. Now, the files are in c:\windows\system32; and that does not sound as a good idea to me.

Is it safe to delete these two? :huh:


This friend of mine told me that "AVAST" was a nice anti-virus, but I don`t know. What do you think that is the best anti-virus, and please also say why do you think so.

you can always just quaratine them (move/rename them), if your sistem starts to behave strangely/becomes unstable - you move them back.

Avast home edition is free. you can install it, scan your computer (boot scan) and then uninstall it.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(velik_m @ Nov 2 2006, 05:12 PM) [snapback]265033[/snapback]</div>I agree!

You can also try AVGFree by Grisoft, which is a good antivirus.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Quintopotere @ Nov 2 2006, 08:13 PM) [snapback]265048[/snapback]</div>I second that!
You can try Avira Antivir Personal as well if you like to. That comes in your language, which is the advantage over AVG.
Antivir on the other hand gives you a box to remind you that you can purchase the professional version every time you upgrade.

BitDefender 9 is free, as far as I know. (and I like it, but I use v. 10 now)

I heard good things about Kaspersky and Nod32. As of free ones I used AntiVir for a while and it did ok.

AVG and Avast do well together I got both.

go for Kaspersky lab, best around in my opinion

I use AVG free edition.. Too bad that next year it won't be free anymore :( :(
I also use Spybot S&D and AdAware. There's also AVG Spyware remover, I've downloaded it but haven't tried it yet..

what you need is a good firewall! (A router between the internet and your Pc will do the job just fine.

That and a genuine and up to date windows, and you're quitte safe. as long as you don't download anything bad that is.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Mara @ Nov 15 2006, 06:41 PM) [snapback]267153[/snapback]</div>That didn't pull it for me, unfortunately :(

Check out the Spywarewarrior forums. I don't remember their url, I've got it bookmarked on another computer that I don't have with me. But I found it through google :) They're awesome help there.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Moli @ Nov 13 2006, 03:34 PM) [snapback]266718[/snapback]</div>:omg2:

Are you sure? They've just released the 7.5 version of the AVGfree and their site doesn't talk about deleting the free version... :blink:

It's still free and nowhere mentioned that it won't.. The free vers. is just a basic. If you want all the extras, you'll need to buy it.

I believe it was the previous free version that will be unsupported from 2007. The 7.5 version willl still be free and supported.

Well, it said so in the program itself. But I guess you're right about the 7.5 version.

I don't use any antivirus. It's easier to confirm that they're gone if you do it manually.

But that requires a bit ore than the average knowledge on computers and, in Win, the registry. Now, the registry is a place I dare not go...

LOL well yeah you gotta be kinda advanced at this stuff.

You must of been reading that in 7.1 as they are not going to support that in 2007.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Mighty Midget @ Nov 18 2006, 11:27 AM) [snapback]267463[/snapback]</div>What I have to do?Do I have to update it or install the new version?

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(David86 @ Jan 3 2007, 11:12 AM) [snapback]273092[/snapback]</div>What I have to do?Do I have to update it or install the new version?
[/b][/quote]
Google free grisoft avg (since I'm not sure if I may post the direct link... :ph34r: ) and download the newest version of AVG.
It's an Upgrade and not an Update so you don't get in the regular download process. :ok:

Three thing i always download for my pc is

AVG Free (Virus)
Ad-Aware Personal (Spyware)
Crap Cleaner (History stuff, cookies, cache etc.)

Buy Norton Internet Security 2007 - anti-virus, firewall, privacy control, anti spam and (if you need it) parental control, all in one. Don't listen to the crap merchants who say Norton sucks. They're lying. Those liars.

But....how much is it?
I don't think that everybody can afford to buy it...I prefer free programs like avg, ad aware, cc-cleaner, avg antyspyware (e-wido)...and remember a good firewall! I'm using zone-labs.

AVG is great for me, it even works against generic malware like trojans. If I was the NORAD I'd purchase the best security available, since I'm the average guy whose data is not especially coveted by people, I go for the free stuff available which is great by the way and updates daily.

And since I'm not that concerned about security, what I need is a program which doesn't waste my resources. I was willing to pay 3€ per month for Panda as I was offered by my Internet provider (Mr. Chirac) but when I installed it on my old P3 450 MHz 64 Mb RAM, Panda turned it into a heap of inoperant crap, even though Panda hadn't installed all features (it wasn't protecting against malware!!) because my computer wasn't powerfull enough. So I uninstalled but then my computer remained hugely clogged even though I cleaned the registry with EasyCleaner --which found loads of crap. I opted for formatting and re-installing Windows as I did periodically on that machine, and cursed Panda Software for ever and ever. Now I have a powerfull computer but heavy unnecessary resident software no thanks.
________________________

I would nonetheless appreciate some expert opinions about firewalls. Is there any point in installing a free one like ZoneAlarm or Kerio or rather it won't offer additional protection compared to the Windows firewall? I used ZoneAlarm with my old machine --which had Win98-- and it was great.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Japofran @ Jan 25 2007, 07:04 AM) [snapback]276350[/snapback]</div>No, there's no point installing that. I could send you some records of mine for a presenation at vocational school (english-class :sneaky: ) where I talked about the reasons, that a personal firewall (such as Kerio or ZA) is pointless. And even weakening your security in a way. Do you want it? It's PowerPoint.

EDIT: I got an A- for it... :max:

Thanks, there's no info about this in the Net, a lot of comparisons among all other firewalls but never between them and the Windows one.

Any second, third, etc. opinions? :)

The windows one is alright In some cases that is why the dare not compare with it since they want you to buy there product.

That's what I thought, and now I can provide some information. I was trying an alternative firewall (Comodo which is reportedly better than Kerio and far better than ZoneAlarm free), when I suffered this precisely because of it, in a site where I had never experienced it. Needless to say I've gone back to the Windows one immediately.

However Kerio's webpage for one claims that the Windows firewall doesn't protect you from data leak. Note that they don't claim to protect you better from intrusion --I'm afraid that would be lying--, only from data stealing. And that might be true because I had an application which was leaking data and the Windows firewall hadn't detected it while Comodo did. (Actually it was the license verifier of some software which I had already uninstalled. <_< ) But since, as an anonimous user, I'm far more concerned about my system's getting infected, corrupted or hijacked than about people getting my data, I'll stick with the Windows firewall. Plus Microsoft can learn their own security holes before anyone else, and now they're finally approaching the security issue seriously --I guess thanks to Mozilla's competition.

EDIT Duss, now I also know how to edit the registry and look for malware, but an antivirus and an antispyware are necessary to protect you from getting them in the first place, if not you'll have to be doing a lot of maintenance work. Plus in the many cases where a program is able to detect something it's faster than you removig it. Plus malevolent cookies for example are not in the registry (well I guess you only flush all cookies frequently, so do I).

Seriously though:
DON'T use a personal firewall.
It makes you feel save / makes you believe you're safe / makes you believe it protects you, but
IT DOESN'T.

Having a router when you have a broadband connection and/or have a good browser when you have dial-up with ad/spyware protection is by far the better solution. And acting sensible, of course.

It's my desperete wish to make people understand this. :tai:

Well if I used Win9X which doesn't include a firewall as XP, I'd use a free firewall just in case. But I agree that it's the browser which makes the most differece. Using MS IExplorer is like asking for intrusion out loud.

Firefox + Avira + Comodo Firewall.

I very rarely get anything harmful through.

AVG Ad aware avg anti spyware and comodo are the programs I use works great.

On win2K here with firefox and sygate ,Avira is a decent and free virusscanner.
Before I used AVG but it slowed the system down and was bugging me with messages after almost one year.

avira is only one message a day , after each update.

And not only for Wink2K users .... on my old games pc with win95 and Atguard ,Avira runs also perfect.

gr,
Irene

AVG is not heavy at all, I've got it installed in my old crappy P3 450MHz 64MbRAM and the system runs as fine as without antivirus. As for the messages, like most programs you can configure the updates of AVG. I must have customized it, not sure, but I only upload it manually so there are no messages. If I take too long between updates the tray icon turns black and white to let me know that my protection is out of date so that I can prioritize my next manual update. But I'm sure Avira is good also as you say.

PS Welcome onboard. :)

Thank you :)

My win95 is an old 550mhz machine and became quite slow with AVG, but if I am really honest...... this win95 install is > 6 years old. :whistling:
I am affraid if I reinstall the whole bunch again it will not be compatible with some old games anymore because all the things I changed.

But with Avira it runs better.And Norton antivirus I would not recommend at al.If it crash just say buh bye to your system. Happened to me several times.

gr,
Irene

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Sentinel69 @ Feb 8 2007, 04:40 PM) [snapback]278500[/snapback]</div>Win9X has a very serious issue with system corruption along time. I don't use that machine myself any longer but the only working solution was formatting the hard drive. I actually partiotioned it in two units, so that I only had to format the small one where Win98 is and didn't lose my data. It's not difficult nor time-consuming provided you know what you're doing, definitely less time-consuming that bearing with the system corruption.

But if you don't format you should at least install and run a program like EasyCleaner. In my experience its registry cleaning feature is 100 per cent safe, I've been using it for a long time and never ever got an unpleasant surprise after deleting the bad registry keys it detects, they're referred to files which no longer exist and slow down the system. Plus you can recover afterwards what you delete, even though I've never needed to. An indispensable utility.

Yes WIN9X gets unberable after awhile.

I can't agree with the no firewall stratergy there although I will definately agreed that most virus or spyware come from user greed / errors and people do need to be carefull which sites the d/l from and don't just think 'oh kewl it's free !' and 'oh yeah I've got a firewall , that will protect me from everything'

I use za ( + spybot/adaware and other occasionals )and find it really great but I also like to use total uninstall and have a quick check afterwards to see what the proggy installed or edited in the registry , I also really like autoruns as if you check nice and regularly you know what is there and what has mysteriously appeared since last time!

hey it took me ages to d/l from abandonia as I was really suspicious that anything to do with abandoned games or free stuff was suss :)

I have also always used IE as i'm too lazy to change as it does what I need

Welcome to Abandonia jg007!
What do you think about Zone Alarm free edition?
I see that AVG 7.5 includes a firewall...good or bad one? :unsure:

:ranting: GUYS! Don't. Use. Personal Firewalls!!!! :titan:

It'll be an endless discussion:
I use configuration a). Works great.

Next one:
I use configuration b). Works great as well.

Next one after the next one:
I use a mix of a) and b). Works totally great.

*SIGH*

I know your opinion, but if you want to convince people you must share with us your secrets!
Seriously, I know that nobody is safe for the 100%...but if a firewall can give me only a 10%...well I'm happy to use it with other programs like antymalware or antyspyware.
So, why don't I have to use it?Please tell me the reasons :)

Yes you have never really told us the reasons.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(David86 @ Feb 9 2007, 10:56 AM) [snapback]278604[/snapback]</div>To be honest I can't really comment on the free za as I actually paid for the full version :wacko: but then I am major paranoid :) , also I have never used AVG but have seen good reviews of it

I have seen comments on ZA free that say it won't allow you to configure things as fully as the paid for version

I like to go for a pretty much multi pronged approach , I use ...

NAT router
Zone alarm ( just about everything set to be blocked, ads, jave, code etc and configured per site)
Spybot bad bownload blocker

and for occaional scans

Adaware, spybot, windows defender, windows live scan

and then still scout about in registry / autoruns when i'm bored :)

With Zone Alarm Free when I used to run it. I noticed that with every new free version it had slighlty less features and options and I think thats because they want you to buy it. I started using it in 2004 and stopped in late 2005 when we got a new computer and I found a better one called Kerio after having zonealarm installed.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(win98 @ Feb 9 2007, 08:31 PM) [snapback]278654[/snapback]</div> :huh: Oh, well I guess so... :unsure:

OK, here it goes:

So your PF (personal firewall) tells you that it would monitor the internet access of your installed software. But: What do you do when the Acrobat Reader wants to access the internet? For updates? Of course you allow that. Same with office programs etc.
Have you ever heard of malignant code that uses security gaps in certain programs especially Microsoft programs? Well. The once given allowance for your program lasts until you remove it from the "allowed for internet access list". Who ever maintains that list? Most people don't. So your program has internet connection all the time (I'm assuming the user has broadband internet) and the malignant code can enter your software and thus your computer.
Now the BIGGEST deal. What do you do when you PF asks you "Internet Explorer requests internet access"? :sneaky:
And do you exactly know ALL programs that are crucial for internet access? I once had the probelm with a win32-script program that I blocked. When I blocked it I didn' receive emails anymore.

Now I know most of you guys have the expertise not to use the IE. And using stuff liek Spybot and AdAware. That helps a lot.

But then there's PFs making advertisement with their feature "stealth mode" aka "blocking ports". This is basically like saying "no-one's in", when someone knocks at your door.
For the detector of your PC it doesn't matter if the result of a ping is "receipent doesn't answer" or a certain ping-time. He knows you're there as soon as the ping is answered.

Basically it's like a bouncer in a disco. You gotta keep the bad guys in front of the door instead of fighting them in the porch.

The Wikipedia article is actaully quite good.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Icewolf @ Feb 12 2007, 10:51 AM) [snapback]278910[/snapback]</div>Of course... NOT!
Do we really need the automatic updates of those programs? Me not! :whistling:
I'm still using the AcroReader 6 and I find it better than the newer versions...

For the second reason you explained, you should be right, but I like to punch those bad guys in the porch :sneaky:

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Icewolf @ Feb 12 2007, 10:51 AM) [snapback]278910[/snapback]</div>You should really check this out. It's a database of applications, you search for a name and it tells you, "this one is needed for a core Windows function--don't ever disable" or "this belongs to Windows but you may deactivate it if you're not using [useless resource-consuming Windows feature]" or "this is malware--Kill!" etc. It's part of a software firm's website but the search engine itself is a free service.

And you just look up every single application just to set up a PF? :huh: Just use a hardwarefirewall...

The worst thing is that (it's in the wiki article) internet connections that are surveyed (filtered) by a PF can be tunneled. So all the protection is going to hell in a handbasket.

EDIT:
Well, you'll have probs, when people build PDFs for you with a newer version.
Been there. Seen it. <_<

I don't look every single app because I use the Windows firewall and I guess Windows doesn't ask permission about its own apps. But if you use a third-party PF you only have to decide about each app once, and if you decide wrogly you'll be left without core functions like you said. Anyway it's a handy search engine, if only to check what's the stuff executing at startup, if there's something you can live without or even malware.

Anyway what is a hardware firewall? Please explain because my knowledge on that is none. You need a router for that, a modem won't do, right? I don't even know what exactly a router is. If that's so I'm not going for it, a DSL modem is what I get with my cheap Internet service and I'm not so concerned about security that I'd pay more for it, I'm not the NORAD.

Or use a Tune up utilities or freeware Fresh Utilities - they have it all.... secret settings, disabling things at startup....

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Japofran @ Feb 19 2007, 08:31 PM) [snapback]280023[/snapback]</div>That's exactly the deceiving thing about PFs. The XP-firewall is one of the worst...
Correct. Most firewalls are implemented in routers. And most of them work sufficiently without configuration.
Usually you get just a "box that makes internet" which is a modem, router and firewall in one.

I really want to point out that thinking: "Ah I have a personal firewall, I'm safe." is really wrong.
Or:"Since I'm protected by it let's see what this attachment 'postcard.eml.exe' is."

Nod32 is the best option. Lightweight and doesn't really let anything to enter into your system. I also use Ad-Aware SE - just to be sure those nasty ad ware doesn't run in background.