Anti Virus. My Personal Thoughts.

[vantim]

To start off.... Here is a little info

Latest Virus Threats (January 2007)

25-01-2007
W32.Xirtam.A@mm - It's a virus that spreads by sending infected email to every cached email address in the hard disk. (Reported by Norton antivirus)
22-01-2007
W32.Gangbot - It's a virus that spreads using security holes of SQL servers, makes the computer vulnerable to malicious remote access and disables specific antivirus and firewall programs. (Reported by Norton antivirus)
19-01-2007
Trojan.Peacomn - It's a virus that makes the computer vulnerable to malicious remote access. (Reported by Norton antivirus)
17-01-2007
W32.Burmec - It's a virus that spreads by replicating itself into every network folder and disables specific antivirus programs. (Reported by Norton antivirus)
10-01-2007
W32.Mytob.RD@mm - It's a variant of the WORM_MYTOB.A virus that spreads by sending infected email to every cached email address in the hard disk. (Reported by Norton antivirus)

Latest Virus Threats (December of 2006)

20-12-2006
W32.Koddro@mm - It's a virus that spreads by sending infected email to every cached email address in the hard disk. (Reported by Norton antivirus)
15-12-2006
W32.Stration.EL@mm - It 's a variant of the WORM_STRATION.A virus that spreads by sending infected email to every cached email address in the hard disk. (Reported by Norton antivirus)
13-12-2006
W32.Sagevo - It's a virus that makes the computer vulnerable to malicious remote access. (Reported by Norton antivirus)
12-12-2006
Trojan.Huanux - It's a virus that makes the computer vulnerable to malicious remote access. (Reported by Norton antivirus)



Over the past 2 or 3 months, I've been seeing a lot of personal thoughts, and opinions on Anti Virus programs, not to mention spyware, and firewalls. I would just like to comment on them.

"CAUTION: WARNING WARNING WARNING!!!!

Do not take my opinions as absolute. I'm by no means an expert in the field of Virus Detection or anything that is related. I'm a Windows Expert. So what I type in here may not be what other people think or know. With that being said... If you are running anything other than one of the ten MS Operating Systems, then you are out of luck with this thread. Although, if you are running something like MAC OS X or Linux, FreeBSD, or BeOS then you probably don't have as much to worry about in the first place.


Alright, down to business.

First off, let me tell you what OS's I'm running and a bland idea of the hardware I'm running it on. If you're a geek like myself, you probably have more than one pc. You may have one at work or in your office that you use alot, a family pc that everyone can use, maybe a laptop, and some old piece of crap laying around that you just cannot bear to throw away. If not, then just choose whatever is closest to yours and listen up.
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My work pc is a ho-hum PIII 1Ghz desktop with 512mb of ram and a 60gb hdd running WinXP Pro w/service pack 2 on a 3mbit dsl line using Avast AV, Windows Defender, and Windows XP's firewall. Now, I'm not in some corporate environment stuffed in a cubicle with a company pc, this pc is mine. I brought it from home, and it sits at a desk in the middle of the shop I work for. I do 90***37; of my online activity here.

This pc sits on a 100mbit lan connected with a couple of switches with 4 other pc's connected to it. We have a mix of WinXP and 98 connected to a DSL/Router situated in the office with 3 printers that share files, folders, and resources.

__________________________________________________ _______________
My home PC is a gaming pc. It's an Athlon XP 3000+ with 2GB of Ram and 700GB of HDD space running Windows XP Pro /SP2 and Windows Vista Ultimate. I'm running AVG Free, Windows Defender, and Windows Firewall.

Another Pc at home is a test rig, with a PII 300 running Windows98 Second edition. This pc is using Anti Vir, in conjuction with Zone Alarm and Adaware.

I also have a laptop with 900mhz duron running AVG Free Edition, Spybot Search and Destroy, and Kerio Personal Firewall.

These home pc's are all surfing on a cable connection behind a router and a wireless router (used as a switch). The laptop is wireless. With 3 printers connected. They share files, folders and resources.

From this admission of hardware and software, you may notice a trend. I don't like to spend money on security!!!! I know the free versions of these things are not as good as their full price counterparts, but you know what?
They Work! And for me, they work well.

Oh, I'll admit at one time, I used McAfee, Norton, and Etrust AV Scanners. Keeping up with expensive updates, licenses, and all that jazz. Never again. If you are careful what you click on and use common sense, these scanners will work for anyone. Not all scanners are for all pc's though. Some run better than others. You may have to experiment.

Here is some advice... Do not (let me repeat) Do Not run more than one antivirus app at one time. It may work, and you may think you're getting twice the protection, but you're not! All you're getting is twice the chance for a headache down the road.

If you feel the need to change your anti virus, read some reviews first. Check out the forums, and see what the general feelings are on a product. Some people just don't trust free software because it's free. That's absurd! Check around. Also, on the other hand, don't think you are using a superior product just because it may have caught a virus once. (That's what they are supposed to do) There are going to be people that don't care for what you're using. It's ok, your program still works.

Not all Anti Virus Applications are equal. Some are flat out better than others. Once again you have to shop around and read some reviews. Don't trust one source either. I would have to say go off of at least 5 different sources or more. You have to decipher the bullcrap from the reality. I would rather trust the forums. At least I know you and I are not in the big guys back pockets. If you have a little common sense you'll be able to tell the difference.

I don't like the big pay subscription AV programs out there. I've seen Norton bring systems to their knees. Mcafee is almost impossible to uninstall and both of them tend to be over cautious. Not too mention people tend to not renew the subscriptions. It's easy to think that you have never had a virus and my big bad AV app is doing its job. This is Gospel: If you stop updating it, it's WORTHLESS!!! Free or not!!! Anti Virus apps should be updated on a daily basis. Yes, that's right DAILY. Even if you are on dial up. Especially if you're on dial up. If you update it daily then it won't take so dang long to download.

I'm not saying I don't like some of the pay subscriptions though. I think bitdefender, and kaspersky labs are 2 of the best out there. Panda is another one. I just don't like to shell out the cash for them. Call me cheap, but my reasoning is... I'm careful enough to know what to trust and what not to trust and I've never felt the need to use a pay subscription AV. That's all, no personal grudges, no hatred, I just don't feel the need. I've also seen mention that the free packages don't update their software as often as the pay ones. Someone's gonna have to show me proof of that. As far as I've seen the companies that offer free products also offer "pay for" products as well. Every single one of them use the same engines for scanning and use the same definitions. If this is the case then their pro apps are behind the giants as well.


Ok, you caught me. I am using Avast, and it's not free. But It's just a one time flat fee. Honestly, I'll probably not use it again once my subscription runs out. Only because I don't feel it's doing any better or worse than AVG or AntiVir.

The key to success using free subscriptions of Anti Virus and spyware is using common sense while surfing and checking email. When surfing, stay away from porn sites, and warez sites. They are notorius for having infected files. When checking email, never open attachments from someone you don't recognize. Now, I know there are times when something is just to tempting to pass up. When this happens and you just have to see that funny power point or video. Do this first. Make sure your AV app has been updated TODAY. Save the attachment to your hard drive, then scan it before you open it. Viola'. You should be safe. If you don't understand what I just said, then either learn how to do it, or just delete it to begin with. Even if an attachment is from a trusted source, you should download it and scan it before you open it. Nothing should be trusted! Period.


I hope this gives somebody a little wisdom. Like I said way up top. I'm no expert in this field, and don't take my word for it. Experiment! Make your own opinions on products, and just maybe the next time somebody is looking for some advice, you may beable to chime in without being biased towards one product.

Oh, as far as the apps I'm using.... I've had no problem with any of them. Some are easier to use, and some work better than others. You'll have to make your own decision on which one works the best for you. Look around, there are literally hundreds to choose from. You may come across the next best one.

[bigH2O]

Damn vantim... that was a read.

Can I summarize for our ADD affected readers?

You wouldn't sleep with a bar slut without a condom. Use the same caution when it comes to your internet activity.

[vantim]

Yuk. Isn't this a family thread.

[vantim]

What else can I say. I just summed up what I thought about this whole nonsense. The popular magazines have Nortons checkbook shoved so far up their butts, they wouldn't be caught dead promoting a freebie. I'll tell you what, I recommend AVG to all my customers and not a single one has complained or contracted a virus by doing as I preach. That's testament enough for me.

[vantim]

If you need any more convincing about AVG then read here:
http://talkback.zdnet.com/5208-1009-...31766&start=-3

[Nuviking]

Nuviking here:
We are using win98 and the spy sweeper subscription has run out--spybot was hard to use--as a new person to the computer--if you do not know what to remove or keep--u can cause some problems--does anyone know where I can download a full free version of spy sweeper--not just a trail version? we also have the free version of AVG and we love it. easy to use--updates are great and upload pretty fast. any help would be appreciated!!!! thanks

[bufordt]

Originally Posted by Nuviking

Nuviking here:
We are using win98 and the spy sweeper subscription has run out--spybot was hard to use--as a new person to the computer--if you do not know what to remove or keep--u can cause some problems--does anyone know where I can download a full free version of spy sweeper--not just a trail version? we also have the free version of AVG and we love it. easy to use--updates are great and upload pretty fast. any help would be appreciated!!!! thanks

Locking the garage with the car outside with the keys in the ignition. Windows 98 is so full of security holes that you can not effectively protect it without hardware means.

While I too have tried all of the free Virus scanners, I will reiterate one fact, and that is that you get what you pay for. I won't dispute that AVG is an OK virus protector, but their free version is always about a week behind on signatures as opposed to their paid one. Now their paid one is a very robust product. I just was never allowed to use it in government applications. I was a real fan of the Dr. Solomons line of Virus protection. Then they were swallowed up by another company. Now I use the corporate version of McAfee. And with having supported over 1000 users on one WAN, I can honestly say that we never, ever had a virus issue on a computer with McAfee loaded with updated sigs. NEVER, EVER. Any virus protection is just like any OS, as good as the user and the person supporting it.

One more thing, if you use a product or program, any product or program on a regular basis, and you either make a living with that product or program, please pay for the full version. That is the only way that the developers in most cases will be able to continue to develop and refine the programs that make our lives easier. I just do not understand why we can pay $500 for the latest greatest video card, mega bucks on games and controllers, but we can't fork out $29.99 for WinRar or virus protection.

Now I am getting down off of the soap box.

[vantim]

I dont' know of any "free edition" of spy sweeper. All I can really recommend is Adaware (if it's still supporting Win9x)

Check out www.majorgeeks.com and see what you can find.

[vantim]

Buford, where are you getting your info from on the free version of AVG vs. the Paid Subscription? There updates are not behind on the free version vs. the Paid one. They are the same AV definitions. If you go to the web site and manually download the defs for the free version and the Paid version, not only do they have the same file name and are the same size but if you tear them apart they are identical.

The 2 programs use the exact same AV engine. The only difference is the options and features. The Paid Version has a customizable interface an a lot more scanning options. Plus has extra modules like built in spyware and firewall. But as far as the AV scanners go, they are identical.

There is a warning on the web page that tells you "The listed program updates should not be used for the AVG Anti-Virus Free Edition. AVG Free users can perform the update directly from within the program, or download updates from AVG Free Advisor website."

But that's because the listed updates for the Paid Subscriptions have the extra modules contained in them. If you dig into the download section you can find the AV only def. from the paid subscription web page, and it is listed as the same file on the same day with the same size as the free priority update. The file I examined was the update for Feb. 22 2007. and once I started downloading them, I noticed both files named u7iavi70723.bin

If you can show me proof, I would appreciate it. I'm not trying to knock you down or anything, but if that is indeed the case... I will think about switching to a different AV scanner.

Please don't take this post the wrong way, I just want to get to the bottom of this and you are the only source I'm hearing this from.

[bufordt]

Originally Posted by vantim

Buford, where are you getting your info from on the free version of AVG vs. the Paid Subscription? There updates are not behind on the free version vs. the Paid one. They are the same AV definitions. If you go to the web site and manually download the defs for the free version and the Paid version, not only do they have the same file name and are the same size but if you tear them apart they are identical.

The 2 programs use the exact same AV engine. The only difference is the options and features. The Paid Version has a customizable interface an a lot more scanning options. Plus has extra modules like built in spyware and firewall. But as far as the AV scanners go, they are identical.

There is a warning on the web page that tells you "The listed program updates should not be used for the AVG Anti-Virus Free Edition. AVG Free users can perform the update directly from within the program, or download updates from AVG Free Advisor website."

But that's because the listed updates for the Paid Subscriptions have the extra modules contained in them. If you dig into the download section you can find the AV only def. from the paid subscription web page, and it is listed as the same file on the same day with the same size as the free priority update. The file I examined was the update for Feb. 22 2007. and once I started downloading them, I noticed both files named u7iavi70723.bin

If you can show me proof, I would appreciate it. I'm not trying to knock you down or anything, but if that is indeed the case... I will think about switching to a different AV scanner.

Please don't take this post the wrong way, I just want to get to the bottom of this and you are the only source I'm hearing this from.

This has been fixed in the latest versions of AVG free. It has not always been the case though. There used to be about a week lapse between the time the Paid AVG updates were available and when the free updates were available. I have not used AVG or any of the other free scanners for about three years. I am still a firm believer that you get what you pay for. And if you pay nothing, you get nothing. Like I have stated in the past, I use McAfee. I have never had a virus on any of my computers. Never, Ever. I can respect your opinion as a user of the product, and may very well choose to try it again in the future. But I will only use the paid version.