Computer Viruses

[Malus 12:9]

spyware doctor

Ahhh good old phony antispy

They often tell you to download their program, and run it. They STATE you have adware on your pc to say "You have spyware! Get our full version now to remove it!"

 

[Saw11_2000]

I gave up on Ad-Aware, it's not all that cracked up to be. Both Spubot S&D and
Microsoft (Giant?) Antispy are ok.

As for updates, I found it hilarious that hackers corrupted one of the updates. That'll teach
MS to act all smarty-pants.

The problem is hackers will always target Microsoft? Why? Because it is most commonly
used. What REALLY annoys me is when people say "Oh I have never had a problem blah blah.."
and hidden in their system folders or registries are loggers that record their passwords and who knows what else.

Let's go SP2. Oh goody it turns on Windows Firewall, something you can do yourself in 3 seconds. Oh it stops that Windows Messenger popups? Same thing. WAY too many people
confuse MSN messenger with Windows Messenger *sigh*. Oh it fixes Blaster/Sasser?
So does Windows firewall..Puts up a popup blocker? Ahh firefox, built in popup blocker and
less IE exploits.

When I repaired PCs (only do it hobbywise now) so many teenagers would say "Oh my
MSn doesn't work" or "oh I get too many popups..." POPUPS are the symptom guys, NOT
the cause. My favorite was when they brought in a pc that had just been hit by a DoS
(Denial of Service) attack

But, they won't learn. As soon as they see something "Free" or "cool" or "cool free and new"
*click*...

PS. MSN 7 BITES. It has been hacked SOOOO many times that it isn't funnny. Oh but of course, it's the latest version, I have to get it don't I? NO. I am using 6.2 and never told to install a newer one.

Oh those Windows Messenger popups were so bad! I would be playing Battlefield 1942, and the screen would just minimize and one of those damn things would pop up, do you have a degree and $*(@. Finally, I just disabled it under services.msc. I was glad to hear they disabled it in SP2, a lot of people I knew didn't know how to disable it. Microsoft made a giant mistake for making it enabled in the first place.

 

[Malus 12:9]

The funny thing is Saw, I have seen people actually fall for it ROFL. "Wow cool!"

Microsoft made a giant mistake...

A ? I thought they make continuous ones .

Giant ? Ah yes, MS couldn't make their own program

Mistake ? Microsoft.

 

[anders]

I keep my NAV updated. After upgrading to Win XP Pro SP1 (NOT SP2 and its stupid firewall) I have had no problems and even not one virus warning. On Win ME, there were innumerable crashes, and I had to get rid of Norton. I was extra careful for several months, before I got myself a new computer, designed to last for at least three years, XP and the latest Norton Sytem Works.

 

[Saw11_2000]

I keep my NAV updated. After upgrading to Win XP Pro SP1 (NOT SP2 and its stupid firewall) I have had no problems and even not one virus warning. On Win ME, there were innumerable crashes, and I had to get rid of Norton. I was extra careful for several months, before I got myself a new computer, designed to last for at least three years, XP and the latest Norton Sytem Works.

Well, windows firewall is only enabled if it is the best firewall on your system. When I bought the PC-Cillin Internet Security, it said "Would you like to shutdown Windows Firewall and use the PC-Cillin one instead", (I think that's what it said, or close to ) I said yes, and under the security center thing, it says PC-Cillin firewall now instead of the Windows Firewall one.

 

[Malus 12:9]

Just a note, the Stop-Sign antiviris advertised is actually an LSP (layered service provider) that
is actualy pretty harmful.

 

[Malus 12:9]

Windows Firewall, a picket fence with an open gate in it.

 

[Ryan2065]

I myself fix computers at my school (the tech help desk)

For spyware we use the following programs... In order of how well they work...
1. MS Antispyware Beta
2. Adaware (It sucked awhile ago but the newest version is way better)
3. Spybot Search and Destroy

We use hijack this, but i would not recommend anyone who is a novice computer user to use that program. Either that or have someone else tell you what to remove.

For viruses we hand out a copy of Norton Corporate Edition and just have the user keep that up to date.

If people use firefox instead of IE, have MS Antispyware running in the background and a copy of an antivirus with real time protect running in the background they should be alright. Oh, and make sure to keep up with the windows updates, that includes MS SP 2. SP2 does way more than just "turn on the firewall."

For gods sake do not install two antivirus programs at the same time. I have seen too many systems completely hosed because of this. Make sure one antivirus is completely uninstalled before installing a new one, just to be safe.

Lastly, don't be dumb. If you have a popup don't click on the link. If you get an e-mail or an IM (like over AIM) from someone that has a link in it, make sure this is not an auto generated message before clicking on the link. And the great advice of "Stop looking at porn" is always good. =)

 

[Malus 12:9]

SP2 does way more than just "turn on the firewall."

Yep, gives malicious coders something more to play with

make sure this is not an auto generated message before clicking on the link.

Ahhh, MSN mesenger 7, made almost literally for that cause :biglaugh:

I had one reallly dumb person that kept getting those auto generated messages, and
told everyone not to worry, it's only Microsoft advertising itself :biglaugh::biglaugh:

 

[Saw11_2000]

There's a really bad worm going around I believe it is the sober.ac worm.

Trend Micro IS just prompted me at 11:08 to update because an "outbreak" is occuring. Please update your antiviruses.

http://www.trendmicro.com/vinfo/virusencyclo/default5.asp?VName=WORM_SOBER.AC

 

[Jaymes]

Thanks for the heads-up.

 

[The Black Whirlwind]

i use bitdefender and Norton for antivirus, should i remove one of them? I also use AVG free, but it is the worst antivirus i have ever used. I'm now using spyware search and destroy.

 

[Saw11_2000]

I would remove bitdefender. Not usually a good idea to run two antiviruses. (Also get rid of AVG, if you want to use a free antivirus, use Avast)

But, I've done reasearch, and Kaspersky is actually the AV that detects the most malware.

 

[michel]

I always understood that you can't use two firewalls, neither can you use two antiviruses; personally, even though they are memory hungry, I like Norton; oh look......they are at the top of the poll...............

 

[Saw11_2000]

http://www.av-comparatives.org/seiten/ergebnisse_2005_08.php

http://www.av-comparatives.org/seiten/ergebnisse/report07.pdf

 

[Terrywoodenpic]

Latest Avg From grisoft (free version) now updates itself every day.

Terry__________________________
Blessed are the pure of heart, they shall behold their God.

 

[Saw11_2000]

Avast detects more, and already I believe updates once a day.

 

[Malus 12:9]

Avast detects more

Someone's been sucked in by one of those "false alert" antivruses..

 

[Saw11_2000]

Avast does detect more than AVG.

http://www.av-comparatives.org/seiten/ergebnisse/report07.pdf

 

[Malus 12:9]

No, Avast STATES it finds more than AVG, by giving out false alerts.

Guys, http://s13.invisionfree.com/PCSecure_Forums/index.php?