whats you view on protection and its limits

[skript kiddie]

do think its all bloatware
do you think its a conspericy?
do you think you can only get through email/download

post your thoughts and feelings on protection and its limits.

 

[Noddsta]

were is /kaspersky/avast ?
alot people use them now days to ?
as for them on top i would not use them to be honest..
norton is biggest pile poo ever made all virus to get through pfft no good man or beast..
as for rest would not know as i never used them before

 

[Joan Archer]

You will never get a definite answer as everyone has their favourite and even the best aren't always 100%.

Don't forget that the bad guys are always thinking up ways to try and beat them and you can't expect 1 piece of software to be able to stop everything all of the time.

This is why it's a good idea to have a layered approach to security and practise Safe Hex.

 

[pacinitaly]

[quote practise Safe Hex.[/quote]

I like that

 

[rive0108]

This will result in subjective opinions that are based on personal preference.

Ps- I am a perpetual Beta tester of OneCare (I get free yearly renewals, and the new version/builds before the public). I removed it because When I ran NOD32 online scans It detected malware that OneCare missed. Also, Windows Live OneCare will discontinue retail sales of Windows Live OneCare subscription service beginning June 30, 2009

The best overall indicator is to look at certified lab test results where malware/viruses are thrown at the program to test performance and detection.

These are the best certification labs, and here is the latest lab test results:http://www.vistax64.com/system-security/172321-vista-sp1-antivirus-performance.html

For AV-Comparatives November 2008 Test results (proactive-retroactive (heuristic) Test part 2 of 2)
For AV-Comparatives August 2008 Test results (on-Demand Test Part 1 of 2)
For current Vista x64 results December 2008 (virus Bulletin- VB100)

*Av-Comparatives Determined Avira Pro/Premium to be the best in 2008. Eset NOD32 took a close second in 2008, and was the best in the proactive-Retroactive test)
Eset NOD32 was the Best in 2006 and 2007 in the AV-Comparative tests, and consistantly wins the VB100 Award from Virus Bulletin year after year.

So, based on performance/detection NOD32 is the best of your list. NOD32 4.0 is the newest release that features (amongst other things) self-defense, and the ability to create a bootable disk, and Sys Inspector to take snapshots and allow comparision for system iregularities and file changes/corruption. NOD32 also allows backing up the Config settings, and password protected settings.

 

[skript kiddie]

You will never get a definite answer as everyone has their favourite and even the best aren't always 100%.

Don't forget that the bad guys are always thinking up ways to try and beat them and you can't expect 1 piece of software to be able to stop everything all of the time.

This is why it's a good idea to have a layered approach to security and practise Safe Hex.

the bad guys? you didn't think the good guys only make "anti-virus" did you?

 

[merkat106]

Norton IS 2009 is way better than its bloatware predessors. Microsoft Live One Care is okay, but is a pain to install/set up. I really don't trust McAfee anymore after a trojan corrupted it several years ago. I don't trust free AV programs because those I've used missed a bunch of viruses. I use Kaspersky IS 2009.

 

[Ayporos]

If you ask me it's all stupid and unnecessary.

If you have a firewall that can block direct attacks to your PC you're all good.

Who needs bloody anti-virus/internet security software that hoggs up your resources, checks EVERY SINGLE DAMN FILE before it loads when you click on it, LAGS the crap out of every site because it has to filter/scan it first, checks for updates EVERY SINGLE DAY when you least want it to.

it's all rubbish.

If people would learn NOT to go to shady sites or run attachements on spammail the world would not need anti-virus software.

HELL even if I do get a virus on my pc it'll be off of it again within 5 minutes guaranteed. I know all processes that run on my pc, keep my folder structure tight, security tight, windows defender tight (that IS one of vista's major plus points if you ask me btw, its epic), DEP.

And if all else fails there is always system recovery to save the day \o/

and if EVEN that fails ill just format my hd and reinstall windows. It's been about half a year now since im running vista and seeing as I otherwise wouldnt ever get to it a virus to screw up my pc would help motivate me to finally 'clean out the shed' =)

 

[SCSIraidGURU]

Nothing is perfect. I use Avast Pro with no problems. Many variants of Vundo can get through anything. Just don't go to unknown sites. Keep your anti-virus and Windows Updates done.

 

[rive0108]

If you ask me it's all stupid and unnecessary.

If you have a firewall that can block direct attacks to your PC you're all good.

Who needs bloody anti-virus/internet security software that hoggs up your resources, checks EVERY SINGLE DAMN FILE before it loads when you click on it, LAGS the crap out of every site because it has to filter/scan it first, checks for updates EVERY SINGLE DAY when you least want it to.

it's all rubbish.

If people would learn NOT to go to shady sites or run attachements on spammail the world would not need anti-virus software.

HELL even if I do get a virus on my pc it'll be off of it again within 5 minutes guaranteed. I know all processes that run on my pc, keep my folder structure tight, security tight, windows defender tight (that IS one of vista's major plus points if you ask me btw, its epic), DEP.

And if all else fails there is always system recovery to save the day \o/

and if EVEN that fails ill just format my hd and reinstall windows. It's been about half a year now since im running vista and seeing as I otherwise wouldnt ever get to it a virus to screw up my pc would help motivate me to finally 'clean out the shed' =)

You are kidding right??

It is a very , very bad idea to run a pc connected to the internet without Malware/Virus protection-(I hope you dont use email, download any files, use IE add ons, codec packs for Video playback, use credit cards, etc).

Only an inexperienced User would think that "safe surfing" is an effective means of preventing Malware. There are spoofed websites of banks/sites, worms, trojans, and without a good antivirus you will eventually either lose data, suffer identity theft, hijacking, or a end up with a system so corrupted only a re-install will fix the problem).

One day when you are unable to log into user accounts, or see your bank account suffer unexplained "withdrawals", or recieve "collection calls" on unpaid credit card/loan accounts, or have difficulty obtaining a credit card/loan/tax return because your Personal data is being hijacked/used by others.... Remember your philosophy here, and dont be surprised... Its not just about "Opps, got malware, re-install Windows".

Malware is embedded all the time (trojans) in hacked code on legit sites such as Yahoo/Facebook/MSN/Paypal, etc. "safe surfing" will not protect you from these threats.
Credit card/banking/Identitiy theft are big money now a days. Go without Antivirus/antimalware at your own risk. I personally would rather do other things with my time, then constantly re-install Windows, desperately try to recover lost/corrupted data, fight with collections/banks over unauthorized accounts/charges. Or have to prove to the Government That I am not an impostor in order to obtain Government benefits/tax returns, or fight tax liability.

.

 

[echrada]

Have to agree Rive - it is a very naive person that takes on the net without protection.

 

[dk70]

Or a person who knows what he/she is doing.

Dont see why it should be so difficult to avoid infections, matter of a little knowledge and awareness. Threats do not seek user if a bit of safe computing is applied, users go to threats. Not really rocket science to avoid. If some have trouble understanding they cant click on/install everything that moves it is their problem - not argument for ghosts or ufos.

At least this goes for grown ups. Kids etc. can force other means of reaching same goal.

Buying X product instead of Y means little compared to understanding. These old AVs are pretty much useless with regards to protecting against phishing/scam sites - WOT http://www.mywot.com/ blow them away and is free. As is build in protection in all modern browsers.

 

[Ayporos]

I understand your scepticism towards my beliefs but you have to understand that in reality 'everything' could 'possibly' have security issues.

If the best hacker in the world wanted access to your machine he would get it, even if you had numerous anti virus, internet security and malware programs installed and running.

I have run my computers as I stated earlier for years now without any major infections.
Worst case was some spamware constantly opening up ad windows.

I understand if you guys feel safer running such software but please don't dismiss my beliefs as 'naive' seeing as I have successfully used 'the internet' for years now using my approach, probably getting much less actual infections than the average internet user out there.

 

[rive0108]

Or a person who knows what he/she is doing.

Dont see why it should be so difficult to avoid infections, matter of a little knowledge and awareness. Threats do not seek user if a bit of safe computing is applied, users go to threats. Not really rocket science to avoid. If some have trouble understanding they cant click on/install everything that moves it is their problem - not argument for ghosts or ufos.

At least this goes for grown ups. Kids etc. can force other means of reaching same goal.

Buying X product instead of Y means little compared to understanding. These old AVs are pretty much useless with regards to protecting against phishing/scam sites - WOT Internet Security | WOT Web of Trust blow them away and is free. As is build in protection in all modern browsers.

And how will safe surfing protect you from Hacked sites embedded with Malware?

Malware is embedded all the time (trojans) in hacked code on legit sites such as Yahoo/Facebook/MSN/Paypal, etc. "safe surfing" will not protect you from these threats. its as easy as clicking a link, opeing a message, or just surfing the page.

 

[Ayporos]

Or a person who knows what he/she is doing.

Dont see why it should be so difficult to avoid infections, matter of a little knowledge and awareness. Threats do not seek user if a bit of safe computing is applied, users go to threats. Not really rocket science to avoid. If some have trouble understanding they cant click on/install everything that moves it is their problem - not argument for ghosts or ufos.

At least this goes for grown ups. Kids etc. can force other means of reaching same goal.

Buying X product instead of Y means little compared to understanding. These old AVs are pretty much useless with regards to protecting against phishing/scam sites - WOT Internet Security | WOT Web of Trust blow them away and is free. As is build in protection in all modern browsers.

Thank you,

good to see there are other people out there that share my belief that UNDERSTANDING is better than simply 'installing program x' and hope it takes care of it for you.

Rive you mention malware and trojans that 'attach' themselves to datastreams from legit sites being a big risk.. problem is, YOU as the USER would have to first GET those trojans on your pc from another site/email/whatever in order for them to pose a threat.

Fact of the matter is that if you ONLY use legit sites, dont open/run any suspicious programs there is no way to become infected unless your pc is directly attacked and the chances of that actually happening are too remote to consider it worthwile installing anti-virus.

But, not to totally discredit you, I just downloaded AD-aware latest edition and ran a full scan. guess what, nothing showed up

 

[rive0108]

Or a person who knows what he/she is doing.

Dont see why it should be so difficult to avoid infections, matter of a little knowledge and awareness. Threats do not seek user if a bit of safe computing is applied, users go to threats. Not really rocket science to avoid. If some have trouble understanding they cant click on/install everything that moves it is their problem - not argument for ghosts or ufos.

At least this goes for grown ups. Kids etc. can force other means of reaching same goal.

Buying X product instead of Y means little compared to understanding. These old AVs are pretty much useless with regards to protecting against phishing/scam sites - WOT Internet Security | WOT Web of Trust blow them away and is free. As is build in protection in all modern browsers.

Thank you,

good to see there are other people out there that share my belief that UNDERSTANDING is better than simply 'installing program x' and hope it takes care of it for you.

Rive you mention malware and trojans that 'attach' themselves to datastreams from legit sites being a big risk.. problem is, YOU as the USER would have to first GET those trojans on your pc from another site/email/whatever in order for them to pose a threat.

Fact of the matter is that if you ONLY use legit sites, dont open/run any suspicious programs there is no way to become infected unless your pc is directly attacked and the chances of that actually happening are too remote to consider it worthwile installing anti-virus.

But, not to totally discredit you, I just downloaded AD-aware latest edition and ran a full scan. guess what, nothing showed up

Hmm the only flaw with that logic is assuming no legit sites ever get hacked and embedded with malicious code.

Ad-aware is very limited Antispyware app, try this with scanning set to full, and checking for "unwanted" programs:
note- Vista ships with Defender Antimalware, this app is better than Ad-Aware, and makes it superfluous.
http://www.eset.com/onlinescan/

And this for polymorphic Malware (trojans)
note- this is not designed to be a standalone antimalware app. It is very limited, and specifically targeted for polymorphic malware.
http://www.malwarebytes.org/mbam.php

In the end though, it is your computer, Your Identity, and finances. Do what you want. Good Luck to you. I think it is foolish to even take the chance of malware induced, and preventable issues when free apps, or $35 apps can provide at least a minimal protection level (i.e., Avira-top rated, and free)

 

[Ayporos]

Or a person who knows what he/she is doing.

Dont see why it should be so difficult to avoid infections, matter of a little knowledge and awareness. Threats do not seek user if a bit of safe computing is applied, users go to threats. Not really rocket science to avoid. If some have trouble understanding they cant click on/install everything that moves it is their problem - not argument for ghosts or ufos.

At least this goes for grown ups. Kids etc. can force other means of reaching same goal.

Buying X product instead of Y means little compared to understanding. These old AVs are pretty much useless with regards to protecting against phishing/scam sites - WOT Internet Security | WOT Web of Trust blow them away and is free. As is build in protection in all modern browsers.

And how will safe surfing protect you from Hacked sites embedded with Malware?

Malware is embedded all the time (trojans) in hacked code on legit sites such as Yahoo/Facebook/MSN/Paypal, etc. "safe surfing" will not protect you from these threats.

You've already said this before, exactly the same thing to be precise.
Repeating the same arguement doesn't get you anywhere.

I agree there is a chance that the actual 'legit site' servers might become infected by a trojan or virus or get hacked but these sites are under 24/7 surveilance and if such an incident is to occur the site will be taken down and fixed in LITTLE TIME.
So there is only a very small group of people that will fall victim to these sorts of things, the people unfortunate enough to use that site within the timeframe of the infection occuring and the site moderators noticing the infection and taking the site down for repairs. The chance of you becoming one of them is small enough to be concidered neglible.

 

[dk70]

Another thing about this product hyping/selection is those who know too little but enough to be worried will feel SO safe once the best is installed - may be even paid for. They still know too little, likely including new installation, but now they have zero reason to upgrade themself because X is protecting them. There are many of such cases. There is no protection without understanding. The more stuff installed the less risk perhaps but often matter of time.

Well just show me the sites which magically infect a computer with hacked code while the innocent user is watching and screaming. Ive never seen one or seen it mentioned as a real problem. There are lab tests and such proving bugs in browsers but they never reach public consumption, feed paranoia perhaps. Focus on real threats and there is way less to worry about - except users. Those protection tools I mentioned do just what you ask, block/warn against sites. They do not rely on AV to work - which is good and probably why the old companies have made such a poor effort in this internet shielding. Take crap out at the source is a lot safer and more efficient. OpenDNS is a nice tool as well btw. Sadly not too effective with malware sites, might change as they watch WOT grow.

 

[Ayporos]

yes it is as dk70 said.

most common sources of infection are:
EMAIL
MSN virus link spam
actually going onto a malicious website and downloading and running malicious stuff.

I am pretty sure atleast 99% of infections occur in such a matter, and all anti-virus/internet security does to help users protect from that sort of attacks is go

"you are being an idiot and you are trying to open a virus, do you want to continue/should I belay your command?"

'scuse the sarcasm and irony, but its needed to emphasise the severity of the issue.

 

[rive0108]

Another thing about this product hyping/selection is those who know too little but enough to be worried will feel SO safe once the best is installed - may be even paid for. They still know too little, likely including new installation, but now they have zero reason to upgrade themself because X is protecting them. There are many of such cases. There is no protection without understanding. The more stuff installed the less risk perhaps but often matter of time.

Well just show me the sites which magically infect a computer with hacked code while the innocent user is watching and screaming. Ive never seen one or seen it mentioned as a real problem. There are lab tests and such proving bugs in browsers but they never reach public consumption, feed paranoia perhaps. Focus on real threats and there is way less to worry about - except users. Those protection tools I mentioned do just what you ask, block/warn against sites. They do not rely on AV to work - which is good and probably why the old companies have made such a poor effort in this internet shielding. Take crap out at the source is a lot safer and more efficient. OpenDNS is a nice tool as well btw. Sadly not too effective with malware sites, might change as they watch WOT grow.

Facebook/MySpace.

They are known for Hackers releasing new malware/worms


Like I said before, Its your system, and Identity, and finances. Good luck.