Antivirus, Antimalware, And Antispyware Resources

Since AOL is paying Kaspersky Labs big bucks to use their AV engine with an AOL skin, can we add Active Virus Shield to the list of free AV programs? I'm fairly certain it's the most effective AV program you can get for free.

I think it would be good if we could add it to the list of Freeware Replacements for Commercial Apps thread, too.

Having tried the Active Virus Shield, I would not add it to the list. It is malware/spyware. Any AOL product is a virus in itself.

Having tried the Active Virus Shield, I would not add it to the list. It is malware/spyware. Any AOL product is a virus in itself.

You're going to have to back that up with a very reputable source for me to not dismiss that claim outright.

There are some concerns that the EULA could allow AOL to display ads on it in later releases, but as it stands now the program is only differs from retail Kaspersky by having an AOL skin, an AOL toolbar (not required for install), and the lack of an integrated browser AV plugin. If it were a virus or spyware I sincerely doubt it would be hosted on majorgeeks, softpedia, zdnet, etc. And if it had malware components then the Spysweeper installation on my test bench would have likely picked up on it.

I have to agree that calling Active Virus Shield and thus Kaspersky malware/spyware is delusional, since KAV is my AV of choice. Maybe calling AOL that is tongue in cheek?

Anyway I've also considered having it put on the list, and made some notes on it the other day. My main problem with it is that it is only free for a year, like the EZArmor suite that CA Associates used to(?) offer. Following are my quicknotes and sorry they aren't formatted very well

Notes on AOL’s Active Virus Shield: http://www.activevirusshield.com/antivirus/freeav/index.adp

Pros:
It's Kaspersky
Much more configurable than most free AV's

Cons:
Only free for a year.
It's AOL
May have to give permission for them to spam you
No advanced feature like Recovery disk
A toolbar is optional, but not explained well enough to make a choice--has a whois that would be a nice feature.
Incompatibale with Zone Alarm and possibly other firewalls.

Unknown:
How well it uninstalls.
Scriptblocker?

Google search of reviews: http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&cli...iew&spell=1

Read Reviews:
http://reviews.cnet.com/AOL_Active_Virus_S...7-32004278.html
http://www.securitycadets.com/2006/08/aols...-in-a-nutshell/

I was going to do more research on this before posting, but thought at least this much needs to get out.

3. Spyware Protection Programs[list]
[*]hpguru's HOSTS File - Another Hosts file.

The website has changed. Unfortunately the new web address doesn't appear to be working. The new web address is listed as: http://www.hosts-file.net/

Orange Blossom

Edited by Orange Blossom, 05 March 2007 - 02:32 PM.

Fixed

If you cannot bootup or logon in normal or safe mode, and a Repair Install, Recovery options in Vista, Recovery options in Windows 7, Recovery Options in Windows 8 and Recovery Options in Windows 10 do not work, you may be able to use a Rescue Disk to make the computer bootable again.

• How to Use An Antivirus Boot Disc or USB Drive to Ensure Your Computer is Clean
• The LiveCD List
• Comprehensive List of 26 Bootable Antivirus Rescue CDs for Offline Scanning

Depending on the security vendor, some rescue disks (i.e. Avast, Bitdefender) will also allow you to scan removable media.
 

Keep in mind that a Rescue Disk is not intended for prevention...it is downloaded and used only when needed which ensures you are always using the most current version. These are links to Anti-virus vendors that offer free LiveCD/Rescue CD utilities that are used to boot from in order to repair unbootable or damaged systems, rescue data, and scan the system for malware infections. Keep in mind there is no guarantee the repair will be successful and you may need to try more than one. Rescue CD’s typically come as an ISO Image file that can be written to a CD or installed on a USB flash drive which is then used to boot-up the computer to run the live operating system in memory. Avira uses an EXE that has built-in CD burning capability.
 
* Kaspersky RescueDisk

• How to scan your computer using Kaspersky Rescue Disk
• How to boot under Kaspersky Rescue Disk

If you encounter problems running the RescueDisk, you can get further assistance at the Kaspersky Support Forum
 
* ESET SysRescue Live
- ESET SysRescue Live User guide

* Avira AntiVir Rescue System - Tutorial for Avira Rescue CD.
If you encounter problems running the Rescue Disk, you can get further assistance at the Avira Support Forum.

* Dr.Web LiveCD. Be sure to print out and follow the instructions provided in the User Manual.

* F-Secure Rescue CD

• How to create F-Secure Rescue CD

If you encounter problems running the Rescue CD, you can get further assistance at the F-Secure Support Forum.

* Bitdefender Rescue CD

If you encounter problems running the Rescue CD, you can get further assistance at the BitDefender Support Forum.

* Panda SafeCD for Panda users consists of an ISO that you can either burn to a CD/DVD or create a more convenient Boot USB stick.
If you encounter problems running SafeCD, you can get further assistance at the Panda Support Forum.
 
* Avast Rescue Disk
* AVG Rescue CD
* eScan Rescue Disk
* Norton Bootable Recovery Tool
 
* SystemRescueCD (Linux system rescue disk available as a bootable CD-ROM or USB stick)

* HitmanPro with Kickstart is an alternative to a typical Rescue CD for removing Ransomware. It is designed to start from a USB flash drive so it does not need to be installed on your hard drive. You do not need to logon to Windows. HitmanPro.Kickstart will start automatically after a few seconds on the logon screen when Windows wants you to enter the logon information.

• How to Create HitmanPro.Kickstart USB flash drive
• HitmanPro.Kickstart User Manual
• HitmanPro.Kickstart User Manual/Guide
• HitmanPro.Kickstart FAQs
• BC Ransoneware Removal Guide using HitmanPro to create a HitmanPro kickstart USB drive

Note: HitmanPro.Kickstart has been discontinued but you may find download links to older versions...it will not work on Windows 8 because it's boot method is different...see here.
 
* Windows Defender Offline

• Windows Defender Offline in Windows 10

• When should I use Windows Defender Offline - Using on Windows 10 and Windows 7
• How to Perform a Windows Defender Offline Scan in Windows 10
• How to Find and Remove Malware with Windows Defender Offline In Windows 7/8/10
• Windows Defender Offline System Requirements

If you are not sure how to burn an image, please read:

• How to write a CD/DVD image or ISO
• How to burn a CD/DVD image with ISO Recorder
• ImgBurn

- ImgBurn Guides-- Note: In order to use a rescue disk, the Boot Order must be set to start from a usb drive or CD-ROM drive. If the usb or CD is not first in the boot order, the computer will attempt to start normally by booting from the hard drive. The boot order is a setting found in the computer’s BIOS which runs when it is first powered on. This setting controls the order that the BIOS uses to look for a boot device from which to load the operating system. The default will normally be A:, C:, CD-ROM.

Different computer manufacturers have different ways for how to enter the BIOS setup. Usually at boot up you will see a screen with some text that says something like "Press X to Enter Startup" where "X" is the F2, F9, or DEL key. With some systems you may need to press the ESC key or F10 to display the Startup Menu and then press the F2, F9, etc key.

HP Boot Device Options (F9)

Changing A Computer's Boot Order Guides

• How To Change the Boot Order in Your Computer’s BIOS
• How to Boot From a CD or USB Drive on Any PC
• Changing Your Computers Boot Order
• How to Set AmiBios to Boot from CDROM
• HP Consumer Support: Configuring the Boot Order in the System BIOS

Edited by quietman7, 10 March 2019 - 08:03 PM.

So I am really new at this and am really glad I found this site. I downloaded Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware to remove the various infections on my computer. In addition to Anti-Malware protection, do I need to download different programs for Spyware, Adware, Anti-virus, etc...? That seems like a lot. Or will the Anti-Malware be enough? Is there not a single program that is all incompassing?

No single product is 100% foolproof and can prevent, detect and remove all threats at any given time. The security community is in a constant state of change as new infections appear and it takes time for them to be reported, samples collected, analyzed, and tested by anti-virus researchers before they can add a new threat to database definitions. Further, if you're dealing with zero-day malware it's unlikely the anti-virus is going to detect anything. Malware writers have the advantage since no matter how hard security vendors attempt to stay on top of new threats, there is always a short time-frame in which a new malicious file goes undetected and can infect a computer without detection. Just because one anti-virus or anti-malware scanner detected threats that another missed, does not mean its more effective. Every security vendor's lab and program scanning engine is different. Each has its own strengths and weaknesses and they often use a mix of technologies to detect and remove malware.

Security vendors use different scanning engines and different detection methods such as Heuristic Analysis, Behavioral Analysis, Sandboxing and Signature file detection (containing the binary patterns of known virus signatures) which can account for discrepancies in scanning outcomes. Depending on how often the anti-virus or anti-malware database is updated can also account for differences in threat detections.

Further, each vendor has its own definition (naming standards) of what constitutes malware and scanning your computer using different criteria will yield different results. The fact that each program has its own definition files means that some malware may be picked up by one that could be missed by another. Thus, a multi-layered defense using anti-spyware products (including an effective firewall) to supplement your anti-virus combined with common sense, Good Security Habits and safe surfing provides the most complete protection.

I have been using Kaspersky IS eversince version 7 came out ( 5 years ago?). Before that I was using ESET.

I do not know if there is a single (or multiple) objective sources of information as to which AV is (if not the best) at least the Better antivirus software.

I have found that it is not necessary paid products which are worth it - Microsoft Security Essentials seems a very good free alternative to many 'proud' programs such as Norton or even Kaspersky.

It would be nice to know such an objective source of information, as all I have now is my own experience, which I would say is not too objective provided I have used a single AV for the past 5 years.

Btw, I am extremely pleased with KIS, but anything better is more than welcome.

I do not know if there is a single (or multiple) objective sources of information as to which AV is (if not the best) at least the Better antivirus software.

Independent Anti-virus software Comparisons & Tests

• Independent comparatives of Anti-virus Software <- click the "Comparatives" link on the left, then click Main Tests.
• Virus Bulletin Comparative Tests
• AV-Test.org
• NSS Labs Consumer Anti-Malware Products Group Test Report <- click on the link to "Read the full report now"
• NSS Labs Corporate Endpoint Protection Products Group Test:
• Anti-Malware Test Lab

These kinds of comparative testing results will vary depending on a variety of factors to include but not limited to who conducted the testing, what they were testing for (type of threats, attack vectors, exploits), what versions of anti-virus software was tested, what type of scanning engine was used, and the ability to clean or repair. There are no universally predefined set of standards or criteria for testing which means each test will yield different results. As such, you need to look for detailed information about how the tests were conducted, the procedures used, and data results. Read Anti-virus Testing Websites: An overview of testing sites

Anti-virus Software Reviews

• ICSA Labs
• NerdModo's Top 10 Antivirus Software
• Best Antivirus Software - Editor's Choice
• TopTen Review: AntiVirus Software Product Comparisons
• gizmo's Best Free Antivirus Software

I have just purchased a new Toshiba laptop with Windows 7. It came with a trial version of Norton. Trying to decide what Internet Security Suite to go with. Suggestions?

And then what additional products to add? Planned on the paid version of Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware. But what else do you guys recommend as necessity products? I am overwhelmed by the list of options and don't want to over do it.

Any suggestions will be much appreciated.

Thanks.

Take a look here: Answers to common security questions: Prevention & Choosing an Anti-virus or Firewall

If you cannot
These are links to Anti-virus vendors that offer free LiveCD/Rescue CD utilities that are used to boot from in order to repair unbootable or damaged systems, rescue data, and scan the system for malware infections. Keep in mind there is no guarantee the repair will be successful and you may need to try more than one. Burn it as an image to a CD disk to get a bootable CD. All (except Avira) are in the ISO Image file format. Avira uses an EXE that has built-in CD burning capability.

I did a little testing on this one and mount the ISO image in a deployment workbench and it works

Just tested it on a USB bootable and works as well



Thanks you for this wonderful info quietman. Hope to see your future post

Edited by TM_Paul, 26 October 2011 - 04:37 AM.

You're welcome TM_Paul .

Just wanted to leave a link update for the Resources sticky.
8. The MVPS Hosts File or similar HOSTS file will actually block a list of known bad sites from even loading in your browser. It can also be used to block ads, banners, 3rd party cookies and more. Operating system compatibility and installation instructions are provided.

The MVPS Hosts File link goes to the main mvps.org page. There doesn't appear to be a link to the hosts file tool/installer.
The main page and direct link to the MVPS Hosts file is below.
Main Page = http://winhelp2002.mvps.org/index.htm
Direct link = http://winhelp2002.mvps.org/hosts.htm

Keep up the good work...