Anti-virus,spyware,malware programs

[likemHUNG12]

Maybe you computer experts out there can help me out.
I have Trend titanium micro antivirus + installed in my computer,I recently installed a Norton PC checkup.The problem is that my Trend micro says I have no threats ex.cookies that can harm my computer,but the Norton checkup says I have 64 threats(I think cookies)I have used my IE9 supposidly to delete all cookies but the Norton still says I have 64 threats.Is this just to get me to buy Norton,or what?Also in you guys opinion,what is the best anti-virus,spyware,malware program?Thanks in advance.

 

[everyday_regular]

When you use more than one anti-virus software they have a nasty habit of working against each other and not really doing their jobs properly.

Personally I use Avira - it's completely free and when I had massive problems with spyware it cleared it all out perfectly. It's also non-intrusive so you don't have annoying pop-ups or programme blockers constantly.

 

[JulieInNaplesFL]

Norton sucks and has for years.

Avira is excellent and free.

 

[Mr. Snakey]

Maybe you computer experts out there can help me out.
I have Trend titanium micro antivirus + installed in my computer,I recently installed a Norton PC checkup.The problem is that my Trend micro says I have no threats ex.cookies that can harm my computer,but the Norton checkup says I have 64 threats(I think cookies)I have used my IE9 supposidly to delete all cookies but the Norton still says I have 64 threats.Is this just to get me to buy Norton,or what?Also in you guys opinion,what is the best anti-virus,spyware,malware program?Thanks in advance.

Trend Micro is fine. Not a bad program. Norton is simply garbage and can even destroy your computer. Uninstall Norton PC checkup or anything else Norton. DO NOT use Internet Explorer. It is not a safe browser. Use Firefox browser. Very important. Here is a link to Firefox and other links to some very good(and free) spyware and malware programs. If you have any questions send me a pm. I am more than happy to help you. Set Firefox to never remember browsing history. Write down all your passwords to sites before hand.
Mozilla Firefox Web Browser — Free Download


Malwarebytes Anti-Malware - Free software downloads and software ...


SuperAntiSpyware Free Edition - Free software downloads and ...

 

[lil_mike]

You could always try Microsoft Security Essentials. It is free, and frequently updated. I have yet to hear anything negative about it from friends who have ditched their bloated antivirus/malware suites.

 

[iworshipdickalot]

Is Avira that good?

I use Spybot and AVG Internet Security.

Are you all saying Avira is better. Becaus I would really like a decent program for protecting my laptop.

 

[likemHUNG12]

Trend Micro is fine. Not a bad program. Norton is simply garbage and can even destroy your computer. Uninstall Norton PC checkup or anything else Norton. DO NOT use Internet Explorer. It is not a safe browser. Use Firefox browser. Very important. Here is a link to Firefox and other links to some very good(and free) spyware and malware programs. If you have any questions send me a pm. I am more than happy to help you. Set Firefox to never remember browsing history. Write down all your passwords to sites before hand.
Mozilla Firefox Web Browser — Free Download


Malwarebytes Anti-Malware - Free software downloads and software ...


SuperAntiSpyware Free Edition - Free software downloads and ...

Thank you for the advice.I have uninstalled the Norton checkup.And will install firefox.

 

[classyron]

Trend Micro is fine. Not a bad program. Norton is simply garbage and can even destroy your computer. Uninstall Norton PC checkup or anything else Norton. DO NOT use Internet Explorer. It is not a safe browser. Use Firefox browser. Very important. Here is a link to Firefox and other links to some very good(and free) spyware and malware programs. If you have any questions send me a pm. I am more than happy to help you. Set Firefox to never remember browsing history. Write down all your passwords to sites before hand.
Mozilla Firefox Web Browser — Free Download


Malwarebytes Anti-Malware - Free software downloads and software ...


SuperAntiSpyware Free Edition - Free software downloads and ...

The bottom two are what we use in the industry as they meet with government standards for malware removal. As for Anti-virus programs, it is best to rotate through the free ones every 6-12 months, as they seldom stay effective for long. AVG sold its soul and lets some stuff slip through. Avast, Avira, etc are fine. Every now and then do an online scan from BitDefender.com too. If you want to pay for it, then I recommend the full version of Eset NOD32. Avoid everything that you see in big box stores, Norton, McAfee, etc.

 

[likemHUNG12]

Thanks guys,and gals for the advice.I installed the free Malwarebytes,and free Superantispyware.Is having both necessary,or is having one over the other better?

 

[FBAnder]

Malwarebytes Antimalware is good schtuff but won't get rid of good rootkits. But if you've gotten that pwned, best to seek some help.

I can vouch for MS Security Essentials...the second iteration is quite good. Avira a good second. Norton is crap as already covered, remove it and kill it with fire.

FireFox is no longer the bad boy it used to be...I'd suggest Chrome over FF. IE9 is actually a real browser now, MS has done away with most of the previous iteration non-conformance shennanigans and the browser is pretty peppy. I still wouldn't use it though, haha.

But all the software in the world won't help you if you have poor browsing habits. Think before you click/download, when in doubt, GOOGLE! If Google is inconclusive, don't click/download/install.

 

[likemHUNG12]

Thanks FBAnder.I still have IE9,but wont use it unless I have to for some reason.OK whats better FF or Chrome.Need more than 1 opinion.pls.

 

[JulieInNaplesFL]

Firefox is the best I have used and we've had them all.

 

[CobraLover]

I agree, I like Firefox best and Malwarebytes is a good free program.

 

[D_Johnson Withernads]

A layered approach to security is the best approach. You'll find that you'll trade ease of use for security though. Stop with what you're comfortable using and tailor your "safe surfing" to reflect that. Always have a clean backup/image of your system in 2 places. What you're really asking for here (apart from something that does the job well) is personal preference. With that in mind here's a few on top of what's been mentioned that I use:

For a sandboxing solution it's hard to go past Sandboxie. It may require a little learning but it's well worth it. There's a free version which may be fine for many users, but if you do buy a licence you're supporting a great program.

Opera's my favourite browser. Doesn't have the many add-ons of Firefox, the sandboxing of Chrome or the market share of Internet Explorer, but a lot of things you take for granted in browsers today originated from Opera. They also generally patch exploits very quickly too. If I had to choose between FF and Chrome though I'd choose FF. (I run whichever browser I'm currently using inside Sandboxie.)

HitManPro is a great second opinion scanner for malware. Uses the scan engines from some of the best in the industry and is very fast to scan. Free too, unless you want to remove something with it (except cookies), which isn't as stupid as it sounds. Just use something else to remove whatever it finds or do it manually.

I also think Comodo (CIS) is worth a look along with GeSWall, BufferZone, Returnil, SpywareBlaster, CCleaner, Sweepi, Spyware Search and Destroy and many more that I don't care to bore you with.

Wilders' security forum is a very good first stop for information on all of this sort of stuff.

If you don't have a clue what I'm talking about PM me and I'll walk you through whatever type of setup you want.

P.S. It's never a bad idea to scan downloads you're not sure about with an online scanner like virustotal or jotti (just google the names and you'll find their sites). IE9's inbuilt download scanner is pretty under-rated too for what it's worth.

 

[D_Sherman_Shuttlebottom]

Um, while I do think "this thread is in the wrong section!" OCD gets annoying when taken too far, I do think this discussion might benefit more people if it was in the "Etc." section on the main page. As I understand it, the "Everything Else" section here is specifically about porn, and porn that defies the labels "straight" and "gay."

 

[likemHUNG12]

Um, while I do think "this thread is in the wrong section!" OCD gets annoying when taken too far, I do think this discussion might benefit more people if it was in the "Etc." section on the main page. As I understand it, the "Everything Else" section here is specifically about porn, and porn that defies the labels "straight" and "gay."

Well.there is always a second opinion.There has been several times that there has been subjects put in the gay websites section,that I thought should be in the straight section,but I guess its always in the eye of the beholder.
Didnt know about the etc.section anyway.

 

[hotcockalex]

Check out NOD32

 

[Mr. Snakey]

Well.there is always a second opinion.There has been several times that there has been subjects put in the gay websites section,that I thought should be in the straight section,but I guess its always in the eye of the beholder.
Didnt know about the etc.section anyway.

Your thread is fine here. You have gotten many responses. Give your computer a scan with Malwarebytes. Update it first. Then scan with Superantispyware. I am interested to see what they catch. I just scanned a computer with Superantispyware. It caught 227 threats and a Trogan virus in Windows installer.

 

[D_Johnson Withernads]

By the way, my first post was to point you in the direction of some decent free stuff. All of that stuff is free depending upon the version that you use or how you use it. (If you end up using either Returnil or Sandboxie then you can pay for more functionality if you want to, but you'll get along fine without doing that if you think about what you're doing.)

 

[likemHUNG12]

Your thread is fine here. You have gotten many responses. Give your computer a scan with Malwarebytes. Update it first. Then scan with Superantispyware. I am interested to see what they catch. I just scanned a computer with Superantispyware. It caught 227 threats and a Trogan virus in Windows installer.

Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware 1.51.2.1300
www.malwarebytes.org

Database version: 7918

Windows 6.1.7601 Service Pack 1
Internet Explorer 9.0.8112.16421

10/10/2011 5:23:29 PM
mbam-log-2011-10-10 (17-23-29).txt

Scan type: Quick scan
Objects scanned: 175319
Time elapsed: 2 minute(s), 41 second(s)

Memory Processes Infected: 1
Memory Modules Infected: 1
Registry Keys Infected: 16
Registry Values Infected: 1
Registry Data Items Infected: 1
Folders Infected: 3
Files Infected: 5

Memory Processes Infected:
c:\program files (x86)\mywebsearch\bar\1.bin\MWSOEMON.EXE (Adware.MyWebSearch) -> 2088 -> Unloaded process successfully.

Memory Modules Infected:
c:\program files (x86)\mywebsearch\bar\1.bin\MWSOESTB.DLL (Adware.MyWebSearch) -> Delete on reboot.

Registry Keys Infected:
HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID\{A4730EBE-43A6-443e-9776-36915D323AD3} (Adware.MyWebSearch) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\SearchScopes\{56256A51-B582-467e-B8D4-7786EDA79AE0} (Trojan.Vundo) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\SearchScopes\{56256A51-B582-467e-B8D4-7786EDA79AE0} (Trojan.Vundo) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Ext\Stats\{07B18EAB-A523-4961-B6BB-170DE4475CCA} (Adware.MyWebSearch) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Ext\Stats\{1D4DB7D2-6EC9-47A3-BD87-1E41684E07BB} (Adware.MyWebSearch) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Ext\PreApproved\{1D4DB7D2-6EC9-47A3-BD87-1E41684E07BB} (Adware.MyWebSearch) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Ext\Stats\{3E720452-B472-4954-B7AA-33069EB53906} (Adware.MyWebSearch) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Ext\Stats\{9FF05104-B030-46FC-94B8-81276E4E27DF} (Adware.MyWebSearch) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Low Rights\ElevationPolicy\{59C7FC09-1C83-4648-B3E6-003D2BBC7481} (Adware.MyWebSearch) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Low Rights\ElevationPolicy\{68AF847F-6E91-45dd-9B68-D6A12C30E5D7} (Adware.MyWebSearch) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Low Rights\ElevationPolicy\{9170B96C-28D4-4626-8358-27E6CAEEF907} (Adware.MyWebSearch) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Low Rights\ElevationPolicy\{D1A71FA0-FF48-48dd-9B6D-7A13A3E42127} (Adware.MyWebSearch) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Low Rights\ElevationPolicy\{DDB1968E-EAD6-40fd-8DAE-FF14757F60C7} (Adware.MyWebSearch) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Low Rights\ElevationPolicy\{F138D901-86F0-4383-99B6-9CDD406036DA} (Adware.MyWebSearch) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Fun Web Products (Adware.MyWebSearch) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\MyWebSearch (Adware.MyWebSearch) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.

Registry Values Infected:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\RunOnce\MyWebSearch bar Uninstall (Adware.MyWebSearch) -> Value: MyWebSearch bar Uninstall -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.

Registry Data Items Infected:
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced\Start_ShowSearch (PUM.Hijack.StartMenu) -> Bad: (0) Good: (1) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.

Folders Infected:
c:\program files (x86)\mywebsearch (Adware.MyWebSearch) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
c:\program files (x86)\mywebsearch\bar (Adware.MyWebSearch) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
c:\program files (x86)\mywebsearch\bar\1.bin (Adware.MyWebSearch) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.

Files Infected:
c:\program files (x86)\mywebsearch\bar\1.bin\MWSOEMON.EXE (Adware.MyWebSearch) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
c:\program files (x86)\mywebsearch\bar\1.bin\MWSOESTB.DLL (Adware.MyWebSearch) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
c:\program files (x86)\uninstall fun web products.dll (Adware.MyWebSearch) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
c:\program files (x86)\mywebsearch\bar\1.bin\MWSBAR.DLL (Adware.MyWebSearch) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
c:\program files (x86)\mywebsearch\bar\1.bin\MWSSVC.EXE (Adware.MyWebSearch) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.


Have a couple of questions.What is a rootkit?Is this something to be concerned about?Also,do these programs eliminate rootkits?