Freeware Antivirus, AntiSpyware, Firewall, and AntiSpam Applications Thread | Windows Vista / 2K / XP

[unknown]

Originally posted by: Schadenfroh
I finally got a chance to play around with AVG antispyware free version. It scans and removes things just fine, but it has no real-time protection (what you pay for with the nonfree version). It should be noted that either it is really good at detecting tracking cookies OR it has loads of false positives. It detected 8 tracking cookies that adaware and spybot missed.

AVG antivirus is based off of Ewido, which they bought, I am not sure how much has changed from the last version of Ewido to this AVG antispyware.

Are there any free antivirus programs that offer real-time protection?

 

[nomadh]

Don't most of these? The aol does. I think avg always has.

 

[Schadenfroh]

Originally posted by: unknown

Originally posted by: Schadenfroh
I finally got a chance to play around with AVG antispyware free version. It scans and removes things just fine, but it has no real-time protection (what you pay for with the nonfree version). It should be noted that either it is really good at detecting tracking cookies OR it has loads of false positives. It detected 8 tracking cookies that adaware and spybot missed.

AVG antivirus is based off of Ewido, which they bought, I am not sure how much has changed from the last version of Ewido to this AVG antispyware.

Are there any free antivirus programs that offer real-time protection?

The only two antivirus programs that do not have real-time protection are BitDefender Free Edition and CLAMwin (email scanning is there)

 

[Schadenfroh]

I have finally got a chance to play around with AOL AVS (from Kaspersky).

My system (Athlon 64 3000, 2gb ram, Geforce 6800, XP Pro SP2) had no issues installing or running. It produced no noticable slowdown in boot time, system performance, or gaming. It did indeed ask me to install a toolbar and I refused. It updated just fine and I got my activation key from a less used email account. It seems to be a solid product. Malware scans with Windows Defender, Adaware, and Spybot showed that no spyware came with it and I see nothing strange in hijackthis. I just dont see what AOL has to gain from giving this away.

It is also using only about 15mb of RAM at the moment. Seems too good to be true.

 

[Schadenfroh]

Thanks to adlep new items have been added including SpamPal, AVG AntiSpyware, AVG AntiRootkit, and others (even a nifty comparison chart of the antispam tools). Some of the suggestions that he has made have been implemented as well.

With that and a few other changes, rev 4.10 is now live, enjoy and give feedback!

Also, congrats to forum member (and contributer to this thread) John. His antispyware website is now linked on MajorGeeks!

http://forums.anandtech.com/messageview...atid=33&threadid=1977394&enterthread=y

 

[JSFLY]

thanks

 

[SunnyD]

Why is this in Hot Deals now? I mean yeah, it's hot... but it's not a hot deal.

 

[squirrel dog]

I cant get the aol kapski confirm # emailed to me for nothing.

 

[GuildBoss]

Originally posted by: squirrel dog
I cant get the aol kapski confirm # emailed to me for nothing.

I had the same problem on Friday. Tried two different emails but got nothing and the spam filters were clear. I wrote it off as the system being down temporarily and will try again later.

 

[Schadenfroh]

Originally posted by: GuildBoss

Originally posted by: squirrel dog
I cant get the aol kapski confirm # emailed to me for nothing.

I had the same problem on Friday. Tried two different emails but got nothing and the spam filters were clear. I wrote it off as the system being down temporarily and will try again later.

It took them a while to get me one out as well, I think the server is a bit flakey.

 

[Mr Bob]

I sure miss this: http://www.schadentech.com/Reviews/Antivirus/antivirus_roundup.htm

 

[lupi]

I'm mainly looking for a antispy to keep out the keyloggers (MMO's and such), and idea how they'd be rated for this or a review source?

 

[geldor1]

Just too good of a thread to be 6 pages down.

 

[Hajpoj]

I run spysweeper and windows live onecare, am I fine?

 

[imported_nocturne]

Heartilly recommend KPF 2.1.5 (w/ BZ's advanced config), Antivir, and SpywareBlaster, as they have kept all of my sytems clean for years.

BTW... the easiest way to block scripts is to change them from opening the windows scripting host to opening into notepad. It's an easy way to get notified of what was about to run (just look at the script in notepad). You can also use the freeware program NoScript, which basically just toggles the reg key that activates windows scripting. There is really no need to run a tray program for such an uncommon threat (only happens if you download a bad program -- the only legitimate use of scripting I have seen is the vbs scripts used in Autopatcher, and most other uses are specifically made by advanced users running their own scripts).

 

[spec74]

I'm looking for a program that tells me what kinds of attacks I've been getting while my comp is on on the internet. Anybody know the name of the program?

 

[Schadenfroh]

Originally posted by: spec74
I'm looking for a program that tells me what kinds of attacks I've been getting while my comp is on on the internet. Anybody know the name of the program?

check the log of your router's firewall.

Originally posted by: nocturne
way to block scripts is to change them from opening the windows scripting host to opening into notepad. It's an easy way to get notified of what was about to run (just look at the script in notepad). You can also use the freeware program NoScript, which basically just toggles the reg key that activates windows scripting. There is really no need to run a tray program for such an uncommon threat (only happens if you download a bad program -- the only legitimate use of scripting I have seen is the vbs scripts used in Autopatcher, and most other uses are specifically made by advanced users running their own scripts).

Excellent advice! I will be sure to consider it in the next revision.

Originally posted by: lupi
I'm mainly looking for a antispy to keep out the keyloggers (MMO's and such), and idea how they'd be rated for this or a review source?

I would suggest running Kaspersky, from the detection rates that I have seen, it is excellent against keyloggers/trojans. Also, consider running a(squared) scans periodically, it is a great complement to existing antivirus software and is specializes in trojans / keyloggers.

 

[Schadenfroh]

1/27/07 Update
Rev: 4.11

Changes:
[*]Removed BHO Daemon, Script Defender, Spywareguard (all were outdated or alternative was provided)
[*]No Script added (Nocturne)
[*]Firewall leak tests added (John)
[*]Link to John's AVS FAQ added (John)
[*]Cookie management section updated
[*]Various links fixed

 

[Mektarus]

I've been hearing alot about Comodo firewall but has anyone tried their antivirus, antispam, etc.?

 

[Schadenfroh]

For all of you Windows Vista Users, please see this thread:
http://forums.anandtech.com/messageview...atid=33&threadid=2000598&enterthread=y

Originally posted by: Mektarus
I've been hearing alot about Comodo firewall but has anyone tried their antivirus, antispam, etc.?

I know of no security package that is the best of everything. Comodo's antivirus gets a rather poor detection rate in the tests, around 40% detection, please see the antivirus tests that I linked in the OP, or click here:
http://www.virus.gr/english/fullxml/default.asp?id=82&mnu=82

 

[Mektarus]

Originally posted by: Schadenfroh
For all of you Windows Vista Users, please see this thread:
http://forums.anandtech.com/messageview...atid=33&threadid=2000598&enterthread=y

Originally posted by: Mektarus
I've been hearing alot about Comodo firewall but has anyone tried their antivirus, antispam, etc.?

I know of no security package that is the best of everything. Comodo's antivirus gets a rather poor detection rate in the tests, around 40% detection, please see the antivirus tests that I linked in the OP, or click here:
http://www.virus.gr/english/fullxml/default.asp?id=82&mnu=82

Ugh, I guess I hadn't looked far enough down the list. That is really pathetic. No worries, though. I have just installed Comodo firewall along with AOL AVS and all seem to be working quite nicely. Thanks for all the great advice everyone.

 

[Imyourzero]

Question: for those of you who use Spybot, when you install it do you also enable SDHelper and TeaTimer? I noticed that SDHelper is checked by default, and TeaTimer isn't...I've always left this as is when installing Spybot in the past and was just wondering if they were worth installing.

 

[imported_Bee]

here's my quick "Thank You" to Schadenfroh for this thread

 

[gittyup]

I have used the free version of AVG anti-virus for a few years now and have been very happy.

 

[Schadenfroh]

Originally posted by: Imyourzero
Question: for those of you who use Spybot, when you install it do you also enable SDHelper and TeaTimer? I noticed that SDHelper is checked by default, and TeaTimer isn't...I've always left this as is when installing Spybot in the past and was just wondering if they were worth installing.

TeaTimer is active protection and will use system resources. I do not use it on any of my PCs and I suggest just leaving real time protection (spyware wise) to Windows Defender.