Freeware Security Applications Thread

[esquared]

So has anyone put the new version of AOL/Kaspersky (from John's thread). I am a bit chicken as I just activated my copy of Ultimate after my 30 days w/o activation ran out. I wanted to make sure everything was running fine on the new system before activating and now I wish I would have tried it a couple days earlier. With my luck, I would load the new AOL/Kaspersky, FUBAR the new setup, then have to reformat and then spend time on the phone with MS explaining why I need to reactivate so soon.

 

[Schadenfroh]

Well, for a few more hours (I assume they are on pacific time) you can get the real Kaspersky Internet Security (You can just install the antivirus part should you chose) for free after MiR:
http://www.staples.com/webapp/...dkey=StaplesZipCodeAdd

If you do try the new version of AVS, get the .exe that john linked and not the MSI, although I am holding off posting that the AOL AVS is for vista until the majority of webpages update their versions so that it will not fubar the vista install in case the user downloads the incorrect version.

 

[zerocool1]

shouldn't this be in security?

 

[Schadenfroh]

<div class="FTQUOTE"><begin quote>Originally posted by: zerocool1
shouldn't this be in security?</end quote></div>

Nope, for the same reason that hot deals on video cards get posted here and not in the video card forum, hot deals on TVs get posted here and not in the home theater forum.

Here is the sticky in the security forum:
http://forums.anandtech.com/me...=2004933&enterthread=y

 

[GeezerMan]

Originally posted by: esquared
So has anyone put the new version of AOL/Kaspersky (from John's thread). I am a bit chicken as I just activated my copy of Ultimate after my 30 days w/o activation ran out. I wanted to make sure everything was running fine on the new system before activating and now I wish I would have tried it a couple days earlier. With my luck, I would load the new AOL/Kaspersky, FUBAR the new setup, then have to reformat and then spend time on the phone with MS explaining why I need to reactivate so soon.

What I do in cases like that is just do a image backup of the drive with something like Acronis before the change, Comes in real handy.

 

[John]

Originally posted by: dman
I don't see it linked explicity, but, panda has a beta online scanner called 'nanoscan' which uses some new technology and works fairly well. After you run it it'll take you to 'totalscan' for a full system scan. I find it works well as a second opinion. You have to register to use totalscan (give them your email info).

Panda Nanoscan

They're no longer beta, and Totalscan costs $19.95 for a 1 year subscription in order to remove detections. I paid for a subscription since my office enjoys using this in the malware arsenal of tools.

If you're looking for the best online scanner I would use F-Secure's since it uses multiple scan engines (Kaspersky, Ad-Aware, Norman, Libra, etc.)

 

[Schadenfroh]

A few things to note (not going to edit the OP due to the forum having issues.

The mcafee from Comcast has realtime protection.

You can get mcafee 2007 for free by following these instructions:
http://forums.anandtech.com/me...=2066574&enterthread=y

ZoneAlarm for Vista:
http://forums.anandtech.com/me...t_key=y&keyword1=vista

 

[GTFan]

Thanks for the tip about McAfee, but I wouldn't install it or Norton unless they paid me $50 for each install. And then I'd uninstall it as soon as I got paid. Stick with AVG if you want free and avoid the bloatware that these products have become.

 

[Schadenfroh]

Originally posted by: GTFan
Thanks for the tip about McAfee, but I wouldn't install it or Norton unless they paid me $50 for each install. And then I'd uninstall it as soon as I got paid. Stick with AVG if you want free and avoid the bloatware that these products have become.

AVG Free Edition users should consider trying out AntiVir Personal Edition or Kaspersky Lite. Both are free, use about the same amount of system resources as AVG FreeWare Edition (none are bloated), and both AntiVir and Kaspersky have a superior detection rate, see the detection rate thread.

 

[vrbaba]

Nice thread

Although they talk about detection rates, Norton still seems to be one of the top looking at the ratings. However, it does seem bloatware and slows the system down sometimes. Are there any statistics on how much system resources each uses. I have been using Norton for several years without problems, but this thread and comments from many other people how norton is bloatware, has made me inclined to try other products.

I am interested in AOL Anti Virus Shield and Kaspersky since they seem to be as comparable to norton in the detection rate. does anyone know what kind of system resources they use?
If I had to rank, I would first look at the best detection rate antivirus, then look at the least system resources hog product within 1-3 % detection rate of the best one.

any inclinations?
stick with norton, try kaspersky, or aol antivirus ?

 

[Schadenfroh]

Originally posted by: vrbaba

I am interested in AOL Anti Virus Shield and Kaspersky since they seem to be as comparable to norton in the detection rate. does anyone know what kind of system resources they use?
If I had to rank, I would first look at the best detection rate antivirus, then look at the least system resources hog product within 1-3 % detection rate of the best one.

any inclinations?
stick with norton, try kaspersky, or aol antivirus ?

For detection rate tests, please see The Antivirus Detection Rate Thread

Regarding system resources, link

Originally posted by: esquared
Kaspersky avs idles using around 6MB and I got it up to 13MB when it's opening up a web page.

You can evaluate Kaspersky free for 30 days. If you decide to buy it, you can just enter the license into the trial to activate your subscription, no reinstall needed.

If you decide to try it though, I suggest that you temporarily remove Norton for the trial by using add/remove programs and then running the Norton Removal Tool.

If you want to learn more about Kaspersky Lite aka AOL AVS, please see The AOL AVS FAQ.

 

[StormSide]

You can add:

Spyware Doctor Starter Edition 5.0.1.201

http://www.pctools.com/downloads/sdstart.exe

PC Tools says "The Starter Edition offers full scan and removal of threats, and basic real-time protection, is available for free as part of the Google Pack." and it is here: http://pack.google.com/

And Spyware Terminator:

http://www.spywareterminator.com/

 

[PhoenixOrion]

Just some feedback.

I have two Vista desktops at the moment. I installed Antivir on one and Avast4 on the other.

One of them got jacked with a worm and couple of trojans. I have to say that I'm very pleased with Avast4 especially its boot-time scan function to detect malware that weren't detect during scan in Windows.

Haven't seen Antivir in action but I hope I don't have to (knock on wood).

 

[Schadenfroh]

Thanks StormSide, it is good to see that spyware doctor has a freeware version that can scan and remove now.

 

[Acanthus]

The link provided for the "vista compatible" version of AOL active virus shield, does not ever send an activation key to your email.

Edit: Holy freaking god does it make browsing slow if you have active scanning on. At least 5x as slow to open a page in IE.

 

[Schadenfroh]

Originally posted by: Acanthus
The link provided for the "vista compatible" version of AOL active virus shield, does not ever send an activation key to your email.

Please see this thread

holy freaking god does it make browsing slow if you have active scanning on. At least 5x as slow to open a page in IE.

Please report that in this thread (seems to be an isolated issue with certain systems and websites)

 

[Schadenfroh]

A partial replacement has been made, I have yet to recreate the other sections beyond that which is outside of the quotes. I have both the year+ old archive in addition to the one I was working on to replace the one that was destroyed by FuseTalk, enjoy and do give me feedback for the Antivirus, AntiSpyware, and AntiRootKit sections, as the others have not been started and exist only in the legacy archive posted in the quotes (which are ancient).

Enjoy this blast from the past!

 

[KKCC]

Another useful utility is

Startup Monitor

" StartupMonitor is a small utility that runs transparently (it doesn't even use a tray icon) and notifies you when any program registers itself to run at system startup. It prevents annoying programs from registering themselves behind your back.

This program is free! But please consider making a small donation to the Tip Jar."

 

[ModerateRepZero]

bump

I'm surprised that Trend-micro isn't listed on the main page, considering that they have free online scanning via HouseCall

http://housecall.trendmicro.com/

 

[Schadenfroh]

Originally posted by: ModerateRepZero
bump

I'm surprised that Trend-micro isn't listed on the main page, considering that they have free online scanning via HouseCall

http://housecall.trendmicro.com/

It is listed on the main page. AntiVirus > Online Scanners > House Call

But, regretfully, I consider this thread discontinued and I do not have any plans to update the OP. Portions have not been updated / reviewed in well over a year.

If any of you guys want to pick up where I left off, I will be happy to send you the FuseTalk code via a text file.