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Best anti-virus, spyware, etcFollow

#1 May 12 2009 at 2:39 PM Rating: Good
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What are the best anti-virus, spyware, etc, scanners & cleaners?

I have a couple of infected machines I need to clean, PC-1: duo-boot w/ vista 64bit & winXP pro, PC-2: winXP pro, and one laptop: Vista. The duo boot has the internet when vista is booted up but not when XP is booted up so I need something that's up to date and can run offline. I also don't like programs that run unnecessarily or take up resources when they're really not needed.

I figured there'd be a list somewhere on here but I can't seem to find it, might be blind. Any tips, etc. Thanks

#2 May 12 2009 at 2:44 PM Rating: Excellent
I use Ad-Aware, Spy-bot, MalwareBytes Anti-Malware and HijackThis! for spyware related stuff. For virus stuff, I use McAfee and Trend. This stuff tends to work really well for me.
#3 May 13 2009 at 3:41 AM Rating: Decent
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SUPERAntiSpyware is quite useful as well. Takes ages to do a full scan, but it will find most things and eliminate them.
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#4Smasharoo, Posted: May 14 2009 at 2:54 PM, Rating: Sub-Default, (Expand Post) [b]
#5 May 15 2009 at 9:24 AM Rating: Decent
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Smasharoo wrote:

What are the best anti-virus, spyware, etc, scanners & cleaners?


Never used one, likely never will. Mostly just a waste of time for paranoid people, in my experience. Good luck.


It's mostly for my brother. He brings his laptop to me whenever he has problems.

I previously used a usb drive to transfer data from that to my pc. So I needed to scan my pc and usb drives just in case. When I did those came up clean. My brother's laptop? Over 50 viruses found, but to be fair 75% of those were only two different worms spreading through his system.

I can run a pc for years and not get a single virus and other people can't even go a month without getting a ton of them. I keep trying to tell him it's all in his browsing habits. I told him he needs to change his browsing, which he doesn't want to do. I then told him he needs to buy a separate cheap laptop or pc just for that and nothing work or personal related and just wipe it once in a while, which he also doesn't want to do. So I guess it's just a matter of finding good security.

#6 May 19 2009 at 10:21 PM Rating: Excellent
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Wordaen, Keeper of the Banstick wrote:
I use Ad-Aware, Spy-bot, MalwareBytes Anti-Malware and HijackThis! for spyware related stuff.
I've had real good luck with MalwareBytes including just tonight when the wife managed to to infect the spare crappy computer with some of that malware that pretends to be a virus scanner and...

it just found 50,000 issues and you need to pay $39.99 to remove them and did you just click "no thanks"? -- I don't think you realize that you have 75,000 known issues and we can remove them for only $39.99 and let us open an IE window for you to our website, in fact we'll do you the favor of making that your default webpage and we've also changed your wallpaper to a warning that you have 100,000 known issues on your computer and they can be fixed if you'll only pay the $39.99 to activate the full version of this scanner and here's the webpage to order it just like the pop-ups we're putting on your computer right now say because you wouldn't want to have 125,000 known issues on your computer and...

...anyway, MalwareBytes cleaned it all right up. The version I just downloaded onto the computer was up to date with the latest definitions and it can be run offline.

HijackThis! is a good utility but it really requires a little knowledge and isn't for casual "fire & forget" scanning like the other three. I wouldn't put it on the computer of someone who didn't know what they were doing.
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#7 May 21 2009 at 10:47 AM Rating: Decent
I LOVE NOD32 by Eset (currently on sale at Newegg.com). It's the best anti-virus software I've ever used - it just also happens to have the smallest resource footprint (doesn't take much memory to run in the background, or to scan).

I also use Spybot Search & Destroy. The combination of those two would keep even the most prolific downloaders virus free (as long as the end-user didn't override every single warning and detention).
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#8 Jul 29 2009 at 10:03 AM Rating: Decent
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I used to never use anti-virus. I don't really feel it's necessary if you're not a dee dee dee and click on every web banner known to man. But now that my fiance is moving in with me she's using my computers. 3 years since I did my last format and I've done 3 in the last 7 months. I started looking for different anti-virus clients. Now I run my own in home computer repair business; and I've been doing it for about 5 months now. I used to work at Circuit City as the Firedog Lead Tech; and I've been working with computers since I was 9. So I like to think that I've been around the block and know what I'm talking about. Here are my findings.

I started using Webroot Anti-Virus. It was good; simple to use. But I didn't feel that it covered me properly. It also slowed down the system on start up. The updates were easy. If you're not careful when you're buying the product; you could get the wrong one. Buy the silver version people.

The next program I started using was ESET's Nod32 Antivirus. And then later switched to the Internet Security version. Nod32 was amazing. Fast sweeps. Easy updates. Easier to crack. The interface was basic. You could run a HD video and the program could be sweeping and updating and you wouldn't even see the slightest bit of lag. Works best on a clean install is my only complaint.

Then I started using Spyware Doctor. Spyware Doctor was great. I really recommend using this program to anyone looking for an anti-virus/anti-spyware solution. The updates were easy, the interface was simple. Didn't slow down some of the oldest computers I've worked on. And I'm talking computers that shipped with 98 as a upgrade. The product is cheap. The only reason I don't use this program at this time is because I don't like paying for software.

The program I'm using now is Kaspersky Internet Security 2009. The interface is as basic as you could expect. It's sweeps are fast. It will catch anything. I mean if your wife has a virus I'm sure it could even find that. My only complaint about Kaspersky is this. The updates take a good amount of time; and if it is doing a scan; you'll know. I'm gonna be using this one for a while because I have about 75 or so 1 yr subscriptions from a vendor I did computer repairs for from Circuit.

That's my sum up of anti-malware products. I've tested a bunch more but these are the ones worth mentioning.

Also programs like AVG, Symantic(Norton,) Macfee, CA, They suck. Real bad.

#9 Jul 29 2009 at 10:21 AM Rating: Decent
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Had a virus on my laptop similar to what Joph was describing. Trying to find something along the lines of Mental where I can just format it, give it to my GF and let her run wild with it, while still being able to get rid of what she puts on there.


Free is preferable =/


Thinking of giving Kapersky a try
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#10 Jul 30 2009 at 3:51 AM Rating: Decent
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You can get a 30 day trial of Kaspersky 2010 on their website. And if you look around enough you can find a crack or serial.
#11 Jul 31 2009 at 3:41 PM Rating: Excellent
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This a list I keep of highly recommend (by Techies and Gamers) FREE programs for various jobs. Mostly been mentioned, but here in case anyone is in need. ^^



Anti-Virus Scanners:

AVG - http://free.grisoft.com/

Micro Trend HouseCall - http://housecall.trendmicro.com/us/index.html (A Online Scanner)

BitDefender - http://www.bitdefender.com/scan8/ie.html (A Online Scanner that requires Internet Explorer 4+ to work.)


Anti-Spyware / Anti-Malware Scanners:

Spybot: Search & Destroy - http://www.safer-networking.org/en/index.html

MalwareBytes - http://www.malwarebytes.org/

SUPER AntiSpyware - http://www.superantispyware.com/

Spyware Blaster - http://www.javacoolsoftware.com/spywareblaster.html (This is a preventive proggie, just update.)

Spyware Guard (Beta) - http://www.javacoolsoftware.com/spywareguard.html (This is a preventive proggie.)


Defragmenter :

MyDefrag - http://www.kessels.com/JkDefrag/ (Disk defragmenter and optimizer for Windows 2000/2003/XP/Vista/X64.)


Miscellaneous:

PC Wizard 2009 - http://www.cpuid.com/pcwizard.php (Utility tool designed to analyze and benchmark your computer system.)

Advanced System Care - http://www.iobit.com/ (Helps protect, optimize, and repair your computer.)

CCleaner - http://www.ccleaner.com/ (System optimization and privacy tool.)

Answers That Work: Task List Programs - http://www.answersthatwork.com/Tasklist_pages/tasklist.htm (This site has a pretty comprehensive list of processes.)

Process Library - http://www.processlibrary.com/ (This site has a pretty comprehensive list of processes.)

HijackThis - http://www.trendsecure.com/portal/en-US/tools/security_tools/hijackthis (Diagnostic tool that creates a log of running programs and recent changes to them.)

KillBox - http://www.killbox.net/ (Use at your own RISK: a tool to delete in-use files. http://killbox.net/help.html) - last resort to really nasty viruses masquerading as essential window files; Do your research first!!!
#12 Jul 31 2009 at 8:41 PM Rating: Excellent
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We use Mcafee at work, but I personally use Norton internet security. Yes, it has historiically been a bit of a resource hog, they really cleaned it up in 2009 so it doesn't take much at all. Malwarebytes and spybot for spyware, plus javacool spywareblaster and a hosts file with a redirect for ad blocking and known bad site kills. I'm probably in the minority on recommending Norton, and I have had issues with it in the past, but it's never failed to remove an infection. Trendmicro online scan is also good. windows defender has been kind of sucking recently, and ad aware was crap for a while but seems to have turned their act around with the last revisions.

I often do side work removing viruses from infected computers, and the quickest and safest method is to pull the infected drivve, and stick it in my known good patched computer and clean it as a secondary drive. that way anything deep in the root can't execute. Thats mainly what I use it for.

Not a virus scanner per say, But I also use Secunia PSI to ensure all software on my computer is up to date. It scans everything you have installed, then checks it against a master update repository. Could be potential security concerns, sure, but i've never had a problem with it, and they are a big enough company that they would get sued out of existance if they started playing fast and loose with the collected data.
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#13 Aug 03 2009 at 10:10 AM Rating: Decent
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I tried the 30 day Kapersky and removed my old AVG 8.5


I like it, but it not being free in 30 days will suck. The other thing is it hasnt picked up anything in my usual surfing habits, nor is there anythign it sees on the PC.


Which makes me think I was doing just fine with the free AVG. *shrug*
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#14 Aug 08 2009 at 2:24 PM Rating: Decent
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Dread Lörd Kaolian Leet Haxör wrote:
..I personally use Norton internet security. Yes, it has historiically been a bit of a resource hog, they really cleaned it up in 2009 so it doesn't take much at all.


I also use NIS. The most recent version really is a lot better than the stuff Norton has released in the past. Plus, I have tons of free (legit!) product keys for Norton products.

I'd just advise against anyone using McAfee, way too many times I've seen an install of that mess up a computer.
#15 Aug 19 2009 at 12:57 PM Rating: Good
I'm using Norton 360 v3.0, and I'll throw my vote in for it as a pretty decent security choice. When idle it can use as little as 800k of memory. Pretty nice cleanup they've done with the software -- much better than the last few versions. Even so, it's good to have additional on-demand scanners to catch what might not be in Symantec's database.
#16 Oct 10 2009 at 1:30 AM Rating: Decent
All you really need is Nod32, adaware, and Hijackthis. Anything else is just a resource hog, or filler. On your first install, nod is a ***** since you have to set about a thousand rules for what can and cannot run on your computer. But once you get passed that, all you really have to worry about is new programs. It uses very low resources, is not very invasive, and currently is the only anti virus I trust as a clean up only kind of software, besides hijack this.

Norton and Mcaffe will do their jobs, but have a bad habbit of crashing people's games or using up too much system resources.

Simply put, run adaware once a week, Hijack this once a month, and let Nod32 protect your computer.

Think of it this way. Macaffe is like a gas station condom. It slows you down, is cumbersome, and doesn't really feel right.

Norton is like a trojan. Great protection, yet you realize it could get much better.

Nod32 is like a durex extra sensitive condom. Kind of hard once you first use it, but once you get the hang of it, its very smooth, lets your computer run as well as you want it to, and offers great protection.

As for added security, I would use firefox with noscript. Its like spermicidal lube. Too much no script is messy and you don't like it. But after you allow some sites permanently and permanently block out google and yahoo adds, its like you are cutting the ammount down to what you find to be a good mix of protection and easyness of use.
#17 Oct 19 2009 at 1:24 PM Rating: Decent
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The free ones I have used for years are Avast Antivirus and Malwarebytes Antimalware.

Norton Antivirus by itself is fine, but stay away from Norton Internet Security. I have "fixed" many problems on clients' computers simply by uninstalling this and adding other free software packages (I haven't come across the 09 version maybe it is better.)

You absolutely need antivirus (for network worms) but anti-spyware is optional. I think you identified the problem, its in browsing habits and user knowledge. So he probably does need anti-spyware.

EDIT: AVAST has protection from web based threats such as scripts so there is no need for the extra Firefox add-ons if you use AVAST.



Edited, Oct 19th 2009 2:25pm by soulshaver
#18 Oct 20 2009 at 12:17 PM Rating: Good
I have Microsoft Security Essentials installed, but that's it really. I don't really bother with scanning and I don't have any anti-malware software installed. Firefox + adblock + noscript and safe browsing habits have kept me clean so far.
#19 Nov 25 2009 at 12:01 PM Rating: Good
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I have found that CCleaner only cleans the active profile. there is a better one out there linked here that cleans the entire HDD.

Also, I would try ComboFix but only download it from www.bleepingcomputer.com

Everything else mentioned in this thread will serve the purpose.
#21 Jan 01 2010 at 4:04 PM Rating: Decent
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I have used Ad Adware in the past, it's decent but doesn't really have a lot of ability to remove harder infections. I currently use Webroot SpySweeper, mainly for the auto-protection "shields" it has. It's a resource hog and I don't really like it, but my wife has a nasty habit of infecting our computers so it's a necessary evil. My favorite anti-spyware is SpyBot S&D. That thing can crush just about any infection, and anything left can be smashed with Trend Micro House Call, which now has an EXE you can save and use.

For anti-virus: Pick one. With my time at Dell, I've seen them all miss major infections before. What it boils down to is just being aware of what files you're downloading for the most part.
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#22 Jan 30 2010 at 7:41 AM Rating: Good
Add another vote for Avast antivirus. I work for a service centre in Bermuda, and I and several colleagues have been using this on our home PCs. I used to tell people AVG or Avast, but in the last few months I've seen more issues with AVG than I like (crashing after updates, using high CPU processes for extended periods, missing viruses picked up by other antivirus programs). Plus, Avast is free (although it does ask you to register for free), and it automatically updates.

I also use Malwarebytes regularly when other antivirus programs seem to be unable to removed malware or viruses, and Super Antispyware seems to be working better than Spybot these days, but that just may be a matter of preference. As for Ad-Aware, I am not too fond of it- again, tends to use too many resources, and isn't as effective at detecting & removing threats as Super Antispyware / Spybot S&D.

I also would like to throw Microsoft's Windows Defender - it's just one more layer of protection, and with all the malicious software out there, it never hurts.

Edit: Pawkeshup, you's a Dell man? I work for Bermuda Microsystems, which is the company that acts as the UPS agents (service centre) for Dell in Bermuda.



Edited, Jan 30th 2010 9:59am by Wondroustremor
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#23 Mar 07 2010 at 11:35 AM Rating: Decent
I use Norton 360 v3.0 as well. It is definitely much improved from previous Norton products in terms of speed. I would recommend an additional anti-spyware program if you do any online banking or shopping.
#24 Mar 08 2010 at 12:35 PM Rating: Good
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I use Firefox.
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#25 Mar 16 2010 at 4:08 AM Rating: Decent
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I use Google Chrome


For anti-spyware, etc.

SUPERAntispyware Free

MalwareBytes Anti-Malware Free

Spybot S&D

AdAware free

Hijack This!

I just use it for removal, I'm actually not running any real-time protection whatsoever. I haven't had a real problem in a year and a half and counting. When anything does come up, I just use those and a couple of other tools(for specific types of problems) and everything is fixded...except for whatever my parents' computer has...it ate safe-mode...
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