Virus Scans are often widely recommended. Why?

[wumply]

Let me amplify my question. Virus scanners work all the time. I've never come up with a virus detected by a virus scan, so my basic question is...

Are there compelling, bottomline reasons why scans are so frequently recommended or is it just one of those things that everyone picks up on but for which an "Is this really necesary" question never gets asked. I mean if your virus software finds a virus via a scan, why didn't that same software find it when it infected your computer?

[phishhead]

wumply as of late at work atleast 30% of my tech support calls are spyware related. As a tech I'll remote in to my customers and you dont know how many times I've seen pc's that aren't protected or their defs are 6months old. So thats why I think techs say that.

[Conan]

Not all antivirus programs are "infallible". That's why most of us longtime users on the board have continually experimented with different antivirus programs.

[wumply]

Clarification: When I said "virus programs work all the time" I meant that they start up automatically when you boot so they are always 'on'. I didn't mean they were infallible. Sorry.

[egghead]

the next wave of virus trojans are deadly. If you are one of the unlucky ones that gets one before it is spread to enough users that antivirus companies finally detect it. You may not be able to remove it and thyere is the possibilty that the antivirus company may not detect the virus that has already infected a system. These installers are smart and change files and signatures. Most antivirus programs scan for a small peice of code. So if you download it first it may catch it. But i have seen viruses remain undetected even tho the antivirus is able to find and block the installer. what i'm saying is that i turned the antivirus off to get infected and the antivirus could not detect i was infected and i watched all of this remotely.
hehe

These new trojan viruses also seek and destroy all antivirus software and bypass and in some cases destroy your software firewall

[wumply]

But, egghead, if your virus program didn't catch it to begin with, how is it the same program in a scan going to catch it? I don't understand. Or are just at risk for what you describe no matter what?

[egghead]

But, egghead, if your virus program didn't catch it to begin with, how is it the same program in a scan going to catch it? I don't understand. Or are just at risk for what you describe no matter what?

when you update your virus definitions it can find virus installer files in it's database. each antivirus program has faults and you really need to stop clicking attachments in email and stop using internet explorer etc...


one of the only scanners that can detect some new trojans is trojan hunter 4
www.trojanhunter.com (http://www.trojanhunter.com)

this detected viral in memory when panda and trend said it was clean.

[rik]

Wumply, Your system is always at risk. I kind of equate a Virus Scan as a locked screen door...It's ok to keep an honest person out, but obviously there are still ways to get in. VS software is a "best effort" to keep our systems infection free, but as previously pointed out none are infallible. They are constantly having to be updated, subscriptions kept up to date, etc. All in an effort to keep our systems virus free. They all operate differently, so some work better in some cases. I personally run 2 different AV's, plus FW software and am behind a router. All in an effort to keep all the "nothing" on my system private and virus free.

[wumply]

rik: did you have to pick your 2 AV's carefully so they don't conflict? Or do you just use one as default for when you're online and then run each independently from time to time to do a full scan? Or how do you do it?

[GimieGimieGimie]

Hmmm

My AV is Nortons Anti-Virus 2004,

It may be the biggest resource hog in the world, but it does it's job, and does its job brilliantly.

I dropped NAV at the start of last year in quest for a better lighter faster alternative.

I didn't find one, and i installed about 5 different types of anti-virus, each one of them had their problems, either they didn't stop viruses as well as Norton's, or their features wasn't as complete/useful as Norton.

So i'm back to Norton's again, only after i got burnt, after getting a virus where it permantely damaged Windows XP during one of the other anti-virus tests, NOD32 it was called, and on www.betanews.com this was highly regarded, in my tests, it was total crap.

It's possible to run 2 AV'S on the same computer, but only one can be active 24/7 as a shield, or theirs serious conflictions in most cases if you run 2 active virus shields.

The 2nd one can be used as a seperate scanner, each AV has different ways of detecting viruses, thus some detect viruses which the other software didn't pick up, what a bitch huh?

Where's the all in one solution damn it! :D

[Conan]

Where's the all in one solution damn it! :D

Avast Pro! :thumbup:

[rik]

I am running both Avast and NOD 32 on 1 system. I also have Norton Corporate on another box and AVG on another. They all seem to do a pretty good job and have good performance. Not sure really which I prefer, but I've used Norton AV for a long time and it hasn't failed me yet.

Lynchknot is really the one you should speak to about AV software as I think he has used them all at one time or another...

[phishhead]

Lynchknot is really the one you should speak to about AV software as I think he has used them all at one time or another

and now he only has 4megs of ram system ram left. And for some reason now his hard drive light stays red and wont flicker anymore.

[FastGame]

Avast Pro! :thumbup:
Yep :)

The only bad thing I've found with Avast is if you have it set to the highest level of security it can at times be real slow scanning ISO (they're looking into it). Once I know my ISO's, games, movies and music are clean they go into Avast exclusion list.

[lynchknot]

One may sneak in like a zero day virus which may be added to virus database later to be download by your AV - some check every hour - so it's recommended to perform a virus scan as well as running your resident scanner. I think your resident is pretty much keeping an eye on open connections, and what is passing through, when you are busy. At idle, I have noticed, it will resume to looking at files not in use.


Security Experts recommend a Layered defense (http://www.wilderssecurity.com/showthread.php?t=58597&page=1):

I am using Avast Pro (4.5.561) as resident (only uses heuristics for email), NOD32 as on demand as it has very good heuristics, and I use Norman sometimes for it's sandbox technology. I also may use Escan free toolkit (http://www.mwti.net/antivirus/free_utilities.asp) which is a Kasperki engined scanner using the same "x update data base" updated weekly - lighter in resource usage than kAV itself but will only show infection location not clean it. Then run a cleaner for that particular file location.

Never run two AV's at the same time. I turn off Avast when running another AV.

Also some run Ewido (http://www.ewido.net/en/) to "patch" what the AV's miss (trojans, dialers, keylogger, etc) I use it as on demand as I only have the free version.Anti-Virus programs offer insufficient protection against urgently growing threats like Trojans, Worms, Dialers, Hijackers, Spyware and Keyloggers.

That's where the protection of the ewido security suite starts and supplements existing security applications to a complete security system, because only a complete security system works effective.Today Ewido scores 2452, so I believe that Avast & Ewido combo is able to beat McAfee VSE 8.0i.

Top rated Kasperski is great but my computer can't handle the resource draw.

**edit - I might as well tell you what else I use and which most at security forums say is important. This is a must have: Process guard (http://www.diamondcs.com.au/processguard/)ProcessGuard is a powerful new cutting-edge program that greatly increases
the security of your computer by preventing processes from being able to attack
each other. It is considered by experts to be a must-have program for all users
of Windows, and is the only program available that can actually prevent the
installation and infection of all known rootkit stealth trojans.

and the free: Prevx home (http://www.prevx.com/prevxhome.asp)

Both of these hardly use any resources

http://img10.exs.cx/img10/464/pg9jr.jpg

[Reverend]

and stop using internet explorer etc....Thats not really a valid point regarding viruses. Lets not get into the IE vs Mozilla dabate. :rolleyes:

[wumply]

Thanks to all of you who responded.

wumply

[egghead]

Thats not really a valid point regarding viruses. Lets not get into the IE vs Mozilla dabate. :rolleyes:


hmmm......this is posted on the front page

Trojan Threatens XP

Computers running Microsoft's Windows XP are vulnerable to Trojan attacks capable of remotely controlling a user's system even when equipped with the latest Service Pack 2 (SP2) patch, security firm Symantec has warned.

The Trojan horse, called "Phel", is capable of corrupting computers visiting a malicious Web site through Internet Explorer's Help controls, according to Symantec.

The program exploits a vulnerability within Internet Explorer and SP2 that engages help files from Web pages. The vulnerability was discovered in October.

An attacker first must entice a user to visit a malicious Web site before placing the Trojan on his machine. If the Trojan is successfully launched, the malicious software could be downloaded and run on the victim's system, according to Microsoft.

A spokeswoman for the Remond, Wash., software giant said programmers were working to correct the vulnerability and will release the security update when the development and testing process is complete. She could not provide a definitive time table as to when a patch might be issued. "Microsoft is working to forensically analyze the malicious code in Phel and will work with law enforcement to identify and bring to justice those responsible for this malicious activity," she said.

http://www.techzonez.com/comments.php?shownews=11617


it cannot be overlooked

egghead

[Reverend]

it cannot be overlooked

eggheadYou're right it cannot be overlooked.But advising people to stop using IE is a bit extreme.Thats just my opinion.

Its funny how no one seems to be mentioning,or discussing the newly discovered flaw in Firefox which i posted on the forums and the front page (http://www.techzonez.com/comments.php?shownews=11645)

And i'm sure there will be more vulnerabilities discovered in Firefox as its popularity continues to grow.

And before anyone accuses me of sucking up to M$,i also use Firefox as well as IE. ;)

[GimieGimieGimie]

It's a well known fact that good old Microsoft still hasn't provided a strong back bone against external threats.

When they bring out a new internet engine as solid and secure as mozilla, then i'll start using it again, but until then, IE is untouchable and unthinkable to use at this very moment in time.

Not trying to heat the debate in anyway, just adding me 2 cents ;)

I've been on the internet since 1998, and i've never felt so secure and safe while browsing the net with IE, as i do feel when using FireFox, i have zero spyware on my system and not a single virus since i started using the program, and i'm sorry, but that's all down to a far more superior security system.

Microsoft can release as many security updates as they want, but they need to start a fresh, and completely redesign their engine instead of keep patching it up with cork screws.

[Reverend]

i have zero spyware on my system and not a single virus since i started using the program, and i'm sorry, but that's all down to the new brower :pPresumably you are still using AV software and scanning your system for Spyware. If Mozilla is so solid and secure why are you still scanning your system.

[lynchknot]

Just be sure to turn off Java when using Firefox - though, I think it's a Java issue more so.......... They say patched but I was using the latest beta 5 java when it downloaded a virus just visiting a web page. About: http://techrepublic.com.com/5100-22_11-5465909.html

[Big Booger]

You need an AV suite, period. And it should be on as soon as possible.. Let me put it to you like this.

Let's say you are one stud muffin. You sleep around quite a bit. Sure you could get away without a condom and "Might" not get an infection or serious disease for a long long long time.. but then one day, bam, puss filled blisters start forming and then it's time for a trip to the doctor. Or better yet, you get one of those "no symptom" diseases.. you are infected say with HIV and have no idea... and you still sleep around.. spreading your disease.

Now screwing without a condom is similar to surfing without "protection" in this case AV /Firewall/Antispyware etc... You can get infected and have symptoms:
PC runs slow
Homepages are changed
Files are deleted
extensions are changed
strange processes running in the background

Or it could be symptom less:
keylogger silently installed
backdoor trojans
and so on..

Regardless of which browser you use (save that for another thread), it comes down to are you willing to risk your personal files and PC setup by using the internet without "protection"?

Run an AV, KEEP IT UP TO DATE, and you're doing your part to save yourself a lot of headache. Take it from a few who've had to reformat due to virus activity because the machines were so infected they couldn't be repaired.

[GimieGimieGimie]

Presumably you are still using AV software and scanning your system for Spyware.

Didn't say mozilla stopped the viruses on it's own, but my anti-virus hasn't warned me of a virus for the duration i've been using mozilla, so it's doing a pretty damn good job at proving that very point wouldn't you say? ;)

If Mozilla is so solid and secure why are you still scanning your system.

Elementary my dear watson, i'm constantly downloading new programs on a regular basis, and you can never trust the word "free" in "freeware" software these days :D

[cash_site]

Thank you BB for putting it so succintly with Great Mental Images :D If this doesnt entice people to install 'Protection', then they shouldnt be connected to Net...

I'm glad you highlighted backdoor trojans although i didnt know if you were talking about computers or not :p

[Reverend]

Didn't say mozilla stopped the viruses on it's own, but my anti-virus hasn't warned me of a virus for the duration i've been using mozilla, so it's doing a pretty damn good job at proving that very point wouldn't you say? ;)So because you are using Mozilla thats why you don't get viruses. :p

Its your AV that is "doing a pretty damn good job" not the browser.

and you can never trust the word "free" in "freeware" software these days :DLike Mozilla. :D

[lynchknot]

As BB states: beware of backdoor trojans delivering puss filled blisters

[Reverend]

As BB states: beware of backdoor trojans delivering puss filled blistersAnd always wear a condom while surfing the net. :D

[GimieGimieGimie]

So because you are using Mozilla thats why you don't get viruses. :p

Its your AV that is "doing a pretty damn good job" not the browser.



If i really cared that much, i would uninstall my AV and browse the internet for a month like i normally do, using mozilla only and see what happens.

Assuming i don't venture to any new websites, and people stopped making malicious codes for a whole month, i suspect i would not recieve a single virus :p

I don't see the point of debating mozilla's security, i think it's in a humans nature to argue, even if it's to undermine a products usefullness.

The majority of people who are experienced online would say mozilla's engine was safer then IE's at this current moment in time, at least for now, however, having said that.

They haven't updated my client, FireFox since it was finalized back in November 9th, they should get cracking on their new release, if they are to stay on a head of the game,

The problem with IE is the lack of updates, the code has obviously been shot to pieces by hackers over the years, and Microsoft just need to sit down, swallow their pride, and rewrite the damn thing from scratch.

If Firefox/Mozilla fall into the same boat as Microsoft, not updating on a regular basis, eventually their code will be shot to pieces, and we will have to come up with something new again.

I got a question, i assume that mozilla's engine was built from scratch and has no trace of IE's code inbedded?

If that is the case, then there is hope for us all :D

[wumply]

Pretty good, Reverend...your last comment, an LOL!

[GimieGimieGimie]

Nice example BB, and contrary to what people might say, i do practise safe sex ;)

I just can't believe we still have to explain to people that an Anti-Virus package is needed, this should be just as well known and compulsory as drinking liquid substances to stay alive is!

[Reverend]

I just can't believe we still have to explain to people that an Anti-Virus package is neededThats what TZ is for. To spread the word. :D ;)

[lynchknot]

That Firefox vulnerability is just another: 2) Severity

Rating: Less critical
Impact: Spoofing
Where: From remote

[wumply]

Just another what ???

[rik]

You need an AV suite, period. And it should be on as soon as possible.. Let me put it to you like this.

Let's say you are one stud muffin. You sleep around quite a bit. Sure you could get away without a condom and "Might" not get an infection or serious disease for a long long long time..


And here goes Boogs comparing the internet to things he know nothing about...SEX!!

[rik]

That Firefox vulnerability is just another:2) Severity

Rating: Less critical
Impact: Spoofing
Where: From remote


So install the "SpoofStick" extension and you should be alerted to any spoofing attempts.

[Big Booger]

And here goes Boogs comparing the internet to things he know nothing about...SEX!!
hehehe.

[lynchknot]

recent posts elsewhere:

Well lets see, I have been running the "same" XP installation now without having to reformat and reinstall it for… Hmmm… Lets see… just over two years now.

How can I be sure I am clean? Easy… I run a much smaller program that watches for "spyware" activity. It just sits there, unobtrusively waiting till something "tries" to do something it's not supposed to (like alter registry settings). then it wakes up/ halts the activity and alerts me. Then I have the choice of saying "Yes" its OK, or "No Way!".

I also have a server that scans all incoming emails for virii, if one is found it's automatically deleted. I also use a "Premail" filtering program that ferrets out known and possible spam, marking it for easy identification.

I NEVER open a file without knowing it origin or if it's safe to do so. So I've not had a virus infection on my computer since 1998.

Plus… (Sorry to sound like an A$$) but have you ever heard of Spyware Search and Destroy? Or similar programs? Or any of the free to use on line virus scanners? Many of which are just as good if not better then stand alone "installed on your system" programs?

AV programs waste a HUGE amount of your system resources as each and every bit of data that is read from and written to your hard drive is filtered thru the AV "filters". This causes read/write delays that often times cause the programs you are working with to have problems, causing crashes and fatal errors. All due to excessive paranoia.

This is BTW only my opinion.


You have an argument for using it. Great. Use it. I happen to like Explorer. I can maneuver around just fine without Firefox, without using an anti-virus program, and without a firewall.

I'm not telling anyone else to do it my way. Just like I never told anyone to delete any files from their system, I only showed what was possible with that...as I'm only showing the possibilities here.

I'm saying that if someone was to adjust their IE browser settings properly, they could avoid a whole mess of crap. But I'm certainly not going to tell people to dump Explorer and convert to Firefox because that is the solution. That's not a solution...that's an alternative.

[GimieGimieGimie]

I've got to admit, there is a degree of laziness involved in my daily computing experience.

I can't be assed to devote as much time and resources to a cause like the person above so clearly has, i have a life, and try to stay away from the pc as much as possible, and devote my life to better causes, like sex.

So i just buy a well known anti-virus, test it out, if it works, keep it, let them do all the work, it's what they are paid for.

Anyone else suffer such "i can't be assed" emotions when it comes to pcs? :D

[rohitk89]

this is kind of a late response...i wanted to reply when i saw bb's thingy abt backdoor trojans and other peeps post on NAV...i had NAV2002 on my pc and the definitions were upto date...when one day...i download this program from a rather non-proffesional looking website (after im-ing with some dude from south east asia)..

within minutes of the installation...a green and black custom made chat dialog opened and i was left with no option but to inteact with some person by the name of 'the chef' and some other people with just as weird aliases...

..all this while...nav had been disabled (was still running) and i was left hopeless...

i called a friend (tarun) and he suggested avg...whose free version i found on a cd that had come for free with a mag...

well the point is that...avg worked and was able to detect a malicious file which was actually a virus (backdoor.optix)...and in the mean time NAV sat in the system tray doing nothing..

since then i used avg and only recently moved to avast home...which also does a good job btw...

[Big Booger]

one other thing I'd like to address is the settings of your AV. You can install it bone stock as it comes and run it fine and dandy but that doesn't mean it is doing the best job it can.

You often have to tweak the settings like heurystics and so on to get the software to do a better albeit longer job scanning. Sometimes we sacrifice security for speed and to me that is a bit dangerous.

I'd rather have a program run all day, and know it caught most everything, than have one run an hour a day and be worthless...

Just something I learned firsthand with a few AV apps.. you need to tweak the settings a bit, deeper scans, scan all drives and directories, scan password protected folders *sometimes have to supply the passwords.

And manually scanning items that you download should be a must.

[rohitk89]

You often have to tweak the settings like heurystics and so on to get the software to do a better albeit longer job scanning.

true...i did none of that..didnt know much....and i guess i shud have not downloaded the file just like that....which brings me to a question...i have avast..can i modify its settings somehow...to enable downloaded files automatically?

or is there an av that does so? i cud change the download settings for mozilla but how bout somin that works automatically for non-mozilla downloads as well..(ie, p2p etc)

[The Journeyman]

Gotta agree with the multi-layered approach. Good firewall(s), recommended AV & properly updated, registry & browser guards etc. Plus the occasional search with specialised tools/cleaners.

One of the tools I like to run as a back up to my AV is this this one:-

Stinger (http://vil.nai.com/vil/stinger/)

It's a small, self-executing search and destroy program - everytime a new big bad is known to be ITW (in the wild) I get the latest Stinger, check it's aware of it, and go hunting.

Firefox is great & It's been my default browser for a while - but it isn't an enoculation for your pc. Gotta still keep on top of those IE update and security settings - particularly if you use another program that is based on IE, such as a blog reader.

[Conan]

true...i did none of that..didnt know much....and i guess i shud have not downloaded the file just like that....which brings me to a question...i have avast..can i modify its settings somehow...to enable downloaded files automatically?

or is there an av that does so? i cud change the download settings for mozilla but how bout somin that works automatically for non-mozilla downloads as well..(ie, p2p etc)

FastGame is the one to ask about Avast settings.:thumbup:

[FastGame]

one other thing I'd like to address is the settings of your AV. You can install it bone stock as it comes and run it fine and dandy but that doesn't mean it is doing the best job it can.

You often have to tweak the settings like heurystics and so on to get the software to do a better albeit longer job scanning. Sometimes we sacrifice security for speed and to me that is a bit dangerous.

I'd rather have a program run all day, and know it caught most everything, than have one run an hour a day and be worthless...

Just something I learned firsthand with a few AV apps.. you need to tweak the settings a bit, deeper scans, scan all drives and directories, scan password protected folders *sometimes have to supply the passwords.
Very good point BB !!! and a reason why some of the so called expert AV test shouldn't be taken as absolute ! Why did a certain AV not pass...hmmm

I'll give an example...One of the well respected AV test sites failed AVAST. If an average user were to look at the test in order to decide on which AV to use they would of said the heck with AVAST. AVAST knew how this tester performed his test so AVAST told him that by default their AV's Resident Shield doesn't scan on "Create or Modify" In order for AVAST to do this simply move the slider to the "High" setting. well the guy said he couldn't be bothered so he just tested all AV's at their default settings. AVAST did have a 100% detection rate but failed the test because it allowed the virus to be written to the HD even though AVAST caught the virus on scan & never would of let the virus execute.

I also know that awhile back AVG failed at another site for the simple fact a certain GUI function didn't work correctly.

I'm not disputing the validity of AV test sites by any means, they're certainly important test, but why did your AV fail ? does it suck ? or do you need to enable some setting ? Some AV's just suck but with the practice of Safe Computing even "suck" feels good :)

Everyone who reads this thread should pay close attention to what Big Booger said. Get to know your AV and it's settings, don't judge an AV according to it's speed or resource use. A slow blood hound will always out track a hyped out poodle and of coarse a blood hound eats more :D

You want your AV to scan faster with it's highest, most secure setting ? Then learn what files need to be scanned and put the files that don't need to be scanned in the "exclusion list" If you backup your DVD's, install legit Games or rip Audio CD's why would they need to be scanned ? why would you scan 1gig of your vacation photo's ? (get the point) it just adds scan time for no reason.
true...i did none of that..didnt know much....and i guess i shud have not downloaded the file just like that....which brings me to a question...i have avast..can i modify its settings somehow...to enable downloaded files automatically?

or is there an av that does so? i cud change the download settings for mozilla but how bout somin that works automatically for non-mozilla downloads as well..(ie, p2p etc)
rohit your AVAST does what you want, just move the slider in Standard Shield to High, then in Customize> Scanner (Advanced) make sure it's set to scan "Files on open"> "Scan created/modified files"> "All files" The Nortons you once had also had a setting for the same. If your going to download funny stuff :rolleyes: you should also scan with On Demand for extra protection. You also have your P2P modules :)

AVAST Pro has even more advance settings you can access ;)

[lynchknot]

About scanning all drives. Should I still do this even though I use this set up

1. C drive - main - primarily scan windows and program files
2. H drive - main - the only folders that see any incoming is emule in and emule temp
3. E drive - slave - storage
4. D drive -slave - media

Or can a virus or trojan infect drives folders that are not actively "connected"

[FastGame]

@LK, your Resident Shield should be set to protect all drives, that's your first line of defense. Some AV's Resident Shield only scans the shell of an archive file which is fine, the virus is safe as long as it's still packed. Once you decompress the file Resident Shield will then catch it (it should). Resident Shields can in most cases be set to unpack the file when it's created.

Your On Demand & Full System scan should be set high IMO so all files & packers are checked. You use the On Demand scan on folders or files that you have doubts or want to make sure they're clean. lets say you just downloaded a large ISO file, Resident Shield didn't find anything but you want to make sure, right click & scan with On Demand and if the file is clean then move it to where you keep clean ISO's. Is there any reason this file needs to keep being scanned when you do a full system scan ? thats up to you and how safe you want to be....to me it's a waste of time. I keep all my large clean storage data & backups on F: drive. F: drive is still covered in Resident Shield but it's in the "Exclusion List" in Full System scan, if for some reason I feel F: drive needs to be scanned I right click and use On Demand.

As far as I know virus execute to C: drive so that drive should have the most protection possible.

BTW I'm not an expert by any means :p I just know what works for me and I'm no angel ;)

[lynchknot]

K thanks FG - :)

[FastGame]

K thanks FG - :)
anything for an LK :D

Any plans for a real nice lynchknot Avast skin ? purdie plezzzz :cool:

[lynchknot]

I never thought of skinning it and did not know it was possible. I will be a while before I can look into it as i'm not finished with present work.

[Big Booger]

Very good point BB !!! and a reason why some of the so called expert AV test shouldn't be taken as absolute ! Why did a certain AV not pass...hmmm

I'll give an example...One of the well respected AV test sites failed AVAST. If an average user were to look at the test in order to decide on which AV to use they would of said the heck with AVAST. AVAST knew how this tester performed his test so AVAST told him that by default their AV's Resident Shield doesn't scan on "Create or Modify" In order for AVAST to do this simply move the slider to the "High" setting. well the guy said he couldn't be bothered so he just tested all AV's at their default settings. AVAST did have a 100% detection rate but failed the test because it allowed the virus to be written to the HD even though AVAST caught the virus on scan & never would of let the virus execute.

I also know that awhile back AVG failed at another site for the simple fact a certain GUI function didn't work correctly.

I'm not disputing the validity of AV test sites by any means, they're certainly important test, but why did your AV fail ? does it suck ? or do you need to enable some setting ? Some AV's just suck but with the practice of Safe Computing even "suck" feels good :)

Everyone who reads this thread should pay close attention to what Big Booger said. Get to know your AV and it's settings, don't judge an AV according to it's speed or resource use. A slow blood hound will always out track a hyped out poodle and of coarse a blood hound eats more :D

You want your AV to scan faster with it's highest, most secure setting ? Then learn what files need to be scanned and put the files that don't need to be scanned in the "exclusion list" If you backup your DVD's, install legit Games or rip Audio CD's why would they need to be scanned ? why would you scan 1gig of your vacation photo's ? (get the point) it just adds scan time for no reason.

rohit your AVAST does what you want, just move the slider in Standard Shield to High, then in Customize> Scanner (Advanced) make sure it's set to scan "Files on open"> "Scan created/modified files"> "All files" The Nortons you once had also had a setting for the same. If your going to download funny stuff :rolleyes: you should also scan with On Demand for extra protection. You also have your P2P modules :)

AVAST Pro has even more advance settings you can access ;)


Excellent post. Loads of info there to help users. Nice work FG especially the part about the AV ranking sites.

[FastGame]

Thanks BB :)


I never thought of skinning it and did not know it was possible.
http://www.avast.com/eng/skins.html I know your busy with Firefox so thats ok, you prolly would have a hard time making Avast skins anyway, besides I don't think the SZC-KDE skin can be beat. That skin uses some serious icons and you would prolly have to join some different graphic sites to get icons of that quality.

[rohitk89]

rohit your AVAST does what you want, just move the slider in Standard Shield to High, then in Customize> Scanner (Advanced) make sure it's set to scan "Files on open"> "Scan created/modified files"> "All files" The Nortons you once had also had a setting for the same. If your going to download funny stuff :rolleyes: you should also scan with On Demand for extra protection. You also have your P2P modules :)

like bb said...very informative post u shared...thank you...ive changed the settings as u directed...hope im better protected now... :D

[lynchknot]

Thanks BB :)



http://www.avast.com/eng/skins.html I know your busy with Firefox so thats ok, you prolly would have a hard time making Avast skins anyway, besides I don't think the SZC-KDE skin can be beat. That skin uses some serious icons and you would prolly have to join some different graphic sites to get icons of that quality.


It's not hard. I would, if I had time and permission, use : One of the best in the business - Mix the pix (http://mixthepix.com/) They give you PSD template and tutorial: http://download5.avast.com//files/eng/skintutoren.pdf

[rik]

Nice skin on that one FastGame. SZC-KDE is user friendly as well. Thanks.

[Fenalaar]

Hmmm

My AV is Nortons Anti-Virus 2004,

It may be the biggest resource hog in the world, but it does it's job, and does its job brilliantly.

I'm using NAV, both at work and at home. As for resource hogging - try installing an older NAV version on a Metaframe terminal server. One instance running per user... Resource hogging - U bet! :D

I dropped NAV at the start of last year in quest for a better lighter faster alternative.

I didn't find one, and i installed about 5 different types of anti-virus, each one of them had their problems, either they didn't stop viruses as well as Norton's, or their features wasn't as complete/useful as Norton.

I've been using Trend antivirus as well (after that disaster with NAV on a terminal server...), and I found that to be okay, too.

Where's the all in one solution damn it! :D
http://images.apple.com/macmini/images/indextop20050111.jpg :jester:

Johan-Kr

[GimieGimieGimie]

I'm using NAV, both at work and at home. As for resource hogging - try installing an older NAV version on a Metaframe terminal server. One instance running per user... Resource hogging - U bet! :D



I've been using Trend antivirus as well (after that disaster with NAV on a terminal server...), and I found that to be okay, too.


http://images.apple.com/macmini/images/indextop20050111.jpg :jester:

Johan-Kr

:rofl2:

[cash_site]

Dude, I really like the iMac mini, I reckon if it comes with a decent G4 chip, then it will be great! At less than $500 its such good value :D And, there arent too many viruses for Mac's these days... Lol, I have a outdated version of NAV running on my Mac, and it does fine - hasnt found a virus in 2 years ;) :p

[SupaStar]

Dude, I really like the iMac mini, I reckon if it comes with a decent G4 chip, then it will be great! At less than $500 its such good value :D And, there arent too many viruses for Mac's these days... Lol, I have a outdated version of NAV running on my Mac, and it does fine - hasnt found a virus in 2 years ;) :p

I have the latest version of Virex running and have never EVER had a virus! Life is sweet on a MAC :)

[cash_site]

I have the latest version of Virex running and have never EVER had a virus! Life is sweet on a MAC :)
lol, Virex 2.0 on your Apple IIe ! hehe... macs are just fun.

[lynchknot]

Linus + THIS (http://www.xbitlabs.com/articles/mobile/display/shuttle-sn85g4_2.html) > ANY MAC

[cash_site]

Yeah that Shuttle does look good, but the new iMac Mini could take its place (it is TINY)... However, the shuttle is expandable, I reckon with a digital TV tuner card and 6600 GT card either running MCE or MythKnoppix (linux) it would be a killer multimedia PC ;)