[DISCUSSION] Antivirus and antimalware solutions for Windows

Discussion in 'Application Software' started by apoorvasheth, Nov 22, 2008.

  1. apoorvasheth

    apoorvasheth MDL Junior Member

    Jul 25, 2008
    80
    4
    0
  2. zort

    zort MDL Expert

    Feb 19, 2008
    1,103
    18
    60
    The problem is not likely from a virus. You said your hard drive isn't detected sometimes. The first thing you should do is get a new hard drive, and copy the old drive to the new one.

    The other thing to do is restore a good copy of your Windows registry. You can use a bootable cd such as ERD but if you have another working computer with a SATA port, it may be easier to work with if you connect your hard drive as a secondary drive. Change permissions to System Volume Information (add Everyone so you can access it). Pick a restore point from a couple days before it crashed. In your windows\system32\config make an "old" folder and move all the files in config into "old". Copy DEFAULT, SAM, SECURITY, SOFTWARE, and SYSTEM from the restore point to your windows\system32\config folder and rename them so they are correct.

    If it is connected as a secondary drive you can also run chkdsk and do a virus scan on it. When you're done put it back in the original computer and try booting again.

    If it happens again you can try an older restore point, or do a Windows Repair from your XP cd. Use a XP cd with the same service pack level if possible. You can use Nlite to update an older XP cd to a newer SP.
     
  3. apoorvasheth

    apoorvasheth MDL Junior Member

    Jul 25, 2008
    80
    4
    0
    #3 apoorvasheth, Nov 26, 2008
    Last edited: Nov 26, 2008
    (OP)
    Issue resolved.

    Well, issue has been resolved and somehow, I managed to bring the computer back on track.


    What I did is somehow managed to get my WDC HDD detected and booted my PC with Vista DVD. Than, I clicked on Repair my computer at the second screen - clicked on Load Drivers and than I got complete access to all the partitions on my HDD.

    Therefore, I immediately copied (overwrite) following files from C:\WINDOWS\repair to C:\WINDOWS\system32\config and vola! My PC was back on track.

    System, Sam, Security, default, Software, SysEvent.Evt, System.sav

    Now, I am getting all the softwares back in place, the configuration for which no longer exists in the registry entry b'coz of all the above files getting overwritten.

    System is working smoothly.

    Once everything is in place, I'll copy all the files from C:\WINDOWS\system32\config to a backup folder on C drive to make sure that the next time, if I face any kind of similar issue, than I already have proper system files and settings in place which can be used to overcome the issue.

    Regards,
    Apoorva.
     
  4. HMonk

    HMonk MDL Addicted

    Nov 3, 2008
    604
    7
    30
    Right on, right on, right on . . . .

    Hey ZORT, enjoying the ride?
     
    Stop hovering to collapse... Click to collapse... Hover to expand... Click to expand...
  5. izzkalim

    izzkalim MDL Novice

    Jan 6, 2009
    5
    0
    0
    Kaspersky, Avira, Norton, AVG. Which one is the best?
     
  6. HMonk

    HMonk MDL Addicted

    Nov 3, 2008
    604
    7
    30
    Best . . . ?

    Best for what environment is my first need-to-know question?

    It is, I think, axiomatic that one does not employ an AV prog, one employs an AV strategy, a part of which is the AV prog.

    I'm going to assume (because you had to ask) that you are not in a complex business/server environment - which would be managed by your competent IT gal who long since resolved this question.

    In a home computing environment, I have never suffered an infected machine, although I have suffered attacks (2-3 a year), which were intercepted by my AV prog running in the bkg. I have always used any of the free progs available over the years. In the first place, NO prog is bulletproof. Does an $80 prog (Kaspersky) do better job than Avast (free)? I have no idea, notwithstanding the hype. I use Avast (have for many years) and it has NEVER let a "virus" through its firewall. That does not mean it can't happen: it just has not yet happened - and may never happen.

    Secondly, I am not terribly concerned about malware threats because I employ a strategy that minimizes (not prevents) the occasion for attacks: progs (ZoneAlarm, Soybot, WinPatrol, SpywareBlaster, Avast, A-Squared Free, e.g.); never open untrusted attachments; do not surf untrusted sites; DL progs from unfamiliar sites and run things like Torrents in an isolated environment where they are scanned; etc., etc.

    I used to use AVG and had a minor convenience issue with it that I do not recall; regardless, it served me well. I like Avast because it updates daily automatically which unburdens me. Whether an AV prog auto or manually updates is a matter of discipline, regardless: updates are available daily.

    Although serious hackers may stumble upon your machine (and overcome the most sophisticated AV progs/firewalls) the odds of that happening to the average user is nil.

    In my experience, the "best" of anything is a myth heaped upon an unsuspecting public, in the least by Mercedes salesmen, in the worst by forum computer "experts" armed with the latest review by CNET.

    You, of course, ALWAYS have current image backups available so I will not elaborate on that necessity.

    Avast and AVG are two widely used free progs that seem to work satisfactorily for many users. Are they the best: for me yes! For you? What kind of a car do you drive?

    Monk
     
    Stop hovering to collapse... Click to collapse... Hover to expand... Click to expand...
  7. HMonk

    HMonk MDL Addicted

    Nov 3, 2008
    604
    7
    30
    Stop hovering to collapse... Click to collapse... Hover to expand... Click to expand...
  8. HMonk

    HMonk MDL Addicted

    Nov 3, 2008
    604
    7
    30
    Stop hovering to collapse... Click to collapse... Hover to expand... Click to expand...
  9. PrEzi

    PrEzi MDL Addicted

    Aug 23, 2007
    526
    3
    30
    well there are many good AV-products, but there is no clear winner in everything -
    where one does perform the best, in other performs worse, and vice-versa.
    There are several good products out there.
    The products that you need to pay for (except 30 days trial) are for example
    Kaspersky AV, Eset NOD Antivirus or Norton AV Gaming Edition (yep, I don't believed myself - hated Norton for years, but did some testing lately and it worked pretty well, low on resources etc.)
    The free products - AVG, Avira.... don't recommend Avast - simply because it lets too much crap inside.

    Some have their advantages in the recognition rate of new viruses, some have their advantages in the low-resources footprint, some - in the full scanning time.
    Read the reviews around the net - make your choice that suits you the best.
     
    Stop hovering to collapse... Click to collapse... Hover to expand... Click to expand...
  10. HMonk

    HMonk MDL Addicted

    Nov 3, 2008
    604
    7
    30
    Free Progs

    I generally avoid programs-for-a-fee and prefer to donate to open source efforts or obtain a vendor's free offering.

    If you examine the test results at Matousec.com (link in my post #4, above) you will note that FREE suites by Comodo, PCTools, and OA, are rated better than Kaspersky, e.g. Are they better? As a matter of fact, I do not know: I do not test AV progs/suites. How does an individual decide? It is a matter of preferences, taking into consideration the gamut between the extremes of the mundane (does the prog offer a Dungeons and Dragons skin) to the sublime (does the prog block every attempt by xxx.ro to invade my space).

    I now use Comodo suite for convenience; used to rely on ZA and Avast - and was never violated. By the way, at Anti Malware Test Lab, Kaspersky and Avast are rated the same!

    Bottom line: to each their own aided by a little guidance from different folks who test AV progs. Are they correct in their assessments? Well, they are better than we who are, at best, Jacks and Jills of all trades.

    Monk
     
    Stop hovering to collapse... Click to collapse... Hover to expand... Click to expand...
  11. duh

    duh MDL Member

    Jan 20, 2009
    143
    15
    10
    one word reply
    "clamav"
    its FREEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE! and beats others as good as the paid ones. :-D free as in free beer; and not free lunch.:D
     
  12. HMonk

    HMonk MDL Addicted

    Nov 3, 2008
    604
    7
    30
    #12 HMonk, Jan 20, 2009
    Last edited: Jan 20, 2009
    Stop hovering to collapse... Click to collapse... Hover to expand... Click to expand...
  13. duh

    duh MDL Member

    Jan 20, 2009
    143
    15
    10
  14. chester

    chester MDL Novice

    Jan 15, 2009
    17
    0
    0
    I have always use Bitdefender.for me is the best av:)
     
  15. mad_max247

    mad_max247 MDL Novice

    Jan 24, 2009
    1
    0
    0
    With AVG, it has the free version which does actually, to my suprise, unbelievably well! It caught out a few trojans instantly, its lightweight and easy UI!
     
  16. Maneater

    Maneater MDL Novice

    Jan 29, 2009
    7
    0
    0
    I also use AVG Free and have not had an infected computer. It has picked up trojans etc right away
     
  17. loveabhijit

    loveabhijit MDL Novice

    Dec 31, 2008
    1
    0
    0
    Hi,
    Well i have tested and used almost every kinda antivirus.I would always recommend Quick heal as best one in world.Use it and u find the difference.

    Hats offf for Quick heal
     
  18. lordgarion

    lordgarion MDL Novice

    Jan 7, 2009
    1
    0
    0
    Might I suggest Comodo internet security.
    It's a firewall and anti-virus program in one. the two great things about it are it's free and you can seriously adjust the setting for more security. I run it full time in "paranoid" mode(seriously it has that).
    Now in paranoid mode pretty much everything is locked from running without explicit permission from the user. The first time you try to run even something like notepad after you enter paranoid mode a box pops up asking for permission. And of course you can give programs permanent permission or allow them just once.

    The only negative(which I admit I do bring on myself by choosing such a strict mode) is that for about a week or so after installation is it's a real pain in the @ss till it learns your habits. Of course this can be lessened quite a bit by choosing a less restrictive setting.

    However running it this strict and using Spyware doctor has allowed me to surf the net for quite some time without regard to which sites I visit or programs I download(it scans as they download) and run. And I surf and download a LOT(some weeks I install over 50 programs to try out)
     
  19. HMonk

    HMonk MDL Addicted

    Nov 3, 2008
    604
    7
    30
    #19 HMonk, Jan 31, 2009
    Last edited: Jan 31, 2009
    Stop hovering to collapse... Click to collapse... Hover to expand... Click to expand...
  20. duh

    duh MDL Member

    Jan 20, 2009
    143
    15
    10
    #20 duh, Feb 1, 2009
    Last edited by a moderator: Feb 4, 2009