Comments for What's the difference between anti-virus, anti-spyware and internet security software?

Comment from Duane on 2009-10-03

2009-10-03T10:33:43Z

I've used free tools for years now, and I recommend them to everyone I speak to. I use Avira anti-virus, and Malawarebytes’ anti mal-ware. The latter has literally brought two computers back from the dead. I found 50 or so malware infections on a friend’s computer that refused to boot, but my daughter’s computer set the record with 610 malware infections. In both cases, Malawarebytes’ had the machines back to operational within an hour.

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A comment on: What's the difference between anti-virus, anti-spyware and internet security software?

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Comment from Ravi Agrawal on 2009-09-29

2009-09-30T05:57:08Z

The issue with malware is really very very sore. The best would be get behind a NAT router as always pointed out by Leo and follow safe browsing practices. This should keep most of the malware out of one's business.

For the techies, it would be to use any flavor of Linux and for those diehard techies who know everything, it would be better to run the Internet on a Virtual Machine.

But I personally am very much inclined not to use such security suites type of stuff. I follow the above guidelines and have rarely been infected. Most of the infections I receieved were from USB pendrives. After that I completely turned off AutoPlay and haven't faced a single problem since then.

Ravi.

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A comment on: What's the difference between anti-virus, anti-spyware and internet security software?

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Comment from Michael Horowitz on 2009-09-29

2009-09-30T02:37:05Z

The Live CD to scan for viruses may be a reference to the Ultimate Boot CD for Windows. It boots to Windows however, not to Linux. This makes sense as antimalware software runs on Windows. See ubcd4win.com and this

http://www.esecurityplanet.com/features/article.php/3821001/The-Best-Way-to-Remove-Viruses-Spyware-and-other-Malware-Part-1.htm

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A comment on: What's the difference between anti-virus, anti-spyware and internet security software?

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Comment from Michael on 2009-09-29

2009-09-30T02:22:41Z

I have several different "security" apps on my computer. Only is running "real-time" and, that is ZoneAlarm Security Suite (ZASS). The other apps, while installed, are not set-up to run in real-time. I use these other apps to perform scans of my computer (manually - if no scheduler is available) to look for "stuff" that the primary app (ZASS) may have missed. Each app is run on a weekly basis. This may be "over-kill" but, for me, that's what I want. Safe computing yaw-ll!!!

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A comment on: What's the difference between anti-virus, anti-spyware and internet security software?

Tech Questions? Get Answers! - Ask Leo! ... by Leo Notenboom
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Comment from Justin Davis on 2009-09-29

2009-09-29T22:15:39Z

damn my link looks huge. sorry about that I can blog at work, but they make me put a disclaimer on everything

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A comment on: What's the difference between anti-virus, anti-spyware and internet security software?

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Comment from Justin Davis on 2009-09-29

2009-09-29T22:14:42Z

Have you ever used a Live CD to scan for viruses? I've heard some guys working on a Linux live CD that you basically boot the computer into Linux, and it scans for problems... The idea being a virus written for windows won't effect linux... you heard of it?

Justin Davis

It's a valid technique, particularly when the Windows machine won't boot or behave when booted. I dislike it because anything burned to CD-ROM is immediately out of date, and not all of the tools automatically update themselves, nor are they as complete as some of the Windows based alternatives. But it's definitely a good tool to have in your toolbox.

30-Sep-2009

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A comment on: What's the difference between anti-virus, anti-spyware and internet security software?

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Comment from Craig Griffin on 2009-09-29

2009-09-29T20:15:13Z

I have to agree with you Leo, Suites are bloated, resource hungry tools that just don't cut it in my opinion. I use AVG free, a variety of free online virus scanners and at least three different spyware and malware tools of the paid variety. My router provides the main firewall and I use Windows 7's firewall.

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A comment on: What's the difference between anti-virus, anti-spyware and internet security software?

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Comment from Bob on 2009-09-29

2009-09-29T17:52:24Z

anti spyware free I have used ADAWARE and found it excellent and also PC Tools Spy Doctor downloadable ffree fromm Google pack (has a lot of good free programs.
AntiVirus free Try Bitdefender also Comodo now has a free one that is supposed to be good

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A comment on: What's the difference between anti-virus, anti-spyware and internet security software?

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Comment from David Hutchins on 2009-09-29

2009-09-29T16:48:18Z

I agree that some of the suites are not that good overall, but they are getting better. There are several good products now that combine anti-virus and anti-spyware (Webroot's Antivirus/Antispyware and Sunbelt's Vipre specifically are two very good ones.) Some people prefer using free products and while many are quite good, I have found most lacking in one or more important aspects. I prefer paid products, but I do use the free ones to double check on my paid versions. Also, as pointed out, no one product finds everything, so best to use an array of products to checks things. Just don't run two anti-virus programs at once or two Firewalls at once, as you can get conflicts.

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A comment on: What's the difference between anti-virus, anti-spyware and internet security software?

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Comment from Andrew on 2009-09-29

2009-09-29T09:30:31Z

I only use trial versions of internet security suites.I change them every month or two.Security suites offer more protection than a personal firewall or antivirus.I think it's worth the money to buy one.

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A comment on: What's the difference between anti-virus, anti-spyware and internet security software?

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Comment from Mary on 2009-09-29

2009-09-29T07:14:07Z

Whether one chooses an all-in-one suite or individual components, make sure you have real time scanning/monitoring. Doesn't make much sense to let your computer become infected and then scan after the fact to try to remove something. Once a system is infected the only guaranteed way to know all traces of the malware has been removed is to erase the hard drive and reinstall the OS. As a precaution, don't run two real time scanning AV programs at the same time. They could view each other as a threat and cause your computer to crash.

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A comment on: What's the difference between anti-virus, anti-spyware and internet security software?

Tech Questions? Get Answers! - Ask Leo! ... by Leo Notenboom
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Comment from Bob on 2009-09-28

2009-09-28T15:06:08Z

With regard to internet security, my stance is this: - no one package, however expensive, will catch everything. My solution: Use several free packages. It is a simple matter to use a free anti-virus, free firewall, free anti-spyware, and then take advantage of one of the reputable free online scanning sites, just to check your system now and again.

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A comment on: What's the difference between anti-virus, anti-spyware and internet security software?

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Comment from Tony on 2009-09-27

2009-09-27T23:37:09Z

AVG Pro works for me scan for spyware and rootkits along with vista firewall, and MBAM for on-demand scanning. I'm quite happy with this combo. of course there is windows defender under the hood not sure how good it is but unfortunately it is not uninstallable on vista. you can pick up a copy at walmart for cheap and it works good.

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A comment on: What's the difference between anti-virus, anti-spyware and internet security software?

Tech Questions? Get Answers! - Ask Leo! ... by Leo Notenboom
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