12 replies to this topic

[aka_bigfan]

Hello! Until recently I have only been using Norton AV2001 (updated regularly through live update) and McAfee firewall. I did not install McAfee AV since there are incompatibility issues with Norton. Yesterday I downloaded a free AV called avast. It alerted me on some things found on my computer like BiSpy, ncasespy, trojano etc. Because of this i read on spyware and downloaded the ff:HijackThis, AdAware, SpyBot, SpywareGuard, SpywareBlaster and SwatIt. Do I really need all of these in my system? Am I not risking any compatibility issues here? On the other hand, are these sufficient enough protection or do I need anything else? Thanks for your suggestions.

[oonocando]

In response to your question about compatability and if the spyware apps you have installed on your computer are enough or to much protection, I would have to say that your headed in the right dirrection to secureing your computer against the nastys on the web.
I dont use Nortan or Avast but I've heard alot of good things about them and a good firewall and AV is your first line of defense.
I have McAfee firewall and AV installed on my computer along with SpywareBlaster, SpywareGuard, Adware 6 build 181, Spybot S&d, BHODemon 2.0.013 and TrojanHunter. I have not had any compatability issues with these app's running at the same time in fact they all work rather nicely together.
The two most important things anyone needs to do to surf the web in safety (my opinion) is to educate themselves about the does and donts when useing the web and develope safe surfing habits.
Theres alot of good forums like this one to help with the problems that develope through the use of the web or with your computer.

[Scoff]

You've got pretty much what you need bigfan... your list is pretty much the same as mine. Avast or Grisofts AVG are the better of the common free AV's

If you use IE then cookiewall might be another thing I'd suggest. http://www.analogx.c...work/cookie.htm

IE-SPYAD puts over 5000 sites in your restricted zone so you'll be protected when you visit innocent-looking sites that aren't actually innocent at all. A hosts file will help you block bad sites and ad servers. In windows explorer go to C:\WINDOWS\System32\Drivers\Etc, locate the file called hosts (no file extension) and rename it to hosts.old. Then download MVPS hosts file and extract it to the exact same location.

These only work with IE. Personally i use firefox as its more secure, it has better activex controls. Tabbed browsing is kickass - which is reason enough for the switch to it.

Spybot's function called teatimer does the same job as spywareguard - if you run them both it just means you'll be notified twice everytime theres a change.

Edit : google toolbar as a popup blocker!

Edited by Scoff, 17 July 2004 - 09:18 AM.

[CES]

I have no idea who the "we" is whose opinions are presented here.
"We" emphatically does not mean www.spywareinfoforum.com or its staff. -cnm

Hello! Until recently I have only been using Norton AV2001 (updated regularly through live update) and McAfee firewall.  I did not install McAfee AV since there are incompatibility issues with Norton.  Yesterday I downloaded a free AV called avast.  It alerted me on some things found on my computer like BiSpy, ncasespy, trojano etc.  Because of this i read on spyware and downloaded the ff:HijackThis, AdAware, SpyBot, SpywareGuard, SpywareBlaster and SwatIt.  Do I really need all of these in my system?  Am I not risking any compatibility issues here?  On the other hand, are these sufficient enough protection or do I need anything else?  Thanks for your suggestions.

Yes, it takes a lot of “condoms” to Internet surf these days. Stick with your Symantecs-Norton AV2001, and don’t upgrade. It is very good and stable.

We no longer recommend SpyBot S&D. Version 1.3 has too many stability problems and frankly seriously wrecked some of our clients computers. We have used/recommended SpyBot for many years, until 1.3 came out. It the problems are addressed, we would probably recommend it again.

We do not recommend any search toolbar at present or searching from MS-IE's address bar. The safest way to search, (other than your MS-IE Favorites list) is to us a Google or other search engine “bookmarklet” to access their search engines. Then Google, MSN, and others cannot use their toolbars to track your habits and serve up custom ads and other junk you don’t want. Search engine bookmarket’s are like having your own private toolbar and other cool search features.

The below setup we have installed on 1,000 of computers without one problem. However, we do not endorse anything, including Microsoft.

There may be other methods and software to address Internet surfing safety issues, but we only use companies/software that are highly stable and efficient; we trust are going to be in business in 5 years, and have an established track record. - CES

============
Our current standard recommended layered web filtering and protection protocol is comprised of:

1. ZoneAlarm Pro 4.5.538, with custom Firewall block list(*), and active Cookies, Ad Blocking, Mobile Code Control filtering settings.
(NOTE: We DO NOT recommend the latest ZAP 5.0 series);
(*) approx 60 IP Range blocks here. Large # are CoolWebSearch “Costra Nostra” Cartel related, rest are top 10 ad serving companies Server Farms)

2. An up-to-date & locked Win TCP-IP HOSTS file and IE6 Restricted Sites Zone list;
(External sources we use for maintaining our HOSTS file and MS-IE Restricted Site list are MVPS.org-winhelp2002 / IE-SPYAD-Eric Howes / HPGuru / webhelper4u/ cws_domains.txt / and fantastic Forums like SWI.)

3. LavaSoft’s Ad-watch, (as part of Ad-adware Pro package) with an up-to-date and locked “sites.txt” file;
(For advanced users instead of Ad-Watch 3, we use/recommend AdShield or WebWasher in this combo package with up-to-date and locked filter lists.)

4. Our recommendations for:
(a.) Internet Properties - Security settings and Advanced settings menus
(b.) Internet surfing and computer cleaning “lifestyle habits”
(c.) Internet search toolbar. (We do not recommend Google or MS/MSN toolbar)
Use search engine “bookmarklets” instead. 100% times safer and better!

5. We use and recommend Symantec’s-Norton AntiVirus, but don’t recommend running it in the active mode, except high risk surfing, i.e. porn sites, “free” software sites, etc.
(Note: I have been using/recommending Symantec’s-Norton for 21 years. They are not the high quality company/software they used to be, but who is these days)

NOTE: All our recommended and customized Microsoft operating systems have automated System Restore/Recovery modes built-in or added. Even with the best Internet protection, you are going to get infected or OS compromised from time to time. Being able to go back to a “clean” Restore point, is fast, easy, and effortless. Our recommendations also presume you have a current built computer (2002 or greater) and configuration, along with a reasonable high speed Internet connection.
============

Edited by cnm, 24 July 2004 - 11:11 AM.

[cnm]

Hi CES,

Please stop using the pronoun "we", or spell out exactly who "we" is.

"Microsoft Certified Professional" is not particularly a qualification for malware removal support.
Microsoft Certified Professional

The Microsoft Certified Professional (MCP) credential is for professionals who have the skills to successfully implement a Microsoft product or technology as part of a business solution in an organization.

And I would doubt that the MCPs have any consensual opinion as a "we" group.

Please say "I" and not "we"? Your opinions are not necessarily those of this board's management or its helpers.
(The various helper groups here)

[Paranoid]

Actually I find quite a few people use "we" when talking on these and other forums. You know , "We find that spybot and ad-aware is......" "On our systems, we use x , y ,z"

I find it pretty funny too, though I suspect "we" in most cases refers to the family members using the same computer/home network, or in other cases, a systems administrators of their network.

[rosso_acido]

I suspect "we" in most cases refers to the family members using the same computer/home network, or in other cases, a systems administrators of their network.

...Or it could be the royal "we".

[cnm]

I don't normally object to "we", but in this case the advice is made to sound so authoritative....and with the Microsoft avatar, it could be read as either our official position or Microsoft's.

[sun]

Just wondering about the Trend House Call on line.....I presently use panda active scan and have been very happy with it.... as programs on my notebook I have norton professional systemworks 2004, spy bot search and destroy.....but I have seen some comments of instability of this program.....any comments on this. I also run ad aware...seem satisfied with this. the nature of my question with Trend House Call online is if there is anything put into the registry that could conflict with my norton professional systemworks....goodness knows I have enough grief with that program to do a proper uninstall if I have to do one. Does anyone have any experience with Professional systemworks uninstall...I use add/remove ....but there is always a situation of leftovers in the registry and I end up going to a tech to try to resolve this and my pocket book gets lighter. though I have no need to uninstall now I would like to know if any member has tricks in doing a thorough uninstall of this program????
If spy bot is now unstable what program seems to be the leader of the pack????
.....ciao

[rosso_acido]

I wouldn't say Spybot is unstable... It's got a couple bugs, but there's too much unnecessary fuss made over them, in my opinion. Suffice to say I'm using it on a Win 98 SE system with all protection features enabled (Tea-Timer, SD Helper, Immunisation etc.) and it works like a dream, although I've heard other users complaining of various problems if they've got it installed on 98 SE.

As for Norton SystemWorks, I've had a nasty experience with Norton Antivirus myself and have heard horror stories from people using SystemWorks and NIS, so I'm very cautious about anything Norton-related. I don't think a simple online scan with Trend Micro Housecall would cause any significant trouble, though...

On the other hand, someone once complained about some components downloaded on his HD that slowed down the PC, but you'd have to take his word for it... Personally I haven't noticed any conflicts between my resident antivirus and any online scanners by different companies to this day (being a hypochondriac, I scan with everything available at every opportunity).

Ciao,
R.

[cnm]

A lot of people, myself included, use both Spybot SD and Ad-Aware. SSD and AAW complement each other - each catches some things the other misses.

SSD is certainly not unstable for me. And the realtime protections that SSD offers (as noted above by rosso_acido) are nice.

[Paranoid]

I suspect "we" in most cases refers to the family members using the same computer/home network, or in other cases, a systems administrators of their network.

...Or it could be the royal "we".

We have royalty posting on these boards? Wow, I better be more respectful. You never know when you are answering Prince Charles.

[rosso_acido]

We have royalty posting on these boards? Wow, I better be more respectful. You never know when you are answering Prince Charles.

:eek: OMG!!!!

But of course you never know...

R.

Edited by rosso_acido, 25 July 2004 - 04:37 AM.