Bitoy's Security Configuration

[Bitoy]

I just wanted to know what everyone in this community uses to safeguard their system against vicious malwares/adwares/Trojans etc.
I just had mine cleared with Argus' help. Last one was a vicious "qslpdk" virus that traces cookies from various websites visited and pop-up ads come out.
Any infos or recommendations based on experience would be very much appreciated.
THANKS.

 

[Deleted member 178]

every body here use its own setup , somes favors detection (with multi-engines AVs) , others like s me favor prevention & virtualization.

just take time to read the various threads in the security config wizard subforum.

for a starter like you , i will try simple to begin.

 

[Spam404]

I personally use Avira and AVG for real-time protection.

I only started using Avira recently due to its results in the AV-Comparatives testing and the responsiveness of their malware analysts when I submit undetected samples to them.

I also have Malwarebytes installed but this is only to find any PUPs or PUMs AVG or Avira didn't already find. If you've never ran a scan with Malwarebytes I'd highly recommend doing so as I found with friends and family even the most security conscious had a few old PUPs lying about. Be sure to go into the settings of Malwarebytes first and check all the boxes and treat both PUPs and PUMs as malware.

 

[jamescv7]

Well as you are recovered from those infections. A few reminders in order to aware in such situation as follows:

1) Always update those patches on your OS especially your WIndows 7 as SP1 available to download (unless you didn't label on your post), Flash player and Java (optional if you are doing some tasks).

2) Backup that's the better way to access your important files and using system image to revert any changes you made.

3) MSE is a pure basic antivirus and for such better protection capabilities then check for alternatives which available throughout in this forum.

 

[sinu]

I personally use Avira and AVG for real-time protection.

I only started using Avira recently due to its results in the AV-Comparatives testing and the responsiveness of their malware analysts when I submit undetected samples to them.

I also have Malwarebytes installed but this is only to find any PUPs or PUMs AVG or Avira didn't already find. If you've never ran a scan with Malwarebytes I'd highly recommend doing so as I found with friends and family even the most security conscious had a few old PUPs lying about. Be sure to go into the settings of Malwarebytes first and check all the boxes and treat both PUPs and PUMs as malware.

1) don't use more than one AV in real time protection because it will conflict sometime and it may freeze your PC and it will downgrade your PC performance .
2) don't rely on AV-comparatives results for selecting AV because conditions may be different from you end.
3) no AV is 100% better stick to one single AV

 

[Atlas147]

I would change your real time protection to something else. Windows Defender is great if you're not a risky clicker and all but I think it misses a lot of malware. Here are some of the free AV products that I find that are more than capable of protecting your system:
Avast
Avira
Bitdefender
Qihoo

After that you should install a few second opinion scanners to help with the detection, these scanners do not have real time protection so you have to start a scan by yourself, normally I do a scan once a month but you can do it more frequently or whenever you feel that you computer is acting weird. Here are some free second opinion scanners:
Emsisoft Emergency Kit
Malwarebytes
ESET online scanner

Lastly you should read up on some guides on this forum that help you distinguish between harmful programmes and those that you want on your system. All the best!

 

[Spam404]

1) don't use more than one AV in real time protection because it will conflict sometime and it may freeze your PC and it will downgrade your PC performance .
2) don't rely on AV-comparatives results for selecting AV because conditions may be different from you end.
3) no AV is 100% better stick to one single AV

1 - Haven't had any conflicts to date and I've used this configuration for a long time. I've noticed that Avira usually detects malware first then once it deals with it AVG detects it in Avira's quarantine. This works well for me as it gives a small degree of knowledge regarding how detected the sample is from the get go. Performance has never been an issue for me using this config -

2 - Totally agree with you there. However, adding Avira wasn't necessarily for my own safety but to see if the results from the tests replicated similarly on my own system, with the samples I download.

3 - Again, totally agree with this. Have to admit though, I witness Avira detecting a lot more malware that isn't yet widely detected. This was another reason why I decided to install it as I felt if it didn't detect something it is quite likely it's widely undetected and so far this has been the case more often than not.

 

[jamescv7]

@Spam404 : In such reality well yes you may not experience any problems but future long term may happen/exist + why not do this following combination : (AVG IS + Voodoshield or Avira + Voodoshield which they can be compatible to each other)

*Voodoshield acts like UAC and can be compatible to your existing AV programs without colliding any system drivers.

 

[WinXPert]

Oh my, you're using MSE.

 

[Exterminator]

Consider some type of real time protection other than MSE.There are many good free options available that have already been suggested.
Consider some type of backup solution.
Add some on demand scanners such as Malwarebytes Antimalware,Hitman Pro,Emsisoft Emergency Kit,ESET Online Scanner,etc.
Any browser extensions?

 

[Bitoy]

Thanks guys for your advise. Much appreciated.

 

[Deleted member 178]

nothing wrong to use MSE if you don't visit dodgy websites, MSE is based on malware prevalence , means it focuses on newly discovered threats. Sure, it is not the best in detection or prevention but it gives a decent security . now if you have unsafe surfing habirts, it will not be enough.

 

[Bitoy]

I've got Avira installed but how do I know if its safeguarding my system on the background?

 

[jamescv7]

@Bitoy : Avira icon will be displayed on your lower right corner screen + 3-4 process will be register to your Task manager which you cannot terminate the application per self protection activated.

You may test EICAR , which is a harmless text file design to determine the realtime protection work in action.

 

[Davidov]

I decide between regular and low system or something I chose xvirus (or imunet) better than being without AV.Xvirus (http://www.mysecuritywin.com/xvirus-personal-guard.html)+ UAC + windows 10 firewall control (http://www.sphinx-soft.com/Vista/order.html) + Shadow defender(http://www.shadowdefender.com/ free alternative Toolwiz Time Freeze) + Norton DNS + AdGuard very light on system. Prevention is better than cure.

 

[Bitoy]

@Bitoy : Avira icon will be displayed on your lower right corner screen + 3-4 process will be register to your Task manager which you cannot terminate the application per self protection activated.

You may test EICAR , which is a harmless text file design to determine the realtime protection work in action.

Yes. I've got the Avira icon on the lower right of my screen. I opened Win Task Manager and it displays Avira.Systray.exe.32* I assume that is it right?

 

[Bitoy]

I also just installed Comodo Firewall to combine.

 

[jamescv7]

@Bitoy : Yes, one for the system tray process, one for realtime protection (avguard.exe), one for Avshadow which is part of the components for Avira on continuous operation.

 

[Infected]

I only have two... Bitdefender and Spyshelter Firewall. Norton came preinstalled has lots of features but that uses up way too much CPU resource... the CPU always hovering around 50%... well sometimes and quite annoying. I've found that you really need external protections in that day and age because Microsoft's stuff sucks... they primarily focus on unwanted stuff getting onto your computer in the first place and even this defense is kinda weak.

This site is useful: https://www.av-test.org/en/antivirus/home-windows/

Nevermind usability... you're looking for one with perfect protection score... higher the protection score the safer

If you choose Bitdefender you will find free legal promotional keys out there if you cannot afford to buy.

Check out the score of Microsoft Security Essentials... Well think about it this way if Microsoft Security Essentials were so good, then why would my laptop come with Norton? Never just use Microsoft Security Essentials... you're vulnerable as f*** if you do.