Norton Isn't Enough - Nor any one security package
Looks like there's some security software battles heating up!
Friday, October 6, 2006 by BigDogBigFeet | Discussion: Windows Software
Awhile back I've read posts regarding Viruses and Trojans and Spyware etc. Basically the message was one security package isn't enough. The people who make, market, and sell these things certainly have created that impression. And, the advice here was that using a few good packages might do the trick. So, since I had up to this point have only been using Norton 2006 (once a week full scanning with continuous protection running) and have been pretty happy with it, I decided I should try something, and of course, free is the best option whenever possible. So I downloaded Windows Defender Beta 2 which can be found here WWW Link">Link. As I began using it I noticed it reported finding a few trojans including a couple it categorized as high risk.
I must admit I was also having some problems with my PC as well. So, it seems these there was a couple of real problems Norton missed. And also Windows Defender reported finding the same problem Trojan again. So what do I do now? I decided to go to the Live OneCare security site and try the free scan which can be found here [link="http://safety.live.com/site/en-us/default.htm?s_cid=sah"]WWW Link. I opted for the full treatment (this took a couple of hours to complete). Live OneCare said it found and corrected 5 virus problems. It also said it found 351 registry problems. I also happen to use TuneUp Utilities 2006 and do once a week maintenance with it. Live OneCare also deleted 250 MBs of temporary files. So far everything seems to be fine and I will see if any virus or trojan problems develop again. But, I can't help but feel that some of this that's being reported by these software tools is to convince the PC consumer that their current packages aren't doing the job and they should switch. That said, I will now wait and see the results. And, here is a list of the trojans that Windows Defender found. Win32/Wmfpfv (3 occurances) and Java/Openstream.C (1 occurance). Your thoughts?
I must admit I was also having some problems with my PC as well. So, it seems these there was a couple of real problems Norton missed. And also Windows Defender reported finding the same problem Trojan again. So what do I do now? I decided to go to the Live OneCare security site and try the free scan which can be found here [link="http://safety.live.com/site/en-us/default.htm?s_cid=sah"]WWW Link. I opted for the full treatment (this took a couple of hours to complete). Live OneCare said it found and corrected 5 virus problems. It also said it found 351 registry problems. I also happen to use TuneUp Utilities 2006 and do once a week maintenance with it. Live OneCare also deleted 250 MBs of temporary files. So far everything seems to be fine and I will see if any virus or trojan problems develop again. But, I can't help but feel that some of this that's being reported by these software tools is to convince the PC consumer that their current packages aren't doing the job and they should switch. That said, I will now wait and see the results. And, here is a list of the trojans that Windows Defender found. Win32/Wmfpfv (3 occurances) and Java/Openstream.C (1 occurance). Your thoughts?
PurrBall
Reply #2 Friday, October 6, 2006 9:36 PM
Reply #2 Friday, October 6, 2006 9:36 PM
Norton and it's crappiness doesn't count. 
The only thing I have is Spybot.. also using Firefox and Thunderbird help alot.
The only thing I have is Spybot.. also using Firefox and Thunderbird help alot.
Erk.
Reply #3 Saturday, October 7, 2006 4:06 AM
Reply #3 Saturday, October 7, 2006 4:06 AM
The problem with N.A.V.is that it will let the virus through to your rig before it deals with it. As many viruses and trojans are written with the express intent of disabling many of the feautures of AV programs ...by then it is often too late.
It is also quite possible that the trojans/viruses you had on your system were instructing N.A.V. to download bogus updates [from a different site], tricking you into believing that you were still ok.
If you have the pesky trojan/s still on your system, you may be able to download specific tool/s to rid yourself of it.
Try searching for the actual name of the virus, but add "removal tools" to the search query.
You could also search for a removal tool on SARC which has been around since the good days of NAV.
Good luck.
It is also quite possible that the trojans/viruses you had on your system were instructing N.A.V. to download bogus updates [from a different site], tricking you into believing that you were still ok.
If you have the pesky trojan/s still on your system, you may be able to download specific tool/s to rid yourself of it.
Try searching for the actual name of the virus, but add "removal tools" to the search query.
You could also search for a removal tool on SARC which has been around since the good days of NAV.
Good luck.
Xythe
Reply #4 Saturday, October 7, 2006 5:16 AM
This is not entirely true. If you have NAV set up properly, and keep the definitions up to date, NAV will in fact detect virii and various malware and either prompt you for an action, or simply block the pest.
Always run your antimalware software BEFORE you restart your PC.
This is entirely false.
Firefox is rapidly becoming just as vulnerable than any other browser. Read some of the articles concerning malware out there and you will see this is in fact true.
Spybot is a decent program that addresses SOME malware, mostly adbots, but does NOTHIN for viral infections and little in the way of detecting and removing trojans.
Spybot was never meant to be a total malware solution, and should not be used as such.
Anyway, I ran the live OneCare, all it found was some registry orphans and the like. No virii and no trojans/adware. So at least I know my malware solution is pretty reasonable:
Adaware
Spybot (MUST use the immunaize feature..does not work on firefox)
Windows Defender
Zone Alarm
AVG antivirus
Reply #4 Saturday, October 7, 2006 5:16 AM
| The problem with N.A.V.is that it will let the virus through to your rig before it deals with it. |
This is not entirely true. If you have NAV set up properly, and keep the definitions up to date, NAV will in fact detect virii and various malware and either prompt you for an action, or simply block the pest.
Always run your antimalware software BEFORE you restart your PC.
| Norton and it's crappiness doesn't count. |
This is entirely false.
| The only thing I have is Spybot.. also using Firefox and Thunderbird help alot. |
Firefox is rapidly becoming just as vulnerable than any other browser. Read some of the articles concerning malware out there and you will see this is in fact true.
Spybot is a decent program that addresses SOME malware, mostly adbots, but does NOTHIN for viral infections and little in the way of detecting and removing trojans.
Spybot was never meant to be a total malware solution, and should not be used as such.
Anyway, I ran the live OneCare, all it found was some registry orphans and the like. No virii and no trojans/adware. So at least I know my malware solution is pretty reasonable:
Adaware
Spybot (MUST use the immunaize feature..does not work on firefox)
Windows Defender
Zone Alarm
AVG antivirus
MasonM
Reply #6 Saturday, October 7, 2006 8:14 AM
Reply #6 Saturday, October 7, 2006 8:14 AM
AVG, Spybot, and Adaware combined with a good firewall makes for pretty decent protection for a Windows box.
Xythe
Reply #7 Saturday, October 7, 2006 8:51 AM
Absolutely!
Reply #7 Saturday, October 7, 2006 8:51 AM
| AVG, Spybot, and Adaware combined with a good firewall makes for pretty decent protection for a Windows box. |
Absolutely!
Jafo
Reply #8 Saturday, October 7, 2006 10:02 AM
Reply #8 Saturday, October 7, 2006 10:02 AM
| This is entirely false. |
When NAV can efficiently fubar Windows' BITS service....[for the uninitiated that means no more MS updates, etc] then the proggy is crap.
For the slow learners that's C.R.A.P.
Anyone is free to have my subscription....deleted 2 weeks after renewal...as was NAV.
WeatherBound
Reply #9 Saturday, October 7, 2006 11:07 AM
I did believe that once. Till last week when my computer started to go slow.
I been using AVG,Spybot,AdAware SE,Spyblaster And Zone Alarm. Since I new that there was something going on in my computer I decided to switch AVG back to Avast.
Avast found 10 Trojans. My computer in now back to speed. Having said that, A year or so ago. I had the same set up except I was using avast as my Antivirus. That's when I switched to Avg. When i ran Avg then it found 2 Trojans that avast missed.
Conclusion: switch Antivirus programs regulary through out the year.
I do not recommend using Two Antviruses at one time.
Reply #9 Saturday, October 7, 2006 11:07 AM
| AVG, Spybot, and Adware combined with a good firewall makes for pretty decent protection for a Windows box. |
I did believe that once. Till last week when my computer started to go slow.
I been using AVG,Spybot,AdAware SE,Spyblaster And Zone Alarm. Since I new that there was something going on in my computer I decided to switch AVG back to Avast.
Avast found 10 Trojans. My computer in now back to speed. Having said that, A year or so ago. I had the same set up except I was using avast as my Antivirus. That's when I switched to Avg. When i ran Avg then it found 2 Trojans that avast missed.
Conclusion: switch Antivirus programs regulary through out the year.
I do not recommend using Two Antviruses at one time.
_02
Reply #10 Saturday, October 7, 2006 11:34 AM
Good advice WB. I will give it a try. And I am with Jafo on NAV. It is not allowed in the same room with any of my computers. It is crap in the full sense of the word.
Reply #10 Saturday, October 7, 2006 11:34 AM
| switch Antivirus programs regulary through out the year. |
Good advice WB. I will give it a try. And I am with Jafo on NAV. It is not allowed in the same room with any of my computers. It is crap in the full sense of the word.
BigDogBigFeet
Reply #11 Saturday, October 7, 2006 12:09 PM
Reply #11 Saturday, October 7, 2006 12:09 PM
Well thanks for the responses. So far everything seems to be okay. The symptoms my PC was exhibiting was Norton began acting strangely. There were numerous messages that a recent attempt to attack my computer had been blocked (unauthorized port accesses). A windows system program was flagged by Norton for attempting to make a WEB site access (very abnormal). And frequent disk drive thrashing (the hard disk would run and run for no apparent reason). My guess is my system was being hijacked. Anyway for now things have settled down. No more Hard Disk thrashing is occuring. So let's hear it for Microsoft and their free Live OneCare full system scan service. If you haven't tried it yet (Meowy the Purrball and others who rely on FF and TB this means you) go try it. After all I was using FF and TB also.
basj
Reply #12 Saturday, October 7, 2006 12:32 PM used to have NAV on my system few months back..but not happy with it...now using...Avast!,Zonealarm and Ad-watch...still i am feeling i am not fully covered. 
Reply #12 Saturday, October 7, 2006 12:32 PM
used to have NAV on my system few months back..but not happy with it...now using...Avast!,Zonealarm and Ad-watch...still i am feeling i am not fully covered. 
Xythe
Reply #13 Saturday, October 7, 2006 12:33 PM
Would that be NAV or NIS?
Reply #13 Saturday, October 7, 2006 12:33 PM
| When NAV can efficiently fubar Windows' BITS service....[ |
Would that be NAV or NIS?
BigDogBigFeet
Reply #14 Saturday, October 7, 2006 9:42 PM
Reply #14 Saturday, October 7, 2006 9:42 PM
Just thought I'd update. Everyone should be trying the Free MS Live OneCare Full Service on their PCs. My PC is behaving perfectly once again. No more hard disk thrashing. No more slow response times. No more strange messages from NAV 2006. The link for it is in the first comment. 
Fuzzy Logic
Reply #15 Sunday, October 8, 2006 5:11 AM
Reply #15 Sunday, October 8, 2006 5:11 AM
Don't ever use NIS 2006/6 or NAV 2005/6, they cause no end of problems. McAfee is worse, upon installation my pc blue screened four times in an hour - that's the only four blue screens I've had since using XP...
I'm now using (following a useful tip) NAV 2002. It has an extremely small footprint and works perfectly, has all the updates but none of the problems of the later versions... If you happen to have a copy on disk...
Also in use: Windows Defender, Ad-Aware 6, Spybot, and for firewall, Norton 2002 Personal Firewall and nVidia Firewall (the two complement each other).
I'm now using (following a useful tip) NAV 2002. It has an extremely small footprint and works perfectly, has all the updates but none of the problems of the later versions... If you happen to have a copy on disk...
Also in use: Windows Defender, Ad-Aware 6, Spybot, and for firewall, Norton 2002 Personal Firewall and nVidia Firewall (the two complement each other).
Jafo
Reply #16 Sunday, October 8, 2006 6:43 AM
Reply #16 Sunday, October 8, 2006 6:43 AM
| Would that be NAV or NIS? |
That would be NAV.... yes, I can spell.... 
Jafo
Reply #17 Sunday, October 8, 2006 6:47 AM
Reply #17 Sunday, October 8, 2006 6:47 AM
| I'm now using (following a useful tip) NAV 2002. |
Michael ....that's the one that f***ed my system...
Jafo
Reply #19 Sunday, October 8, 2006 8:15 AM
Reply #19 Sunday, October 8, 2006 8:15 AM
| Works fine here |
Yes...it did for me for years...then it rears up and bites you on the arse.....
Clearly yours isn't juicy enough.....yet...
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Reply #1 Friday, October 6, 2006 5:45 PM