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Probably the Best Free Security List in the World

Updated 22. May 2013 - 21:13 by ako

Probably the Best Free Security List in the World - Page Index
25. My Choices and More

Ako's current choices for protection

Free setup (both 32-bit and 64-bit) for my friends and relatives. Here robustness and simplicity are as important as efficiency of protection:

  • Avast
  • Windows firewall
  • Panda USB vaccine
  • LUA (Vista, 7)

My personal setup for Windows 7:

  • LUA+TweakUAC
  • Sandboxie (64-bit) $ / Defencewall (32-bit) $ 
  • F-Secure client security $
  • Winpatrol Plus $
  • No Autorun

Scanners:

  • Hitman Pro
  • Malwarebytes Antimalware

Backup:

  • Syncback
  • Paragon
  • Windows 7 built-in backup

Other security-related programs I use:

  • Secunia PSI
  • Virustotal Uploader

 

J_L's current setup:

  • Main: avast! Free Antivirus (File System, Network, Script, Behaviour Shield) [password protected], Emsisoft Mamutu [locked permissions] $
  • Browser: Google Chrome (click to play, signed in), Internet Explorer (Enhanced Protected Mode, ActiveX Filtering, Tracking Protection)
  • Extensions: Adblock Plus (EasyPrivacy+EasyList, Malware Domains), ScriptSafe (Allow Mode, Block Unwanted Content/Cookies), LastPass (two-factor authentication)
  • URL Filters: BitDefender TrafficLight, Norton DNS, WOT
  • Analysis: Anubis, Comodo File Verdict Service, Metascan Online, VTchromizer, X-Ray
  • On-demand Scanners: Comodo Cleaning Essentials, Hitman Pro, Norton Power Eraser, Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware, SUPERAntiSpyware, Trend Micro HouseCall, WinMHR
  • System: Windows 7 64-bit Defender, Firewall, Update, UAC, EMET, SpywareBlaster, other tweaks
  • Other Utilities: LAlarm, Prey Anti-Theft, Process Explorer, SUMo, UltraSearch, Unlocker, VirtualBox
  • Privacy: Dataram RAMDisk, SecurityKISS Tunnel, Tor Browser Bundle, TrueCrypt (System Encryption, Favourite Volumes)
  • Backup: AX64 Time Machine $, FileMenu Tools (Shred Files, Synchronize), various cloud providers, Wondershare LiveBoot $

Ako'sbanking advice

1) Use one LUA for ALL everyday use and make another LUA which is used ONLY for banking. The point is, that if the everyday LUA is infected, the infection is almost always limited to that account. (99% safety guaranteed. This of course requires, that  you are not yet infected, and don't install malware with adminstrative rights in the future.)

and/or

2) Use one browser only for banking and a separate browser for everything else. This gives some extra safety.

Prisoners on remand (might be useful, but not recommended)

RemoveIT Pro  (too many dangerous false positives)
Winpooch (not compatible with XP SP3)
WIPS (PoC-software, very demanding)
Blue Atom, Mint Security Essentials (low detection rate AV)
Emco Malware destroyer, Mysystemexpert, Malware Eraser (low detection rate AM)
Ultrasurf (probably legitimate, but has some strange behaviour)
SpywareGuard (out-of-date)
SecureIT Free (out-of-date)
Ammyy Admin (used too much by scammers)
IObit Advanced SystemCare (All IObit programs: probable MBAM database theft)
IObit Malware Fighter (All IObit programs: probable MBAM database theft)
IObit Unlocker (All IObit programs: probable MBAM database theft)
IObit Random Password Generator (All IObit programs: probable MBAM database theft)
IObit Toolbox (All IObit programs: probable MBAM database theft)
IObit Uninstaller  (All IObit programs: probable MBAM database theft)
Norton PC Checkup (False and exagerrated reports)
FSB Antivirus (Beta program with buggy/incomplete features)
BkavHome (no auto-update,outdated,bad international support)
NANO (Beta,buggy features)
Zoner (private beta)
Moon Secure ( engine isoutdated ,not under active development,buggy features)
CMC Infosec (dangerous false positives)

Doing time in jail (not recommended)

NoAdware, StopZilla, SpyRemover (rogues)
Balaji Plus Cloud Antivirus (nonexistant program, multiple lies)

This list is maintained by volunteer editors ako, J_L & vodomar

Probably the Best Free Security List in the World (c) 2009-2013 Antti Koponen

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Comments

by ako on 20. July 2010 - 9:19  (54572)

Thanks!
by BillBrad (not verified) on 19. July 2010 - 16:14  (54529)

For backup I use PureSync. Consider adding it to your list.

What I like most is that it has an (optional)auto-backup feature which will backup any changes you make to a file or folder immediately when you make them. With a scheduled backup, the file is vulnerable to loss between its creation time and the time of the next backup. With immediate auto backup, you're totally covered. I rest easy that my downloaded music and videos won't disappear unexpectedly.
by ako on 19. July 2010 - 18:12  (54537)

Thanks!
by J_L on 18. July 2010 - 19:38  (54486)

SanityCheck:
http://www.resplendence.com/sanity_features.htm
by ako on 18. July 2010 - 20:20  (54487)

Thanks! The number of existing anti-rootkits is huge (one can find dozens from the rootkit discussions links). I will only add new if they have been found really strong. Have you any links showing that SC is as strong/even stronger than those listed at the moment? (I will add it anyway, as it seems to have some interesting features :-)
by J_L on 20. July 2010 - 0:34  (54554)

One feature stands out is 64-bit compatibility. Not really sure how effective it is though.
by J_L on 18. July 2010 - 3:40  (54446)

VBA32 AntiRootkit:
http://www.anti-virus.by/en/vba32arkit.shtml
by ako on 18. July 2010 - 8:07  (54464)

Thanks!

by Mike Owen (not verified) on 18. July 2010 - 0:16  (54441)

This article (or set of articles) is a really distinguished public service. Many congratulations?
by ako on 18. July 2010 - 8:08  (54465)

Thank you! :-)
by DublinDon (not verified) on 17. July 2010 - 18:42  (54428)

Looks like Comodo Security suite has had 64 bit capability since 2008 but on your list it doesn't have the 64 bit sticker.
Why is that?
by ako on 17. July 2010 - 19:58  (54430)

Thanks!
by THB (not verified) on 17. July 2010 - 17:11  (54426)

I'm running AVG, Ad-Ware and Spy-Bot together. Anyone see a conflict with these as a problem?
Thanks
by ako on 17. July 2010 - 19:59  (54431)

I think no conflict with them....
by Jim Brock (not verified) on 15. July 2010 - 16:18  (54333)

Here's another link for your privacy section.

The most comprehensive opt-out wizard and Firefox opt-out protector.

http://www.privacychoice.org
by ako on 15. July 2010 - 18:28  (54336)

Thanks!
by J_L on 15. July 2010 - 2:13  (54298)

eScan AntiVirus Toolkit Utility:
http://www.escanav.com/english/content/products/MWAV/escan_mwav.asp
by ako on 15. July 2010 - 18:29  (54337)

I've added it (MWAV). MC is right on FP:s so I added it quite far from the top.
by MidnightCowboy on 15. July 2010 - 8:30  (54311)

In the context of this list most things are acceptable but I had some grave concerns about this one highlighted in the comments here here:

http://www.techsupportalert.com/best-free-anti-virus-software.htm

The default "scan and clean" setting makes no allowances for the possibility of false positives and I would urge anyone using this software to consider the custom configuration options carefully first, and then do so with caution.
by J_L on 15. July 2010 - 23:38  (54347)

Agreed. Luckily I chose scan when I ran it, definitely has false positives.
by AlanMcAlan on 10. July 2010 - 15:37  (54056)

Sorry AlanMcAlan , I mistakenly deleted this text on emsisoft!

ako :-)
by ako on 10. July 2010 - 17:45  (54058)

Thanks!
by AlanMcAlan on 11. July 2010 - 13:20  (54085)

lol? I was drained lastnight but I don't remember writing that xD
by ako on 11. July 2010 - 13:22  (54086)

:-) See it again!
by AlanMcAlan on 11. July 2010 - 17:28  (54095)

No worries mate! lol. But if it is of any help to readers, you receive a 30 day fully functional trial, then after the 30 days it reverts to a Scan & C lean only program. Not a bad deal if you ask me.
by ako on 11. July 2010 - 20:21  (54099)

I added it :-)
by fanboy01 (not verified) on 4. July 2010 - 21:40  (53756)

The ReplaceUAC program is malware!

SiteAdvisor and WOT rates the website as red!

http://www.siteadvisor.com/sites/replaceuac.com

http://www.mywot.com/en/scorecard/replaceuac.com

(I wrote a review for this website on WOT)

Safeweb stupidly rates the website as green but I also wrote a bad review as well.

http://safeweb.norton.com/report/show?url=replaceuac.com&x=0&y=0

I used the program myself and I can say that ReplaceUAC is nothing but pure evil.
by fanboy01 (not verified) on 4. July 2010 - 21:41  (53757)

Oh, my mistake.

The program isn't called ReplaceUAC, it's called SmartUAC
by ako on 5. July 2010 - 8:10  (53776)

Hi!

ReplaceUAC is not malware, see virustotal analysis
http://www.virustotal.com/analisis/3e9352bc62f4ff6765c93f8909e7f81d79875...

Also, Prevx did not give any warning during installation. How did you see/"see" it was malicious? I removed it, as the company itself seems suspicious.
by fanboy01 (not verified) on 5. July 2010 - 20:40  (53798)

Thanks for responding!
The only malicious activity I recall from using this program was that my PC kept freezing up a lot! My PC hadn't experienced that much freezes before! After uninstalling this POS program (using Safe Mode and Revouninstaller), my PC was fine after that.
I researched SmartUAC on some other websites and some users claim the program gave them nothing but problems! (BSOD was one instance! Though, I don't recall getting a BSOD with this program).
You were right to remove the program. Security Stronghold (maker of SmartUAC) has somewhat of a bad reputation (just look at its SiteAdvisor and WOT reviews). Even though some people say that Security Stronghold isn't all that bad, I wouldn't trust them one bit.