Gizmo's Freeware is Recruiting

Gizmos Needs YouWe are looking for people with skills or interest in the following:
- Mobile Platform Reviews
- Rootkit Scanner and Remover
- Streaming Media Recorder
- Email Client
- Archive Manager        Interested? Click here

 

Probably the Best Free Security List in the World

Updated 21. May 2013 - 19:42 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

Back to Index

Rate this article | Read/Post comments

 

 
 

Requirements in Using Networking Tools on Remote Windows Computers
 
Read more: http://www.raymond.cc/blog/requirements-using-networking-tools-remote-wi... in Using Networking Tools on Remote Windows Computers
 
Read more: http://www.raymond.cc/blog/requirements-using-networking-tools-remote-windows-computers/#ixzz2GfurVjfx
Share this
4.675735
Average: 4.7 (441 votes)
Your rating: None

Comments

by satrow on 3. April 2012 - 23:37  (91626)

The free PCTools firewall links to PCTools Internet Security now ($$). Should the link be changed to point to their forum sticky where the direct link to FWinstall is http://www.pctools.com/forum/showthr...se-of-PCTFW-v7 ?
by vodomar on 4. April 2012 - 6:20  (91630)

corrected thx :)
by AnonymousD69 (not verified) on 6. April 2012 - 21:20  (91723)

Hey all I'm not sure if this has happened to anyone else before but with the new version of avast I've already had a few false positives having to do with my new laptops HP assistant software. I have also been getting periods where my system freezes up on me and this is a new laptop just got it yesterday Intel Core i7 2.2Ghz 8Gb ram 1Tb hdd. I was going by the recommendation of the editor of the best freeware list. Avast froze on my last pc as well I thought it was cause it was outdated but now on my new system freezing and finding something on a new computer as malware thats a false positive for sure. Oh and I have windows 7 64 bit now so I'm not sure what I should use as my last laptop was 32bit. might go with Outpost Internet security suit free I was hoping for a all in one and might decide to use that. I'm a bit disappointed in Avast right now but I understand that these things can happen. Just wanted to use the new version 7 I like it other then it freezes my computer.
by ako (the) (not verified) on 6. April 2012 - 22:10  (91726)

I'm sorry to hear that. You are not alone. Until now Avast has been almost problem-free, but recently there have been similar stories to yours. You could try Ad-Aware or AVG instead. I consider a new suggestion after Easter.
by AnonymousD69 (not verified) on 6. April 2012 - 23:41  (91727)

Thanks for replying so quickly, I will keep a eye open on here to hear when avast is doing better I hope it does I've been a long time fan of it. I tried Ad-Aware but for some reason it won't let me just install the free version I don't want the 30-day trial. I decided to go with Unthreat since it uses Vipre engine as well as Ad-Aware. I decided to with a company that I can use on my Android phone as well as my computer. Thanks for the assistance I appreciate your time.
by ako on 7. April 2012 - 9:31  (91739)

You are welcome. If you would like to have a very light setup you could try Prevx free (no removal), Hitman pro (scanning on startup), LUA+Tweakuac, USB vaccine and Windows firewall. I'm using it with my wife's and my parents's machines at the moment. For banking seperate LUA account.

by AnonymousD69 (not verified) on 8. April 2012 - 0:39  (91762)

Thanks for your recommendation I appreciate that and the time you took to reply so quickly. I will try that out thank you again.
by manicburp (not verified) on 13. April 2012 - 11:13  (92001)

Thank you ako :)
by Ronnie35 (not verified) on 15. April 2012 - 18:00  (92135)

My years subscription Nod 32 Smart Security is up and decided to try Microsoft Security Essentials so far i'm very impressed it's low on system resources,non intrusive and found some exploits Nod missed .
http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/88/mset.jpg/
by ako on 17. April 2012 - 18:23  (92220)

You are welcome manicburp :-)
by johnvk on 21. April 2012 - 23:53  (92400)

I saw RivaTuner recommended by someone on another site. Its description sounded good. But i trust techsupportalert.com :D But i could not find this utility mentioned on this site. Anyone have any experience with it?
by satrow on 24. April 2012 - 11:21  (92518)

I've not tried it yet but it looks like it'll be worth considering adding it to the Online Scanner section: http://fileadvisor.bit9.com/Services/search.aspx

It may be that it supplies no more information than can be found under a tab near the foot of a Virustotal scan results page though ...

"Bit9 File Advisor provides metadata (origin, size, publisher, source, etc.) on software files. You can look up metadata on up to 10 files a day. If you require access beyond this, consider our Cyber Forensics Service™ to identify, validate and understand the reputation of software files so you can better protect your users"
by vodomar on 24. April 2012 - 15:44  (92546)

See 15.18 :) thx

by BearPup (not verified) on 27. April 2012 - 2:04  (92658)

I continue to use Avast without trouble, including version 7. My problem was with Zone Alarm Free, their online installer kept failing on me, so I finally switched to Online Armour, which seems good, without being as intrusive as Comodo FW was.

Any other FW suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks.
by Radelen (not verified) on 30. April 2012 - 21:27  (92832)

Today ZoneAlarm has introduced its new FREE INTERNET SECURITY SOLUTION
called "Free Antivirus + Firewall"... I'm interested and probably will give it a try... I have already posted that in the "Best Free Antivirus Software" but I will be glad to have some comments and impressions about it here in your list dude!

Best regards,
Radelen

http://free.zonealarm.com/en/
by AnonymousD69 (not verified) on 30. April 2012 - 21:51  (92833)

MSE has also updated to version 4.0.1526.0 I think that's cool not sure guess no one really give it much attention. I'm happy with it going to be using the new version. They changed the background again this time and make a few adjustments its worth looking at though.
by Radelen (not verified) on 30. April 2012 - 22:09  (92835)

Yep, that's update is from Friday... I'm just confused from their vision about updates... That's the only AV which treats definitions updates like "optional"(?!) I have tried this program many times on both my home desktops (XP Pro SP3 & Vista Ultimate SP2) and I have always had problems with updates... Sometimes the definitions are almost 3 days old and the tray icon just shines green and the programs tells you - "You are safe, I'm up to date, be happy..." (?!) Moreover its results from independent labs are varying... :-/
by ako on 1. May 2012 - 7:32  (92857)

Thanks! I guess they use Kaspersky, so this is very interesting pick!
by ako on 1. May 2012 - 7:35  (92858)

MSE has gone down so much I hesitate to install it on my friends machines today. Hopefully they will start working on it again.
by MidnightCowboy on 1. May 2012 - 7:46  (92859)

MSE seems to be doing quite well here:

http://www.westcoastlabs.com/realTimeTesting/article/?articleID=1#item3
by ako (the) (not verified) on 2. May 2012 - 20:55  (92925)

Thanks. All those free examinend seem to be ok.
by vodomar on 3. May 2012 - 6:27  (92953)

more http://www.virusbtn.com/vb100/RAP/RAP-quadrant-Aug-Feb12-850.jpg
by AnonymousD69 (not verified) on 3. May 2012 - 23:52  (92991)

So Zonealarm free antivirus+firewall uses Kaspersky's Anti-malware engine? that would be very good if that is the anti-malware they use. I guess it wouldn't be a big deal if it only updates once a day it has the full firewall feature in this one and not too much is grey'd out which is nice I think it really could be the best free protection available. I'm a fan of both Kaspersky and Checkpoint they make good security software. When I first read it I couldn't believe it so I installed it on my new laptop and its lighter then if I was using a two different security software.
by AnonymousD69 (not verified) on 4. May 2012 - 2:16  (93000)

I found a review on PCMag.com and it is about the new Zonealarm free antivirus+ firewall it seemed to be ok but I thought some people might want to check it out and make their own mind up on it. If you read in article apparently they don't say what Antimalware company they license and include in there software but they did say they tracked the components and dlls back to Kaspersky. Here is the article its a decent read.

http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2403843,00.asp
I also added in a PCWorld link so you have a link to compare I found them similar for the most part.
http://www.pcworld.com/article/254711/first_look_zonealarm_free_antivirus_firewall_launches_today.html
by ako (the) (not verified) on 6. May 2012 - 11:16  (93108)

Thanks. I'm looking forward to seeing the tests!
by vodomar on 14. May 2012 - 11:49  (93448)

One view: http://www.reddit.com/r/IAmA/comments/sq7cy/iama_a_malware_coder_and_bot...
by vodomar on 23. May 2012 - 9:40  (93881)

Google Online Security Blog:

Notifying users affected by the DNSChanger malware
Tuesday, May 22, 2012 12:00 PM
http://googleonlinesecurity.blogspot.com/2012/05/notifying-users-affecte...

Online test in section 23.4
by vodomar on 25. May 2012 - 12:44  (93940)

AV-TEST March/April 2012: 22 home user products reviewed, only 20 got certified
http://www.av-test.org/en/tests/home-user/marapr-2012/
by MidnightCowboy on 25. May 2012 - 14:43  (93943)

Thanks. Good result for AVG Free.
by ako (the) (not verified) on 25. May 2012 - 16:34  (93947)

I think there is now enough statistics to change my free AV choice to AVG :-)