What is your security setup? - Page 4

Masterchief · 02. Mar 2009, 04:21 AM

I've been trying out different firewalls and recently tried and then removed the latest version of Tiny. Now I am receiving a fatal application error. Does anyone know how to resolve this problem?
Thanks

kendall.a · 02. Mar 2009, 05:14 AM

I have to tell you that I am becoming more and more impressed with Avast everyday.

I installed it about 2 weeks ago after having some major issues with Avira. (I even bought the premium version of Avira to support their product.) After running it for about 2 weeks, I ran several antispyware programs today just to see how good it really is. I ran Spybot, Malwarebytes, and Super Antispyware manually. Not a single one of them found anything! Not even a cookie.

Now, mind you, I do not use a software firewall. (I've been following the discussion quite closely as I'm wanting to install one.) I do have a DSL modem with a built-in hardwall firewall. And, I don't run any other spyware program (not Boclean, not threatfire, no resident antispyware). I do use the "immunize" portion of Spybot.

I have to say, I am impressed with this Avast. The only issue I have with it is that you cannot schedule a scan. You have to start it manually. I'm used to running antivirus scans nightly. But, it doesn't appear at this point that this issue is anything to worry about.

Anupam · 02. Mar 2009, 05:38 AM

Jim, i was not aware if some of the people thought that free versions of MBAM, and SAS provided real-time protection. It would be good to clear such misconception.

I am also using Avast as my antivirus, and like you and Kendall, I too am very much impressed with it. When I started with free antivirus, I used AVG, but I found it allowed virus to creep in. Then I used Avira for sometime, and found it to be good. I didn't try Avast, coz its interface some intrigued me. But, then, my hard disk crashed, and I decided to use an old hard disk for sometime, and as an experiment, I had installed Avast, and boy, am glad that I did so. Now, Avast is the antivirus that I use, and it has saved me so many times. I also installed it on PCs of people I know, who had got virus infections, and have successfully got rid of virus. So Avast is the one I would recommend among free antivirus.

About firewalls, I would again agree with you Jim, that new or average users should go for firewalls which cause less trouble. Going for Comodo as a firewall to start with would surely scare the new firewall users away

. Comodo is for experienced users.
I am also quite new to firewalls, I just started using them. I found they are not so much scary, if you have some bit of knowledge about how to handle computers properly, so that you can handle the popups.

If someone wants to start off with a firewall, I feel PC Tools Firewall is a good option. I am using it currently, and I found it simple to use, and quite efficient too. I havent yet tried Online Armor, and Ashampoo Firewall. I intend to do so soon.

MidnightCowboy · 02. Mar 2009, 09:29 AM

This is a very good point Jim about active protections. I have people who ask me the same question about the same apps. over and over again simply because they are not into PC's like we are and just don't understand. From my experience, unless you are prepared to fork out for Counterspy or Spysweeper the only free program which will do the job is Spycatcher Express from Tenebril. The trouble is it will likely mess up your Windows along with the malware removal! This is an ongoing problem which is a great pity because with everything it finds there is a comprehensive explanation including the malware's history and detection statistics activated from the scan results. If you know what you're doing with this tool and keep an eye on what it is blocking by default then it still has it's uses, but for the average person I would not recommend it. I don't know if their paid version suffers from the same problems but if you're gonna pay anyway then the two aforementioned apps. must be a better bet.

elizabeth · 07. Mar 2009, 10:39 PM

I am about to uninstall Malwarebytes, it gets good reviews from a few of you guys but since I have had it (3 months or more) it has never found ONE problem, if I then run Superantispyware it comes up with a list to delete.

wildman · 08. Mar 2009, 04:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by elizabeth

I am about to uninstall Malwarebytes, it gets good reviews from a few of you guys but since I have had it (3 months or more) it has never found ONE problem, if I then run Superantispyware it comes up with a list to delete.

Different programs will identify different problems. I have (6) security related software programs on my machine. I have also read that Malwarebytes does not work well with Vista, but I do not know as I use Windows XP.

Thanks
Wildman

JonathanT · 08. Mar 2009, 04:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by elizabeth

I am about to uninstall Malwarebytes, it gets good reviews from a few of you guys but since I have had it (3 months or more) it has never found ONE problem, if I then run Superantispyware it comes up with a list to delete.

The list doesn't just contain tracking cookies right?

elizabeth · 08. Mar 2009, 09:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wildman

Different programs will identify different problems. I have (6) security related software programs on my machine. I have also read that Malwarebytes does not work well with Vista, but I do not know as I use Windows XP.

Thanks
Wildman

Thanks Wildman, I don't have Vista either. I have a problem with Atdmt which keeps coming back even though I get rid of it each time. I need a program which will get rid of it for good. I've heard that Paretologic seems to eradicate it once and for all.

Any other suggestions?

Thanks
E

Anupam · 08. Mar 2009, 09:09 AM

What is atdmt?

. And you should be keeping MalwareBytes, its a good program, and you don't know when you might need it

.

elizabeth · 08. Mar 2009, 07:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Anupam

What is atdmt?

. And you should be keeping MalwareBytes, its a good program, and you don't know when you might need it

.

Hi Anupam

There's a lot of conflicting info about atdmt, reading some reports it is the devil of all cookies, some mention that is is from MS and you get it via IE - which I don't use.

One article mentioned it is from Atlassolutions and it should be removed as soon as poss.

I seem to have got rid of it for now, will see if it comes back yet again.

Spyware program normally finds it at start up and tells me that it is dangerous!

Thanks

E

02. Mar 2009, 04:21 AM	#31 (permalink)
Masterchief Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Posts: 4	Tiny I've been trying out different firewalls and recently tried and then removed the latest version of Tiny. Now I am receiving a fatal application error. Does anyone know how to resolve this problem? Thanks

02. Mar 2009, 05:14 AM	#32 (permalink)
kendall.a Foundation Editor/Forum Manager Intern Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Colorado, USA Posts: 1,814	I have to tell you that I am becoming more and more impressed with Avast everyday. I installed it about 2 weeks ago after having some major issues with Avira. (I even bought the premium version of Avira to support their product.) After running it for about 2 weeks, I ran several antispyware programs today just to see how good it really is. I ran Spybot, Malwarebytes, and Super Antispyware manually. Not a single one of them found anything! Not even a cookie. Now, mind you, I do not use a software firewall. (I've been following the discussion quite closely as I'm wanting to install one.) I do have a DSL modem with a built-in hardwall firewall. And, I don't run any other spyware program (not Boclean, not threatfire, no resident antispyware). I do use the "immunize" portion of Spybot. I have to say, I am impressed with this Avast. The only issue I have with it is that you cannot schedule a scan. You have to start it manually. I'm used to running antivirus scans nightly. But, it doesn't appear at this point that this issue is anything to worry about. __________________ <-------Is looking for his brain....

02. Mar 2009, 05:38 AM	#33 (permalink)
Anupam Moderator Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: India Posts: 9,484	Jim, i was not aware if some of the people thought that free versions of MBAM, and SAS provided real-time protection. It would be good to clear such misconception. I am also using Avast as my antivirus, and like you and Kendall, I too am very much impressed with it. When I started with free antivirus, I used AVG, but I found it allowed virus to creep in. Then I used Avira for sometime, and found it to be good. I didn't try Avast, coz its interface some intrigued me. But, then, my hard disk crashed, and I decided to use an old hard disk for sometime, and as an experiment, I had installed Avast, and boy, am glad that I did so. Now, Avast is the antivirus that I use, and it has saved me so many times. I also installed it on PCs of people I know, who had got virus infections, and have successfully got rid of virus. So Avast is the one I would recommend among free antivirus. About firewalls, I would again agree with you Jim, that new or average users should go for firewalls which cause less trouble. Going for Comodo as a firewall to start with would surely scare the new firewall users away . Comodo is for experienced users. I am also quite new to firewalls, I just started using them. I found they are not so much scary, if you have some bit of knowledge about how to handle computers properly, so that you can handle the popups. If someone wants to start off with a firewall, I feel PC Tools Firewall is a good option. I am using it currently, and I found it simple to use, and quite efficient too. I havent yet tried Online Armor, and Ashampoo Firewall. I intend to do so soon. __________________ Anupam

07. Mar 2009, 10:39 PM	#35 (permalink)
elizabeth Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: little village in Cambridgeshire Posts: 102	Malwarebytes I am about to uninstall Malwarebytes, it gets good reviews from a few of you guys but since I have had it (3 months or more) it has never found ONE problem, if I then run Superantispyware it comes up with a list to delete. __________________ Out beyond fields of wrongdoing and rightdoing there is a field, I will meet you there.

08. Mar 2009, 09:09 AM	#39 (permalink)
Anupam Moderator Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: India Posts: 9,484	What is atdmt? . And you should be keeping MalwareBytes, its a good program, and you don't know when you might need it . __________________ Anupam

02. Mar 2009, 09:29 AM	#34 (permalink)
MidnightCowboy Site Manager Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: South American Banana Republic, third bunch from the left Posts: 9,250	This is a very good point Jim about active protections. I have people who ask me the same question about the same apps. over and over again simply because they are not into PC's like we are and just don't understand. From my experience, unless you are prepared to fork out for Counterspy or Spysweeper the only free program which will do the job is Spycatcher Express from Tenebril. The trouble is it will likely mess up your Windows along with the malware removal! This is an ongoing problem which is a great pity because with everything it finds there is a comprehensive explanation including the malware's history and detection statistics activated from the scan results. If you know what you're doing with this tool and keep an eye on what it is blocking by default then it still has it's uses, but for the average person I would not recommend it. I don't know if their paid version suffers from the same problems but if you're gonna pay anyway then the two aforementioned apps. must be a better bet.

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