The best free security software

lol. I'm sorry, but I just don't think you know what you're talking about right here.

Also, not to be mean or anything, but just googling a phrase or question you need help with will usually get you answers - answers that are often better than what we can give you here, and without having to wait for a reply. I'm pretty sure we'll be alright without the rep points as long as you get the info you're searching for. We're glad to help - I'm just pointing out that we might not always be the best resource.

 

In general I think what you are trying to say may be right, in that there are so many sources on the web for any information we want, but I don't agree with that people here might not always be the best source for info.

For me, I would on any day trust a reply I get here from senior, established members (no matter how delayed it is).. instead of trusting info from a static webpage which most of the time you don't even know when it was updated last, for example...

And FWIW, I have relied purely on NBR most of the time to get my system running, tweak it, protect it and I have never thought about going anywhere else.. and I have no problems at all, particularly with system settings, tweaks and most importantly, security settings and protection....

And in any case, all that gonwk said was he will use the suggestions of some long serving, senior members here, some of whom happen to be experts too, and he will use them alongside the "common sense" factor too.. so what was there to indicate that gonwk was not knowing about what he/she was talking?!!!

 

Maybe I should clarify what I meant - I was laughing at -

His/her idea of hackers is a common misconception. While it is true that there are some hackers who are plain criminals with an "evil" agenda and probably even less that might possibly be funded by "big crime syndicates", the majority of true hackers are just regular people (albeit highly intelligent ones) who have spotted a flaw in a system and exploit it just because of the fact that they can. It may be out of curiousity or to improve a system by exploring its flaws, but rarely is it because of a criminal agenda.

And about alternative sources of information, I suppose we're all inclined to use whatever source we want. If you think the notebookreview forums are the best place to get your information and want to restrict yourself to it, that's your choice. While I do agree that these forums are filled with knowledgeable people who can give good advice, there have been plenty of times for me when I have chosen to follow the advice of an external source rather than the advice from a NBR member. Of course, I don't just listen to anything I read off the internet. It takes a bit of common sense to decide whether such a source is trustworthy.

 

Part of my job requires me to keep up on IT security news and vulnerabilities. Organized crime most definitely is behind a lot of malware and security concern out there. Personal information is big money in the underworld crime scene. Individual hackers aren't out there to get into someone's machine and get personal info for fun's sake. On the flip side, there are also hacker groups that compete against each other with no monetary incentive. But make no mistake, organized crime is a big part of the online security scene.

Also, while real hackers truly know how to get into someone's machine by finding vulnerabilities, others are wanna be's that use hacker tool kits out there. Simple knowledge is needed to use those toolkits to take advantage of someone's machine. An example is the neosploit exploit toolkit.

 

Oh. Well I guess I was wrong then, since you know a bit more about this kind of stuff. I humbly admit defeat. And sorry to anyone I might have offended. I was going off information I've casually come across, which it seems didn't describe the hacking world to the full extent. Thanks for cleaning up after my mistake.

 

is it ok to have threatfire and avira on at the same time or shud i turn off one of the realtime protection if so which program?

 

Hi Paka,

They work just fine together ... actually pretty good combo.

G!

 

AV: Avira AntiVir PE Classic
HIPS: PC Tools ThreatFire
Firewall: Comodo Firewall Pro
Antyspyware and antitrojan: SuperAntiSpyware Free Edition + Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware

I used this killing combination until recently (as I had to recover Vista so I have again licenced NIS 2008...).

 

Hi michel,

USE "wojwoda" Combo above ... it is an excellent combo. Actually I am using that withthe exception of Threatfire ... since it only ocmes in 32-bit flavor and I am running Vista 64-bit.

Make sure you have completely wiped your Virus out though .... before you go ahead.

G!

 

Glad to see somebody agree about combination .

 

I run Avira and Comodo. I just downloaded Threatfire. Is that overkill? Should Threat fire run all the time - I guess Im more interested in an on demand spyware tool rather than one that runs all the time.

 

I use this combo and it's fine. And I recommend SAS(free) for on demand spyware tool

 

But will Comodo, Avira and Threatfire running all the time slow down system?

 

Surely not

 

Hi jms,

I have seen this Q before somewhere here on NBR or some other Forum and the answer was "NO". I tried to find the post but no luck ... sorry!

But, have you experienced any slow-down yourself!

G!

 

OOPS!!! Sorry jmsnyc, I misread your post. I'm not using Comodo Firewall as I use Avira + ThreatFire + SAS + Windows Firewall and it works perfectly fine for me.

Check this thread as a member here had reported Defence+(see below) of Comodo Firewall causing slow shutdown.

Really sorry about the misunderstanding

 

Yes, it is a bit overkill.
When you use Defense+ (not to be a smart-a## but make sure you know how to use it; making rules etc) there isn't much need for ThreatFire.
If you don't know what sort of warning the Comodo HIPS gives, then TF can be handy as a "back-up".
As TF is a real-time behavioural blocker, using it on-demand only is pretty much useless.
Like night kid wrote, SAS is very good and I can recommend MBAM/Malwarebytes'Antimalware also.
Cheers.

 

Hi folks,

I think I might have a probelm ...

I have 2 icons in my Tray Bar for SUPERAntiSpware? It just started happening couple of days ago after it asked me to update the "Definition" .. which I did it "Manually" since I have no Internet connection on my laptop yet!

One Icon it says Definition Database Version Core: 3555 Trace: 1543 and Program Version is 4.21.1004.

The 2nd Icon says Definition Database Version Core: 3607 Trace: 1543 and Program Version is 4.21.1004.

Q1: So is this NORMAL!?!? If not how can I DELETE/REMOVE one of these Icons? And which one?

Q2: Which one of these should I keep and which ones should I delete?
BTW, I am running VISTA 64-bit OS.

- Comodo Firewall PRO
- Comodo Memory Firewall
- Comodo SafeSurf
- Avira AntiVir Personal
- Windows Defender (came with my Vista 64-bit)
- WinPatrol
- MalwareBytes Anti-Malware
- Spyware Blaster

Q3: Should I enable SAS "Real-Time Protection" feature?

Q4: Why is it that Comodo SafeSurf WILL NOT allow even my own initiated Actions to go thru? Is there a way around this ... like in Comodo Firewall PRO?

Thanks guys!

G!

 

Guys, can I ask your opinions on Online Armor Free version? How does it actually compare with CPF? (Defense+ not included)

 

gonwk , Use Comodo Firewall PRO with HIPS enabled and you eliminate all others , i have CFP 3 Pro in Vista Ultimate x64 and never faced any issue

 

Hi Vinumsv,

Thanks for your reply.

OK on CFP 3 and HIPS. BUT, what are you using for AntiVirus!?!?

So, are you telling me to "Remove" all of the follwoings ...

- Comodo Memory Firewall
- Comodo SafeSurf
- Avira AntiVir Personal
- Windows Defender (came with my Vista 64-bit)
- WinPatrol
- MalwareBytes Anti-Malware
- Spyware Blaster

If so paste the ones that you should think I should delete in your reply (make it a dummy-proof answer ).

Thanks,

G!

 

^For those who are sure of every step they take and know exactly the content of what they download and install, antivirus may not really be needed.
For all other folks (including me) I'd advice to use AV programs.
So gonwk, I'd say stick with Avira, it's the best AV available.

Malwarebytes'Antimalware is an excellent on-demand spyware scanner which I can recommend, it's usefull for the occasional scan. Just like SAS.
Furthermore, Firefox with the NoScript add-on is superior to IE7 regarding security.
Cheers.

 

^ Hi Baserk,

I am with YOU on AV ... I rather be safe than sorry ... plus I do download some Freebies ... and Hope they are "Safe"!!!

Baserk ... when you get a chance and you are online ... please tell me which one of these should I keep or delete!?!?

- Comodo Memory Firewall
- Comodo SafeSurf
- WinPatrol

THANKS!

G!

 

I'm going to uninstall Threatfire. I think that Avira AV, Comodo firewall, and SAS should be more than enough for me.

 

Not one of them is on my must-have list.
To be honest, it's been a long time since I've tried CMF and I have never really used Safesurf.
If you want to use SafeSurf, there is no need to install the Ask-Toolbar, mind you.
(That's only there for Comodo to make some money).

For extra real-time protection, I'd advice ThreatFire instead of CMF because TF stops malicious code before it's downloaded to your hard drive, where CMF only protects against execution when it is loaded into the memory; you can still unknowingly download it.

WinPatrol is an easy program to monitor running tasks, hidden files and registry keys and stuff but also not necessarily a must-have imao.
Why don't you install it for a while and see if you find it WinPatrol usefull yourself?
Cheers.

 

Hi Baserk,

THANKS for your HELP as usual.

BTW, I downloaded Threatfire 4.0.0 (latest version) ... I will try loading it on my laptop even though it might be 32-bit only and I will post back if in fact the new version works on VISTA SP1 64-bit ... it might work in Compatibility mode.

Thanks again,

G!

 

Mate , if you have CFP 3 + Hips probably you don't need any other Firewall or HIPS (Threatfire) product ... I Use Symantec Endpoint Security as my AV mate and i concur with Baserk that Avira is one of the best Free AV out there

 

Hi Vinu,

I guess I misread Baserk's suggestion ... that instead of CFP ... I should use Threatfire.

But ... eventhough might be an Overkill can I run CFP with Threatfire simultaneously ... just to be experimenting!?!?

Do I have to turn HIPS on in the above situation or leave OFF!?!?

Thanks,

G!

 

I'm not sure if this has been mentioned or not in this thread, but this site gives a few instructions on how to make avira even better: here

Both fixes worked for me.

 

if you want to keep Threatfire then disable HIPS in CFP ( its called Defense+) and Vice Versa

 

Hi jtan ... Thanks for the post. I used the "Nag Screen" one ... the Splash doesn't bother me ... plus I don't like messing around Registry unless I absolutely have to.

@ vinu ... would CFP without HIPS + ThreatFire be more powerful!?!? At least that is what I am surmizing from Baserk post. Kind of "Stop the Trouble" before it gets into your house! Right!?!?

Thanks guys!

G!

 

Hi folks,

Q1: Could someone tell me if this "Normal" to have 2 SAS Icons in my Taksbar Area!?!?

Q2: If not ... how to fix the problem?

Thanks,

G!

 

Actually CFP's Defence+ (HIPS) and Threatfire are more or less the same mate , and they do stop the trouble even before it occurs ...

thats why i said either use CFP + Defence+ or CFP + Threatfire

 

Hi gonwk,

First of all, 2 SAS icons (indicating different signature files) isn't normal.
I would uninstall/reinstall SAS through add/remove programs to fix this issue.

I've adviced ThreatFire as a replacement for Comodo Memory Firewall but just like vinumsv said, ThreatFire is an anti-malware behavioural blocker that works similar to a HIPS.
In your case, with a 64-bit OS, I would advice not to use 32-bit ThreatFire.
I should have mentioned that (32-bit only) earlier. My bad.

As said, Comodo Firewall Pro already has a HIPS called Defense+.
Make sure you understand how to use Defense+, the CFP help files contain all the information on how to make rules.
For instance;
" Firefox is always allowed to connect to the internet".
" Daemon Tools is not allowed to connect to the internet". Etc.
That way, you can decide yourself which programs are allowed to do what.
Cheers.

 

Hi Baserk & Vinu,

THANKS Guys!

G!

 

Is there an easy way to tell Avira AntiVir to ignore whatever it finds in certain folders? I have a folder full of stuff that I know are not any type of virus or infection, and when I run a full system scan, it gets annoying that I have to click "ignore" in order for the scan to continue.

 

Configuration - Check Expert Mode - Scanner - Scan - Exception

 

I didn't see that plus sign that lets you expand the scan menu initially. My bad.
Thanks.

 

can u recommend firewall or any other add-on wit NOD32??

THX

 

Comodo Firewall Pro.

 

Thx for the reply!!
Also what abt spyware & malware.. will Nod32 & comodo will be enough??
also the link u game me includes both anti virus & firewall.. wouldn't both nod & comodo antivirus conflict with each other??

THX

 

I'm running Comodo with another antivirus program (Avira) and they work fine together. If you're worried abouth spyware, I recommend SUPERAntiSpyware.

 

can u tell which one is better NOD32 or Avira??

THX
+ReP

 

I can't say for sure. They're both really good. If I could get either for free, I would choose NOD32. But since NOD32 costs and Avira is free, I went with Avira.

 

thx jtan189 & gonwk for ur suggestion!!
+Rep for u!!

 

Oops! Sorry I meant to link only the firewall since you already have anti-virus software. Here you go: http://www.personalfirewall.comodo.com/download_firewall.html

I also recommend NOD32 if you're willing to pay, but if you're looking for something free, Avira is great.

 

The link Given bt Crash is for Comodo Internet Security Suite , here is the direct link for Comodo Firewall alone

http://www.personalfirewall.comodo.com/download_firewall.html

 

Noticed my error earlier

 

Woohoo, more than a 100000 pageviews for this thread.
When I started it, I wondered whether folks might find it usefull.
Well, at least I know they find it interesting enough to read.
Cheers.

 

It is very useful Baserk. I can't thank you enough for creating this thread. Now everytime my friend asks what free software they should get, I just point them to this thread. Congratulations on the 100000 views!

BTW I hope it's okay to repeat my question, since it got buried 3 pages away and no answer yet, maybe it got missed :