Free anti-virus and firewall software

[gonwk]

when winpatrol asks to allow something, just think, did I just install a good program or go to a badwebsite

remember a lot of programs ask for you to reboot, make sure you do so and then allow winpatrol

Doh ... darn ...

Chewy you just make things "So Much Easier" ...

Now why didn't I think of that ...I was looking for some "Complicated" rule or guide.

THANKS Chewy!

G!

[MilesAhead]

Anyone use ghosterly Firefox addon?
I'm trying it out now. Supposedly it picks up on those one pixel graphics on web pages that pull info off your machine or help them track you.

[doctorhardware]

Test Your Antivirus

The text below will allow you to test your anti-virus program.

First open note pad and cut and past the text below.

X5O!P%@AP[4\PZX54(P^)7CC)7}$EICAR-STANDARD-ANTIVIRUS-TEST-FILE!$H+H*

Then save as eicar.com. Then double click on the program. Or it may not even let you save as eicar.com. If your anti-virus is working properly, it will not even let you save it as eicar.com.

[Gary D]

The text below will allow you to test your anti-virus program.

First open note pad and cut and past the text below.

X5O!P%@AP[4\PZX54(P^)7CC)7}$EICAR-STANDARD-ANTIVIRUS-TEST-FILE!$H+H*

Then save as eicar.com. Then double click on the program. Or it may not even let you save as eicar.com. If your anti-virus is working properly, it will not even let you save it as eicar.com.

great test

I did this a couple of weeks ago and my AVG went crazy on this one!

[PurpleDemon]

The text below will allow you to test your anti-virus program.

First open note pad and cut and past the text below.

X5O!P%@AP[4\PZX54(P^)7CC)7}$EICAR-STANDARD-ANTIVIRUS-TEST-FILE!$H+H*

Then save as eicar.com. Then double click on the program. Or it may not even let you save as eicar.com. If your anti-virus is working properly, it will not even let you save it as eicar.com.

Just tried it in Avast. It would not let me even save without alarms.

[doctorhardware]

I turned off my McAfee anti-virus and windows defender also blocked it.

[MilesAhead]

Anyone recommend a portable or no-install antivirus/scumware scanner? I'm looking for something that doesn't try to start itself up on bootup and prevent me from shutting it off. I just want to scan the files then delete the program. No resident shield no email filter and yadda yadda. Does av that polite exist anymore?

[Chewy]

http://ftp.kaspersky.com/devbuilds/AVPTool/

[MilesAhead]

Thanks for the link.

[dr_ml422]

@ Miles How bad/annoying of a time were you having w/the one you were using and what system were you using it on if I may ask? I've been using Avira personal free on my XP home 32 bit w/no real issues of it starting on bootup. Although by starting up on bootup do you mean it actually starting a system scan, or just being on? If system scan then I could understand chucking the one you have for a online quick scan like the one Chewy suggested. If just being on I'm just curious how crazy it's bogging you down to load up.

My system loads to the log-on window in about 10 to 15 seconds more or less depending on what time. That's on my Dell E3100. On my build it might take lil longer more or less. Let me know please so I could compare and decide on any adjustments also. Thnx.

[Chewy]

The link I posted is for a very powerful and effective standalone virus scanner, not an online one. It's updated very often but was intended for a use once and throw away scenario. That's what miles ordered?

[dr_ml422]

I understand. By stand alone you mean it's not integrated into the registry, or just the option of running n then deleting? After deleting can you use it again by going to the link when/ever? Is it like a .exe file like ATF in a way? Thnx. I mean if just use when/ever how many times then what's use of resident whether just on at startup w/option to scan after logging in or w/e? What's the risk factors, especially while surfing/downloading? Thnx.

[Chewy]

Keep your resident, that's what keeps you from being deeply infected

the standalone is only good after the fact

[dr_ml422]

Thnx. That's what I figured. Don't get why anyone would want to try n catch something later to remove for the sake of a couple of seconds on bootup or w/e? I'd like to see why Miles wants this.

[MilesAhead]

It's not about slow booting. I had the update scheduler set to manual. When I pressed the button to do the update, it complained the update service wasn't present. So I started the service and it updated. I did the scan. Then it didn't want to let me turn the scheduler off. If this is supposed to be part of the self-protection scheme or just broken I don't know but I know I don't like it.

The only way to shut off sched.exe was to uninstall. I don't need this kind of headache on my PC.