Free anti-virus programs: are they worth it?

[The_Unbeliever]

Weird, yet interesting - MSE did update via proxy until recently. (It uses the Internet Settings in Control Panel - so if Internet Exploiter works, then MSE should also work).

Hum.

 

[JerryMungo]

Here is an example of a know trojan I submitted to Virus Total... note the number of commercial packages (INCLUDING NOD32) that DIDN'T detect it (and yes, it was an active trojan - the dev actually stole and used my and other's saved login credentials from IE and FF)...

Antivirus Version Last Update Result
a-squared 4.5.0.22 2009.07.14 Riskware.PSWTool.Win32.NetPass!IK
AhnLab-V3 5.0.0.2 2009.07.14 -
AntiVir 7.9.0.204 2009.07.14 SPR/Tool.ProdKey.1
Antiy-AVL 2.0.3.1 2009.07.14 -
Authentium 5.1.2.4 2009.07.14 -
Avast 4.8.1335.0 2009.07.13 -
AVG 8.5.0.387 2009.07.14 -
BitDefender 7.2 2009.07.14 -
CAT-QuickHeal 10.00 2009.07.14 -
ClamAV 0.94.1 2009.07.14 -
Comodo 1648 2009.07.14 -
DrWeb 5.0.0.12182 2009.07.14 Tool.PassView.135
eSafe 7.0.17.0 2009.07.14 Win32.SPRTool.ProdKe
eTrust-Vet 31.6.6612 2009.07.14 -
F-Prot 4.4.4.56 2009.07.13 -
F-Secure 8.0.14470.0 2009.07.14 -
Fortinet 3.120.0.0 2009.07.14 -
GData 19 2009.07.14 -
Ikarus T3.1.1.64.0 2009.07.14 PSWTool.Win32.NetPass
Jiangmin 11.0.706 2009.07.14 -
K7AntiVirus 7.10.792 2009.07.14 -
Kaspersky 7.0.0.125 2009.07.14 -
McAfee 5676 2009.07.14 -
McAfee+Artemis 5676 2009.07.14 Artemis!0017E649EBC6
McAfee-GW-Edition 6.8.5 2009.07.14 -
Microsoft 1.4803 2009.07.14 -
NOD32 4242 2009.07.14 -
Norman 6.01.09 2009.07.14 -
nProtect 2009.1.8.0 2009.07.14 -
Panda 10.0.0.14 2009.07.14 -
PCTools 4.4.2.0 2009.07.14 -
Prevx 3.0 2009.07.14 -
Rising 21.38.14.00 2009.07.14 -
Sophos 4.43.0 2009.07.14 -
Sunbelt 3.2.1858.2 2009.07.14 Win32-Trojan-gen {Other}
Symantec 1.4.4.12 2009.07.14 -
TheHacker 6.3.4.3.366 2009.07.14 -
TrendMicro 8.950.0.1094 2009.07.14 -
VBA32 3.12.10.8 2009.07.14 -
ViRobot 2009.7.14.1835 2009.07.14 -
VirusBuster 4.6.5.0 2009.07.14 -

 

[JerryMungo]

I use ThreatFire to compliment my NOD32.

Traditional antivirus solutions cannot protect you until after they have discovered a new threat and produced a signature to counter it. ThreatFire does not rely on signatures, but instead provides behavior-based protection. It is designed to be used alongside your existing antivirus software and it fills the gap in protection between your antivirus signature updates.

Review and Download here from CNET

+1 on Threatfire - it's the most innovative product I have seen in a long time and it plays nicely with existing antivirus!

 

[Creag]

Yes, I run a free anti-virus program, but it is a part of the overall protection of my machine.

 

[shadowfox]

Been using various versions of AVG for 4 years now, and apart from a hassle with a rootkit (my own stupidity) I've never had issues.

A mate of mine uses Avira - and I've given it a try ... but that picks up too many false positives for my liking - the image of a boy crying wolf comes to mind.

 

[spiff]

I used to use Norton (bought & paid for), but it screwed up & slowed down my pc too much. I then tried MacAfee (standard bank download) even worse!! So after re formatting & installing all software again I decided to to use AVG. it works does not cause any crap / have not seen any side affects with it sofar.

I have since separated my work pc from my internet pc. So if do have a problem on the internet pc it's not a train smash!

 

[Kuga]

Virus Total uploader
www.virustotal.com

It's specifically useful for suspicious files or files you downloaded from an untrustworthy source. Install the uploader, right click the file and send to virus total. It scans with 40+ engines and produces results in an instance. You will be amazed at how many files Nod32 doesn't detect!

Thanks, I'll keep this bookmarked.

I use ThreatFire to compliment my NOD32.

Traditional antivirus solutions cannot protect you until after they have discovered a new threat and produced a signature to counter it. ThreatFire does not rely on signatures, but instead provides behavior-based protection. It is designed to be used alongside your existing antivirus software and it fills the gap in protection between your antivirus signature updates.

Review and Download here from CNET

Shot man. Busy downloading now.

 

[porchrat]

Here is an example of a know trojan I submitted to Virus Total... note the number of commercial packages (INCLUDING NOD32) that DIDN'T detect it (and yes, it was an active trojan - the dev actually stole and used my and other's saved login credentials from IE and FF)...

Scary that clamAV doesn't detect it either (if I am reading that log right?) I use clamAV to try and reduce the spread of viruses from Linux boxes.

 

[JerryMungo]

Yeah, what really p'd me off was that Nod32 still doesn't detect it (I have a copy). I sent it to them with full details of how it operates - I did a cap with wireshark and could see exactly what it was doing (ftp instructions - user/pass/server in plain text).

I subsequently used his login details to get into his free hosting provider and shut down his account

 

[porchrat]

I subsequently used his login details to get into his free hosting provider and shut down his account

HAHA nice.

 

[The_Unbeliever]

I subsequently used his login details to get into his free hosting provider and shut down his account

hehehe

 

[zamicro]

I like Norton, it makes my PC slow so I know it's doing the hard work.

lol

 

[whipper]

Avast FTW..

 

[arabbess]

still into microsoft security essentials

 

[Rainy]

wattabout A-Squared Paid for version

 

[sniper-786]

use kapersky 2010 or microsoft essentials

 

[KikzAzz]

Microsoft Security Essentials is doing an outstanding job as far as I am concerned.

One of the best AV packages I have had, with the least impact on performance.

 

[KikzAzz]

A nice rootkit should change that attitude

LOL!

 

[Geriatrix]

AntiVir or Avast! FTW! I prefer not to use Norton cause I like doing stuff on my machine.

 

[StevenC]

Kaspersky IS 2010 does the trick nicely for me. That, and common sense.