Foo - Free firewall/virus protection?

I haven't been on the last couple of days because my hard drive has been ill. :( The 'puter is now up and running again, but I lost everything. I used to use Zone Alarm and AVG and they worked fine, but for some reason I can't get eather to install on my system now. Anyone have good experience with anything else? Thanks in advance.

Avast.

+1 for Avast

I successfully installed avast. It appears to scan constantly instead of at a scheduled time like AVG, will this slow my system down much? It seems to be slightly slower but I'm not positive.

It doesn't slow my system down, but I have a pretty high-end computer, but on my dad's computer (very low end) it runs just fine.

It doesn't slow my system down, but I have a pretty high-end computer, but on my dad's computer (very low end) it runs just fine.

Well after a few more minutes, I don't think it's slowing my system down much at all, if any. So far so good, and thanks!

I successfully installed avast. It appears to scan constantly instead of at a scheduled time like AVG, will this slow my system down much? It seems to be slightly slower but I'm not positive.

It scans constantly. Any good scanner will (must) scan every file that is opened, when it is opened.

Avast + Windows firewall + Spybots resident scanner (notifies of all registry changes and gives you options to allow change). And make sure you log in with a password, not just start up and go.

A good scanner scans stuff in memory, and periodically hits the disk to check resident files to make sure nothing got by it while it was offline.

I'd also say Avast's. I use their licensed version on a U3 USB flash drive, and I have no complaints about it.

Spybot's resident scanner is OK, but its fairly old and most malware can easily bypass it.

What OS are you running? If you are running Vista or Windows Server 2008, Microsoft's firewall is very good. XP, I'd use some third party tool, such as Sunbelt's Personal Firewall (which has both a free and paid for mode), Comodo's software offerings are pretty decent as well.

Finally, don't forget to consider physical security of the machine. If its a laptop, I highly recommend downloading TrueCrypt and using that to encrypt the drive of the machine. This ensures that if someone steals the laptop, its "just" a hardware theft, rather than a hardware theft, plus possible ways for extortion/blackmail.

Install the avg before you install the zone alarm. Or, if you already have ZA installed, disalbe it when you try to install avg.

They'll work together just fine. Except when you try to install, or uninstall, avg, you have to disable ZA. There is some type of conflict.

I am a computer moran - but could this have anything to do with the service pack Lampy is running?

we have AVG at work, no problems though we have pretty good spam filters. We're always getting warnings from IT about emails but I get very little junk. I've had jobs in the past that were unreal....

Service packs are a different story. The best thing is to make a CD or DVD of the service pack before a freshly installed machine ever touches the Internet.

The reason for this is that XP, until service pack 2, didn't turn on its firewall by default. Without it, a box would get infected due to network attacks in 5 min or less on average.

BTW, I'm running Windows 2000Pro with Service Pack 3. I wanted to use AVG and Zone Alarm again but I couldn't install either for some reason.

You could probably find some older versions of the software online somewhere. And *most* things that can install in XP can install in 2000.

Okay, Avast just didn't cut it. Since I've installed it I've had all kinds of adware and many other malfunctions of my computer. I can remove adware with Ad-Aware, but I have been doing that every day and coming up with well over 100 infections each time. I want to use AVG, but the latest version doesn't support Windows 2000, which I have. I can use the slightly older version, but I have to download Service Pack 4, which simply will not load when I try to get it from Microsoft or other sites. So suddenly I apparently have to have Windows XP (which I don't mind but can't get right now) or Vista (which I loath), because it seems nothing is working right with Windows 2000 anymore. I can't use AVG, ZoneAlarm, or Spybot, all things which always worked fine before but now I suddenly can't download any of them. This is almost not worth the trouble.

Edit: I managed to get AVG working again. It immediately found 13 threats of various sorts. So far so good.

Avast isn't the best at Adware/Malware. It is awesome for viruses.

You should do a complete scan with Malwarebytes. Ad-Aware does not detect all Adware/Malware - and that is by design. In fact, Ad-Aware sucks pretty hardcore. Malwarebytes gets all of it, provided you do a complete scan in safe mode.

If that still doesn't get all of it, CCleaner will. CCleaner is a bit more involved as it requires installation of the recovery console (free d/l from Microsoft), but it works very well.

This is just IMHO, but I'd consider ditching Windows 2000 completely. Its a good OS, but support of it is dropping each day. Even though XP just has some minor changes from W2000, a lot of vendors will be supporting it for a number of years.

The worst thing about XP is the activation, but there are always ways around that, such as a VLK license.

why am i paying for mcafee anti-virus/firwall? is the free stuff just as safe?

I successfully installed avast. It appears to scan constantly instead of at a scheduled time like AVG, will this slow my system down much? It seems to be slightly slower but I'm not positive.

I have Avast on an OLD machine. A 1GHz pentium jacked up from 350 MHz. Works fine.

Well this morning IE wouldn't load properly at all. It seemed to load but the window would just be white and it would do that with every site I tried. A couple of ads even popped up and they did the same thing: blank white window. The computer seemed to be normal in every other way, though I didn't have time to investigate much. Everything that gets mentioned, someone will claim this software is the best, and another will say the exact same program is the worst one, so I'm not sure what to think. I do know that when I was using AVG, Zone Alarm, and Spybot, I very, very rarely had any problems. Now it seems like nothing works.

Avg

This is just IMHO, but I'd consider ditching Windows 2000 completely. Its a good OS, but support of it is dropping each day. Even though XP just has some minor changes from W2000, a lot of vendors will be supporting it for a number of years.

The worst thing about XP is the activation, but there are always ways around that, such as a VLK license.

I wouldn't mind having XP, but I can't hardly afford to buy it and I wouldn't be comfortable "obtaining" it another way.

comodo+avg+spybot s&d+windows defender+privoxy=win

why am i paying for mcafee anti-virus/firwall? is the free stuff just as safe?

Yeah. Ditch mcafee. That's one of the worst viruses/malware ever created. Ditch it.

Well this morning IE wouldn't load properly at all..

Problem right there.

Problem right there.

What are other options that would work with Windows 2000? Although I'm not sure how I would get them without internet access. :(

What are other options that would work with Windows 2000? Although I'm not sure how I would get them without internet access. :(

http://www.mozilla.com/en-US/firefox/

If money is an issue, this may not be feasible, but I would seriously consider buying a firewalling router that has four ports or more. This will provide a hardened front end, separating your machine from the rest of the Internet. They are obnoxiously easy to set up. Unplug PC from CSU/DSU. Plug PC into one of the network hub ports. Plug a cord into the CSU/DSU, then into the WAN port of the router. You're done.

IE actually worked tonight when I got home from work, although it was still acting crazy. But I managed to install Firefox and it does indeed seem to be running better so far. I still had all kinds of adds popping up at first, but they seem to have tapered off. Now AVG no longer works, and I keep getting a weird alert message when I try to open AVG (and other things). It says "Unable to locate dll" and has a long file listed underneath it. I ran a system scan on Trend Micro and if turned up a couple of malware items that could not be cleaned or deleted.

This is getting ridiculous. Now I have something on my hard drive that nothing seems to get rid of. It's basically advertising anti-virus software (:rolleyes: ) but it changes my wallpaper to a flashing alert image and in the tool bar at the lower right hand of my screen, there a red circle with a white "X" with a message that says "Warning! Security Report Your computer is infected! Blah Blah Blah!". AVG doesn't get rid of it and apparently doesn't even detect it. For the most part my machine seems to be running okay, except for the occasional pop up that's probably due to whatever this is. And this morning out of nowhere I got the hundreds-of-windows-opening-for-no-reason thing, which required shutting down manually. Oh yeah, and now I can't open Task Manager, either. I'm about to just do a reformat, but this will probably just happen again afterward.

BTW, I'm using Firefox now.

sounds like you need to do a re-format...

Get behind a wired router.

So what would be involved with a wired router? Also, I guess I really should get Windows XP, but it's just so expensive. :( But if I'm going to have to reformat anyway...

This is getting ridiculous. Now I have something on my hard drive that nothing seems to get rid of. It's basically advertising anti-virus software (:rolleyes: ) but it changes my wallpaper to a flashing alert image and in the tool bar at the lower right hand of my screen, there a red circle with a white "X" with a message that says "Warning! Security Report Your computer is infected! Blah Blah Blah!". AVG doesn't get rid of it and apparently doesn't even detect it. For the most part my machine seems to be running okay, except for the occasional pop up that's probably due to whatever this is. And this morning out of nowhere I got the hundreds-of-windows-opening-for-no-reason thing, which required shutting down manually. Oh yeah, and now I can't open Task Manager, either. I'm about to just do a reformat, but this will probably just happen again afterward.

BTW, I'm using Firefox now.

That's Vundo. It's advertising AntiVirus 2009 or something like that, right?

I'm telling you, if you boot into safe mode, install MalwareBytes (in safe mode) and let it run a COMPLETE scan (not the Quick scan - yes, it will take several hours), it will remove Vundo. There are some other things that Vundo breaks that MWB doesn't fix, but that's pretty easy once the main infection is gone. I've attached the registry fix for the Windows Security Center settings that Vundo messes up.

I clean 2 or 3 computers with Vundo every single day, and MalwareBytes works every single time if you do it properly.

Once you do these fixes, install avast professional (yes, buy the license. It's worth it) and let it run through its entire scan on the next bootup. It will again take several hours to complete, but it will remove any lingering viruses.

It may take less time to wipe and reformat, but if you could tolerate that loss of data, you would have done that by now. So, do what I am telling you to do and you will have no more problems.

edit:

ALSO, if you are using IE, while you are in safe mode, go in and disable ALL of the activeX controls that Vundo installed. Open the Internet Options utility (Tools -> Internet Options in IE), and go to the Programs tab and click on Manage Addons. Highlight the addons in the list one at a time and if the Publisher is blank or says "Not Verified," DISABLE the addon with the radio button below the list. Or, if it is an ActiveX control, DELETE it.

Even if Avast or another virus scanner removes an infected ActiveX control, it will not remove it from IE's list of Addons and you'll get error messages when you run IE.

I will try that, although I'm not sure how to boot into Safe Mode. I was in the boot menu earlier and didn't see it.

To be honest, I had some problems with the free version of Avast, although I assume the full version would be much better.

Edit: Your description of Vundo sounds like what I have.

I will try that, although I'm not sure how to boot into Safe Mode. I was in the boot menu earlier and didn't see it.

To be honest, I had some problems with the free version of Avast, although I assume the full version would be much better.

Edit: Your description of Vundo sounds like what I have.

That's why you do MalwareBytes first. It will remove _most_ things - things which might be attacking avast and other virus scanners.

F8 during boot should give you the boot menu with Safe Mode as an option. If you don't have safe mode, you might be in trouble. You can try MWB in normal mode anyway, and it might still work.

edit: The pro version of avast adds realtime script testing for your browser, which is very handy. It also has some other features, like a CLI, that can come in handy.

I ran Malwarebytes in the regular mode, and it found a LOT, mostly Vundo (like you said) and some of it had to be taken care of after a reboot. I got no messages after the reboot, so I assume it got rid of those things. Before I ran Malwarebytes, AVG was running the regular scheduled scan and found a few things as well. It removed them, and whatever it removed seemed to partially disable Vundo, though it didn't get rid of it completely.

I tried to get to the menu with Safe Mode earlier by pushing F8, but for some reason nothing happened. I have a wireless keyboard so I suspect something's up there. (the way my desk is, I have a hard time routing the cord for a regular keyboard)

Thanks for the continued advice! I've never had this much trouble getting everything straightened out before, but I really do appreciate all the tips and suggestions.

I ran Malwarebytes in the regular mode, and it found a LOT, mostly Vundo (like you said) and some of it had to be taken care of after a reboot. I got no messages after the reboot, so I assume it got rid of those things. Before I ran Malwarebytes, AVG was running the regular scheduled scan and found a few things as well. It removed them, and whatever it removed seemed to partially disable Vundo, though it didn't get rid of it completely.

I tried to get to the menu with Safe Mode earlier by pushing F8, but for some reason nothing happened. I have a wireless keyboard so I suspect something's up there. (the way my desk is, I have a hard time routing the cord for a regular keyboard)

Thanks for the continued advice! I've never had this much trouble getting everything straightened out before, but I really do appreciate all the tips and suggestions.

Are you sure you did the full system scan with Malwarebytes? That didn't seem like it took very long. :)

Yeah wireless keyboards can be a little hokey. I'm not sure if there's a way to tell Windows to go into safe mode on the next boot. If you can get into safe mode, it should be able to remove everything without having to do it on the "next boot."

Try rebooting like this: hit the hardware reset button and immediately start pushing the F8 key over and over as fast as you can (don't just hold it down). Maybe you'll get lucky.

One other thing you might want to download is the Eusing Free Registry Cleaner (google it). It will remove broken references from the registry and perform other fixes.

If you're feeling brave, pick up CCleaner (google it), but using it requires some time, lots of patience, and the ability to follow directions meticulously. But, it will seriously find every little piece of known malware and viruses. It's just a very involved process.

The choices it gave me were a quick scan and a full scan, and I chose full scan. It only took twelve minutes. I've only got like 9gb of crap on my hard drive right now, could that have anything to do with the short scan time? I'll keep trying to get to Safe Mode. So far, after that last scan, everything seems to be running perfectly. So far no pop ups or other oddities.

The choices it gave me were a quick scan and a full scan, and I chose full scan. It only took twelve minutes. I've only got like 9gb of crap on my hard drive right now, could that have anything to do with the short scan time? I'll keep trying to get to Safe Mode. So far, after that last scan, everything seems to be running perfectly. So far no pop ups or other oddities.

Sounds ok then... not a lot of stuff to scan...

Told ya :)

edit: did you apply the registry fix as well?

edit: did you apply the registry fix as well?
No, I didn't have much time last night. I'll work on it again this evening. Thanks again. :thumb:

No, I didn't have much time last night. I'll work on it again this evening. Thanks again. :thumb:

All you have to do is download the file, unzip it, and double-click on the registry file. It will automagically install itself into the registry, fixing the entries that Vundo messed with. Piece of cake.

Sounds good. :thumb: It was working great this morning.

Here's an alternate idea, and it is to the point now where you don't have to be a techie or geek to get it working:

Dual Boot Ubuntu Linux along side Windows.

Basically, go to: http://www.ubuntu.com/products/WhatIsUbuntu/desktopedition download, and install. If Windows is already on your computer, this will leave it there. When you turn on your computer, you will have a choice whether to use Linux or Windows.

Use linux for everything you don't NEED windows for (basic browsing, word processing, etc.) If you have programs like quicken or other windows-specific apps that you love, boot into windows for those and unplug from the network unless you need it.

During install, you will create a "root" password. Save this and don't give it out to anyone. No antivirus needed, use your home router as the firewall. If a box pops up that says "root priveleges needed" don't put in the password unless you know exactly why it popped up. You'll never have issues again.

Here's an alternate idea, and it is to the point now where you don't have to be a techie or geek to get it working:

Dual Boot Ubuntu Linux along side Windows.

Basically, go to: http://www.ubuntu.com/products/WhatIsUbuntu/desktopedition download, and install. If Windows is already on your computer, this will leave it there. When you turn on your computer, you will have a choice whether to use Linux or Windows.

Use linux for everything you don't NEED windows for (basic browsing, word processing, etc.) If you have programs like quicken or other windows-specific apps that you love, boot into windows for those and unplug from the network unless you need it.

During install, you will create a "root" password. Save this and don't give it out to anyone. No antivirus needed, use your home router as the firewall. If a box pops up that says "root priveleges needed" don't put in the password unless you know exactly why it popped up. You'll never have issues again.

One other thing...

If you are uncomfortable installing it, you can always download it anyway and run it as a "live CD" this will not make ANY changes to your system and you can try it out before you load it.

AVG and Malwarebytes

1. AVG and run a fast scan then run updates. Repeat this process until no bad files are found.
2. Run AVG is slow scan mode and the run updates. Repeat this process until no bad files are found.

3. Run malwarebytes in fast scan and then run updates. Repeat this process until no bad files are found
4. Run malwarebytes in slow scan the run updates. Repeat this process until no bad files are found.

Check for updates before and after every scan.....

If you're feeling brave, pick up CCleaner (google it), but using it requires some time, lots of patience, and the ability to follow directions meticulously. But, it will seriously find every little piece of known malware and viruses. It's just a very involved process.
Hmm, have I been using CCleaner incorrectly? I have been using it since pre-v.2.0 (I am currently using 2.15, I believe) and it seems pretty simple. I just click scan and then fix and it takes all of a minute or two. I don't remember having to install Recovery Console, either. It's also the only registry scanner I trust, too. I don't remember needing patience or following any directions.

Then again, maybe when I first used it a few years ago, I did install Recovery Console and it took a while to set up, but that was so very long ago maybe I just don't remember...?

Linux. The few vinuses/malware/etc. that can attack Linux are easily handled by the security measures already built into any reasonably current distribution.

Hmm, have I been using CCleaner incorrectly? I have been using it since pre-v.2.0 (I am currently using 2.15, I believe) and it seems pretty simple. I just click scan and then fix and it takes all of a minute or two. I don't remember having to install Recovery Console, either. It's also the only registry scanner I trust, too. I don't remember needing patience or following any directions.

Then again, maybe when I first used it a few years ago, I did install Recovery Console and it took a while to set up, but that was so very long ago maybe I just don't remember...?

I could also have in wrong. I might have CCleaner confused with something else :p

Here is one thing that was brought up by Juggler2. Is this machine connected directly to the Internet, or is it behind a router. Some cable/DSL modems provide this capability.

If its connected to the Internet directly, get a 4 port Ethernet router ASAP. Installation of a major brand like a Linksys can't be simpler. You plug the power cord into it, the transformer brick into the wall. You plug your computer's Ethernet port into the router, then the Ethernet connection going to the cable/DSL modem to the "WAN" or "Internet" port of the router. In most cases, you are done, and won't notice any changes, nor have to install any software.

The benefit of a router/NAT box is security. Hackers instead of being able to touch your PC directly with incoming attacks now have to deal with a hardened security appliance which has a LOT less of an attack surface.

Using one of these boxes means that the main form of attack will either be duping the user to run a Trojan, or through exploits in Web browsers. Running the usual trio of Firefox/AdBlock/NoScript helps immensely in this regard.