Security Sticky OLD please feel free to update

[mr frosty]

How about a best practice sticky for keeping yourself safe from infected files. Links to free AV, Firewalls, anti-spyware products. Could even link to ASAP forums if users have been infected. I'm more than happy to draft one up. Once done others can post suggestions before it is finalised.

[birdy]

Good idea!

[garbagefan2]

How about in the program frostwire. You can put a FAQ tab that has the same faq on the website. And with a question that said '' What good antivirus programs are out?'' And it could link to the anti virus post.

[gubatron]

Maybe we can put a webpage on the site, and on the Help Menu, we can put a link to the faq, and to a page like this. But a Tab on Frostwire only for that... I don't think so.

[mr frosty]

Ok I'll draft something up, as Frostwire is free I will only link to products that have full free versions, or versions that give a full trial, followed by a free reduced capability mode (not in their ability to perform, or detect and protect, just with aspects like automatic updates and resident shield protection)

I can also post guides how to install, how to operate them (Windows only I'm afraid) and where to download from . For continuity I will post all the info this thread, once we have agreed all is ok the mods can move them where they like within FAQ, on a web page I don't mind

If anyone has some suggestions that I miss please feel free to pm me, or post in this thread concerning them. This is especially true for Linux based systems, which I have hardly any knowledge of. I know these can't be infected by Windows viruses, but there are some AV available for them, I understand rootkits are more of a problem - so I'm afraid my knowledge is Windows based, so help is needed here particularly.
So I think we should separate the two types of OS in the final guide, one for Windows and one for Linux
I'll try and start with this initial list (in no order of preference):

Anti-Virus Programs

AVG Free (has a Linux version) http://free.grisoft.com/doc/1

Avast Home Edition http://www.avast.com/eng/avast_4_home.html

Avira AntiVir® PersonalEdition Classic (has Linux/FreeBSD/Solaris version and Windows version) http://www.free-av.com/

BitDefender (linux and windows free versions) http://www.bitdefender.com/site/Product ... sktop.html

Comodo (windows only) http://www.antivirus.comodo.com/

ClamWin (has no resident shield, used as a double check for resident AVWindows only) http://www.clamwin.com/

ClamAV (Clam AntiVirus is a GPL anti-virus toolkit for UNIX.) http://www.clamav.net/

Anti-Malware Programs (spyware, trojans etc)(Windows only)
A-squared free http://www.emsisoft.com/en/software/free/

AVG Anti-spyware (full version 30 days, then you loose resident shield, and automatic updates. Still effective as you can download manually, and uses same malware signatures)
http://www.ewido.net/en/ (used to be Ewido)
http://free.grisoft.com/doc/1

Spybot Search & Destroy http://www.safer-networking.org/

Adaware SE Personal http://www.lavasoftusa.com/software/adaware/

WindowsFirewalls
Zonealarm Basic http://www.zonelabs.com/store/content/c ... ist_za.jsp

Sunbelt Kerio Personal Firewall (full version trial, then basic version for free) http://www.sunbelt-software.com/Kerio.cfm

Outpost firewall Pro (full version then free see http://www.agnitum.com/support/kb/artic ... 26&lang=en)
http://www.agnitum.com/products/outpost/download.php

Jetico Pesonal Firewall (free) http://www.jetico.com/

Linux Firewall (tested on Ubuntu, and free)

Firestarter Linux firewall http://www.fs-security.com/

Rootkit software for Linux (tested on Ubuntu, and free)

Rootkit Hunter for Linux http://www.rootkit.nl/projects/rootkit_hunter.html

This is a preliminary list, the final will have a better 'look', any additions please let me know

I'd just like to add, I do not place any preference on the above programs, or their ability to run on your system. Be advised to backup your personal files etc, before any install in case things go wrong. (Use cd, ghost image of HD, second HD, or USB memory - choice is yours) This post is for info only, no endorsement is intended or acknowledged - i.e. Use at your own risk

[frosty]

you forgot the big 3:

McAffee AntiVirus (Network Associates)

Norton AntiVirus / Internet Security 2006 (Symantec)

Kaspersky AntiVirus (Kaspersky)

[mr frosty]

Yeah, I have used both Symantec and Kaspersky - and have my own preference, and seen McAfee in operation. Thing is I prefer not want to link to pay-for versions of software, as this looks like advertising, and the whole ethos (I think) is wrong. I fully support companies that offer free version, and then the user is free to decide if they want the full version which they can pay for (I often send them samples which their cannot find). In addition the method Symantec, and McAfee use to install their suites is very 'rootkit like', therefore extremely hard to uninstall if a user changes their mind (to remove Norton Internet Security 2006 I had to use a special tool from Symantec!!, and this still did not clear the registry, or hardrive completely)

However if a list for pay-for AV list also, I can provide one too if people wish, I am just voicing my opinion here, no major hassle if the community think an extra list is needed.

[curious george]

Mr Frosty, its been a while since ive used Adaware, and back then it itself was a spyware, wasnt to severe, but nonetheless a spyware. is the Adaware SE Personal still spyware or not.

alot of free software out there contain spyware. ive tried various and finally gave up on the free "junkware" as i like to call them.

maybe find out if ne freeware dont have any spy/adware in them. if you did then ignore this completely.

all in all a great service your helping to provide Mr. Frosty

[mr frosty]

curious george to my knowledge Adaware SE personal by Lavasoft has never been adaware. You may have been looking at many of the similar named apps, which use a similar name to dupe a user into downloading (a form of social engineering). All the programs I have listed are legitimate, and I have personally tested them on a VPC, and in my experience contain no spyware (indeed they are recommended by the many forums which help users to remove spyware for free)
The free versions are there for several reasons. One of these reasons is some companies use corporate sales to fund their free versions, or add a few extras with the full version (like AVG). I would never post an application which I would not use personally, so please do not worry.
The only 'problem' you may come across is conflicts with other software you have on your Pc, which I can do nothing about, but if this happens contact the products owners by email, or if they have a forum post a question (eg lavasoft have their own forum).
For a list of known rogue anti-spyware apps, and more info legitimate anti-spyware apps see this page:
http://www.spywarewarrior.com/

On a different subject I have updated the list with rookit hunter, and firestarter firewall for Linux, as I now have a Ubuntu box I am able to test these.

[mr frosty]

Edited list to show Ewido is now AVG anti-spyware

[Mæstro]

What about some of those on-line scanners?

[mr frosty]

Online scanners using Internet Explorer Browser, they will require installation of ActiveX controls, and some will download signature files to your system (ie Kaspersky):

Anti-virus/antispyware

TrendMicro Housecall: http://housecall.trendmicro.com/
Panda Activescan: http://www.pandasoftware.com/products/activescan.htm
Kaspersky: http://www.kaspersky.com/virusscanner
eTrust Antivirus: http://www3.ca.com/securityadvisor/virusinfo/scan.aspx
Bit Defender: http://www.bitdefender.com/scan8/ie.html

Anti-spyware scanners only:

Avg anti-spyware (used to be Ewido): http://www.ewido.net/en/onlinescan/
has a micro scanner available if you have javascript disabled, available here: http://download.ewido.net/ewido_micro.exe

[spy1]

One of the best - free - programs I use for protection is javacool's Spyware Blaster.

Basically, you d/l & install it, check for updates and "Enable all protection". That's it. From then on, you simply check for updates every so often and enable protection for those, too, when received.

Doesn't use any system resources or run resident.

http://www.javacoolsoftware.com/spywareblaster.html Pete

[sonic_x]

Free software is what you get... The word free.

Save some money and buy pro of that software.
But again if you are a windows user.. if your operating systems happens to get infected or whatever the registry need to be fixed.. two options

1) start in safe mode and use system restore
2) have you orignal operating disk windows have a options of "R " <--- meaning repair install. it will repair you operating files to orginal without losing your data , pics and music etc...


Cheers
James