Some Anti-Virus/Malware Questions

I have to make a decision and would greatly appreciate some guidance.

Recently my McAfee Anti-Virus Plus has been acting up, and the McAfee
tecchies, after many on-line chat sessions, have been unable to fix it. I
feel quite sure that it is not due to a virus/malware problem because I
also have Windows Defender and HitmanPro running and they find no problems.
(Both packages indicate that they do not conflict with McAfee.)

However, since my McAfee subscription is about to expire, I am now ready to
let it go and try a different AV package. That is my dilemma. I am unable
to find any consensus as to which is a good replacement. For example, CNET
and AV-Comparatives do not agree at all in their ratings, and I have seen
other comparisons that are equally inconsistent. (I am not even asking for
a "best" replacement, because I realize that is subjective -- I will be
content with just "generally very good".)

What I do need though is a recommendation that will be compatible with
Windows Defender and HitmanPro, since I am happy with both of these
products.

Can anyone make a first-person-user recommendation? Or recommend further
impartial reviews that I might study?

Thank you very much for any thoughts,
David

I've been using Microsoft's [free] Security Essentials for about three
years now and have had no problems with it. I was using AVG prior to this,
and made a change as their [resident] program had become so bloated, via
it's self-updates, that my meagre XP Pro system, with 512 MB RAM was
becoming unresponsive too often. Moving to MSSE changed that for the
better...

You would need to turn *off* Window's Defender - as this code also forms
part of MSSE and takes over it's job of resident-protection against
malware - and they *cannot* run together.

Download Microsoft Security Essentials from :
http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/downl...s.aspx?id=5201

==

Cheers, Tim Meddick, Peckham, London. :-)




"David" wrote in message
...
I have to make a decision and would greatly appreciate some guidance.

Recently my McAfee Anti-Virus Plus has been acting up, and the McAfee
tecchies, after many on-line chat sessions, have been unable to fix it. I
feel quite sure that it is not due to a virus/malware problem because I
also have Windows Defender and HitmanPro running and they find no
problems.
(Both packages indicate that they do not conflict with McAfee.)

However, since my McAfee subscription is about to expire, I am now ready
to
let it go and try a different AV package. That is my dilemma. I am
unable
to find any consensus as to which is a good replacement. For example,
CNET
and AV-Comparatives do not agree at all in their ratings, and I have seen
other comparisons that are equally inconsistent. (I am not even asking
for
a "best" replacement, because I realize that is subjective -- I will be
content with just "generally very good".)

What I do need though is a recommendation that will be compatible with
Windows Defender and HitmanPro, since I am happy with both of these
products.

Can anyone make a first-person-user recommendation? Or recommend further
impartial reviews that I might study?

Thank you very much for any thoughts,
David

Hi Tim, thank you for your reply.
Interesting! I was aware of MSSE, but consciously selected Windows
Defender because I was told that the changes to Defender to create MSSE
were primarily to support Windows7. Also, I was told that MSSE might be
incompatible with McAfee. So do I understand that MSSE is the only AV
product that you are running? If so, without any malware problems for
three years, that is encouraging. You have had better fortune than I have
had for the last three years! AVG was going to be one of my candidates,
but now you have me wondering...



On Fri, 8 Feb 2013 09:17:14 -0000, "Tim Meddick"
wrote:


I've been using Microsoft's [free] Security Essentials for about three
years now and have had no problems with it. I was using AVG prior to this,
and made a change as their [resident] program had become so bloated, via
it's self-updates, that my meagre XP Pro system, with 512 MB RAM was
becoming unresponsive too often. Moving to MSSE changed that for the
better...

You would need to turn *off* Window's Defender - as this code also forms
part of MSSE and takes over it's job of resident-protection against
malware - and they *cannot* run together.

Download Microsoft Security Essentials from :
http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/downl...s.aspx?id=5201

==

Cheers, Tim Meddick, Peckham, London. :-)




"David" wrote in message
.. .
I have to make a decision and would greatly appreciate some guidance.

Recently my McAfee Anti-Virus Plus has been acting up, and the McAfee
tecchies, after many on-line chat sessions, have been unable to fix it. I
feel quite sure that it is not due to a virus/malware problem because I
also have Windows Defender and HitmanPro running and they find no
problems.
(Both packages indicate that they do not conflict with McAfee.)

However, since my McAfee subscription is about to expire, I am now ready
to
let it go and try a different AV package. That is my dilemma. I am
unable
to find any consensus as to which is a good replacement. For example,
CNET
and AV-Comparatives do not agree at all in their ratings, and I have seen
other comparisons that are equally inconsistent. (I am not even asking
for
a "best" replacement, because I realize that is subjective -- I will be
content with just "generally very good".)

What I do need though is a recommendation that will be compatible with
Windows Defender and HitmanPro, since I am happy with both of these
products.

Can anyone make a first-person-user recommendation? Or recommend further
impartial reviews that I might study?

Thank you very much for any thoughts,
David

David wrote:
I have to make a decision and would greatly appreciate some guidance.

Recently my McAfee Anti-Virus Plus has been acting up, and the McAfee
tecchies, after many on-line chat sessions, have been unable to fix it. I
feel quite sure that it is not due to a virus/malware problem because I
also have Windows Defender and HitmanPro running and they find no problems.
(Both packages indicate that they do not conflict with McAfee.)

However, since my McAfee subscription is about to expire, I am now ready to
let it go and try a different AV package. That is my dilemma. I am unable
to find any consensus as to which is a good replacement. For example, CNET
and AV-Comparatives do not agree at all in their ratings, and I have seen
other comparisons that are equally inconsistent. (I am not even asking for
a "best" replacement, because I realize that is subjective -- I will be
content with just "generally very good".)

What I do need though is a recommendation that will be compatible with
Windows Defender and HitmanPro, since I am happy with both of these
products.

Can anyone make a first-person-user recommendation? Or recommend further
impartial reviews that I might study?

Thank you very much for any thoughts,
David

Avast free or Pro .

Regarding your question of incompatibility issues with McCafee - All "true"
Anti-Virus software (that will satisfy Windows XP Security Center that you
actually have one installed) are "mutually exclusive" - in that they should
never be allowed to run together - as all sorts of problems and conflicts
can arise! If you are "trying out" new AV package, then you *must* (at
least) temporarily turn off or disable the old one first.

Concerning Window's Defender and MSSE - I have not gone so far as to do
actual research on it - but I believe that both Window's Defender *and*
MSSE were created with Windows Vista and Win7 in mind (the "giveaway" is
the "Aurora-like", Vista / Win7 color-scheme that Window's Defender has).
Window's Defender comes-as-standard as part of Windows Vista / 7. However,
you are encouraged, by Microsoft, to install MSSE into those Windows
versions.

When I say I have had "no problems" in the past three years, with using
MSSE - I *do* mean that I have had *no* viral-infections, nor any other
issues with malware - but that was the same as with AVG before it and
"paid-for" AV software before that!...

However, nor did any of those AV security suites detect and / or have need
to attempt to isolate / cure my system of any infection either! - MSSE has
only alerted me a dozen, or so, times to possible problems in all that
time! This is, I believe, being due to the fact that, as well as ensuring
I have legitimate, and memory-resident, Anti-Virus software installed, I am
also careful what sites and what links I choose to visit and pursue (it is
usually right *then* that I take special heed of the warning my AV gives me
that some program or script is trying to run without my permission!!)...

So, it is never enough to sit back and think your AV software will totally
keep your PC safe from illness and attack! - No AV software - free or
paid-for - is that *good* you can afford not to care about; in what
neighbourhood you are surfing!

==

Cheers, Tim Meddick, Peckham, London. :-)




"David" wrote in message
...
Hi Tim, thank you for your reply.
Interesting! I was aware of MSSE, but consciously selected Windows
Defender because I was told that the changes to Defender to create MSSE
were primarily to support Windows7. Also, I was told that MSSE might be
incompatible with McAfee. So do I understand that MSSE is the only AV
product that you are running? If so, without any malware problems for
three years, that is encouraging. You have had better fortune than I
have
had for the last three years! AVG was going to be one of my candidates,
but now you have me wondering...



On Fri, 8 Feb 2013 09:17:14 -0000, "Tim Meddick"
wrote:


I've been using Microsoft's [free] Security Essentials for about three
years now and have had no problems with it. I was using AVG prior to
this,
and made a change as their [resident] program had become so bloated, via
it's self-updates, that my meagre XP Pro system, with 512 MB RAM was
becoming unresponsive too often. Moving to MSSE changed that for the
better...

You would need to turn *off* Window's Defender - as this code also forms
part of MSSE and takes over it's job of resident-protection against
malware - and they *cannot* run together.

Download Microsoft Security Essentials from :
http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/downl...s.aspx?id=5201

==

Cheers, Tim Meddick, Peckham, London. :-)




"David" wrote in message
. ..
I have to make a decision and would greatly appreciate some guidance.

Recently my McAfee Anti-Virus Plus has been acting up, and the McAfee
tecchies, after many on-line chat sessions, have been unable to fix it.
I
feel quite sure that it is not due to a virus/malware problem because I
also have Windows Defender and HitmanPro running and they find no
problems.
(Both packages indicate that they do not conflict with McAfee.)

However, since my McAfee subscription is about to expire, I am now
ready
to
let it go and try a different AV package. That is my dilemma. I am
unable
to find any consensus as to which is a good replacement. For example,
CNET
and AV-Comparatives do not agree at all in their ratings, and I have
seen
other comparisons that are equally inconsistent. (I am not even asking
for
a "best" replacement, because I realize that is subjective -- I will be
content with just "generally very good".)

What I do need though is a recommendation that will be compatible with
Windows Defender and HitmanPro, since I am happy with both of these
products.

Can anyone make a first-person-user recommendation? Or recommend
further
impartial reviews that I might study?

Thank you very much for any thoughts,
David

On 02/08/2013 04:14 AM, jim wrote:
David wrote:
I have to make a decision and would greatly appreciate some guidance.

Recently my McAfee Anti-Virus Plus has been acting up, and the McAfee
tecchies, after many on-line chat sessions, have been unable to fix it. I
feel quite sure that it is not due to a virus/malware problem because I
also have Windows Defender and HitmanPro running and they find no problems.
(Both packages indicate that they do not conflict with McAfee.)

However, since my McAfee subscription is about to expire, I am now ready to
let it go and try a different AV package. That is my dilemma. I am unable
to find any consensus as to which is a good replacement. For example, CNET
and AV-Comparatives do not agree at all in their ratings, and I have seen
other comparisons that are equally inconsistent. (I am not even asking for
a "best" replacement, because I realize that is subjective -- I will be
content with just "generally very good".)

What I do need though is a recommendation that will be compatible with
Windows Defender and HitmanPro, since I am happy with both of these
products.

Can anyone make a first-person-user recommendation? Or recommend further
impartial reviews that I might study?

Thank you very much for any thoughts,
David

Avast free or Pro .




Avast free is better than the paid version of McAfee

--
https://www.createspace.com/3707686

On Fri, 08 Feb 2013 15:21:50 +0700, David
wrote:

Can anyone make a first-person-user recommendation? Or recommend further
impartial reviews that I might study?

I'm quite satisfied with my choices and have been running them
together for a couple of years:

Microsoft Security Essentials
Malwarebytes Anti Malware

Plus, I manually run Super Anti Syware once a week, and use Spybot
Search and Destroy's Immunize feature for blocking potentially
dangerous websites. I let MSSE and MAM update themselves
automatically, but update SAS and Spybot manually before running them,
usually once a week or so. I'm happy so far.

--
Zilbandy

On Fri, 08 Feb 2013 15:21:50 +0700, David
wrote:


However, since my McAfee subscription is about to expire, I am now ready to
let it go and try a different AV package. That is my dilemma. I am unable
to find any consensus as to which is a good replacement.

Four points:

1. In my view, and that of lots of others of us here, McAfee is one of
the *worst* security programs available. Getting rid of it is a good
choice.

2. Uninstalling McAfee isn't easy. Read he
http://service.mcafee.com/FAQDocument.aspx?id=TS101331

3. You will never find consensus on which xxxx is the best (regardless
of what xxxx is). Your question is like asking which is better, a Ford
or a Chevrolet.

4. For an anti-virus program, I recommend eSet NOD32 or Kaspersky, if
you are willing to pay for it. If you want a free anti-virus, I
recommend one (do not run more than one antivirus program) of the
following three:

Avira AntiVir
Avast
Microsoft Security Essentials

Ken Blake, MVP wrote:
On Fri, 08 Feb 2013 15:21:50 +0700, David
wrote:


However, since my McAfee subscription is about to expire, I am now ready to
let it go and try a different AV package. That is my dilemma. I am unable
to find any consensus as to which is a good replacement.

Four points:

1. In my view, and that of lots of others of us here, McAfee is one of
the *worst* security programs available. Getting rid of it is a good
choice.

2. Uninstalling McAfee isn't easy. Read he
http://service.mcafee.com/FAQDocument.aspx?id=TS101331

3. You will never find consensus on which xxxx is the best (regardless
of what xxxx is). Your question is like asking which is better, a Ford
or a Chevrolet.

4. For an anti-virus program, I recommend eSet NOD32 or Kaspersky, if
you are willing to pay for it. If you want a free anti-virus, I
recommend one (do not run more than one antivirus program) of the
following three:

Avira AntiVir
Avast
Microsoft Security Essentials

+1

On Friday, February 8, 2013 2:21:50 AM UTC-6, David wrote:
I have to make a decision and would greatly appreciate some guidance.



Recently my McAfee Anti-Virus Plus has been acting up, and the McAfee

tecchies, after many on-line chat sessions, have been unable to fix it. I

feel quite sure that it is not due to a virus/malware problem because I

also have Windows Defender and HitmanPro running and they find no problems.

(Both packages indicate that they do not conflict with McAfee.)



However, since my McAfee subscription is about to expire, I am now ready to

let it go and try a different AV package. That is my dilemma. I am unable

to find any consensus as to which is a good replacement. For example, CNET

and AV-Comparatives do not agree at all in their ratings, and I have seen

other comparisons that are equally inconsistent. (I am not even asking for

a "best" replacement, because I realize that is subjective -- I will be

content with just "generally very good".)



What I do need though is a recommendation that will be compatible with

Windows Defender and HitmanPro, since I am happy with both of these

products.



Can anyone make a first-person-user recommendation? Or recommend further

impartial reviews that I might study?



Thank you very much for any thoughts,

David

If you decide to go with Microsoft's Security Essentials, it will enable Automatic Updates even if you previously set it to disabled.

You can also manually download updates for it.

I feel that leaving automatic updates on is like leaving the front door of your house open. :-)

I agree with the other poster that Malwarebytes Anti Malware is pretty good.

Kaspersky offers a nice rescue disk that you put on a CD.

It includes a registry editor on it.

Andy

From: "Paul in Houston TX"

Ken Blake, MVP wrote:
On Fri, 08 Feb 2013 15:21:50 +0700, David
wrote:

However, since my McAfee subscription is about to expire, I am now ready
to
let it go and try a different AV package. That is my dilemma. I am
unable
to find any consensus as to which is a good replacement.

Four points:

1. In my view, and that of lots of others of us here, McAfee is one of
the *worst* security programs available. Getting rid of it is a good
choice.

2. Uninstalling McAfee isn't easy. Read he
http://service.mcafee.com/FAQDocument.aspx?id=TS101331

3. You will never find consensus on which xxxx is the best (regardless
of what xxxx is). Your question is like asking which is better, a Ford
or a Chevrolet.

4. For an anti-virus program, I recommend eSet NOD32 or Kaspersky, if
you are willing to pay for it. If you want a free anti-virus, I
recommend one (do not run more than one antivirus program) of the
following three:
Avira AntiVir
Avast
Microsoft Security Essentials

+1

Ditto... ;-)

--
Dave
Multi-AV Scanning Tool - http://multi-av.thespykiller.co.uk
http://www.pctipp.ch/downloads/dl/35905.asp

From: "Andy"

snip

I feel that leaving automatic updates on is like leaving the front door of
your house
open. :-)


snip

** WRONG ! **

If a utility, EXE or DLL opened a TCP or UDP port, then one may consider
that a door or window is open on one's computer. And that is why one's
computer(s) should be behind a NAT Router or a NAT Router with a full
FireWall implemetation such that is mitigatged.

However a program or utility that makes a; HTTP, HTTPS, BITS or some other
private protocol session does NOT leave a perverbial door or window open.
Think of it as a pipe between the computer and destination. Nothing is
"open". The communication stream is contaned within the confines of that
pipe.

--
Dave
Multi-AV Scanning Tool - http://multi-av.thespykiller.co.uk
http://www.pctipp.ch/downloads/dl/35905.asp

On Friday, February 8, 2013 10:53:38 AM UTC-6, David H. Lipman wrote:
From: "Andy"



snip



I feel that leaving automatic updates on is like leaving the front door of

your house

open. :-)





snip



** WRONG ! **



If a utility, EXE or DLL opened a TCP or UDP port, then one may consider

that a door or window is open on one's computer. And that is why one's

computer(s) should be behind a NAT Router or a NAT Router with a full

FireWall implemetation such that is mitigatged.



However a program or utility that makes a; HTTP, HTTPS, BITS or some other

private protocol session does NOT leave a perverbial door or window open.

Think of it as a pipe between the computer and destination. Nothing is

"open". The communication stream is contaned within the confines of that

pipe.



--

Dave

Multi-AV Scanning Tool - http://multi-av.thespykiller.co.uk

http://www.pctipp.ch/downloads/dl/35905.asp

You are making excuses for poor programming.

You are also misinformed and unwilling to consider other people experience and knowledge.

Andy

Andy wrote:
On Friday, February 8, 2013 2:21:50 AM UTC-6, David wrote:
I have to make a decision and would greatly appreciate some
guidance.

David

If you decide to go with Microsoft's Security Essentials, it will
enable Automatic Updates even if you previously set it to disabled.

No.
MSSE is a separate function from MSAU.

From: "Andy"

On Friday, February 8, 2013 10:53:38 AM UTC-6, David H. Lipman wrote:
From: "Andy"

snip

I feel that leaving automatic updates on is like leaving the front door
of

your house

open. :-)

snip

** WRONG ! **

If a utility, EXE or DLL opened a TCP or UDP port, then one may consider

that a door or window is open on one's computer. And that is why one's

computer(s) should be behind a NAT Router or a NAT Router with a full

FireWall implemetation such that is mitigatged.

However a program or utility that makes a; HTTP, HTTPS, BITS or some
other

private protocol session does NOT leave a perverbial door or window open.

Think of it as a pipe between the computer and destination. Nothing is

"open". The communication stream is contaned within the confines of that

pipe.


You are making excuses for poor programming.

You are also misinformed and unwilling to consider other people experience
and knowledge.

Andy

You are a Google Grouper newbie that has very little "experience and
knowledge" and your retort has no basis in fact or relaity. Your post was
nothing but an "opinion" based upon misunderstanding bias.

--
Dave
Multi-AV Scanning Tool - http://multi-av.thespykiller.co.uk
http://www.pctipp.ch/downloads/dl/35905.asp