Vista Forums - View Single Post

**AstaLaVista** · 11-10-2008

Quote: Originally Posted by boxterduke

These rogue programs are the worst since they mascaraed as an antivirus and for the normal user, they think that they got a virus and click on yes to install and hello popups galore and other annoying things.

My Aunt got one the other day and nothing could clean it (forgot what is it called, I think XP Antivirus 2008 or so). I had to reformat the drive and reinstall again.

Same thing happened to my neighbor's laptop and no matter what I threw at it, it was imposible to get rid off. I did not know of that malaware app at the time so I just went ahead and did a clean install on it since he doesn't have anything worth saving on it.

Quote: Originally Posted by NormCameron

A friend recently gave me a laptop to look at. It had Antivirus 2008 on it. What a beast it is. I finally removed it, I thought, but then, BSOD every time some component I'd missed tried to run. The upshot was, Reformat. Reinstall. I am convinced you can't remove this vicious little nasty.

My partner got this on his workstation, he says that it came in an e-mail and it all went to hell from there, I asked him if he had opened it and surely he said NO but I know better. Suffice to say, running AVG, Avast or Nod32 on it did nothing and it only caused it to not be able to load to windows. I tried the Repair from the CD and it got it going again but it wasn't able to function correctly after that so we went ahead and did a fresh install.

Quote: Originally Posted by Adamd

I don't use any active program while surfing the net other than Vista's firewall.

I do however scan with ad-aware, spybot...

I never run into any problems, and I don't waste my money on expensive virus protection because it's not needed for "smart" computer users lol.

You know, this is something that I have been pondering on for some time now. I do have Windows firewall On and Avast pro on my rig but, everytime I have gotten into a serious problem, no A.V. A.A. or A.S has helped me any because the virus/worm or trojan is just that new so, I am kind of comtenplating to not run anything at all, at the very least, my system will run faster w/o.

On the other hand, that false sense of security having those apps gives you is a refreshing peace of mind... even though it won't help on a 0-day malaware script.

I am torn to say the least!

Quote:

I agree BFK, I don't care WHO you are or how well you think you know PC security, if you run around without proper protection, you are going to pay for it sooner or later. I Do know security having worked inside the industry and worked with many well known antimalware developers, and I know how well a properly designed threat can defeat even a seemingly well defended system. So having minimal protection (say...just a firewall..) just won't cut it if you come across some of the REAL threats out there.
I've decompiled and tested well over 1500 malware variants, and some are so well crafted that almost anything you have for defences can be defeated at times. These are not "Skript-kiddie" threats, these are designed by professional engineers and take into account just about everything you may have to protect yourself...and then they defeat them. Any software protections can be defeated because new ways to get around things are discovered daily, so even the best protections can fall if you run across a real 0-day threat designed by a professional at the wrong time. Having quality security products gives you a better chance to avoid infections but they will never guarantee full security, having minimal protection is just asking for trouble...your choice I guess.

Anyone who says that they surf at will with minimal or no protection and NEVER have had a problem, should put another little word in that sentence..."yet".
They simply have to wait for the day they to come (and it will) when they get bitten, or they probably aren't telling the entire truth about never being infected by something before.

I also agree but, if none of the apps will help you on a o-day malaware, what good are they really if that virus is the one who will destroy your rig completely? Wouldn't we be better off making sure our backups are up to date and just hope that you will only loose a day or two worth of needed data when they strike?

Again... I'm torn!

11-10-2008	#13 (permalink)
AstaLaVista Vista x64 + Windows 7 x64 (Ultimate) 1,216 posts	Re: Fake antivirus programs Quote: Originally Posted by boxterduke These rogue programs are the worst since they mascaraed as an antivirus and for the normal user, they think that they got a virus and click on yes to install and hello popups galore and other annoying things. My Aunt got one the other day and nothing could clean it (forgot what is it called, I think XP Antivirus 2008 or so). I had to reformat the drive and reinstall again. Same thing happened to my neighbor's laptop and no matter what I threw at it, it was imposible to get rid off. I did not know of that malaware app at the time so I just went ahead and did a clean install on it since he doesn't have anything worth saving on it. Quote: Originally Posted by NormCameron A friend recently gave me a laptop to look at. It had Antivirus 2008 on it. What a beast it is. I finally removed it, I thought, but then, BSOD every time some component I'd missed tried to run. The upshot was, Reformat. Reinstall. I am convinced you can't remove this vicious little nasty. My partner got this on his workstation, he says that it came in an e-mail and it all went to hell from there, I asked him if he had opened it and surely he said NO but I know better. Suffice to say, running AVG, Avast or Nod32 on it did nothing and it only caused it to not be able to load to windows. I tried the Repair from the CD and it got it going again but it wasn't able to function correctly after that so we went ahead and did a fresh install. Quote: Originally Posted by Adamd I don't use any active program while surfing the net other than Vista's firewall. I do however scan with ad-aware, spybot... I never run into any problems, and I don't waste my money on expensive virus protection because it's not needed for "smart" computer users lol. You know, this is something that I have been pondering on for some time now. I do have Windows firewall On and Avast pro on my rig but, everytime I have gotten into a serious problem, no A.V. A.A. or A.S has helped me any because the virus/worm or trojan is just that new so, I am kind of comtenplating to not run anything at all, at the very least, my system will run faster w/o. On the other hand, that false sense of security having those apps gives you is a refreshing peace of mind... even though it won't help on a 0-day malaware script. I am torn to say the least! Quote: I agree BFK, I don't care WHO you are or how well you think you know PC security, if you run around without proper protection, you are going to pay for it sooner or later. I Do know security having worked inside the industry and worked with many well known antimalware developers, and I know how well a properly designed threat can defeat even a seemingly well defended system. So having minimal protection (say...just a firewall..) just won't cut it if you come across some of the REAL threats out there. I've decompiled and tested well over 1500 malware variants, and some are so well crafted that almost anything you have for defences can be defeated at times. These are not "Skript-kiddie" threats, these are designed by professional engineers and take into account just about everything you may have to protect yourself...and then they defeat them. Any software protections can be defeated because new ways to get around things are discovered daily, so even the best protections can fall if you run across a real 0-day threat designed by a professional at the wrong time. Having quality security products gives you a better chance to avoid infections but they will never guarantee full security, having minimal protection is just asking for trouble...your choice I guess. Anyone who says that they surf at will with minimal or no protection and NEVER have had a problem, should put another little word in that sentence..."yet". They simply have to wait for the day they to come (and it will) when they get bitten, or they probably aren't telling the entire truth about never being infected by something before. I also agree but, if none of the apps will help you on a o-day malaware, what good are they really if that virus is the one who will destroy your rig completely? Wouldn't we be better off making sure our backups are up to date and just hope that you will only loose a day or two worth of needed data when they strike? Again... I'm torn!
My System Specs