anti virus

"Kayman" <kaymanDeleteThis@xxxxxx> wrote in message
news:%23GazXSiDJHA.3352@xxxxxx
Yes, that has been getting far better reviews than AVG over the last couple
of years. You can stop the annoying upgrade notification in Security
Policy.

ss.

On Thu, 4 Sep 2008 01:29:05 +0100, Synapse Syndrome wrote:
And how did you proceed using S/P (step-by-step) please?

"Kayman" <kaymanDeleteThis@xxxxxx> wrote in message
news:uIqK%23hkDJHA.3432@xxxxxx Sorry if I have got your hopes up if you are running a Home version of
Vista.

If you are not, you run secpol.msc from an elevated command prompt, right
click Software Restrictions and make new policies, and add the notify.exe in
the AntiVir program folder to a new policy in Additional Rules, and make it
Disallowed.

It may be possible to add this directly to the registry some way, if you
have a Home version. I suggest searching on Google, using search terms like
"Avira AntiVir Disable notify.exe Vista Home" to find out for sure.

ss.

On Wed, 3 Sep 2008 15:23:41 -0400, CdLSRN wrote:
Though you didn't ask for, it's been suggested using Windows OneCare which
is trial/payware.
The OneCare package includes various additional software and it is
suggested that there is no need to install a multitude of different
security software, fair enough.

So, let's examine this package from a (non-expert) users point-of-view and
if Windows OneCare represents real $ value for the average user.

OneCare includes:

-- An excellent antivirus application.

I understand that that the new version of this (OneCare) AV application has
changed for the better and the catchrate has improved significantly.
It is debatable however if it is significantly better compared to good
quality free-ware application such as Avira's AntiVir or Avast. Even if it
is an equally good application, you'd still have to fork out $'s.

-- An excellent firewall application.

An excellent firewall application is already included in Vista. So, why
would one want to pay for something which comes free in the first place?

-- An excellent antispyware application.

An antispyware (A-S) application is already included in Vista. So, why
would one want to pay for something which comes free in the first place?
Add Free SAS and you're good as gold.

-- Automatic system tune-ups.

Why I don¢t use registry cleaners!
http://www.edbott.com/weblog/archives/000643.html

IMO, a safer option is to use CCleaner ignoring the registry
scanning/fixing option followed by using NTREGOPT.

-- Automatic hard drive defrag.

A HDD defragmentation utility is already included in Vista which could be
configured (using Scheduled Tasks) to scan at predetermined times. There
are a few freeware defrag tools available which, the best to my knowledge,
outperform the in-build version. So, why would one want to pay for
something which comes free in the first place?

-- Checks for updates to be sure they are installed.

Aside from Using the free Windows Update in Windows Vista, Secunia Personal
Software Inspector, Belarc and M/S Security Baseline Analyzer can assist
also. So, why would one want to pay for something which comes free in the
first place?

-- Schedules automatic backups of important files.

Backup and Restore Center is an in-build version and comes free with the
Vista operating system. So, why would one want to pay for something which
comes free in the first place?
BTW, some users are impressed with Cobian Backup-Free.

-- New version 2.5 just released - designed to work exceptionally well with
Windows Vista & XP.

One would hope that this is the case, after all, it's a MSFT product!
Selective, good-quality freeware applications are working like a charm as
well!

-- All-in-one convenient, easy to install application.

So are selective, good-quality freeware applications/utilities.

-- On sale at Newegg for only $19.99

If I were in the spending mood and were looking for a worthwhile addition
to my OS I'd find another $30.- and purchase Acronis.

Well, what's the OneCare package all about?
I haven't got the foggiest idea!
Rationale for my opinion
It is not unusual that in Multi National Organizations such as MSFT the
Section Heads of the Commercial Department and the Program Engineers
(Operating Department), are having conflicting opinions as they work for
different goals.
The Program Engineers are the pragmatic type, they develop things, they
know things. They have to demonstrate high integrity in order to produce
high quality software.
The Advertising People know how to sell and push things. They mostly walk
on a fine line but cross it frequently for the sake of the $ almighty and
in the name of the share holders. The nature of their job prevents them to
be moral and ethical.
The goals of the Commercial Dept. are not necessarily in the best interest
for the end user.
Would MSFT recommend the use of registry cleaners if Dr. Mark Russinovich
and Ed Bott had a say? I don't think so!
Would MSFT have included these lame additions to their Windows Life OneCare
application if their program engineers had a say? I don't think so!

On Thu, 4 Sep 2008 06:06:51 +0100, Synapse Syndrome wrote:
Thanks. I just was curious how you used the Security Policy to disable the
nag screen. The AntiVir notification pop-up does not bother me at all; I
can live with it (it's a personal thing I guess :-) ).

I tried onecare, I thought it sucked.
I use AVG, Avast and ClamWin on different machines, all seem to work and all
have feree versions.
If you insist on paying for one, I recommend NOD32.

"Kayman" <kaymanDeleteThis@xxxxxx> wrote in message
news:eG$NuqlDJHA.936@xxxxxx

Hi,

A big difference between Vista's free Firewall and the one included in Onecare is that it has easily configured outbound control - very important to stop malware dialling out.

Vista's built in firewall has all outbound connections enabled by default - this is dangerous. Check it by going to www.grc.com click the tab that says freeware, then security, then leaktest, download and run it - it will dial out unhindered.

How do you stop this? The best way is to use the free Vista Firewall Control
( available in 32 and 64 bit versions ) www.shinx-soft.com/Vista

It's a small 2mb app that sits in your Notification area . When an app tries to access the net, it asks if you want to enable or disable, then adjusts Vista's firewall for you. It will pop up a lot when first installed as it hasn't seen your apps. before, but it will remember and you can change the settings later if you like.

Alternatively, get a 3rd party Firewall Zone Alarm (32 bit only) or Comodo ( 32 and 64 bit versions ) www.comodo.com


Hope this helps

SIW2

On Thu, 4 Sep 2008 07:10:18 -0500, SIW2 wrote:
The in-build version can just as easily configured
Now that's debatable.
Malware must be stopped at the front door and *not* allowed to run
believing that its behavior can be somehow "controlled". The only
reasonable way to deal with malware is to prevent it from being run in the
first place. That's what AV software or Windows' System Restriction
Policies are doing. And what 3rd party Personal Firewalls fail to do!
Deconstructing Common Security Myths.
http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/m.../cc160979.aspx
Scroll down to:
"Myth: Host-Based Firewalls Must Filter Outbound Traffic to be Safe."
You read the wrong literature :-)
Exploring The Windows Firewall.
http://www.microsoft.com/technet/tec...l/default.aspx
"If you try to block outbound connections from a computer that’s already
compromised, how can you be sure that the computer is really doing what you
ask? The answer: you can’t. Outbound protection is security theater—it’s a
gimmick that only gives the impression of improving your security without
doing anything that actually does improve your security. This is why
outbound protection didn’t exist in the Windows XP firewall and why it
doesn’t exist in the Windows Vista™ firewall."

Tap into the Vista firewall's advanced configuration features
http://articles.techrepublic.com.com...7-6098592.html
"...once you discover the secret of accessing its advanced configuration
settings via the MMC snap-in, you'll find it to be far more configurable
and functional. At last, Windows comes with a sophisticated personal
firewall that can be used to set up outbound rules as well as inbound, with
the ability to customize rules to fit your precise needs."

Managing the Windows Vista Firewall
http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/m.../cc510323.aspx
Vista Firewall Control (Free versions available).
Protects your applications from undesirable network incoming and outgoing
activity, controls applications internet access.
http://sphinx-soft.com/Vista/
The free version may be all you need, check the comparisons under
the "Download and Buy" link.
You've gotta be kidding!
"Personal Firewalls" are mostly snake-oil.
http://www.samspade.org/d/firewalls.html

PFW Criticism.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Persona...all#Criticisms

Jesper's Blogs-
At Least This Snake Oil Is Free.
http://msinfluentials.com/blogs/jesp...l-is-free.aspx
Windows Firewall: the best new security feature in Vista?
http://blogs.technet.com/jesper_joha...01/426921.aspx

While I do like Avast I find that the user interface is rather poor; for
that reason when anyone asks me to recommend a free anti virus my first
recommendation is AVG (http://free.grisoft.com).

--

--
John Barnett MVP
Associate Expert
Windows Desktop Experience

Web: http://xphelpandsupport.mvps.org
Web: http://vistasupport.mvps.org
Web: http://www.silversurferguide.org

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"CdLSRN" <NOspam@xxxxxx> wrote in message
news:uCTtmqfDJHA.4176@xxxxxx

Hi John,

Like your website

SIW2