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Anti-spyware recommendations?

Discussion in 'Security and Privacy' started by James, 2009/06/09.

  1. 2009/06/09
    James

    James Inactive Thread Starter

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    Currently we have McAfee Internet Security (until June 2010 and yes... we're happy with it) for our anti-virus and firewall (and some anti-spyware as well as anti-spam). We had been using Webroot's Spysweeper but our subscription is about to expire and I don't really want to pay $30 to renew it. Recommendations for a compatible (with McAfee) anti-spyware that is preferably free. Thanks.
     
    James,
    #1
  2. 2009/06/09
    sniper9228

    sniper9228 Well-Known Member

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    SuperAntiSpyware as long as you do not put on real-time protection as it may conflict with Mcafee.
    (I would say SpywareTerminator, but the real time protection might conflict with Mcafee.)
     
    Last edited: 2009/06/09
    sniper9228,
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  4. 2009/06/09
    broni

    broni Moderator Malware Analyst

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    Superantispyware, and...
    Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware (trial version is fully functionable): http://www.malwarebytes.org/mbam.php
    Two best tools on the market for the time being.
     
    broni,
    #3
  5. 2009/06/09
    James

    James Inactive Thread Starter

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    Thanks for the response. Is one (Superantispyware/Malwarebytes) preferrable to the other in terms of scanning speed, frequency of updates, resource usage and so forth?
     
    James,
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  6. 2009/06/09
    broni

    broni Moderator Malware Analyst

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    They're pretty similar in those aspects.
    'Bytes seem to have a slight edge over Super, but the thing is, when I scan any infected computer, always one picks up something, what the other missed, so they work perfectly as a combo.
     
    broni,
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  7. 2009/06/10
    James

    James Inactive Thread Starter

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    Thanks, Broni. I pretty much figured out that my question was silly once I posted it. Running them in combination seems like a reasonable thing to do. And I suppose that the fact that they're free and do not have real time protection will mean that they will not conflict with McAfee.
     
    James,
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  8. 2009/06/10
    broni

    broni Moderator Malware Analyst

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    Not at all...even running one antispyware tool in real-time along with an AV program is perfectly fine.
     
    broni,
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  9. 2009/06/11
    cybernut

    cybernut Inactive

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    True, but I'd be wary of running an anti-spyware program in real time with McAfee. I know that McAfee Enterprise AV often has serious conflicts with Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware Pro (the real-time version of Anti-Malware). And while it's fine to have both Anti-Malware and SuperAntiSpyware on your system NOT in real time, if you have to pick one, I'd opt for Malwarebytes Anti-Malware. Its Quick Scans are lightning fast and, apparently, just as accurate as full scans. And I've never had a false positive from Malwarebytes, whereas I have had them from SuperAntiSpyware. But both are good programs, and I have both on my system (as well as Spybot, which I find useful as well).
     
    cybernut,
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  10. 2009/06/11
    broni

    broni Moderator Malware Analyst

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    The best option: don't use McAfee :D
     
    broni,
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  11. 2009/06/11
    James

    James Inactive Thread Starter

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    Pooh on you, Broni! Pooh! :p (just kidding)

    Our computers came with McAfee (last summer) and frankly, we've had no incidents or slowdowns to speak of so we can't complain. And our licenses are good until June of 2010 so I'm not about to jump ship. No reason, really. If it's ain't broke.... why fix it? :rolleyes:
     
    James,
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  12. 2009/06/11
    broni

    broni Moderator Malware Analyst

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    It goes like this...
    You left for vacations, and you feel secure, because you made sure, your front door was well locked.....you forgot to close bedroom's window :D
    Here goes McAfee :)

    Most computers come with preinstalled garbage.
    Mine came with Norton.
    That was the first thing, I removed.
     
    broni,
    #11
  13. 2009/06/14
    runner

    runner Inactive

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    Ignore this or delete it if this is considered hijacking.
    What do you personally use?
     
    runner,
    #12
  14. 2009/06/14
    broni

    broni Moderator Malware Analyst

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    On different Windows installations, I use all kind of combination of these:

    - Avast! free antivirus: http://www.avast.com/eng/download-avast-home.html
    - Avira free antivirus: http://www.free-av.com/en/download/index.html

    - free PC Tools Antivirus: http://www.pctools.com/free-antivirus/
    - free PC Tools Firewall Plus: http://www.pctools.com/firewall/

    - free Comodo Internet Security (firewall + AV): http://www.personalfirewall.comodo.com/
    NOTE. During installation, Comodo will also allow you to install AV only, or firewall only, if you prefer to combine one Comodo product with some other product.

    If you decide to install Avast, or Avira, make sure, Windows firewall is turned on, or use PC Tools Firewall Plus, or Comodo firewall..
    If you decide to install Comodo Internet Security, or just Comodo firewall, make sure, Windows firewall is turned off.

    IMPORTANT! Make sure, you use only ONE antivirus, and ONE firewall.
     
    broni,
    #13
  15. 2009/06/14
    runner

    runner Inactive

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    Thanks for answering.
     
    runner,
    #14
  16. 2009/06/14
    broni

    broni Moderator Malware Analyst

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    Sure thing :)
     
    broni,
    #15

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