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Anti-Virus Testing and my Findings and thoughts.

Discussion in 'Security and Privacy' started by BillyBob, 2003/08/17.

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  1. 2003/08/17
    BillyBob Lifetime Subscription

    BillyBob Inactive Thread Starter

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    For a VERY LONG time I ran NAV with it fully enabled.

    Then a Month or so ago I went to AVG Free version.

    Yesterday I purchased and installed AVG7 into XP Pro. 30 US $$ for two year license.

    I ran the full test and it came up with I.Worm SoBig in and E-Mail attachment that was at least 1 year old. It could not be Healed ( repaired ) so I just deleted it and re-ran a scan on the H:\Drive. Nothing more found.

    Even online checkers never found it.

    Could this just be a difference in settings or capablities of the AV Programs ?

    AVG Difference in XP and 98SE.

    In 98SE ( which I am in right now ) AVG can be setup to check the Boot Sector and other boot files at bootup. So could NAV.

    This does not appear to be capable ( by either AV ) of being done in XP. Although when a test is run it does check the Boot Sector and MBR and other files. I think that is like locking the door after burgler is already in the house.

    Also AVG 7 has a Quick Test which checks the Boot files etc.

    Bottom line(s)
    #1--I believe the purchased AVG7 is more powerfull and may be well worth it.
    #2--I am thinking more and more that 98SE is much easier to protect. In all ways.

    At least these are my ideas.

    BillyBob
     
    Last edited: 2003/08/17
    BillyBob,
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  2. 2003/08/18
    TonyT

    TonyT SuperGeek Staff

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    Probably true due to fact that 98 has a different file system (FAT32) and that 98 is an insecure OS. NT based systems such as 2K & XP have different inherent file security/permissions/settings etc etc.

    Another point to consider:

    No AV program detects ALL trojans and viruses. But I'll bet if you had not deleted that email w/ the trojan, then a dedicated trojan AV app such as The Cleaner would have detected it.

    There are downsides to having multiple separate AV programs installed, as you very well know. But here's a trick that can be used if you have a network:

    Install one app on one system and install different apps on the other systems. You can then scan drives via the network. Or have multiple AV apps installed on the test box (junk machine) and scan the network from there.
     
    Last edited: 2003/08/18
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  4. 2003/08/18
    BillyBob Lifetime Subscription

    BillyBob Inactive Thread Starter

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    Good Morning Tony

    Oh My Yes. You are 100% right about one not dectecting all.

    Point considered.

    But not quite right about Cleaner3 :( It did not find it. ( I too thought it should have ) Please remember that I said the file was AT LEAST one year old and nothing on or off line had found it.

    From what I have seen so far AVG7 ( unless the user changes settings ) checks ALL files. I know the reported number of files checked seemed MUCH larger than the free verison.

    Now to the Network side.

    The purchased version of AVG7 is Networkable. I do not think the free version is. There are no Advanced setting available in the free version. But I have to admit that I have not really checked that out.

    That is my full intention. And is also why the experimenting with a purchased license AV program and not a free one. Many free ones do not have that capablilty.

    And for $30 for a two year license I think it is worth it. If for nothing else other than the ( it seems anyway) better program.

    BTW. I can not ( or do not care to ) do much messing around between machines right now as I do not think I am 100% back to normal here in XP since the Blackout. Nothing real drastic but just little hangups here and there that I did not have before.

    And if you think that I am going to just start making MANUAL changes NO WAY. ( not yet anyway )

    But I do have to admit that XP did a fine job of coming back after the three ( 3 ) Brownouts before the final Blackout. Took three restarts but it made it.

    My Wifes' machine with 98SE on it never even had a Hiccup. And it was online playing Music files. AIM was online. And a DOS card came was being played when the brown stuff hit the fan.

    Now who was it that said Win98 SE is no good ?

    And it is looking more and more like a Windows re-install on the 3rd machine ( the junk one you refer to ). I was installing VCOM System Suite for testing ( network AV in mind ) when the power went down.

    BillyBob
     
    Last edited: 2003/08/18
    BillyBob,
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  5. 2003/08/18
    TonyT

    TonyT SuperGeek Staff

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    Sounds like your new AV is a bragain as well as doing the job.

    re network scan:
    I still use Norton AV (all manual of course) & I can rt click a file or the whole drive itself on another system on my network and scan it.


    re brownouts/blackouts:
    About 4 months ago I bought a UPS, a Cyberpower 1000. BEST darn computer investment I ever made! I've had numerous brownouts and blackouts and it did it's job w/out a hitch. It's kinda cool to have the power go off and my computer and internet still work. (I blew out a power supply once from successive brownouts once, never again)
     
    TonyT,
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  6. 2003/08/18
    BillyBob Lifetime Subscription

    BillyBob Inactive Thread Starter

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    re network scan:
    I still use Norton AV (all manual of course) & I can rt click a file or the whole drive itself on another system on my network and scan it.

    That is what I was working at with the 3rd machine when things went haywire. I plan on at least one AV capable of working on the LAN.

    I have gotten SE re-installed and things are looking better.

    But as you may well know. A messed up install of software can really mess things up.

    BB
     
    Last edited: 2003/08/18
    BillyBob,
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  7. 2003/08/19
    FireDancer Lifetime Subscription

    FireDancer Inactive

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    Last edited: 2003/08/19
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