AVG AV/AS + Windows Firewall??

[johndoe24]

I am currently using the Free version of AVG AV/AS plus the Free Zonealarm Firewall. My question is: Should I purchase AVG AV/AS combo (w/o firewall) and use Windows Firewall instead of Zonealarm? A computer store owner told me to get this combo. Do you agree? Please advise.

[AnnMarie]

I use AVG Free with the Windows Firewall and am quite happy with this combination.

I'm transferring your topic to the Applications Forum johndoe24 so you can get other input.

[Cigar smoker]

I too use AVG 8 free version and the Vista firewall but I also throw this free program, BoClean, in the mix to catch anything the AV program doesn't.
http://www.comodo.com/boclean/boclean.html

[giradman]

As others have indicated, the VISTA firewall/spyware software + a free AV product work fine - I've used that combination w/ AVG 7.5 in the past, and recently wanted to give Avast! (http://www.avast.com/) a try - both AV programs are free and seem to work well w/ VISTA - good luck in your choice(s) - :happy:

[johndoe24]

Thanks for your input. Cigar Smoker, I checked out Boclean's site and I'm not sure which of their products you are referring to since they have anti-virus, anti-malware and firewall programs as well. Which one do you use? I'm reluctant to use more that one of these type of programs.

[Cigar smoker]

The link I posted takes you to just the BoClean download. I don't use their other free products and can't say either way if their any good.

[giradman]

Hi Johndoe - one 'active' AV program + the Windows VISTA malware programs work fine as already indicated - just don't run two AV programs @ the same time! Since my last post, I've joined the Avast Forum (http://forum.avast.com/), an interesting place w/ the actual 'developers' taking an active role in posting (and a number being previous disgruntled AVG users) - if you're still undecided about AVG vs. Avast!, then a visit to the forum might be interesting (of course, AVG has a user's forum) - good luck in your choice(s) - :happy:

[johndoe24]

I'm an XP Pro user and tried Avast for awhile sometime back. It seemed to work fine but I don't know about the amount of system resources it uses as opposed to AVG. I am not clear on whether AVG or AVAST plus Windows Firewall will provide enough protection against Spyware, Malware, Rootkits, etc. Anyone have comments? Thanks

[AnnMarie]

Sure. There is no such animal as an antivirus program or package or combination of antivirus software, antispyware software and firewall that will protect you against all malware, spyware and rootkits.

If you stay away from porn sites, do not use p2p software (including BitTorrent) and do not download cracks, you are 90% safe to begin with. The writers of malicious software rely to a large extent on the sexual proclivities, greed and dishonesty of the user to spread their garbage.

[johndoe24]

AnnMarie, thanks for the quick reply - excellent information! If I understand you correctly, I should be well covered with the free AVG antivirus and Windows Firewall. I've also been using the free AVG antispyware, and although I have to manually update it before running a scan, it seems to pick up a lot of threats. What do you know about AVAST!? giradman offered a positive comment about it above.

[AnnMarie]

I have no reason to disagree with what giradman said. In the past Avast did produce a high number of false/positives but this may have been corrected. I dont test software so I cant comment any further than that.

[giradman]

Johndoe - I wasn't really giving a preference of AVG vs. Avast! - I've not used the latter long enough to judge the various 'pluses & minuses' of each of these 'free' AV programs - I was just impressed w/ the Avast website on my initial visits - this stuff can drive you NUTS to the point of 'overloading' your computer w/ these programs - none are perfect (whether 'free' or not), as AnnMarie has already stated - my only other comment for a 'home' computer/network is to put your computer(s) behind a router - a cheap investment! Good luck, again - :happy:

[johndoe24]

I took AnnMarie's advice and activated Windows Firewall and upgraded to free AVG 8; however, I still have a question regarding rootkit protection. Being a user of AVG free, I am not allowed to contact their tech support about this and could find no related information on their website. I also searched CTH and found no specific posts about this; so, here's my question: do I need to install a separate rootkit detection program or does AVG 8 also cover rootkits? Please advise. . .ty

[AnnMarie]

No it doesnt. Sophos offer a free Rootkit Prevention/Detection utility here (http://www.sophos.com/products/free-tools/sophos-anti-rootkit.html) but I cant vouch for how well it works. Sophos are a respected name though.

[theVman]

On another note


What I would like to know is how exactly does this play out ?

Am I protected still & if so by which product ?






Spybot and Spywareblaster have issues with AVG 8.0


Quote:
An "ActiveX Compatibility" registry key is a result of the "Immunize" function included in some anti-spyware programs (e.g.: "Spybot search & destroy", "Spyware blaster",...)

The key contains the same registry entries as the actual threats, thus preventing them from working correctly. Some anti-spyware programs use this method to prevent launching of the malware. Unfortunately, these parts are still detected by AVG Free signatures and that is why AVG marks them as infected.

To assure protection provided by AVG Free against these threats, it is not possible to remove such signatures from AVG Free virus bases. Because of this, "Immunize" function included in above mentioned softwares is NOT compatible with AVG Free products.

[AnnMarie]

Spybot's "Immunize" feature has caused a lot of problems (it broke Windows Mail when Vista was first introduced) as does it's darn TeaTimer function. I havent recommended this software for a couple of years and I cant recommend it now.

Spyware Blaster is just a wee program. If it's not compatible with AVG 8, I would uninstall it and go with the more advanced software.

[johndoe24]

I'm using just AVG 8 and Windows Firewall right now. I have used the 2 programs you mentioned above, but don't have them installed right now and probably won't because of possible interference issues. This brings me to the question, which "rootkit" program do you recommend that I could update/run periodically? It doesn't need to be a resident program. . .

[theVman]

Johndoe she gave you the root kit link {look at the page before this one}



Hi AnnMarie,
So since the new avg recognizes it but not as a direct threat does it somehow leave me open for infection ?
should I keep it installed ? or dump it now {spybot that is}?


Also I have avg free with windows defender & so far the older version of comodo fire wall {why the older version?, I had an issue with the advanced new version so I went back to the old one for now} but that's another story.



Besides these three as a combo, what else should I or do I need to stay protected. I value your opinion. I know you either recommend & or use AVG free a/v & W/D, what else would I need besides these 3 items to be protected ?
I thought it was good to have a spyware removal program as well, but now what should I do ?


Also in regards to the firewall, what should I use {if not the one I am already using}
I know I should use the new version, however when I d/l'd the advanced version it picked up normal things as threats & I couldn't stop it so I went back to the old version. It is time to get that current but If I d/l it again I may try the easy version instead to hopefully avoid the issue I had or at least make it easier for me to stop the false reading.

Your thoughts ? Thanks much.

[AnnMarie]

I thought it was good to have a spyware removal program as well,

I am keeping my eye on Malwarebytes Anti-Malware (http://www.majorgeeks.com/Malwarebytes_Anti-Malware_d5756.html). We use the freeware version in the Cyber Safety Forum to remove the latest threats and it does a really good job. It's really fast and the Developer has been involved in malware removal at grass roots level for a long time now. It has a real time protection feature too but you would have to purchase a license to enable it. Looks like it might be a winner though.

Regarding a firewall, I use the Windows Firewall and I am happy with that.

[theVman]

Thanks for the heads up.


Still can't logically figure how this would play out?

>>So since the new avg recognizes the spybot definitions but not as a direct threat does it somehow leave me open for infection ?
Is one program canceling out the other making a path for the real infection ?

Should I keep spybot installed ? or dump it now?

[AnnMarie]

Well, if AVG can recognise the Spybot definitions, it must be able to detect the malware too. Like I said, I havent recommended this software for a couple of years and I cant recommend it now.