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Free Anti-Trojan/Anti-Virus for Windows (good stuff)
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Posted by: Anonymous
Hi All -
With the recent spate of nasties going around, I thought I'd post this - will copy it in the computer help section. These are freebies, but they will help if you have a Windows machine.
Always on protection:
Anti-virus:
http://www.avast.com (it's outstanding), also does scans
Anti-Trojan/Spyware:
http://www.pestpatrol.com
(get the freebie version, it won't do removals, but it will alert you when something happens), also does scans
Not always on but very good for quick scans:
Anti-Virus:
www.f-prot.com
(this runs on Windows with DOS flavours, *NIX systems, and also has a paying version, but the above two are freebies). Not always on and you have to download the updates from the page, but it is a GREAT backup scanner. Much faster than Avast to do a full scan, also checks memory and boot sectors and will get some of the more evil Trojans, too.
Anti-Trojan:
http://www.emsisoft.com/en/
A squared. Not always on (at least the freebie isn't), but can be updated from within the programme, and scans quite quickly. I am impressed with the updates, and also with how many Trojans this one does catch. Also has a paying version.
Anti-Spyware:
http://www.pestpatrol.com
always on, but also does full scans, also has a paying version that removes stuff. Should you find something but can't remove it by hand, use A squared above to remove it.
http://www.lavasoftusa.com
Ad-aware - the grandaddy of all spyware removers, and a very good one.
http://www.safer-networking.org/
Spybot Search & Destroy, will pick up some things that ad-aware won't, and vice-versa.
Firewalls -
Go to http://www.download.com - if you read the users' comments, you will get a pretty good idea of what works and what doesn't. Me, I like Look'n'Stop for a software firewall, but that's pay-for. You can get good non-pay-for stuff but beware the free version of ZoneAlarm, Integra Net-Barrier, and SecureUp! None of those uninstall properly, and all of them can cause major problems on your computer.
Some possibilities: Sygate Personal, Kerio, Outpost
Paid for you should really think about:
http://www.moosoft.com
The Cleaner - Moosoft sells several softwares, this is the one you want. Configure it so that TCActive starts at boot, that way you have a constant scanner. Also useful if you need a removal tool and can't pay for one, this one can be used free for 30 days.
And remember to update all of these! There will be new definitions as new bugs come out.
Safer (free) email and browsers:
Pegasus mail:
http://www.pmail.com/
Outstanding mail client, much more secure than Outlook/Outlook Express.
Opera:
http://www.opera.com
Great browser, even if you don't like it, get into the habit of using it for at least your e-currency browsing. There is a free version. Check back to the page every week or two, it is updated when exploits are found, but they are far, far fewer than the exploits for Internet Explorer, or even Mozilla/Netscape.
A great toy for the technically inclined:
The Proxomitron (and any filters you want for it)
http://www.proxomitron.info/files/index.shtml
Amazing stuff - gets rid of lots of internet security hazards, very configurable, and you can kill obnoxious adverts and web bugs with it too.
Final notes:
GRC:
http://www.grc.com/default.htm
Here you can test for vulnerabilities (Steve Gibson and I have an ongoing argument about 'stealth' mode - he thinks it's necessary, I don't, closed ports are what's important), but you can test your machine there and also download lots of very small, free pieces of software to solve Windows security threats, as well as things you can and need to do to secure Windows itself. All written in plain English, not geek. The whole site is pretty cool if you want to learn about computer security problems but aren't fluent in technical language. Highly recommended.
Black code:
http://www.blackcode.com/
Another excellent security scanner and source of info, for all Operating Systems.
If you have Windows Media Player:
Please, please please go to Windows Update right now and make sure you have the latest version of Media Player, Internet Explorer, and all patches. You may have to check back a couple of times after you instal a patch to make sure there isn't another patch for a patch. There is a very serious exploit out there that uses Internet Explorer and Media Player, it has been responsible for cracking e-gold accounts. Make them up-to-date and you're okay, don't and play at your own risk - especially since it's free to do this.
Hope this is some help to folks -
Rhys