Antivirus software Help

[aslamhaque]

What is the best software out there that will keep my computer from constant barrage of viruse threats? I have Norton antivirus. It finds threats but can not delete many of them. I have Windows XP firewall, but still threats keep comming in. I also have Adware and Spybot but nothing seems to help. I run them every day. They find many every day. I delete as many as can be deleted, but they keep comming. Many have .dll and .exe in their names. Norton antivirus finds them but when I search for them in my computer, very few are found and some of those that are found, won't allow me to delete them. HELP!!!
So far none of these have done very serious harm but cause enough headaches on a daily basis.

[pedstersplanet]

Originally Posted by aslamhaque

I have Windows XP firewall, but still threats keep comming in.

I'd use a real firewall ;)....... Zonealarm runs ok on both my machines.

[wenwilder]

Originally Posted by pedstersplanet

I'd use a real firewall ;)....... Zonealarm runs ok on both my machines.

Great advice pedstersplanet! XP's firewall is basically, useless. Zonealarm or sygate are better choices and you can get them free.

This thread has more information on free programs than you'll probably ever need, but everyone finds different programs that they like and dislike.

AVG
Zonealarm
Spybot S&D
Adaware

Are the ones recommended the most by SWI and ASAP.

There are programs that block spyware and adware before they are downloaded. Very handy to have and lets adaware and spybot have a rest :)

You do have to watch some programs, such as adware removal programs (as far as I know none of the one's I have listed in the free software thread) actually contain spyware and/or adware.

Definately follow pedstersplanet's advice and get zonealarm a.s.a.p!!!

[sslcheap]

After you decide on a firewall and install it, go to http://www.grc.com/default.htm and run "Shields Up" to test your ports.

[mikmik]

aslamhaque wrote

What is the best software out there that will keep my computer from constant barrage of viruse threats? I have Norton antivirus. It finds threats but can not delete many of them.

The first thing you have to insure, is that all your patches are updated. Many, if not all, internet worms and trojans take advatage of operating system weaknesses on commonly used ports that e-mail and Internet Explorer use. A anti-virus program can get most viruses and trojans, if it is up to date as well.

Once your OS and anti-virus are updated, you can begin the removal process.

Unhook from the internet.
Disable system restore if you have Windows ME or XP.

Reboot into safe mode and scan. This is important, because viruses and trojans are usually 'saved' in the restore points that your system creates, and cannot be deleted. This is the most common cause of 'cannot delete' errors.
Another cause is that the malware may be attatched to system processes which Windows automatically protects from deletion as well, and in safe made, these programs are not started, leaving the virus unprotected.

It is suggested that if you know, by your anti-virus telling you, what virus or trojan you are infected with, you also double check your system registry, file system, and running processes (with taskmanager) to be sure your infection has been cleaned, and I always, as do wen and many others, suggest going to at least one online scan for additional checking of your system. I also get the 'removal tools' that are specific to that virus and run them as well.

The number one route of viral, worm, and trojan infection is through weaknesses in the operating system and commonly used programs, like Office, email, and internet browsers. A software firewall cannot help protect you if you let malware in through your own activities.
That is why patching system flaws and updating your anti-virus are first and foremost on the list of 'to do's'.

Also, I am a big proponent of frequently checking what is running on your system with the taskmanager program, and becoming familiar with what should be there and what should not. If I realize that I have a virus in my system, or a trojan has injectected itself while I was browsing or checking email/running macros, I can immediately tellif it is running by checking taskmanager and stop it.

I also rely heavily on checking two registry keys before I shut down or reboot my computer:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsft\Windows\Curre nt Version\Run, Run once (etc - these are the programs that start with windows) and;
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Microsft\Windows\Curren t Version\Run, Run once etc.

The more you know about your Operating system and programs, and how they work, the better equipted you are to protect yourself!

:O)