Malware Scanners - Comments Page 1

I'm really confused when it comes to these types of software. I purchased AVG 7.5 and have it on both my computers. It runs regularly, I don't pay much attention to what it does other than it seems to work as far as I know.
My question is do I need another software for spy-ware and a firewall? Can someone help?

EDITOR'S NOTE: Yes, you need all three: anti-spyware, snti-virus and firewall. See also http://askbobrankin.com/do_i_need_a_firewall.html

Your 'Stopzilla' link doesn't work.

EDITOR'S NOTE: Works for me... maybe something on your system is blocking it?

I had the antivirus xp 2008 malware on my Dell Laptop. I did some searching on the web and found a forum on cnet.com recommending Malwarebytes. I downloaded Malwarebytes from majoreeks.com a month ago (late August) and that corrected the problem.

Hi Bob, I was excited to read in your article that I could run Spybot on my iMac, but alas! According to this page on the Spybot site, Mac OS and Mac OS X are "Not Supported".

EDITOR'S NOTE: My bad... I read it wrong. Will fix the article. You can try MacScan at http://macscan.securemac.com

Malwarebytes which is still a good anti-malware scanners that you can swipe those badwares. It's provide good protection and also free but you can buy it too

Hi Bob,
Followed your advice re. "Threat Fire"! Big mistake? Once installed, reboot took some 7 minutes? Couldn't go back to your e-mail because Outlook would not respond? Open control panel, 'not responding'? Decided to try another restart. After more than 15 minutes the system had still not finished shutting down and showed no signs of doing so??? Hit the reset button, when system reboots we're going' to uninstall! Takes an eternity to reboot. Then for some 13 minutes or so the system tray says that "Threat Fire" is 'initiating'? During this time, no other software appears interested in responding? When initiation 'appears' to be over, check outlook but won't open, so go for All Programs> Threat Fire> Uninstall, nothing happens? Wait, nothing' happens? Wait some more, still nothing happens? Try again, no surprises here, wait & wait sone more but still nothing happens? Go Control panel> Add remove programs, but won't respond, everything locks up. Again have to use Task Manager in order to close un-responding, Again shut down on reboot is taking forever, so use reset, re-boot into safe-mode. Remove Threat Fire via Add & Remove! Reboot, back to normal, all is fine again. Open e-mails no problem, and here I am?

EDITOR'S NOTE: Sorry you had a problem with ThreatFire. It's highly recommended by many sources, but apparently it conflicts with some other software on your system. What anti-virus software are you using? That's the most likely cause.

UPDATE: Apparently there is some issue with ThreatFire and AVG8. See http://www.pctools.com/forum/showthread.php?t=51504

I had used Zone Alarm for years as a free firewall then when I got XP Pro went to ZA Pro with anti ad ware and virus. Also have Ad-Aware pro which has Ad-Watch. Have had some very good results with these.

Don't forget SUPERANTISPYWARE ! AT Superantispyware.com

At spybot S&D you suggest "You can also configure it to block ActiveX downloads" and "I recommend that you use the "Advanced" setting and customize your settings to have the program automatically scan your system and look for "unknown" threats. How can I acomplish those settings?

I use ThreatFire and have done for a year or so. I had AVG Free as AV, but after a disaster when I 'upgraded' to AVG8 I switched to Avast! I also use Returnil, so if anything should get past Avast! and ThreatFire, I'm a reboot away from making everything good again. Basically, bulletproof.