Secure Your Software - Comments Page 1

I think Secunia Personal Software Inspector is a great tool - I'd pay for it, but since it's free I don't have to. I've gotten perhaps half a dozen friends and relatives to install and use it to help them keep up with security issues, since many of them are not computer savvy. I support some of these folks remotely using LogMeIn and GoToMyPc, so being able to run PSI when I work on their computers is very helpful.

I've used Secunia ever since I found it and I tell any and everybody about it.

In order to try the program I had to do a number of things, without succeeding. Use Explorer to activate Windows Update and then upgrade Java and then change AVG settings and then...

Far too complicated for the average user, and it left me with an insecurity feeling that I didn't have before. On top of that, I now have a number of messages, mainly from Microsoft, that want to upgrade programs I didn't even know I had installed.

And I still have not tested the program!

Can live very well without this app...

I downloaded PSI and it seemed to work fine, but it gave me a solution to a problem with Adobe Flash and it could not fix it. This was the problem Adobe flash player 10x ( adobe air plug-in). Any advise? Thank you sooo much

Hey, I ran psi and it said that 2 adobe flash player apps needed patched...patched them restarted and they still come up. is there a problem with adobe or psi ?

Running the online scanner is a great tool. However, in some cases you have to uninstall older programs manually. This applies to some older Flash Players and Java apps.

I tried Secunia but, perhaps coincidently, found some files had been changed at about the time I installed. To try and remedy file problems I had a very difficult job uninstalling this program. It did claim to find two potential issues, that I did remedy. May try again when reinstalled corrupted files.

hi bob;whack-a-mole.HA-HA-HA-HA-HA-HE-HE-HE-HA-HA.
YOUR PRICELESS.

i just got through with the SECUNIA PSI. after updating two non- critical items first--just in case, i ran the scan and did above average for connecticut-89%. it gave me four adobe listings as level 4 threats. so i did the solutions.and re-ran the scan as they say to do. i went fron 4 threats to 1 threat and my score is 98%. so i ran the single solution and re-ran the scan. it still gave me i threat and 98%.i ran around in that circle four more times and said the he double hocky sticks with it and shut down the computer. it took three tries to get my computer back up. i went to programs and features and discovered that only one adobe system had todays date on it. so why did it give me 4 in the first place? and why was there no way out without shutting down the computer? with a 98% rating i can't complain,but how i got to it is complainable? maybe it'll work better next time? thats my first time experience with it. and why does everyone allways want to give you a toolbar you don't need??? ta-ta

Hey, Mr. Rankin:

What do you think of Belarc Advisor? Curious?

To all those having trouble uninstalling applications that PSI tells you are security risks, there's an easy solution: If all else fails, simply delete the offending file. Each security risk lists the path and file name of the offending software.

I believe that this problem happens because the upgrade doesn't necessarily remove the old executable and there is no uninstall process for removing it. I've used this method of solving the problem at least 6 or 8 times and it has worked perfectly.

If Adobe reader continues a problem for your readers, suggest they try FoxIt. The latest version of Foxit Reader can be downloaded from their website at www.foxitsoftware.com. It's free to use and will override Adobe Reader. I deleted Adobe Reader completely after satisfying myself FoxIt was all folks had claimed it was.

I've been using Secunia weekly for a long time to keep everything up to date.
I also run another freebie called Filehippo which finds even more updates. Cheers, Al.

When you update a program then rescan and it still shows up check the path to the insecure item. Sometimes it will pick up items in other places like backups or .old folders or even other partitions. If that's the case just make an ignore rule for it and problem solved. Another problem I've run into involves the flash player activex file. When you update it the old one isn't removed sometimes so you have to manually delete it.

In addition to using Secunia PSI for chasing down software updates, may I also suggest the following programs:
* Update Notifier by CleanSofts.org
* Update Checker by FileHippo.com
* Belarc Advisor by Belarc.com

Hi Bob, Excellent article on security, thank you. I have been running Secunia PSI since it started and Secunia tells me, for my area (West Cape South Area) my security is consistently 5 - 7% better than average at it's usual 100%. Running PSI once a week keeps your PC secure, no doubt. Thanks for the high quality of your articles.

Suddenly my settings were being changed and a bunch of hobgoblins had invaded my antivirus-laden, spy/malware killing system virtually under lockdown w/my firewall so impenetrable I must disable it to do certain things.

The source? Adobe Reader. Since I am so tech-challenged when I have certain problems I must reinstall my os when I am unable to get online and ask for help. I sometimes do not reinstall programs until prompted.

I was prompted to dl Adobe to read a pdf - it was on my system w/6 scans (all compatable) which run separately scheduled @ dif times every 24 hrs for @ least a week or two-trojans were detected and that was the source; that dl'ed Adobe file. What took so long?

Recently Adobe was forced to admit its product contains many vulnerabilities and are unsafe and some source (forgot who) advised to use other flash and readers.

But where can they be found? And is there such a thing as a safe Java app, flash or reader? I am happy to pay for safety but just don't want to jump from fire to frying pan.

I would like to hear this addressed by you Bob and if you already have just point me/us there, and thanks again for bringing up a valuable subject.

For those of you having trouble removing Adobe products, particularly Flash Player, go to www.adobe.com and search for and download the Flash Uninstaller. Run that and restart the computer, then return to the Secunia program and rescan to verify deletion. Then just return to adobe.com and install the new flash player.

I use Secunia PSI and let it run automatically. I also use "CNET TechTracker". Both of these software programs check different software programs in my PC. I update my software from both of them.