My First Newbie Question

[Samjax]

After having recently experienced a browser "hijacking" I have spent a good amount of time doing research, a fair amount on this very site (which appears to be the best site I can find concerning computer security issues).

At this point I am using the following:

Spyware Guard
Spyware Blaster
SpyBot Search and Destroy
Ad-Aware
Norton Anti-Virus
Sygate Personal Firewall
Ewido Security Suite

And yes, I have gotten rid of my problem thanks to these programs.

My question...is there a need to purchase either TDS-3, TrojanHunter or PestPatrol?

I have downloaded them all...and it seems that PestPatrol does quite a bit more "stuff" than the other two, but I am wondering if it is as effective as TDS or TH at detecting Trojans. I followed advice found here in the TDS forum on setting up TDS-3 and it also seems to work very well (although there are a ton of functions that I have no clue how to use). TrojanHunter also looks fairly easy to use. There are a lot of people here who seem to like TDS and TH...I don't see quite the same following for Pestpatrol although I see a lot of people quoting information from their pest database.

All 3 programs detected the trojan simulator that I downloaded...so they seem at least equal in that regard. I read about how these programs have a database of so many "thousand" files to look for. How do these 3 programs compare in this regard? In other words, which one has the bigger database to pull from in order to be more thorough in its detection?

The only reason that I am looking for an additional program to ESS, is that I like the idea of the program running all the time on my computer...after reboots etc, which the ESS program doesn't do.

And finally...with the "donation" ware type companies, what is a reasonable donation to send? $10, $20, $30...??? Not sure what the protocol is on that, so figured I would ask.

Thanks in advance.

[subratam]

Hi samjax,

First a warm welcome to Wilders, 8)

-{ Quote: "My question...is there a need to purchase either TDS-3, TrojanHunter or PestPatrol?" }-
You can go for either TH or TDS as your main Anti-Trojan with Ewido keeping as back up. Pest Patrol can come up with false positives sometimes, and Ewido is just going on to be established and a great program, but is better being as a back-up scanner at present

-{ Quote: " How do these 3 programs compare in this regard? In other words, which one has the bigger database to pull from in order to be more thorough in its detection?" }-
Both TDS and TH , alongwith BOClean are clear cut winners all the way in the race for best Anti Trojans. Its totally your wish as which you want to keep. TDS comes up with almost daily updates and TH is frequent too. Both great database and also have their benefits.

-{ Quote: "And finally...with the "donation" ware type companies, what is a reasonable donation to send? $10, $20, $30...???" }-
It's totally your wish in terms of donations. Its not the money but intention to help that matters. Regarding the related softwares you can contact the developers here.

Hope that helped.
keep posting

[peter.ewido]

-{ Quote: "The only reason that I am looking for an additional program to ESS, is that I like the idea of the program running all the time on my computer...after reboots etc, which the ESS program doesn't do." }-

the upcoming ewido security suite pro will do ;)

[subratam]

-{ Quote: " quoting: fish25 link=board=25;threadid=25303;start=0#msg147684 date=1079906566]
-{ Quote: "The only reason that I am looking for an additional program to ESS, is that I like the idea of the program running all the time on my computer...after reboots etc, which the ESS program doesn't do." }-

the upcoming ewido security suite pro will do ;)
" }-

Eagerly will be waiting for that , ;)

[spy1]

Welcome indeed!

-{ Quote: " quoting: Samjax link=board=25;threadid=25303;start=0#msg147665 date=1079904559]
After having recently experienced a browser "hijacking" I have spent a good amount of time doing research, a fair amount on this very site" }-

It's very encouraging to see someone do their "homework" and utilize the tools-at-hand and this forum prior to asking advice. Congratulations!

-{ Quote: " quoting: Samjax link=board=25;threadid=25303;start=0#msg147665 date=1079904559]
At this point I am using the following:

Spyware Guard
Spyware Blaster
SpyBot Search and Destroy
Ad-Aware
Norton Anti-Virus
Sygate Personal Firewall
Ewido Security Suite" }-

Fairly comprehensive - but if you're using IE as your primary browser, you need to be utilizing IE-SPYAD, from here: http://www.staff.uiuc.edu/~ehowes/resource.htm . D/l it, install it, set your IE "Restricted" Zone up exactly as instructed and make sure you keep the program updated thereafter.

-{ Quote: " quoting: Samjax link=board=25;threadid=25303;start=0#msg147665 date=1079904559]
My question...is there a need to purchase either TDS-3, TrojanHunter or PestPatrol?" }-

Yes, there is. My personal choice would be TDS-3 - don't worry about learning all the functions right off-the-bat, that'll come with time. It'll also save you, down the road, from having to get - free or not - other programs, the functionality of which TDS-3 already contains, when you become interested enough to learn how to use the program.

-{ Quote: " quoting: Samjax link=board=25;threadid=25303;start=0#msg147665 date=1079904559]All 3 programs detected the trojan simulator that I downloaded...so they seem at least equal in that regard." }-

Don't get to feeling too warm and fuzzy about that - all three programs have had definitions added specifically for those "trojan simulators" already.

-{ Quote: " quoting: Samjax link=board=25;threadid=25303;start=0#msg147665 date=1079904559]I read about how these programs have a database of so many "thousand" files to look for. How do these 3 programs compare in this regard? In other words, which one has the bigger database to pull from in order to be more thorough in its detection?" }-

Total "count", if you will, isn't the "be-all" or "end-all" involved in malware catching. The number of methods used to catch, the amount and quality of un-packers contained, the extent, depth and completeness of the cleaning when something is encountered - all these are also vital. Not to mention that some program makers count individual variants of the one primary malware as separate detections - while others don't.

-{ Quote: " quoting: Samjax link=board=25;threadid=25303;start=0#msg147665 date=1079904559]The only reason that I am looking for an additional program to ESS, is that I like the idea of the program running all the time on my computer...after reboots etc, which the ESS program doesn't do. " }-

Well, it shouldn't be the only reason you're looking. ESS, while showing a lot of initial potential, is a fairly new, un-tested program - this is not what you want as your primary anti-Trojan defense at this time. This applies to the upcoming "Pro" version as well because the same facts hold true.

-{ Quote: " quoting: Samjax link=board=25;threadid=25303;start=0#msg147665 date=1079904559]And finally...with the "donation" ware type companies, what is a reasonable donation to send? $10, $20, $30...??? Not sure what the protocol is on that, so figured I would ask." }-

I always try to send a minimum of $20 to whatever it is I happen to be contributing to at the time. I do that because whoever you're donating to loses at least a little of that to PayPal (or whoever) for handling fees.

Hope some of this helps. Pete

[illukka]

i've always viewed the donation scheme like i was purchasing the software.. so i usually donate the amount a license for a similar commercial software would cost.. reality is that any amount of money is accepted and that all donated money helps.

[peter.ewido]

-{ Quote: "Well, it shouldn't be the only reason you're looking. ESS, while showing a lot of initial potential, is a fairly new, un-tested program - this is not what you want as your primary anti-Trojan defense at this time. This applies to the upcoming "Pro" version as well because the same facts hold true." }-

we'll see, we'll see... ;D

[WilliamP]

Fish, when will the other versions be available. Also the web site needs to provide more info.

[peter.ewido]

Really soon i hope ;)

[ecordle]

-{ Quote: "Fairly comprehensive - but if you're using IE as your primary browser, you need to be utilizing IE-SPYAD, from here: http://www.staff.uiuc.edu/~ehowes/resource.htm . D/l it, install it, set your IE "Restricted" Zone up exactly as instructed and make sure you keep the program updated thereafter.
" }-

Thanks, I never realised; as another newbie, just learning (after realising my Norton was next to useless on it's own), I have a nearly identical 'security' set-up to samjax.

I have also added a couple of firewalls - zone alarm and Sygate personal firewall. Any advice on which of these is best? Zone alarm seems to be doing all the work with them both running simultaneously but most people on wilders seem to use sygate, - any special reason I should know about?

Thanks Ed ;)

[snowbound]

Hi ecordle :)

I don't think it is wise to run 2 firewalls at the same time.

Take a look at this thread for some reasons why,

http://forum.gladiator-antivirus.com/index.php?showtopic=2677



snowbound

[Paul Wilders]

Ed,

-{ Quote: "I have also added a couple of firewalls - zone alarm and Sygate personal firewall. Any advice on which of these is best? Zone alarm seems to be doing all the work with them both running simultaneously but most people on wilders seem to use sygate, - any special reason I should know about?" }-

No offense intended - but please start a new thread over on "Other Firewalls" - this is the "other antitrojan" forum ;)


regards.

paul

[ecordle]

Hi Snowbound :)

Thanks, I kinda guessed that, ;) I thought i'd give it a test for a day or two to see what happened, hence the question of which is best.

I'll take a look at that thread anyhow, and keep learning!!

Ed ;)

[ecordle]

Hi Paul

SORRY :-[

None taken

ED ;)

[Paul Wilders]

No problem, Ed ;)

regards.

paul