looking for a great antitrojan [Archive]

snapdragin

January 25th, 2005, 03:26 AM

Hi mantra, and welcome to the Forum.

Since we all have our favourites (I use two anti-trojan apps myself) it is difficult to just say "use this one" since there are quite a few excellent anti-trojan programs out there. It really is something you have to read about, narrow it down to two or three that you feel would best suit your needs and system specs.

Once you've narrowed it down to a few anti-trojans you are interested in learning more about, then you may like to give us a bit more information like your operating system, other security programs you have installed, etc., then members will be better able to reply with helpful suggestions.

To get you started, here are some links to read through:

Anti-trojans (http://www.wilders.org/anti_trojans.htm)
Anti Trojan comparatives (http://www.wilderssecurity.com/showthread.php?t=62377)
Criteria for Trojan scanner selection (http://www.wilderssecurity.com/showthread.php?t=57146)

If you have any questions, don't hesitate to ask. :)

Regards,

snap

Infinity

January 25th, 2005, 03:51 AM

tds-3, Boclean, Ewido - you cannot go wrong.

A2-TH : matter of choice and what else you got on your system.

mantra

January 25th, 2005, 04:39 AM

hi thanks
i did install a² StartCenter

Infinity

January 25th, 2005, 04:59 AM

tell us what you think of it, so we can learn all from it. allways in need of info !!

cheers

mantra

January 25th, 2005, 06:44 AM

well
i started it to scan my hardisks
i have 3 trojan because drweb found them
and a² Personal missed them!

mercurie

January 25th, 2005, 10:32 PM

BoClean=TrojanDefense. ;)

quexx88

January 26th, 2005, 11:06 AM

Although it did take me a little while to se the light, I have come to regard BOclean as a fantastic AT. I also have licenses for ewido and TDS-3, both of which I can strongly reccomend as well. Just play around with the trial versions and pick what works best for you. As some other users have said, it's difficult to go wrong when picking an AT if you stick to the big names (never, EVER buy anything from a popup or "google sponsored" link). Good luck, and safe and happy computing to you :)

LookingATsoftware

January 26th, 2005, 06:07 PM

-{ Quote: "BoClean=TrojanDefense. ;)" }-

I look for a little more information when it comes to choosing any software. This description tells me virtually nothing. I sometimes wonder whether companies actually pay people a few bucks here and there to promote software. What other reason would there be for being a cheerleader?

I am interested in features not people's different rating systems. What are the features of BoClean? What are the positives VS the negatives of one software over another? That is more useful information to me.

Looking AT Software

controler

January 26th, 2005, 06:17 PM

A nasty post requires a nasty reply.

Get off your lazy _ - _ and look the site over. Do a search and you will find all the info your little heart ever desired.

Bruce ;D

quexx88

January 26th, 2005, 06:22 PM

NAMOR

January 26th, 2005, 06:23 PM

Some positive features of Boclean (for me anyways)... Light memory scanner, auto updater, very simple to use, doesn't reek havoc on my machine, usually daily updates, great customer service, (emails usually answered within a couple of hours), money back guarantee... Also, I would like to add that there were some issues with the early version of 4.12 apparently and the BoClean team was on top of the situation (this is another plus in my book). ;D

Negatives... No trial version, no on-demand scanner (this doesn't both me, but might bother others.)

As for what it has done for me.... It has nailed a few variants of CWS for me in the past.

Bowserman

January 26th, 2005, 06:35 PM

I have to agree with bigc73542 on this and say give TDS-3 a trial. IMHO, it still can not be beaten.

For a start, it is one of the top 4 anti-trojans (Trojan Hunter, BoClean and Ewido being the other 3). Secondly, it has a complete set of other tools to aid in trojan identification/eradication built into it and yet it still is very easy to use (http://tds.diamondcs.com.au/index.php?page=easytouse). Not to mention the amazing support that the DiamondCS provide.

However, my opinion is not what matters here, it is whether _you_ find it to be the most powerful of it's kind ;).

A few links for you to read might also be of help:

http://www.anti-trojan-software-reviews.com/

http://www.spywarewarrior.com/uiuc/trojans/tr-tests.htm

http://www.vanish.org/security/trojans.htm

http://www.securityfocus.com/products/1689

Best regards,
Jade.

quexx88

January 26th, 2005, 06:38 PM

I'm still waiting for my replacement TDS license key... :'(

*grumble*

Bowserman

January 26th, 2005, 06:45 PM

-{ Quote: "I'm still waiting for my replacement TDS license key... :'(

*grumble*" }-

When did you email DCS about this? If you emailed them on the 26th of this month and have not recieved a reply, it would be due to our Australia Day public holiday :).
Probably best if you start a thread on this in the TDS forum here ;).

Regards,
Jade.

LookingATsoftware

January 26th, 2005, 07:51 PM

-{ Quote: "Some positive features of Boclean (for me anyways)... Light memory scanner, auto updater, very simple to use, doesn't reek havoc on my machine, usually daily updates, great customer service, (emails usually answered within a couple of hours), money back guarantee... Also, I would like to add that there were some issues with the early version of 4.12 apparently and the BoClean team was on top of the situation (this is another plus in my book). ;D

Negatives... No trial version, no on-demand scanner (this doesn't both me, but might bother others.)

As for what it has done for me.... It has nailed a few variants of CWS for me in the past." }-

Thank you. This is a useful reply. Did BoClean nail CWS as it was coming on to your machine or did it find CWS when you first installed BoClean. How effective is BoClean in CWS removal?

LookingATSoftware

NAMOR

January 26th, 2005, 08:15 PM

-{ Quote: "Did BoClean nail CWS as it was coming on to your machine" }-

It prevent CWS from doing harm to my puter before hand, so I can't exactly say how it does in removal. ;D

mercurie

January 26th, 2005, 11:51 PM

-{ Quote: "I look for a little more information when it comes to choosing any software. This description tells me virtually nothing. I sometimes wonder whether companies actually pay people a few bucks here and there to promote software. What other reason would there be for being a cheerleader?

I am interested in features not people's different rating systems. What are the features of BoClean? What are the positives VS the negatives of one software over another? That is more useful information to me.

Looking AT Software" }-Sorry you did not find it useful. My post is based on personal experience which includes outstanding customer service. Your remarks about paid advertising imho is an insult to all here as you did not just confine it to me. Perhaps you should do a little checking. I really do not think I have ever rated Boclean on a number scale. How about this, on a scale of one to ten I rate it a 9 since no one or thing is perfect. Now let me see check around here; there are several threads going especially since the new release. Apparently you are not looking very hard Looking AT Software. Enough said before I really start a violation of TOS. :P >:(

BlueZannetti

January 27th, 2005, 12:54 AM

Gents,

Let's keep the discussion focused on the topic at hand, not comments of a personal nature.

As a BOClean user, mercurie's sentiments are perfectly obvious to me: BOClean defines defense against Trojans. An obviously passionate statement that should invite further probing - try to get a sense of the why's behind it. I'd guess that it comes from threads such as this (http://www.wilderssecurity.com/showthread.php?t=63238). There are plenty of others.

Like AV's, there are multiple options in the AT arena. The various vendors have taken somewhat differnet positions with respect to the development of their products. I happen to like the complementary approaches taken by BOClean (http://www.nsclean.com/boclean.html) and TDS-3 (http://tds.diamondcs.com.au/). I own and recommend both. Which one is best for a given user depends on the design traits which that user embraces. For extremely solid low resource footprint coverage, BOClean is it. If very extensive coverage and a multitude of investigative tools is desired, TDS-3 is the one. Looking for something in between? Check out Ewido (www.ewido.net) or a² (http://www.emsisoft.com/en/).

All can be great products, but to really answer the question posed in the initial post we need to have a sense of what is desired and valued in an AT product.

Blue

mercurie

January 27th, 2005, 01:49 PM

The word BOClean to someone not familar with the product would naturally say ??? . The name except as it relates to it's original purpose way back years ago when Kevin started now protects against alot more, as most of us know. But to some one not familar would not just by looking at the name understand what it is or does. Thus as you so well stated my passion for the product in expressing what it does is presented as a prompt for more discussion, if the other party is interested in more discussion.

I concur based on my research that TDS is a fine product too even if I have not used it. The reason again as you so well stated it is a little more then I need. My level of understanding based on screen shots of TDS...well it would take a little more study then I am willing to give it at this time, which again does not make it bad. If it does the job and you want that level of complex surely you should go for it. I run A2 free as on demand scanner on one PC.

Thanks Blue and I will try to control my passions a little better in the future, especially when I feel my feathers have been ruffled. ;)

spyaccess

January 27th, 2005, 02:07 PM

-{ Quote: "hi
i'm looking for a great antitrojan

helpme" }-

Tauscan and Jammer are over-looked, but really good!
http://www.topsecretsoftware.com/tauscan.html

Infinity

January 27th, 2005, 02:45 PM

please....jammer is so totally outdated and isn't even supported by there own company which is Agnitum btw and not topsecret.com :)

tauscan...try to do a full system scan and report back how long it takes...we talk again tomorow I presume

:D
Inf

quexx88

January 27th, 2005, 02:45 PM

Not so sure about that one, spyaccess. I have heard that Tauscan hasn't had any meaningful update in quite a while, and their database only contains 5,000 trojans or so. I would stick to ewido, BOclean or TDS-3.

Outpost is a great firewall though, I use it myself :)

Don Pelotas

January 27th, 2005, 03:21 PM

-{ Quote: "especially when I feel my feathers have been ruffled. ;)" }-Very nice looking feathers BTW, judging from you avatar. ;) ;D

ghodgson

January 27th, 2005, 03:34 PM

Hi folks, I run Ewido and a squared. But please read this Boclean review link which rates Boclean as mediocre and outdated, and only has 4,200 trojan signatures. Oh and please dont shoot the messenger as I am quite neutral in this discussion. Although I do see the review is 6 months old.
Gordon

http://www.anti-trojan-software-reviews.com/review-boclean.htm

Don Pelotas

January 27th, 2005, 03:47 PM

Like a lot of people around here my vote would go to: BOClean, TDS-3 and Ewido. BOClean & TDS-3 have been around since the dinosaur's ruled the world and know how to navigate the murky trojanwaters. You can't go wrong with these two. BOClean is a set & forget program and have a very light footprint, you don't notice it. TDS-3 have a lot of feature's which can be intimidating at first, but actually is quite easy to use.
Ewido is young and upcoming and if they continue to develop they could become a very serious competitor, they update daily and have a large database and is very easy to use.:)

Don Pelotas

January 27th, 2005, 03:53 PM

ghodgson

January 27th, 2005, 04:07 PM

Dear Don, Thanks for the info, so the review IS quite out of date. I would consider buying Boclean but I have to say that with Spybot [tea timer activated], Adaware, Ewido, and a squared free, spyware blaster, spyware guard and NAV and NIS [ I am considering getting rid of the Norton stuff] I havent had any crud on my machine in a long time---touch wood, so would it be worthwhile I ask myself.
Gordon :-\

Don Pelotas

January 27th, 2005, 04:16 PM

muf

January 27th, 2005, 04:22 PM

Forget about how big they say the database is. Some AT's have to have a unique signature for every variant of a trojan. So if there are 30 variants then that will mean 30 signatures. Some AT's use just the one signature that detects all the 30 variants. So that means just 1 signature. I remember Kevin from BOClean saying that if they added up how many different variants BOClean could detect then it would be over 250,000. Each of BOClean's signatures can detect multiple variants, so as a consequence we users don't know how many different variants it can detect. But they do say how many unique trojans it detects. If they advertised that BOClean can detect over 250,000 trojans would that make it the best? Maybe in your eyes if it's the biggest number that is important to you.

My point? Stated size of database doesn't always give you an accurate comparison due to the way different vendors AT's populate their databases.

ghodgson,
You said in your post the following comments:

"I run Ewido and a squared"

"But please read this Boclean review link which rates Boclean as mediocre and outdated, and only has 4,200 trojan signatures."

"Oh and please dont shoot the messenger as I am quite neutral in this discussion".

Neutral? Don't make me laugh. Why say something on a public forum that could undermine the reputation of this application. Neutral people don't do that!

muf

Infinity

January 27th, 2005, 04:50 PM

-{ Quote: "Neutral? Don't make me laugh. Why say something on a public forum that could undermine the reputation of this application. Neutral people don't do that!" }-

it is his opinion that he is neutral, he just pointed out to a outdated review of Boclean. we all know the positive sides of Boclean.

it is a public forum, so members and even guests are entitled to give their opinion one something as long as it inside the perceptions of the TOS.

you are correct though about the database issue, the biggest database is not a reason for having the best scanner with support for the most unpackers or whatever.

the way of posting the sigs of some apps database could be misleading even that is correct.

at the end, if Kevin says it could detect 10000000 variants, I presume you would just take over his opinion? Cause Kevin said Boclean can detect 250.000 variants... could be but one thing I learned, don't believe everything someone says. without the proof those statements are useless..

but Boclean is a very good product, top rated, never used it but if so many users do say it is a good product: that I do believe, I wouldn't believe it if only Kevin was saying it ;)

just my two cents

Inf.

BlueZannetti

January 27th, 2005, 05:36 PM

-{ Quote: "Dear Don, Thanks for the info, so the review IS quite out of date. I would consider buying Boclean but I have to say that with Spybot [tea timer activated], Adaware, Ewido, and a squared free, spyware blaster, spyware guard and NAV and NIS [ I am considering getting rid of the Norton stuff] I havent had any crud on my machine in a long time---touch wood, so would it be worthwhile I ask myself.
Gordon :-\" }-Gordon,

I wouldn't say the review is out of date, but I do think they missed the boat on BOClean.

I use it for it's resource footprint and raw AT performance. Given that you already have Ewido and a², and all the other stuff, adding BOClean would be a circumstance of diminishing returns. I like to run my PC (http://www.wilderssecurity.com/showpost.php?p=352128&postcount=11) light, and if this is one design objective, BOClean achieves that quite well and I recommend it.

Blue

Randy_Bell

January 27th, 2005, 06:16 PM

-{ Quote: "Hi folks, I run Ewido and a squared. But please read this Boclean review link which rates Boclean as mediocre and outdated, and only has 4,200 trojan signatures. Oh and please dont shoot the messenger as I am quite neutral in this discussion. Although I do see the review is 6 months old.
http://www.anti-trojan-software-reviews.com/review-boclean.htm" }-
Although I use TrojanHunter {TH} and NAV for my protection, after reading that review my impression is that some of the statements are questionable. I understand BOC is going to be implementing a file scanner, so that criticism {lack of file scanner} will no longer be valid; and it is a continuing debate, as to the usefulness of file scanners compared to other methods of protection.

I suspect the fact that BOC *is* a memory scanner accounts for why, as others stated here, it can detect multiple variants with one signature. I suspect variants usually differentiate themselves in the file signature more than the process signature. It is quite easy to modify the file {the executable} via exotic runtime-packing and encryption techniques, skillful hex-editing, etc. I suspect it is quite another matter to modify the process signature without creating a whole new malware process. Thus a process scanner {a.k.a. memory scanner} will require fewer signatures to detect the same number of variants. ;)

I might add that BOC also seems to do well against adware and spyware, as, one does not see a lot of HJT-Logs published from BOC-users that contain running spyware processes.

Warmly, Ran

ghodgson

January 27th, 2005, 06:39 PM

Thanks for the input guys. I do seem to have ruffled some feathers here. as i said I have absolutely no axe to grind with Boclean, nor was I promoting Ewido or A squared, just quoting the progs I use. I have never used Boclean so I Could not comment upon it. I was merely pointing out the review I found. If some people dont like what was written in the review that is hardly my fault.
Gordon

WilliamP

January 27th, 2005, 08:50 PM

I have the full version of Ewido for several weeks and have had to shut off Ewido Guard because it would take over the CPU 100%. I would have to reboot to get it to stop. It got too frequent. I E Mailed support and after a couple of weeks I got a reply that they got my E Mail. Thats it.

peter.ewido

January 28th, 2005, 10:33 AM

Hmm, very strange... The confirmation mail is an auto-reply so "a couple of weeks" seem almost impossible to me. Btw. you got a reply with the request to send us a list of your installed security applications but unfortunately we never got a reply ;( Could you please check if the mail maybe got lost in a spam folder or something like that?

WilliamP

January 28th, 2005, 03:29 PM

I never received the E Mail you mentioned. The one I did receive didn't say anything, except to appologize for the long delay in responding.

peter.ewido

January 28th, 2005, 03:49 PM

Just looked at your ticket... Please scroll down a bit ;)

WilliamP

January 28th, 2005, 06:43 PM

I am sorry Fish but I no longer have the E Mail.

Mr2cents

January 29th, 2005, 04:01 AM

I'm a happy boclean user. Imo you can't go wrong with tds3, trojanhunter, or boclean. All are tremendous antitrojans programs. I can't comment on ewido or a2 squared as I've never used them. Ewido isn't windows me compatable..or so they say. I like boclean because of regular updates, and low system resources. I don't notice any slowdown in peformance on my puter.

Although this is debatable. tds3 is probably the best there is. However, it uses a lot of resources. I only have a intel 700 mhz processor with 192 mb of ram. Boclean just gets the job done....and that's my verdict and I'm sticking to it ;D

ghodgson

January 29th, 2005, 08:50 AM

Dear Mr2 cents , I whole heartedly agree. If it does the job and you are happy then thats all that matters. its all about personal choice and reliability.
regards Gordon

tazdevl

January 29th, 2005, 01:08 PM

Anyone know how often Kevin releases updates for BOClean?

john2g

January 29th, 2005, 02:29 PM

-{ Quote: "Anyone know how often Kevin releases updates for BOClean?" }-

Virtually everyday, if you mean definition updates.

controler

January 29th, 2005, 04:49 PM

I don't think Kevin is a human at all. I think he is from a different world.
He works night and day and does not play much but has a ton a money in savings LOL
I know he and TDS have been around for along time and have friends from the underworld but have the old fashioned values.
I do not know about Magnus. I have not chatted with him much.

I am sure all three are aware of the latest threats and are trying their hardest to compensate for them.
The bad guys don't have to worry about how well their programs play with Windows slash new builds. The good guys do. and so they are limited in what they can do.

Don't worry about goback, Ghost image programs. If you have data that needs to be saved on your drive . back it up on another drive.
They are cheap these days.
Then reformat every three months or sooner depending how paranoid you are.

It is not that tough.
I know common computer users don't have that option yet but is sure doesn't take much to teach them now does it?

Bruce

Infinity

January 29th, 2005, 05:55 PM

I agree in what you are saying Controller regarding Tds and Boclean.

But I don't like formatting my puter every three months.
Every time I try to beat myself in a contest: every period between two formats has to be longer then the previous, cleaner then the previous and faster then the previous... I do think this is more fun and tempting. And a real challenge.

cheers

tazdevl

January 29th, 2005, 06:05 PM

-{ Quote: "Virtually everyday, if you mean definition updates." }-

LOL daily program updates would be a bit above and beyond. Thanks for the scoop, just ordered it and haven't played with it.

mercurie

January 29th, 2005, 08:54 PM

Yes Kevin updates nearly everyday and sometime twice a day. Check the update threads here and you will see.

On putting your data on another hardrive good idea. Make it external and Ghost an image to it. Or use backup software that comes with these External Hard Drives. Make sure you have a cleaned up image you do not want to image a load of malware. I just fired up and loaded up my new One Touch Maxtor on my Emachine it went real smooth. Sorry off topic.

Back on topic sort of, Bruce, reformat every three months ??? . My approach is do that as a last resort. Keep your system cleaned up watch what you download. Do maintance including keep the dust out the inside... I'll stop there but it is not the end of what you need to do...I have not reformated my old Compaq in a couple of years. No problems except for rare software conflicts that are recoverable. When the system tells you something is not right either through 3rd party utility or XP OS itself. Address it rather quickly and most will be fine.

:-[ :-[

Sorry mods. way off topic I will stop now.

spyaccess

January 31st, 2005, 01:40 PM

-{ Quote: "please....jammer is so totally outdated and isn't even supported by there own company which is Agnitum btw and not topsecret.com :)

tauscan...try to do a full system scan and report back how long it takes...we talk again tomorow I presume

:D
Inf" }-

hehe... looks like I am not up to speed on Trojan defense... back in the day it was alright. What about their Outpost firewall, are they not supporting that either? ???

Chris12923

January 31st, 2005, 02:06 PM

-{ Quote: "What about their Outpost firewall, are they not supporting that either?" }-
Agnitum does support and is still developing Outpost firewall which is a top rated firewall as well as being fairly easy to use. I highly recommend it.

Thanks,

Chris

Infinity

January 31st, 2005, 04:15 PM

yes, Outpost is a very high rated Firewall, I use it too and very satisfied.

Jammer is not xp compatible. and I guess it is Outpost that has their full attention at the moment (ours attention too ;))

Inf.

Socio

February 7th, 2005, 12:01 PM

-{ Quote: "hi
i'm looking for a great antitrojan

helpme" }-

I would go with TDS3 if you want the best, unless your a novice then Boclean might be better for you at least until TDS4 is released which is supposed to be more user friendly.

Paranoid2000

February 8th, 2005, 02:21 AM

-{ Quote: "please....jammer is so totally outdated and isn't even supported by there own company which is Agnitum btw and not topsecret.com :)" }-Jammer is dated but Agnitum still sell and support it as mentioned in the Outpost forum Outpost Pro vs. Tauscan & Jammer (http://outpostfirewall.com/forum/showthread.php?t=10075) thread. However the Outpost forum cannot handle issues about Jammer (as so few people there use it) so I would be cautious about choosing it.

Tauscan is rather better supported with signature updates on a fortnightly basis but this pales in comparison to those of most other anti-trojan scanners. Since Outpost is the only product listed on Agnitum's homepage, people can rightly assume that this is where they are focusing their efforts.

mercurie

February 8th, 2005, 09:24 PM

-{ Quote: "Jammer is dated but Agnitum still sell and support it as mentioned in the Outpost forum Outpost Pro vs. Tauscan & Jammer (http://outpostfirewall.com/forum/showthread.php?t=10075) thread. However the Outpost forum cannot handle issues about Jammer (as so few people there use it) so I would be cautious about choosing it.

Tauscan is rather better supported with signature updates on a fortnightly basis but this pales in comparison to those of most other anti-trojan scanners. Since Outpost is the only product listed on Agnitum's homepage, people can rightly assume that this is where they are focusing their efforts." }-Yes, I think these are wise words of caution. I am a user of OutPost on my Compaq and was offered a $15 deal if I did a survey. I did the survey, but decided against the Tauscan for the very reason Paranoid2K points to. Tauscan :-\ I guess it has potential but the efforts does seem to be on OutPost.

Adventurer

February 17th, 2005, 12:45 AM

Has anyone ever had Trojan Remover find anything? ... I know alot of people that have tried it, but no one that has ever had it flag anything.

I have also read alot of trojan scanner reviews and can't find any that include Trojan Remover. I also never see it recomended by anyone in the security forums i visit.

It's a fast scanner but i wonder if that's all it is?

Mongol

February 17th, 2005, 01:03 AM

-{ Quote: "Has anyone ever had Trojan Remover find anything? ... I know alot of people that have tried it, but no one that has ever had it flag anything.

I have also read alot of trojan scanner reviews and can't find any that include Trojan Remover. I also never see it recomended by anyone in the security forums i visit.

It's a fast scanner but i wonder if that's all it is?" }-

It's a scanner and thats about it, no realtime protection. You can do manual scans or set it to do a scan at start-up. I tried it for about 6 months and it never found anything on my box. I finally went with Ewido Plus. Now thats a fine product I must say... 8)