2nd opinion scanner

[Karl_Menshy]

It's always good to have a 2nd opinion. A lot of ppl use one of the free AV solutions, which are known to be relatively good against ITW, but generally poor on overall detection. I guess a Kaspersky based free solution as a second opinion won't hurt.

I have been using Antidote Super light (http://www.vintage-solutions.com/English/Antivirus/Super/) for exactly this purpose for quite some time now. It's free, fast, updated frequently and has the great detection of Kaspersky based AV.

The only backdraw is that the website looks a bit, well, deserted. Anyway, this is a recommendation but I am also asking about your opinions...any comments concerning Super Lite?

[JimIT]

Didn't know about this!

Could be of use in a hardware-testing environment. I'll check it out here...Thanks for the post...!

[Tinribs]

A great backup and second opinion av is Gav http://www.gladiator-antivirus.com/

Or; Antivir http://www.free-av.com/
Avg www.grisoft.com (http://www.grisoft.com)
Avast http://www.avast.com/
Many more but a google search or similar will yield more results.
Basically any av can be used as a backup/second opinion, I currently have Nod32 resident, and F-Prot,Mcafee,Kaspersky,Gav as backups (a bit overkill I know,but I do only use Kaspersky as the second opinion,the others are for testing)

Hope that helps

:)
Kev



edit* I just read yout post 'properly' and realised that all I put is not what you wanted!!! arghhhhh.
Nevermind, but no,I havent tested your program recently.
My advice is to stick to something tried and tested.



I'm off now to clean my specs and learn to read posts first...............

[Tinribs]

Just viewed the website, the first thing I usualy do is try and see when a site was last updated, the copyright info their is 2001, I'd give it a rather wide berth. :-\

[Firefighter]

To everyone from Firefighter!

I may be wrong, but if I remember right Antidote is a combined scanner that has at least 5 different scanners and KAV is one of them.

"The truth is out there, but it hurts!"

Best Regards,
Firefighter!

[root]

I agree that a second opinion can be valuable sometimes.
I think though, that if you want a second opinion for an AV, what you would want would be a scanner that has some strength in an area that your resident may not be strongest in.
As an example, DrWeb has great heuristics and a good detection base, but occassionally misses a virus. It has good detection for trojans. I do not think it has the best unpacking engine though, so a good backup for DrWeb would be something that had a better unpacker or something that had a better detection rate.
Backing up a good AV with a weak one does nothing. I would never expect a weak AV to catch something a good one missed.
I know nothing about Antidote so I shall not badmouth it, but I see no reason on their website to believe it is anything I would want to put my trust in.

[wizard]

-{ Quote: " quoting: Tinribs link=board=24;threadid=8747;start=0#56745 date=1051305473]
A great backup and second opinion av is Gav" }-

Why? GAV is a product that is not even finished. Also it still does not cover all ITW malware and has still a huge lack of malware in the database. Also GAV has so far not been tested/reviewed by any independent organisation. All other free av products have been tested/reviewed several times and you can research and compare the results.

To rely on unfished/beta security software for protection is always a bad choice. This is of course not to blame the project and effort of Michael (Gladiator) but when it comes to use security software outsite 'testing enviorments' it you need *finished* software and not alpha/beta versions. To rely on unfinished security software in your working enviorment is IMHO not a good idea (and can be sometimes dangerous).

wizard

[xor]

-{ Quote: " quoting: wizard link=board=24;threadid=8747;start=0#56923 date=1051359489]To rely on unfinished security software in your working enviorment is IMHO not a good idea (and can be sometimes dangerous).
" }-

It can destroy the whole harddisk just by installing - it can drink all your beer at once - it makes your wife pregnant yes i know.

Nothing against you, but then make a sticky post with red flashing letters - DON'T USE ANY COMPONENTS OF GSL - THEY ARE GENERALY DANGEROUS.

Wizard, we are speaking here about a backup scanner and not about a primary protection. How should a scanner become better if no one uses him ?
Or is it this what you want ? After all posts i did read from you so far - yes.

Then speak with paul - about this sticky post. Or ask LowWaterMark HOW DANGEROUS BETA SOFTWARE IS.

And again: The topic is here Backup Scanner and not primary AV.

Michael

[Tinribs]

I'll stand by my statement Wizard, as a backup scanner I still recommend Gav, sure its a little rough around the edges at the moment but has big potential. :)

[Paul Wilders]

-{ Quote: " quoting: xor link=board=24;threadid=8747;start=0#56936 date=1051364552]Nothing against you, but then make a sticky post with red flashing letters - DON'T USE ANY COMPONENTS OF GSL - THEY ARE GENERALY DANGEROUS." }-

No need to exaggerate, Micheal.

-{ Quote: "Wizard, we are speaking here about a backup scanner and not about a primary protection. How should a scanner become better if no one uses him ?
Or is it this what you want ? After all posts i did read from you so far - yes." }-

I'm with you here as for a back up scanner, as well as the fact users are in principal a good way to improve alpha/beta software. But...there's more to take into consideration. In the end, software relying in essence on just one developper is taking chances - no matter the skills from the developper. And I have no reason at all to doubt your qualities as a developper/designer, for the record.

Furthermore: it takes other qualities to run a dedicated team, and act in a professional way in regard to "third parties". IMO you are a fine software developper - apart from that, there's lots to improve. I'm far from starting a heathed discussing here, but kicking out wizard (which is your perogative in the end of course) for no reason at all IMHO, and some other major ways you are taking care of purely "running a business issues" are far from proffessional. Most probably one can't hold that against you, since you are a software developper first and foremost - not a person skilled in running a "business". Other qualities are needed for doing so.

-{ Quote: "Then speak with paul - about this sticky post. Or ask LowWaterMark HOW DANGEROUS BETA SOFTWARE IS." }-

No need to ;). As long as it is perfectly clear to every GAV user your software is by no means a "first line in defense" at the moment: no problem.

-{ Quote: "And again: The topic is here Backup Scanner and not primary AV." }-

Couldn't agree more.

Take care,

regards.

paul

[Mr.Blaze]

-{ Quote: "A great backup and second opinion av is Gav

Why? GAV is a product that is not even finished. Also it still does not cover all IT malware and has still a huge lack of malware in the database. Also GAV has so far not been tested/reviewed by any independent organization. All other free av products have been tested/reviewed several times and you can research and compare the results.

To rely on unfinished/beta security software for protection is always a bad choice. This is of course not to blame the project and effort of Michael (Gladiator) but when it comes to use security software outside 'testing enviorments' it you need *finished* software and not alpha/beta versions. To rely on unfinished security software in your working enviorment is IMHO not a good idea (and can be sometimes dangerous).

wizard" }-

Wizard" Wizard" ti-sk ti-sk first off i wish you do your homework before you give such opinions about some ones hard work who mainly puts software out for free and who's software mainly survives on factual feed back and donations

rather then pure speculation which personally i been guilty of and frankly I'm surprised that you would have same faults as i am a newby and you been around way way way longer then me

shame on you your an expert not a newb like me.

your suppose to lead an exemplary example of skill and not shoty distribution of unsubstantiated information.

I feel as a former mod of Gav and some one who belief's that not just the rich and elite should have special software on the internet to protect oneself

but all should have access to protection even those less fortunate and who are not rich should stick up for all those misinformed.

what i find strange is Wilder's seems to be built along the principle that all should have access to protection on the internet poor and rich alike any one who shops at the free tools section

well tested tools by paul at Wilder's.org would know this


Gav has been tested by a none bio-est company in AV when GAV was just in alpha stage it got a rating of 4 stars out of 5

this means while other anti-virus freeware and shareware was in there final stage Gav in its Alpha stage got a rating of 4 out of 5

while other software got 2's and 3's and only 2 had a rating of 5

Gav has been sought out by many company's wanting to sale it but Mike has refused

Many company's from magazines want to distribute gav cd's with top freeware software and Gav is only in beta form.

for software you talk so poorly of it seems to be doing perty well and it seems to spark allot of interest can so many be wrong.

Gav has lots of unpacking power that some major Av's that shall remain nameless simply cause i don't want to get into one of those mines bigger then yours pi$$ing contest like so many lately seem to like doing cough cough.snipped - no personal attacks over here - paul

Yes gav is in Beta yes Gav is freeware driven by donations

but what they don't tell you is GAV is pro-ably the most powerful freeware application that is constantly being updated and fixed while other free Av's are abandon or may get worked on monthly compare to Gav's almost daily updates and bug fix's

Gav is freeware and almost if not more gets updated as much as TDS

Anyone that knows or has TDS knows how much it gets updated

TDS is payware like 60 bucks

Gav is freeware powered by donations that says allot

any one who knows galvin and wayne and jayson knows how hard they work and how much they care about there software

its nice to know mike cares about his software just as much

this class of people like mike galvin wayne jayson joosky lowater javah cool fan j nancy and kevin are rare people indeed and so many others

and wizard this where i have a problem with you

to dist an application that some one provides freely and who works so hard and bleeds his sweat into such hard work just astonishes me

yes gav not complete but it still does more then most complete software

and it is a good back up especially if you have no money

blaze throw do-wen iron monkey fist glove i bid you good day sir

[Paul Wilders]

-{ Quote: " quoting: Mr.Blaze link=board=24;threadid=8747;start=0#56980 date=1051380843]
Wizard" Wizard" ti-sk ti-sk first off i wish you do your homework before you give such opinions about some ones hard work who mainly puts software out for free and who's software mainly survives on factual feed back and donations" }-

Blaze, it's not the time, effort and skill from the developper that's the issue here.

-{ Quote: "rather then pure speculation which personally i been guilty of and frankly I'm surprised that you would have same faults as i am a newby and you been around way way way longer then me" }-

wizard is stating his personal opinion - as many, many are over here on this board. You might agree or disagree as you please. Speculation has nothing to do with it.

-{ Quote: "shame on you your an expert not a newb like me." }-

..for expressing his opinion? That's what this board is about amongst others - experts and newbies alike.

-{ Quote: "your suppose to lead an exemplary example of skill and not shoty distribution of unsubstantiated information." }-

Could you elaborate/be exact as for what information has been provided that is unsubstantiated? I fail to see any - other than an opinion being stated. That's a perogative from wizard, and anyone else for that matter. Wizard's skill's - and there are many - are not the issue here.

-{ Quote: "I feel as a former mod of Gav and some one who belief's that not just the rich and elite should have special software on the internet to protect oneself" }-

The fact you are a former gav mod has nothing to do with your statement; no one has ever stated protective security software is for a select public only.

-{ Quote: "but all should have access to protection even those less fortunate and who are not rich should stick up for all those misinformed." }-

See above.

-{ Quote: "what i find strange is Wilder's seems to be built along the principle that all should have access to protection on the internet poor and rich alike any one who shops at the free tools section

well tested tools by paul at Wilder's.org would know this" }-

Only partly true. [url]www.wilders.org[/b] covers a lot more than a "free tools" section. I do agree solid and good free security/privacy software can be - and at times is - a blessing for all, regardless wether or not they have the means to buy software or not.


-{ Quote: "Gav has been tested by a none bio-est company in AV when GAV was just in alpha stage it got a rating of 4 stars out of 5

this means while other anti-virus freeware and shareware was in there final stage Gav in its Alpha stage got a rating of 4 out of 5

while other software got 2's and 3's and only 2 had a rating of 5" }-

The software developper will put up his product for a real test as I have been told - and is convinced it will not score that well at this very moment - and that's from the horses mouth. That said, it could well be the software will score better/good in the future if development goes well.

-{ Quote: "Gav has been sought out by many company's wanting to sale it but Mike has refused" }-

Since this software is by no means effective protective software, it's the "concept" you are talking about I presume. I take your word for your statement.

-{ Quote: "Many company's from magazines want to distribute gav cd's with top freeware software and Gav is only in beta form." }-

No offense, but that would be plain wrong. The average user should only benefit from a tested and "gold" version from any security software. Again, it's your statement - but the developper would be wise to turn down such a request - and those magazines should know better.

-{ Quote: "for software you talk so poorly of it seems to be doing perty well and it seems to spark allot of interest can so many be wrong." }-

Read closely, Blaze. As soon as this software has an official "gold" release, and has been tested/reviewed, it might be another story. There's nothing wrong in beta software - it isn't finished yet - thus not providing the needed protection. That's all there's to it, apart from reasons mentioned in my former reply.

-{ Quote: "Gav has lots of unpacking power that some major Av's that shall remain nameless simply cause i don't want to get into one of those mines bigger then yours pi$$ing contest like so many lately seem to like doing cough cough.snipped - no personal attacks over here - paul" }-

Other software isn't the issue here. The fact gav seems to do well in regard to the unpacking engine: kudo's.

-{ Quote: "Yes gav is in Beta yes Gav is freeware driven by donations" }-

Good! What's the point here?

-{ Quote: "but what they don't tell you is GAV is pro-ably the most powerful freeware application that is constantly being updated and fixed while other free Av's are abandon or may get worked on monthly compare to Gav's almost daily updates and bug fix's" }-

I can't remember anyone telling anyone else "not mentioning" - but apart from that: a truly worthwhile and good effort and goal. No dispute here.

-{ Quote: "Gav is freeware and almost if not more gets updated as much as TDS

Anyone that knows or has TDS knows how much it gets updated

TDS is payware like 60 bucks" }-

No offense, Blaze: TDS is in quite a different class. Perhaps, some day...

-{ Quote: "any one who knows galvin and wayne and jayson knows how hard they work and how much they care about there software" }-

I for one compliment Micheal for his efforts. The DCS team is working hard indeed; (new) software development and design, constant dabatase updates etc. do cost money. It's for good reasons TDS comes with a price tag: keeping up high standards demand a price tag.

-{ Quote: "its nice to know mike cares about his software just as much" }-

No discussion here.

-{ Quote: "and wizard this where i have a problem with you" }-

There's no need to in any way..

-{ Quote: "to dist an application that some one provides freely and who works so hard and bleeds his sweat into such hard work just astonishes me" }-

That's not the issue here, Blaze. No one - wizard included - critisized the time spent and efforts made.

-{ Quote: "yes gav not complete but it still does more then most complete software" }-

I do wish gav all the best. As it is now, the software is by no means for the "average Joe".

-{ Quote: "and it is a good back up especially if you have no money" }-

As long as a user keeps in mind s/he is using unfinished software, coming with all that belongs to that: agreed.

regards.

paul

[wizard]

-{ Quote: " quoting: Mr.Blaze link=board=24;threadid=8747;start=0#56980 date=1051380843]Wizard" Wizard" ti-sk ti-sk first off i wish you do your homework..." }-

I've done my homework. ;) But it looks like you have to learn much more before you start critizing me. 8) There are some basic rules (you can call them common sense) for security that I stick to, e.g. not to open executables attached to emails for. Another one is that unfinished or beta software should not be used in the working enviorment, especially when it is security software.

So this general rule regardless who developed the software and if you really think about this rule you will find out that it makes perfect sense. EOD

wizard

[Karl_Menshy]

Isn't it interesting what came out of just a short recommendation? ;)

Well, back to my main topic: One thing I wanted to mention is that Antidote is based on a well respected engine, the updates are the Kaspersky ones, so I guess you can hardly beat it in terms of detection...it was just meant as a recommendation to share with other users here, because my experience with Antidote is quite good.

And yes, the website looks strange, but again, if you switch to the japanese variant it seems to be better (although I don't understand a word)...anyway, the scanner is updated every week.

One last remark about GAV: I have tried it and it is surely still far from being perfect, but I respect the initiative to create something new and even more I think the transparent discussion of GAV here and in its forum is quite refreshing. Although from a programmer's view I'd love to see GAV without VB runtimes...but that's another story ;)

[Paul Wilders]

-{ Quote: " quoting: Karl_Menshy link=board=24;threadid=8747;start=0#57040 date=1051391484]
Isn't it interesting what came out of just a short recommendation? ;)" }-

It sure is, Karl ;)

-{ Quote: "Well, back to my main topic: One thing I wanted to mention is that Antidote is based on a well respected engine, the updates are the Kaspersky ones, so I guess you can hardly beat it in terms of detection...it was just meant as a recommendation to share with other users here, because my experience with Antidote is quite good.

And yes, the website looks strange, but again, if you switch to the japanese variant it seems to be better (although I don't understand a word)...anyway, the scanner is updated every week." }-

Thanks for pointing to this one.

-{ Quote: "One last remark about GAV: I have tried it and it is surely still far from being perfect, but I respect the initiative to create something new and even more I think the transparent discussion of GAV here and in its forum is quite refreshing." }-

Agreed ;)

-{ Quote: "Although from a programmer's view I'd love to see GAV without VB runtimes...but that's another story ;)
" }-

A matter of opinion - although I can see your point.

regards,

paul

[Firefighter]

To everyone from Firefighter!

As I remember right, GAV has a bit of modified engine as BitDefender. You can correct me if I remember wrong.

About BitDefender, I believe it is a becoming star in the av-bussiness. If an av-program is the only one which is capable to scan what ever from your PC, so the only thing is then to make a little bit better "in the Wild" scanning capability.

When one program is still capable to scan a clean result in the av-test.org's in the Wild tests, and very near those tests in there before, but always missed in the VirusBulletin tests, I think there is something suspicious.

When I showed those graphics before where my purpose was to show to you all that VirusBulletin's tests are not in statistical control, that means in the "worst" possible case that there is something "money talks" phenomenon in those tests.

Look at the Board of the VirusBulletin, how large reputation some of those av-producers have?

When we are thinking about av-test.org tests, that is still an university in Germany, where there is a history of university studies far more a time that for example United States has! For a most I believe in traditions, that's the only thing that money can't buy.

But now to the basics, I chanced F-Secure to my resident and BitDefender Pro 6.5 to my backup, because BitDefender was still a bit of slow. I think it was not BitDefender's fault, but when one is capable to scan everything, the needed resources are so big that we can't imagine. Why for example NOD is so fast, because it does so small job! What more archives and packers you scan, that more "energy" you need! ::)

"The truth is out there, but it hurts!"

Best Regards,
Firefighter!

[Mr.Blaze]

8)Dear wizard,Paul althogh some of your feed back does have merit i have nor the skill or the ablity to argue or blah blah blah with the top dogs but i can tell you this.

Gav is a good thing for newbys and those less fourtunit that cant afford to spend tons of money on high over priced software

you should at least play with gav 4 pro befor makeing any final decstions 10 bucks donation wouldnt break you would it lol

if you tested the gav 4 with real time protection and cool interface and dont like it ill just have to respect your past statements only lol

8)jingle jingle cup lol so what say you now lol

[LowWaterMark]

Hi Blaze,

Actually, there is no need for any of us to argue about this at all. Time will tell, and it will show us all what is to become of the different products we're discussing here now.

By the way, I had the opportunity to try the currently available version of GAV (Interface 3.5.0, Engine 3.0.0, Pattern 1.3.6) the other day. It was suggested to me by someone who shall forever remain green unnamed... It looks quite nice, and it caused no problems installing or running on my system. I intend to keep it as a second backup, along with F-Prot for DOS (another free product). And, I'll continue following it's progress.

[Mr.Blaze]

:DDID YOU GET TO PLAY WITH THE COOL GAV INTERFACE

opps lol caps lol

id post the new interface but i dont have permistion but it sooooooooooooo coolllllllll 8)

i wish gavin wayne and jason would hook up with mike on tds 4 pro interface pure eye candy

id like my tds to look as nice as it works top notch

i know it sound silly and for most programers looks are the very last but for consumers looks and eye candy is what usealy sales us lol

i mean a humb v is strong and powerful but its looks are least desirable a feerai will always sale first cause its pure eye candy lol

i want tds to look awsome to

[Karl_Menshy]

-{ Quote: "About BitDefender, I believe it is a becoming star in the av-bussiness." }-

Although a bit OT now...I have been running Bitdefender for testing on one of my systems, and it is a really good AV as to my experience. Although my collection of malware is rather limited, I would stress that from my tests Bitdefender does detect a lot of nasties even in packed/crypted way. One plus is the included behaviour scanner, which alerts you on suspicious changes to registry and system files. So hopefully they will change their VB track record soon :)

[illukka]

hi
if someone is using gav, use it as a backup.. do regular scans with it after you scan with your regular av. you'll be amazed how much gav detects. Michael has said it himself that for example the worm and macro databases of gav are not perfect( this is because he's busy coding), new detection are added every day.

!!WHEN IT COMES TO TROJANS IT'S ANOTHER CASE!!

GAV'S trojan detection capabilities are second to none, and as a bonus it detects a lot of other malware: dialers , password stealers, keyloggers etc. this is because of it's strong generic detection abilities.

i have mcafee corporate av at work( 1500 workstations), and we regularly use gav as a backup scanner. so far every scan has produced suprises... sure, there's been those rare false positives.

gav is definitely heading towards greatness! right now it presents a great chance for us to participate in it's development, and benefit from it securitywise..

wizard, i remember you from gav forum. is this because of the personal conflicts there? your opinions on gav, that is..

[wizard]

-{ Quote: " quoting: illukka link=board=24;threadid=8747;start=15#57146 date=1051440437]wizard, i remember you from gav forum. is this because of the personal conflicts there? your opinions on gav, that is..
" }-

No and this is not a discussion about GAV specific. Beta software, especially if it is security software, should not be used in the normal working enviorment. That is common sense like "do not open an executable file attached to an email".

You can agree or disagree with such genric rules for security.

My personal opinion/view on GAV is that it is far away from being a product that I can use in my daily working enviorment (but I have a copy running on my test machine). It looks good but for any "final judgement" it is to early. Especially when I look at the screenshot Michael posted in another threat. That is also the reason why for example Rokop-Security so far not tested GAV. What more can you say about an unfinished product that it is not finished? But nevertheless it is a very intressting and promising project and I am looking forward to see an "end result" soon.

wizard

[Mr.Blaze]

LMAO AT WIZARDD LOL OK SURE SURE LOL

god that was good for a good laugh hold on let me clear the tears from my eyes that was just to funny lol

anyhoot its up to the individual what they want personally its always good practice like paul has said in the past don't put all your eggs in one basket

best thing to do is try out different Av's do some background research

play with them and just see which one you really like

personally i like gav as a back up works nicely

but if you don't want to move with the times theres plenty of old brand reliable av's software out there

i suggest playing with them see what they do how they compare to each other and which one is right for you don't let people like me or wizard decide for you

these are just mere suggestions no need to get undies in a bunch otherwise sound like allot of politicians slinging dew dew at each other during an election lol.