Best Prevx3.0 + AV combo for 'fire & forget'?

Just reviewing my malware combo. Have had Prevx3.0 and NIS2011 working fine together for a while with no probs, NIS renewal is due soon.

I share a laptop with my wife. A couple of times recently, NIS has asked for user input in a scenario where it was unsure whether a downloaded file was safe or not (Sonar?) ie 'do you want to run or not run this file?'. That sends my wife into a bit of a spin especially if she is working from home and is fairly sure file is ok and needs to finish a report, but AV says 'could be malware, what do you want to do?'. NIS also recently missed an AV malware being downloaded (one of those pop ups that starts with a progress bar saying 'checking your computer for malware' before saying 'you're infected and need to click here to download acme anti-virus to sort it out'. Luckily I was watching tv in the same room whilst my wife was working and she shouted me accross and we cancelled the download. Sorry, can't recall what the malware was. I don't think prevx has ever asked for user decision on a file - it has been black or white either 'danger/infected' or 'no malware' so go ahead open file.

Anyway I am fairly IT savvy and happy to tweak program settings, deal with user interaction, but for my wife she needs the anti-malware solution to be very quiet and stop malware without asking her questions or looking for a decision?

Do you think I should keep running NIS with Prevx and have the odd pop up asking for the user to decide whether to run a file, or is there a combo that would be a better 'fire & forget' option? We could of course scrap the AV and just go with prevx, but I do like the 'layered' approach. MSE was one that came to mind as having quite a simple interface - but don't know how it deals with user interaction? Happy to consider pay or free for a standalone AV.

 

I would simplify and go with PREVX + Safeonline alone... excellent protection, low system charge and set and forget.

 

All I use is Prevx with SafeOnline alone and if ever infected they will clean the infection free of charge Guaranteed!

TH

 

I have to ask about your statement that the unwanted file started downloading without Norton reacting. You don't mention Prevx's reaction to this unwanted intrusion.

 

If you really want to 'fire & forget' about such similar possible infection, an AV in addition to PrevX isn't really your best bet, although I'm not saying they're useless.

Look up for SRP or an AE (anti-executable) product that denies such execution in the 1st place. It might require some input from you in the initial pace but it doesn't take long before you settle down in peace.

There are threads here that discuss these in-depth. Or simply ask around...

PrevX + SRP/AE would give you quite a decent silent protection...

Otherwise, if you are still determined to get an AV in combo, and that I'm assuming you're already using the paid version of PrevX, there are a few free Avs that do a decent enough job without asking too much from the user. I'd suggest you see this:

Best Free Anti-virus software

They don't cost a dime/penny and no renewal fees....so it doesn't hurt for you to try them. If you like any and wish to support the developers, you can always upgrade to the paid version (if any) or opt for an alternative payware AV instead.

 

If you wish your wife to NEVER have to make a security decision with NIS, you would have to turn off sonar/File insight in NIS. This will leave NIS's anti-virus/spyware engine to detect malware. Then NIS will automatically deal with detected malware. This will provide less protection theoretically.

Or you could switch to another AV that is more set and for get or can be configured to automatically deal with detected malware. Panda Cloud AV is set and forget. It automatically deals with detected malware. It can't be configured to do otherwise. No user interaction at all with Panda Cloud AV. Avast can be configured to automatically deal with all detected malware. When Avast is configured to deal with detected malware your wife won't need to make any decisions. I'm pretty sure Avira can be configured to automatically deal with malware also.

 

Look, my wife has very little knowledge in the security area, and I use NIS here on my desktop and it works well with him, he is very interactive and easy to move, because it is translated into my language (EN -BR). To me he is one of the AVs easier to move, and in only 20 minutes I explained everything right for my family. And so far no problems.

Another program that is easy to move and protect is the Sandboxie is fine if you use the paid version you force all browsers, e-mail program, java, flash to run in Sandboxie and use Prevx to scan all downloads, protection is an extremely light and very strong, it is virtually only the downloads that could infect you.

Sorry for my english.

 

I always took the "more" is better/safer approach as well. I however have been using Prevx alone and have not had any unwanted issues or problems.

 

I'd keep running NIS 2011 and answer the odd pop up.

 

I will suggest following combos:

- Prevx SOL + NIS 2011 (Sonar off)
- Prevx SOL + KIS 2011 (Automatic mode + KSN)
- Prevx SOL + DefenseWall Personal Firewall 3.09
- Prevx SOL + AIS 5 (configured for predefined actions)

 

For simplicity on an 32bit system I would go for Defensewall - no doubt. Extremly silent and eventual pops are more for the savvy users information and does normally not need any descisions from users like me. Set and forget. There is a graphical issue between Prevx and DW, but no functionality issues. I have used DW since betadays, but now I am on 64bit so I go with paid Prevx and free Antivir.

Best Regards

 

In the end you are going to choose what you want because you will get several opinions so this thread will continue for awhile longer and then closed as it is the Prevx Support Forum!

TH

 

The malware would be in the download after you click. That is when NIS would have caught it.

 

Thanks for all the advice. Have decided to renew NIS for another year to go with Prevx3.0 with SafeOnline. Wife at least is familiar with the 'look' of NIS, she was one who thought the Mircosoft 'Browser Choice' pop-up was malware (fair enough).

I have briefed her on NIS Sonar and that if a file is say new or unusual (eg not widely distributed), Sonar might say 'are you sure you want to open this?' but that doesn't mean the file contains malware, and that if she is fairly sure the file is from a trusted source, go ahead and open. Prevx and NIS will (hopefully) stop any malware when/if it activates. She can scan the file manually anyway with either prevx or NIS from the desktop, prior to opening.

Interesting how we all react to interaction with anti-malware programs. I am interested, curious, not afraid to 'tweak' settings in response to pop-ups etc, my wife just freaks out thinking "oh ~ Snipped as per TOS ~, what have I done?".

Merry Christmas!