I hate programs asking me to decide if a file is safe. What should I use?

Discussion in 'other anti-malware software' started by Iangh, Sep 3, 2016.

  1. Iangh

    Iangh Registered Member

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    I have tried VS, WAR, CS and Comodo, but they rely on me to decide, or I have to turn-off protection to install/remove, which I find intrusive.

    I consider myself a safe user - I go to mainstream sites and I always download and install well-known programmes from respected sites. ATM, I'm using WD and have Adguard, Avast and Trafficlight Chrome extensions installed to make sure I don't go anywhere naughty.

    Is there anything free I can use to replace/supplement WD to improve my non-intrusive potection, or don't I need anything being a safe user?
     
  2. rm22

    rm22 Registered Member

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    Have a look at this thread & the link in the first post... Note that signature AV's are near the bottom of the list with respect to effectiveness
    https://www.wilderssecurity.com/thr...-of-threats-with-only-four-strategies.376120/

    1st on the list is Anti-executables - if you don't like VS you could try enabling Hardened Mode - Aggressive in Avast since you already have it installed - this enables cloud based whitelisting. You may have to exclude a few executables if you use obscure software, but it is pretty rare to get pop-ups. it's nowhere near the protection that you get from VS or ERP, but a lot better then just using blacklisting.

    I use Secunia PSI for update tool & I'd think you'd like sandbox or rollback softs since you get no pop-ups?
     
  3. Agree with RM22, replace WD with Avast free. Setting Avast in Hardened mode/agressive means that every executable is checked against the white list of programs executed which are known good programs by Avast. This works similar to Smartscreen on the Desktop on Windows 8 and higher.

    When you are on Windows 8 or higher you could also opt for adding Kapersky Antiransom free and keep WD
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 4, 2016
  4. Iangh

    Iangh Registered Member

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    Thanks for the replies. I have decided to add MBAE free and stay with WD. I did have a look at Avast but can't stand nags, and when I looked at WD's scores it's close enough to the best for me. KAR looks good but I had an issue with it not turning off when I wanted it to. Also, on wife's PC it kept popping up about no internet connection when there was. I'll definitely try the next version when out.
     
  5. Brummelchen

    Brummelchen Registered Member

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    not sure but you speak in general!? downloads or files from unsecure zones are flags by windows as unsecure.
    get familiar with alternative data streams (ADS).
     
  6. rm22

    rm22 Registered Member

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    as long as you're on Win10
     
  7. guest

    guest Guest

    if you didn't ask for free, i would suggest Webroot, it barely ask anything when set with default settings. And if you want no interaction at all, you have Cylance distributed by Malware Managed :p
     
  8. Iangh

    Iangh Registered Member

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    On WIN10 and frugal.;) Also, a tad cranky when it comes to pop-ups.:) It's just as well I keep to mainstream sites.:thumb:
     
  9. boredog

    boredog Registered Member

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    "And if you want no interaction at all, you have Cylance distributed by Malware Managed :p"
    not sure if that is just another kick in the pants of MM but you do have control of what it finds with their new web interface.

    that is not true, you can manage false positives. as I have done.:thumb:
     
  10. rm22

    rm22 Registered Member

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    still think it sounds like Sandboxie-free, or one of the many rollback options like TimeFreeze or Shadow Defender... would be a good addition for you. Personally I like Sandboxie over rollback
     
  11. guest

    guest Guest

    was not a kick, the OP dislike any popups , so i think Cylance is the best one in that situation. i can't believe i actually advertised it :p

    FPs are not popups ;)
     
  12. Brummelchen

    Brummelchen Registered Member

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    i ask again - are you talking about Windows Smartscreen or unsafe files from unsecure zones (ADS)?
    it does not matter what you have installed, if windows decide about unsafe files it will show the smartscreen if not disabled.
     
  13. act8192

    act8192 Registered Member

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  14. boredog

    boredog Registered Member

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    act that was very funny indeed :argh:
     
  15. Iangh

    Iangh Registered Member

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    So it's look like I should have said I don't like FPs, the cause of the pop-ups. If I download well-known programmes from respectable sites then, of course, I can momentarily switch off protection. With this approach I am protected against any surreptitious downloads whilst surfing. In this instance either WAR, VS, etc., will suffice? In effect, I accept that FPs are the norm and there is no programme that does not signal FPs? In my mind, WAR and VS (and others) are the same, even if VS checks VT, as behaviour monitoring becomes prevalent in stopping nasties from unsolicited downloads. Given the tests on MT either WAR or VS will suffice?

    Kees, I tried KAR, and after removing Process Lasso it turned on and off properly. Unfortunately after 3-4 hours it stuffed my internet. I couldn't access sites using my usual, Chrome, and Edge. A re-boot solved the problem, so I removed KAR.
     
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