Dumped SiteAdvisor (McAfee), suggestions please

Discussion in 'other anti-malware software' started by Fly, Oct 6, 2008.

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  1. Fly

    Fly Registered Member

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    (Windows XP Home Edition IE 7)

    I was automatically updated from version 2.6.x to 2.8.x, to my dismay.

    To keep a long story short: it seems that McAfee/the SiteAdvisor (not the same!) have taken gathering of personal (I'm not buying the 'anonymous' story) data to a new level.

    Also, in 2.8 a BHO (browser helper object) was added.

    So I'm through with the SiteAdvisor.

    Useful functions of the SiteAdvisor: when you visit a page you see the SiteAdvisor rating, ratings are shown when doing a Google search.
    I never 'trusted' the ratings, it was more like: if it's red, stay away, other websites may or may not be safe.

    I'm sure there are a number of alternatives for the SiteAdvisor, but I really don't have the energy or time to make this a full research project.
    I'd appreciate suggestions for alternatives. Effectiveness and not spying on me are probably the most important criteria, it being free is nice too.

    I think Zonealarm has something, but I'm not sure if it would go along with McAfee.

    (Why not dump McAfee immediately ? The McAfee Virusscan Plus is already paid for, on one occasion when it really mattered McAfee protected me, having difficulty finding replacement software that I trust and works well on this aged computer, and I'm considering buying a new computer, with of course new software)
     
  2. rainbow1112

    rainbow1112 Registered Member

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  3. lordpake

    lordpake Registered Member

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    http://www.mywot.com/ Since I participate in both SA and WOT, I can recommend WOT as replacement for it.
     
  4. jmonge

    jmonge Registered Member

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    there is not a bid deal gettig notify of malware,the main purpose is be able to stop the malware in real time,not getting an alert about it,i think i belive:D
    not need an alerter,need a blocker.my 5 cents.

    but if you need an alerter like the big M,try WOT
     
  5. fax

    fax Registered Member

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    Probably you refer to ZA ForceField.
    But it is much more than ratings sites (sandbox, keylogger scrambler, etc)

    Cheers,
    Fax
     
  6. jrmhng

    jrmhng Registered Member

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    You could get an av with a web scanner.
     
  7. cheater87

    cheater87 Registered Member

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    WOT is great. You can set it to block dangerous sites after you do a free registration :)
     
  8. cruelsister

    cruelsister Registered Member

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    Finjan SecureBrowsing is about the same. It comes as a extension for Firefox and as a control for IE. Free, by the way.

    http://securebrowsing.finjan.com/index.html

    and also:
    * Doesn’t track each and every URL you visit.
    * Doesn’t require your identification details.
    * Doesn’t install additional programs or change settings of your desktop.
     
  9. Einsturzende

    Einsturzende Registered Member

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    Everything is better than deceptive SiteAdvisor, when I saw yellow for Agnitum`s site (and for some other competition-like to McAfee`s products), I give red to SiteAdvisor.
     
  10. Fly

    Fly Registered Member

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    Thank you for your replies.

    But I'm wondering, what is the business model of mywot and the finjan thing ? I understand these two are for free.

    Generally, things don't come for free, and if there is not a business model, I'd like to know more about the background.

    That gives me a little perspective, especially regarding privacy and trustworthiness.

    (The SiteAdvisor was/is for free, and look what they have done with it ...)
     
  11. cheater87

    cheater87 Registered Member

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    Wot is free because its a firefox and IE extension that is not controlled by a huge corporation.
     
  12. IceCube1010

    IceCube1010 Registered Member

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    Hi

    What about Browser Defender? It's free and works quite well.

    Ice
     
  13. emperordarius

    emperordarius Registered Member

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    I don't trust those kind of programs. They can give incorrect ratings because of the reviewer's stupidity. If you are going to install that kind of program, you should use something like LinkScanner or Finjan. I don't think you even need them though, a good av will do the job.
     
  14. jmonge

    jmonge Registered Member

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    agree 100%
     
  15. IceCube1010

    IceCube1010 Registered Member

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    I'm not sure if Browser Defender has suggestions from dumb users. Some kind of Threat Expert outfit? It also gives a lot of valuable info about the selected site.

    Ice
     
  16. smith2006

    smith2006 Registered Member

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    You may want to try Haute Secure.

    http://hautesecure.com/

    It can be used with Firefox, Internet Explorer & Opera.
     
  17. Fly

    Fly Registered Member

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    Sigh.

    Actually, it does track every URL ! (I'm not sure if there is some kind of opt-out, since I stopped the installation after reading the EULA or whatever it's called.) It clearly states that each URL you visit is sent to their server.

    About 'non-personal information': what is personal and not personal is certainly open to debate ! (Understatement)

    I don't like such a tool to send information about EVERY website I visit to whoever. If that would only be done in specific cases, on request, that might be ok.

    The only way to really be safe, is not to have that information stored ANYWHERE, by ANYONE.

    Hautesecure also collects information, more than I like ! (see their privacy policy).

    I'm not sure what to think of WOT, browser defender or other stuff.

    The thing is, since I no longer have the SiteAdvisor or any substitute, I don't know what website is safe ! So I can't just visit any page that 'pretends' to give information or a 'safe' download. (I used the SiteAdvisor basically as a blacklisting utility: staying away from red sites, but not really trusting the green or grey sites, worked almost always perfect, in combination with my own expertise to determine whether a site is safe, based on certain things (I've seen plenty of dangerous 'green' sites)).

    So I'm asking for advice.

    Thank you for your time and effort.
     
  18. cruelsister

    cruelsister Registered Member

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  19. Einsturzende

    Einsturzende Registered Member

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    Ok then, you can consider every site as a potentially malicious, and with above tools you can consider some sites are certainly malicious, Tools such as WOT etc. is good information/orientation tools nothing more and nothing less.
     
  20. cruelsister

    cruelsister Registered Member

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    It seemed to me he wanted absolutes. Just pointing out that there are none.
     
  21. jmonge

    jmonge Registered Member

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    but even if these tools give you info about sites,it does block or help you avoiding getting infected,it is just a warning tool.
     
  22. Dark Shadow

    Dark Shadow Registered Member

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    I use WOT just for helping hand.If its green does not mean its safe but if its red I avoid it all together.I keep my nod32 web Access protection browser set in active Mode for more stronger filtering and put more trust in that then any extension.
     
  23. jmonge

    jmonge Registered Member

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    i think that nod32 web Access protection is better choice:thumb:
     
  24. Saraceno

    Saraceno Registered Member

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  25. jmonge

    jmonge Registered Member

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    my site advisor for websites is my H.I.P.S program going nuts after blocking a malware.i remember last week i try or test antivirus2009(spyware)without any
    vm or sandbox app and ProcessGuard got nuts but at the end it blocks it in real time with out any side effects.like 3 or 4 pop ups and it was block,then i scan my pc with SUPERAntiSpYWare and MalWareBites and found nothing.:thumb:
     
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