What is the actual chance...

Discussion in 'other anti-malware software' started by Swordfish_, Jun 18, 2009.

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  1. Swordfish_

    Swordfish_ Registered Member

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    ... of being hit by malware of any kind, while using the following configuration:

    Win 7 64bit with LUA, DEP on all programs.

    Browsers:
    SRWare Iron, Opera 10 Beta, FF 3.0.11 with NoScript, AdBlock, WOT, Better Privacy, Secure Login (btw. any suggestions on security-related add-ons for FF?)
    Realtime:
    CIS in Proactive Security Mode, D+ Safe Mode, FW Custom Policy Mode
    Avira with heuristics on High
    Prevx 3

    Wonder if there's any way to make it more safe?

    Asking, because I had to ditch both Returnil as well as SBIE and GesWall and looks like there's no viable alternative for them. I especially mean that I don't have "external" (not counting the internal sandbox of Iron) browser sandboxing (SBIE, GW) nor light virtualization.

    Best regards
     
  2. Someone

    Someone Registered Member

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    You're setup is totally fine, personally I think it's a bit overkill even. Just make sure you've got an image backup.
     
  3. Cudni

    Cudni Global Moderator

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    You might be hit by malware but it will just bounce off :)
    No need for additional software that is for sure. Use common sense and enjoy browsing and computing
     
  4. jrmhng

    jrmhng Registered Member

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    Overkill but it is wilders after all.
     
  5. Acadia

    Acadia Registered Member

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    :cool:
    Acadia
     
  6. benton4

    benton4 Registered Member

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    Agreed. An image backup is always a good idea.
     
  7. elapsed

    elapsed Registered Member

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    Haha I was thinking the same :D

    But at the end of the day, it does also depend a high amount on your browsing habits.
     
  8. dw426

    dw426 Registered Member

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    I'm surprised YOU can get on the computer, let alone malware :) Seriously, that's a hell of an overkill there, god help you if one of those acts up and causes a problem. With what you have, you don't even need virtualization or sandboxes. You'd have to do something incredibly stupid on purpose to get infected. Listen, it's your choice, but let me guide you on the path to hassle-free, secure computing:

    1. Keep your LUA, I don't use it myself, but it's good stuff. The DEP enabled on all programs, well, honestly I've had DEP go wonky enough on me that I couldn't handle that, but that's your thing and if it makes you feel more comfortable, you go for it.

    2. Multiple browsers don't harm a thing, keep right at it if you like them. I'm moving away from Opera myself and heading back to FF. BUT, as far as FF, don't go nuts on the extensions. AdblockPlus and Noscript will kill off anything you happen to come across as far as drive by downloads and all that mess. WOT is useless, imho, and so is every other link/search results checker out there.

    Why? Simple, websites can be compromised in minutes and, right back to being safe again, in minutes. That is NOT enough time to rely on a database of so called "safe websites". Hell, that's not even enough time to rely on both FF and IEs' built in checkers and phishing filters. Things just plain change too quickly these days.

    3. I won't mention anything about firewalls because that is nothing more than a comfort level issue. The only argument I'd make is that if malware doesn't get in your system, it can't call back out. Therefore, outbound monitoring with an extra firewall other than a router and/or Windows own firewall, is just another load on your system.

    4. Your AV is fine, keep it. Do you NEED heuristics on high? Not imho, no. For me, it just means it'll start groaning whenever I download some perfectly safe system tool or "no-CD patch" and the like. I like my antivirus to leave me alone unless it has something good to say. But, just like the firewall, that's a comfort level thing and I'm leaving it up to you.

    5. Previx 3, have at it if you want. No offense at all to the developer, it's a great program. I guess I just feel that with my previous points above, it's just using resources since it won't really have a lot to do and watch for, imho.
     
  9. Swordfish_

    Swordfish_ Registered Member

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    Any particular reason for this?

    Thanks for suggestions :) Maybe I really got too paranoid ;)
     
  10. dw426

    dw426 Registered Member

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    If you mean why am I moving from Opera, it has nothing to do with its security. I just have some dislikes with the way it functions, and, like every other Opera version I've ever had, it goes good for a few weeks, then the crashes, freeze-ups and other issues start rolling in. I've never figured out why, so I can't blame the browser, I can't blame my system because every other browser works fine, and I can't blame my security programs because all I use is Sandboxie and Avast, again, with which other browsers have no trouble.

    Who knows, I probably never will. And, as far as being too paranoid, don't worry about it, it's just a symptom of Wilders Syndrome. We've all had it and some still do :)
     
  11. Osaban

    Osaban Registered Member

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    I don't know if you are interested, DeepFreeze and FirstDefense PC Rescue work on Vista 64 bit, I'm pretty sure they probably work on Win 7 64bit. I miss the versatility of Shadow Defender compared to DeepFreeze (although I wouldn't surf unknown areas without a virtualizer). I'm also quite impressed with Internet Explorer 8 (64 bit) which is different from IE 8 installed on a 64 bit machine (one gets two IE8 icons).
     
  12. DOSawaits

    DOSawaits Registered Member

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    If you're using CIS, the malware may be closer than you think.;)
     
  13. dw426

    dw426 Registered Member

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    If you're heading in the direction my gut instinct is telling me you are....don't, for the sake of keeping the thread clean...please don't. But other than that one idea, what exactly do you mean?
     
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