Back in the saddle: need advice

My corporate network has handled all my anti-malware/virus/badness for the past three years and my mind has gone soft.

Now it is up to me again. My new computer is built and ready to be protected. It's running XP SP3 and IE7. I practice super-safe hex. Three-plus years ago I employed NOD32 AV (w/ blackspear's settings), CounterSpy and SAS behind OutpostPro Firewall. I was happy and secure. No hits, no infections.

Does that combination now seem antiquated? Have any of the above products crashed and burned? Would anyone suggest a change?

Thanks.

 

Nope Still good combo, if you are comfortable using those and they work for you, why change?

 

Just a little warning: the current version of Counterspy is <3>, and it doesn't always play nice with others. It's actually a quite different product than version 2. I stopped using counterspy because I could no longer update the definition files of 2.5, I could only choose between migrating to version 3 or 'upgrading' to VIPRE. But you could experiment if you wish. Using Counterspy as an on-demand (not real-time) scanner would probably work without problems, although I'm not quite sure.

And from what I've read NOD32 is not very effective against spyware, so you'd need some real-time antispyware protection.

 

People, thank you for taking the time to write.

Thanks for the tip on Counterspy and the thumbs-up on Malwarebytes. One thing I forgot to mention is that I ran Prevx as well. And yes, I kept SAS on call. Do folks still recommend layering HIPS/behavioral anti-malware with their signature based anti-malware? I was a big fan and proponent of Prevx way back when. Brilliant design, low resource utilization. Is it still amongst the recommended?

 

JRViejo,

Thanks for the link to the Prevx thread. Sorry I missed it. Good God, there are a lot of people bitching. It suprises me. Three years ago, I installed it (Prevx 1), set it up in ABC and only heard from it like four times in six months - never a false positive. I thought it was God's gift to HIPS. It's either gone downhill or the people on that thread are unduly cranky.

And two recommendations for Malwarebytes - suprising! Would you please tell me why you prefer Malwarebytes over its hundred competitors out there? I'd really appreciate it.

 

If you read the entire thread, it does get marginally better

~3 years ago was the peak of our false positives, so, if you didn't have any then, you'll most likely be fine now (granted, every AV does have them, so, no guarantees of course).

We are about to release a major new product as well, so, don't count us out just yet

 

Suggestion: NAT Router with HWFW as part of essential tools.
Check Sandboxie http://www.sandboxie.com/

Comments:
re: PrevX

Nah, it's a long story. Look closer you'll see the majority are cool with it. V2.x is still a good tool imho. The -ahem- imminent release of v3 has generated some excitement, but it will be different to v2.

re: MBAM: works good. Had lots of testing here and there: very effective. Genuine contender for 'app of the year'

 

How does Malwarewarebytes realtime protection rate?

 

JRViejo,

Thanks for the note.

I just read that test from front to back and it bothers me. I have a lot of training in statistics and to see a spread like that rings warning bells in my head. 99.12% - 2.16% is just a bit unbelievable. I have no affiliation with Malwarebytes or any other software company, but if 2.16% sensitivity were close to the truth, it would be listed as rogue software (I hope) by reputable forums. And no heueristics can snag over 99% of inbound malware.

Did they use the paid version or the free version? That and many other question plague my mind.

I am still considering using Malwarebytes. The methodology of the test and especially the results make me want to dismiss the test out of hand. No heueristics can snag over 99% of inbound malware. What's your opinion?

 

BTW, I keep reading anectotal comments that Malwarebytes really shines as a sweeper but isn't so great as a real-time defender. Malwarebytes.org on the other hand puts a lot of stock in their heueristics and it's "revolutionalry" design.

What has been your experience?