replies inline....
"LewB" <whoislew@hotmail.com(sparethespam)> wrote in message
news:6762BA50-AB9E-418F-80E8-248930DBDA99@microsoft.com...
>I have Microsoft Antispyware Program on this computer, apparently
>there
> since 2006. Was this the predecessor of the MSE program and needs to
> be
> removed before downloading MSE? I should be able to disable the
> McAfee and
> then run the MSE to see how the two compare?
By "Microsoft Antispyware Program", I assume you mean Windows
Defender....no? If so, no, you don't have to uninstall it or disable it
to install MSE. MSE installs some updated versions of Defender files,
and disables the Defender interface automatically, so you don't have to
do anything with it.
I do NOT recommend installing MSE or any other AV with McAfee still
installed. Even if it is disabled, it can still cause issues. You
should not install any AV while another AV is installed. Although you
can disable McAfee's resident scanner, its drivers and services are
still loaded, and they can interfere with another AV's drivers and
services.
> I haven't tackled the somewhat involved process recommended by Glen
> and
> for home use question if this is a bit of "overkill"?
Hey, that's me! I assume (again) you are referring to my suggestion to
run an AV scan from outside the operating system, using a bootable CD.
If you consider ensuring the system is clean to be overkill, then I
guess the process is overkill. You've already stated that you've gotten
more than one report from Avast and from technicians that you had
malware on-board. You've run some programs from within Windows, and
each is finding something after the other has "cleaned" the system. The
ONLY way to ensure you do not have a root kit or other hidden malware is
to run a scan from OUTSIDE the OS. I can't make it any clearer than
that. "For home use" is exactly what it is for....it is home users that
pick up root kits more than any other user type. Most corporate /
business systems have group policy restrictions that prevent users from
installing things and /or they the users work in limited user profiles
without admin privileges. Home users by and large run in an admin
account and get the drive-by malware that brings in root kits.
> Also I downloaded, installed and ran Malwarebytes and it came up
> with
> two items after hours of full scanning and these were removed. I also
> downloaded and installed and ran SuperAntiSpyware and it found three
> items
> from AdWare. What do you folks think about the Spyblaster program and
> AdWare?
> I don't know if this thread is being followed by all so will copy
> this
> comment to the others. Thanks.
MBAM is usually all you need...you can run SAS if you like. I do
suggest spending the one-time fee of ~$30 to get the full version of
MBAM that includes auto-updating and resident protection...but that's up
to you.
SpywareBlaster sets kill-bits in the Registry to block known malware,
and it's updates add to its list. It does not "run" in the
background...it just adds items to the registry and quits. You must
update it regularly and then manually enable protection against the
newly added items after each update. It also has an autoupdate option
that I believe costs $10. For XP it is a good addition to your arsenal.
By AdWare, do you mean the Ad-Aware program from Lavasoft? It used to
be a frontrunner but nowadays it does not detect enough newer malware to
be worthwhile IMHO. MBAM and SAS are far better, and I don't think
there is an advantage to adding Ad-Aware.
--
Glen Ventura, MS MVP Oct. 2002 - Sept. 2009
A+
http://dts-l.net/
>
>
> "glee" wrote:
>
>> The proof is in the pudding, as they say. There are many testing
>> organizations that test AV apps in various ways and get variable
>> results, but MSE is usually at or near the top. More importantly is
>> how
>> they act in the real world, under fire, so to speak. Those such as
>> Robear who have worked in malware removal forums and security forums
>> dealing with viruses, trojans and assorted malware, form opinions
>> based
>> on experience with the failures and successes of the various AV
>> programs. I consider those opinions to hold a bit more weight than
>> "some guy" on the Internet posting a review based on his one
>> computer.
>>
>> Similarly, I place more weight on the opinion of experienced auto
>> mechanics than I do on a review in Consumer Reports, as to what used
>> car
>> is more reliable.
>> --
>> Glen Ventura, MS MVP Oct. 2002 - Sept. 2009
>> A+
>> http://dts-l.net/
>>
>>
>> "LewB" <whoislew@hotmail.com(sparethespam)> wrote in message
>> news:81D8EB8E-F64C-4BC4-9101-7EA9C327B9B5@microsoft.com...
>> > Oh no. I have already installed SP3. The clone procedure
>> > transferred
>> > the
>> > entire system, XP Pro, and all my apps and files to the new HD and,
>> > after
>> > disabling McAfee, SP3 installed flawlessly.
>> > And in regard to my last post about lack of consensus about AV
>> > programs
>> > this link raises the same questions about Microsoft's Security
>> > Essentials and
>> > other programs. Especially if you scroll down and read the
>> > responses
>> > to the
>> > article. Of course we do not know the backgound(s) of the
>> > responder(s)
>> > although one lists himself/herself as a software program developer.
>> > Lew
>> >
>> > http://www.pcworld.com/article/172958/independent_tester_security_essentials_very_good.html
>> > --
>> > LJB
>> >
>> >
>> > "PA Bear [MS MVP]" wrote:
>> >
>> >> In any event, I don't think you're gonna get SP3 installed on that
>> >> computer
>> >> unless you reinstall WinXP first.
>> >>
>> >> And if WinXP SP3 isn't installed by 13 July 2010, your computer
>> >> will
>> >> not be
>> >> offered any further critical security updates, Automatic Updates
>> >> will
>> >> not
>> >> work, and you will not be able to update manually until SP3 is
>> >> installed.
>> >>
>> >> What does it mean if my version of Windows is no longer supported?
>> >> http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/help/what-does-end-of-support-mean
>> >>
>> >> Free unlimited installation and compatibility support for WinXP
>> >> SP3
>> >> was
>> >> available from 14 April 2008 thru May 2009. Such support will
>> >> cost
>> >> you
>> >> US$59 or higher per incident now.
>> >>
>> >>
>> >> LewB wrote:
>> >> > Data Doctors did not build my computer. The person who put it
>> >> > together
>> >> > retired a few years ago. I downloaded and installed McAfee from
>> >> > Cox
>> >> > myself
>> >> > after my "problems" with Avast continually recording one "virus"
>> >> > I
>> >> > could
>> >> > not
>> >> > remove from their "chest" including multiple runs of
>> >> > Malwarebyte,
>> >> > HiJack
>> >> > It,
>> >> > etc. McAfee's gratis availability and assumed "potency" was
>> >> > touted by
>> >> > people who are conversant with the subject including one IT
>> >> > person.
>> >> > Data
>> >> > Doctors only did the recent diagnostic test and told me my hard
>> >> > drive was
>> >> > failing...and wanted to replace it after making a clone, remove
>> >> > the
>> >> > "virus/malware" they claim was on the system and do something
>> >> > with
>> >> > the
>> >> > registry to prevent a lot of programs loading on startup. All
>> >> > for
>> >> > only
>> >> > $400. (sic) So I bought a new HD at Frys and installed it in
>> >> > the
>> >> > tower
>> >> > and
>> >> > after running a chkdsk and repairing the "ill" drive, then did a
>> >> > clone to
>> >> > the new one with a trial version of Acronis. It worked
>> >> > beautifully. And
>> >> > then made some changes in msconfig/startup to address the
>> >> > programs
>> >> > starting
>> >> > on boot. I guess you can go into the registry itself to do a
>> >> > better job
>> >> > but I haven't got that far yet. And that is how the issue of
>> >> > viruses,
>> >> > McAfee,etc developed. It is apparent to me after listening
>> >> > and
>> >> > reading
>> >> > multiple accounts that
>> >> > there still is controversy and no consensus opinion about these
>> >> > virus
>> >> > programs, although the two of you have been quite consistent.
>> >> > Lew
>> >> >
>> >> >> Was a McAfee free trial preinstalled on the computer when you
>> >> >> bought it
>> >> >> and
>> >> >> did Data Doctors remove it & install the Webroot app *after
>> >> >> they
>> >> >> sold it
>> >> >> to
>> >> >> you* ??
>> >> >>
>> >> >> LewB wrote:
>> >> >>> Not Best Buy...Data Doctors a locally run computer outfit
>> >> >>> which
>> >> >>> is not
>> >> >>> to
>> >> >>> say that they are any different than Best Buy. They prefer
>> >> >>> Spyweeper
>> >> >>> because they claim McAfee takes up too much RAM.
>> >> >>> Lew
>> >> >>>
>> >> >>>> This was Geek Squad at Best Buy, right?
>> >> >>>>
>> >> >>>> LewB wrote:
>> >> >>>>> Ok I then would appreciate your best suggestion, free or
>> >> >>>>> otherwise.
>> >> >>>>> The
>> >> >>>>> computer store that did some diagnostics for me said they
>> >> >>>>> like
>> >> >>>>> Spyseeper
>> >> >>>>> antivirus from Webroot...
>> >> >>>> .
>> >> >>
>> >> >> .
>> >>
>> >> .
>> >>
>>
>> .
>>