Best Anti-virus/Spyware/Nasty programe software???

[Fastra]

I'm currently having a bit of an issue with my home PC.

I've only got Spybot and the free AVG packages installed (and TBH they've been ok for a number of years now) - until now!!!

Any search links that google returns is at first directing me to advertising sites (such as, ironically, anti-virus software and music downloads), if I click the link again then it goes to the intended location. This on its own isn't too bad really.

But it seems to be also blocking any Spybot updates, with it saying the firewall must be blocking it (I've checked the list of exceptions and Spybot is in there). Plus its also preventing download of Microsoft's malicious software removal tool - coming up with the same 'firewall' message.

Everything else is working fine, with all other downloads seemingly ok. Its just seems to be preventing any attempts at removing it.

I quickly got hold of SuperAntiSpyware last night and run it but to no effect really.
I'm going to get hold of the malicious software removal tool from my daughters machine tonight and see if that comes up with anything.

But in the meantime, can anyone suggest any good Virus/Spyware software?

[fatboy b]

Zonelabs.

[Fastra]

fatboy b said:

Zonelabs.

Thanks, but as in this version:

http://www.zonealarm.com/security/en-us/zonealarm-...

I'm going to give Microsoft Security Essentials a whirl too.

[fatboy b]

Fastra said:

fatboy b said:

Zonelabs.

Thanks, but as in this version:

http://www.zonealarm.com/security/en-us/zonealarm-...

I'm going to give Microsoft Security Essentials a whirl too.

That's the kiddie.

ETA - they do a free (cut down) version. I've got the pay-version, and it's about £28 a year. And I think I read somewhere you can put it on up to 3 PC's. Could be wrong there though.

Edited by fatboy b on Wednesday 24th February 11:23

[Fastra]

fatboy b said:

Fastra said:

fatboy b said:

Zonelabs.

Thanks, but as in this version:

http://www.zonealarm.com/security/en-us/zonealarm-...

I'm going to give Microsoft Security Essentials a whirl too.

That's the kiddie.

Excellent - decent price too, considering it covers 3 PCs too.

[Fastra]

fatboy b said:

Fastra said:

fatboy b said:

Zonelabs.

ETA - they do a free (cut down) version. I've got the pay-version, and it's about £28 a year. And I think I read somewhere you can put it on up to 3 PC's. Could be wrong there though.

Edited by fatboy b on Wednesday 24th February 11:23

Yep - just seen that. Bloody good price that really.

[DeputyDawg]

Try Malware Bytes as an initial scan too. (free)

http://www.filehippo.com/download_malwarebytes_ant...

[bonsai]

DeputyDawg said:

Try Malware Bytes as an initial scan too. (free)

http://www.filehippo.com/download_malwarebytes_ant...

This is the only program mentioned so far that will actually get rid of the browser hijacker you've currently got on your machine.

[Fastra]

bonsai said:

DeputyDawg said:

Try Malware Bytes as an initial scan too. (free)

http://www.filehippo.com/download_malwarebytes_ant...

This is the only program mentioned so far that will actually get rid of the browser hijacker you've currently got on your machine.

Do you reckon that's what it is then a browser hijack?
Crafty buggers aren't they - how its blocks any logical attempt to remove it. Anything I try to download that even mentions 'anti' or 'spy' just gets blocked with the firewall message - even when I turn it off.

[fatboy b]

bonsai said:

DeputyDawg said:

Try Malware Bytes as an initial scan too. (free)

http://www.filehippo.com/download_malwarebytes_ant...

This is the only program mentioned so far that will actually get rid of the browser hijacker you've currently got on your machine.

I had a browser hihacker a few years back Zonealarms cleared it for me. It took a few passes mind with the settings set to deep scan (or words to that effect). I did download & scan in failsafe mode though.

Edited by fatboy b on Wednesday 24th February 11:43

[yellowtr]

http://www.superantispyware.com/

Free one is great. Used to use Malware, but it didn't always find everything. The above does and apart from its naff name its very good.

Edited by yellowtr on Wednesday 24th February 13:08

[convert]

Your hosts file might be infected. (C:\windows\system32\drivers\etc\hosts)

Open it up in notepad and if you see any website entries for the download sites or google that point to 127.0.0.1 then deleted them and re-save the file (but remember to save it as hosts not hosts.txt)

PS A agree with the comments suggesting you use malwarebytes.

I'd also suggest spybot and adaware.

[Road2Ruin]

yellowtr said:

http://www.superantispyware.com/

Free one is great. Used to use Malware, but it didn't always find everything. The above does and apart from its naff name its very good.

Edited by yellowtr on Wednesday 24th February 13:08

None of them are foolproof. A fool and his internet browser are easily infected.

[GhostDriver]

avast,

Home edition, free

It is simply the Best out there, have been using it for years, never had any problems with it. Catches everything, has p2p filters, will do a boottime scan, gets updates every couple of days, is small and light weight so doesnt afffect performance.

Cant recommend it highly enough.

[Fastra]

Road2Ruin said:

None of them are foolproof. A fool and his internet browser are easily infected.

Oh - cheers mate!

[Fastra]

convert said:

Your hosts file might be infected. (C:\windows\system32\drivers\etc\hosts)

Open it up in notepad and if you see any website entries for the download sites or google that point to 127.0.0.1 then deleted them and re-save the file (but remember to save it as hosts not hosts.txt)

PS A agree with the comments suggesting you use malwarebytes.

I'd also suggest spybot and adaware.

Cheers - I'll have a look at the Host file tonight.
I've already got Spybot, but this doesn't pick up anything - and I've updated the definitions file by using my daughters PC. I can't even get onto Spybots home page on mine http://www.safer-networking.org/index2.html, as the 'virus' just says its unavailable!

[twinturboz]

Ditch AVG and get AVAST installed. I used to use AVG but in the last 2 years or so their software has become a bit bloated not to mention the ads.

[Road2Ruin]

Fastra said:

Road2Ruin said:

None of them are foolproof. A fool and his internet browser are easily infected.

Oh - cheers mate!

Sorry Fastra wasn't refering to you directly. In fact I had this browser hijack a couple of years ago. Malwarebytes cleared it up.

[TEKNOPUG]

I've been using Spyware Doctor for the last few years and not had any problems. However, it does seem quite system-hungry and as it's up for renewal soon (£25?) I was wondering if there is a better all-in-one free alternative? I will need it for XP and Vista, if that makes any difference?

[Fastra]

Road2Ruin said:

Fastra said:

Road2Ruin said:

None of them are foolproof. A fool and his internet browser are easily infected.

Oh - cheers mate!

Sorry Fastra wasn't refering to you directly. In fact I had this browser hijack a couple of years ago. Malwarebytes cleared it up.

No worries mate.

If I actually think about it I think about it though 'it' may have got in through the recent version of Sopcast I installed. Its a football viewer that I use for Man Utd games and is a pain for trying to install some advertising client thing.