Best security tools (August 2009)

[Tek7]

When I used to work as a PC Tech back in 2006-2007, I used a combination of Spybot - Search & Destroy, Ad-Aware, Spywareblaster, and CCleaner to keep my system clean.

I'm not as familiar with what technicians are using now to prevent malware, so I'd like to hear from the professionals among us: What do you use to keep your Windows-based systems clean?

 

[Hescominsoon]

http://www.emmanuelcomputerconsulting.com/archives/1950

Modern malware cannot be reliably removed from inside the infected operating system most times now. Unix admins for decades have known once the box is compromised you can't trust it. The only way to have a decent chance of removing anything is to scan it fomr another known non-infected machine. I use avg and spybot for this purpose if a client declines to follow a reformat\reload recommendation. I always give a disclaimer if they choose the disinfection route.

 

[ewoksrule]

I have been working for Neighborhood Tech Support for 4+ years and am the General Manager of the SanDiego office.

I used to swear by Spybot - Search & Destroy and Ad-Aware. In the past couple years I haven't touched them. They both went downhill fast after bad management decisions.

Ccleaner (w/o removing cookies) and Malwarebytes Anti-malware (quick scan) are my 2 standbys for most of my PC cleanups. I recommend my clients to run them once a month as part of a monthly maintenance routine. Always run Ccleaner first so you don't waste time scanning temp directories with MBAM.

I recommend AVG or Avira (disable nag screen) for free proactive virus protection.

If the infestation is too heavy then I resort to something like the UltimateBootCD or Trinity Rescue Kit to do the cleanup.

I often refer back to this guys guide from time to time. Fantastic resource:
http://elitekiller.com/malware.htm

 

[Tek7]

Modern malware cannot be reliably removed from inside the infected operating system most times now.

Ccleaner (w/o removing cookies) and Malwarebytes Anti-malware (quick scan) are my 2 standbys for most of my PC cleanups. I recommend my clients to run them once a month as part of a monthly maintenance routine. Always run Ccleaner first so you don't waste time scanning temp directories with MBAM.

I'll check out MBAM, but I'm more interested in preventing or blocking malware than removing it. Can you guys recommend any programs specifically for that purpose?

 

[ewoksrule]

I am not a fan of proactive malware blocking, most products I have used are too inconvenient or use too much system resources for my liking. I think that with a good antivirus like Avira (which already has some malware blocking) and then monthly scans with MBAM you are fine.

The trick is to use common sense and the second you notice anything out of wack to run a MBAM scan, if you stay on top of it that way you will be fine.

If you really must have one, you could pay for MBAM and then you get the automatic proactive version vs just the manual scanner. But honestly you will be fine with Avira+monthly maintenance.

 

[tiniki]

My combination is Spybot, Ad-Aware and Glary Utilities. My computer works well.