4 Questions regarding Malware Programs

[imported_razz]

Hi all, nice to be back on this forum.

I have the latest paid version of Kaspersky Total Security and I also have the latest free version of WinPatrol. I've had Kaspersky installed for just over one year and during that time periodically ran on demand scans with Malwarebytes free. I've never had a malware problem, thank goodness.


Currently I am running 3 malware programs in order to test them (basically see what I think of them). All three are free versions that are still in the trial period. After the trial period I do not plan on upgrading to the paid versions. All 5 programs co-exist very well with no problems.

The 3 malware programs I am running are: Malwarebytes, Reason Core Security and MalwareFox.

I have 4 questions::

(1) In your opinion, which is the best and the worst of these three?

(2) Considering I have Kaspersky Total Security, would it be of any benefit to upgrade to the paid version of one or more of them?

(3) Is SpyBot Search and Destroy still an active company and if so, is it worth considering?

(4) Are there any other malware programs that you would recommend?

Thank you in advance for your time and effort, it will be greatly appreciated.

 

[Azuma Hazuki]

KAV and MBAM free is actually my standard anti-malware solution for most customers The truth is, traditional antivirus programs are less useful than they used to be--which is not to say malware won't royally ruin your day if you let it in of course!

In general, if you have a competent real-time AV scanner and a couple of on-demand tools, of which MBAM is the best I have ever used, you can stop most infections if they haven't spread too deep and messed with too many important bits of your system. Believe it or not, the best front-line defense against malware these days is a good ad-blocker; I like uBlock Origin best.

As malware and those who deploy it have become more sophisticated, so too must our defenses be. We must exercise "defense in depth," a concept that not so long ago was considered datacenter-security-tier. You want to visualize your defense as several picket fences lined up slightly off-center, such that something heading straight in through the gaps in the first one will go splat against one of the posts in the second or third one.

This means have a real-time scanner, an on-demand scanner, an ad-blocker, maybe some security enforcers like HTTPS Everywhere, NoScript if you can stand to run it, Spybot's Immunization (though I don't see much else useful in it anymore, sad to say), and most importantly, some basic common sense. Never give people your info if they don't absolutely need it, keep burner emails, don't open suspicious attachments, etc. The first and often weakest layer of security is the operator.

 

[Azuma Hazuki]

Oh, one more thing: Backups, backups, backups! The bad guys are always going to be one step ahead of us, and one particular class of malware, the cryptovirus, is pretty much game over if it's a variant no one knows how to decrypt. Always be prepared to scrub your entire machine down to the bare platters and reinstall everything.

 

[imported_razz]

Thanks Azuma for your prompt reply - I really appreciate it. See my response in bold below:

KAV and MBAM free is actually my standard anti-malware solution for most customers

Glad to see you also use KAV and MBAM. I believe both you and I made very wise choices

In general, if you have a competent real-time AV scanner and a couple of on-demand tools, of which MBAM is the best I have ever used

I agree with you 100%. I plan on using the free versions of MBAM and perhaps also MalwareFox, both for periodic on-demand scans.

Believe it or not, the best front-line defense against malware these days is a good ad-blocker; I like uBlock Origin best.

Until I read what you wrote I was only using Kaspersky to block ads in my chrome browser. Now I've also installed uBlock Origin, as per your recommendation.

As malware and those who deploy it have become more sophisticated, so too must our defenses be. We must exercise "defense in depth," a concept that not so long ago was considered datacenter-security-tier. You want to visualize your defense as several picket fences lined up slightly off-center, such that something heading straight in through the gaps in the first one will go splat against one of the posts in the second or third one.

Azuma, the way you worded the above paragragh is the absolute best description of defense that I've seen anywhere!

most importantly, some basic common sense. Never give people your info if they don't absolutely need it, keep burner emails, don't open suspicious attachments, etc. The first and often weakest layer of security is the operator.

Very well said, I agree 100%.

Added note: I also use MVPS Host File.

 

[John Connor]

Holy lurker! And you posted this same exact question on another forum.

 

[imported_razz]

Holy lurker! And you posted this same exact question on another forum.

John, I really don't see anything wrong with posting the same question on different forums. I deeply value the opinion of experienced users and the more input I have the better. I'm just trying to learn. Does this not make sense to you?

 

[Azuma Hazuki]

Ignore him. I think the mods do get all bushy-tailed and frizzy when people do that, but it looks to me like he's just trying to swing the rulehammer for gits'n'shiggles.

 

[imported_razz]

Ignore him. I think the mods do get all bushy-tailed and frizzy when people do that, but it looks to me like he's just trying to swing the rulehammer for gits'n'shiggles.

Seems like some may. Again, thanks Azuma.

 

[PliotronX]

Ill start with junkware removal tool, Adwcleaner (warning, a couple dialogs after cleaning, it will force a reboot!), then malwarebytes anti malware. Between these three, 99.9% of the crud is ripped out. Those few special cases, I will run hitmanpro, herdprotect, emsisoft emergency kit, but if it still appears infected, its time for a reinstall of windows.

 

[imported_razz]

Ill start with junkware removal tool, Adwcleaner (warning, a couple dialogs after cleaning, it will force a reboot!), then malwarebytes anti malware. Between these three, 99.9% of the crud is ripped out.

I basically do the same as you PliotronX, on a weekly basis. I've never used JRT but I've used CCleaner for years. I imagine they are very similar a far as effectiveness goes.