Anti Virus -- antivirus  - Anti Spyware  --  Fire Wall -- 

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 Warning! ... about using Vcach virus detector

Since Dec 2004 OK
After testing for several months: WinPatrol appears to be an efficient "free' program
Scotty the Windows Watch Dog sniffs out malicious "mysteryware" , web attacks and parasites that may assault your computer. WinPatrol Free is not demo or trial software.
There is also a paid version that we have not tested.

Addition August - September 2004
CookieWall from AnalogX
Protect your privacy online by controlling which cookies are allowed to stay and which ones go...
CookieWall remains for years the best reliable and flexible design of the kind.
Have run successfully... simultaneously for three months a triple firewall system composed of Zone Alarm and Sygate personal firewall and spywareGuard
If you run many programs at once... remember to get a large Ram in your machine ( 512Mb) and better forget Win98... old Win2k works fine

I recently decided to up-to-date freewwwtools' virus protection page. It was a not particular symptom of a viral problem in my machine, but I got soon into problems!
Actually, I use the excellent AVG free personal protection for years.
It is reasonable impossible to ask to any antiviral program a 100% protection .. so
we have to scan the machine with the different anti-virus:
We used HouseCall -- Trend Micro's online virus scans and bit BitDefender Free Online Virus Scan
Bit defender found a couple of worms but couldn't clean them ... I deleted the files and used the update option of Windows 2000 to reinstall the system files while keeping the installed programs in registry.
The result was OK ... but I downloaded a trial version of the famous Norton's Symantec commercial antivirus .. for double checking if eventually the 30Mb mega anti virus soft could find some bugs, in the already declared clean machine, by the other said software. Symantec didn't found anything ... but finally screwed the system when I tried to uninstall it.
Symantec declares that the program can't be uninstalled because the Windows installer is obsolete! So why not to inform you before installing the program?
( 6 years ago I had a similar uninstall experience with Win 95)
If you try to clean your machine deleting the registry entries and the program's files.. Symantec anti virus ... behave just like a virus and you finally you have to format the drive.

Conclusion:
 

Anti virus: Better to scan your machine occasionally with a second antivirus
Actually we do use AVG as basic protection and BitDefender free personal edition or online Virus Scan.
A good alternative : HouseCall -- Trend Micro's online virus scan

Firewall: We recently tested successfully to use simultaneously TWO firewall program such as Sygate and Zone alarm. Jim Maurer's security audit shows Your system has achieved a perfect "TruStealth" rating. Not a single packet — solicited or otherwise — was received from your system pursuant to our security probing tests. Your system ignored and refused to reply to repeated Pings (ICMP Echo Requests). From the standpoint of the passing probes of any hacker, this machine does not exist on the Internet. Some questionable personal security systems expose their users by attempting to "counter-probe the probe", thus revealing themselves. However, your system wisely remained silent in every way. Very nice.
One of the two programs will take action ... just say: yes or not when asked without informing the program to remember. I use Sygate a basic and open eventually Zone alarm for extra protection

Spyware: If you only can afford freeware... better preventively scan for Parasites, Scumware, Keyloggers, selected traditional Trojans, Dialers, Malware, Browser hijackers, and tracking components in hypocritically included in supposed generous programs.
Most of the best freeware "classic" are spyware ... some freeware still work ,after removing the parasites.
We use the great freeware pioneer of the kind: the Swedish Lavasoft 's Ad-aware.

Mail: We have tested many options wrongly promising miraculous anti Spam results.
The simple and functional Mailwasher remains our favorite. Better avoid Outlook integrated solution.
Mailwasher allows you to check your mail in the server .. the best solution so far available. We get daily a couple of mail loaded with a virus.


 

AuditMyPC.com is a not for profit vulnerability assessment, privacy test, research and security information site. This site was designed to promote security awareness -
free of charge!
Visit Jim Maurer's Auditmypc.com

http://www.trojanscan.com/trojanscan/trojanscan.htm 

http://housecall.trendmicro.com/housecall/start_corp.asp

Take a look at THE FREEWARE PUBLISHING SITE from Belgium
Their Antivirus page is excellent and the site  uptaded Almost every day
This site, Freewwtools is a user Selection based on time experience and the best freeware sources sharing, for that reason it can't be updated every day.

 AVG 6.0 Free Edition antivirus   

Download, install and use AVG 6.0 Free Edition and get : 

AVG Resident Protection 
AVG Email Scanner 
AVG On-Demand Scanner 
Scheduled Tests 
Free Updates on monthly basis 
Automatic Update feature 
Easy-To-Use Interface 
Automatic Healing of infected files 
AVG Virus Vault for safe handling of infected files
Comment: Actually I am testing AVG 

Comment:
Just  excellent. I have used AVG until a Windows' crash  gave me the opportunity to discover Avast, because AVG server was too slow  downloading AVG.
There is some confusion regarding Grisoft AVG antivirus 6 that is a limited time evaluation and the free version  
 

2004, I am using again AVG , not to say that Avast  wasn't good , it just bother my because it ask to humpty the CD drive when closing!

 Avast

Excellent virus detection !!!
Avast! Home Edition is a complete free antivirus package for home
noncommercial use.
Avast Home Edition is an ICSA certified antivirus package for home
noncommercial use. It includes On Demand, On Access, Explorer and Screen
Saver scanners. E-mail scanner checks both In and Out-going mails.
The true incremental updates of size under 100 KB are available at least
once a week and in hours in the case of emergency of new virus. You can
download and install them by one click and/or by scheduled update.
avast! obtained 100% mark at June 2002 Virus Bulletin comparative review
under Windows XP Pro.
You'll download a 90 days fully functional demo. You should register at
http://www.avast.com/register.htm to obtain free activation key by mail.
Download, install, try, register, update and relax!

Comment: I  used alternatively  Avast Freeware version and AVG  for years.  Avast it is a very serious and complete anti-virus program. Several viral attack were successfully detected during this period.

Avast is a Czech Republic product.
Probably many  ignore that this region of Europe enjoy of a great tradition of advanced engineering and scientific capacity. So don't be surprised to get from there a first class antivirus like Avast!

Also the Czech Republic is a great tourist place of Europe with 17 million visitors. More information about the Czech Republic  at Lonelyplanet.com
http://www.historycentral.com/ includes summary history data about all the world. A great place for complete summary information on all countries. Include human rights information.  Just input the country name in the search window. 

 AntiVir Personal Edition

German technology

• detects and removes more than 50,000 viruses

• always among the winners of comparison test featured in computer journals

• the resident Virus Guard serves to monitor file movements automatically,
  e.g. downloading of data from the internet

• scanning and repair of macro viruses

• Protection against previously unknown macro viruses

• easy operation

• Internet-Update Wizard for easy updating

• Protection against previously unknown boot record viruses and master boot record viruses

• Quality "Made in Germany"

Comment: German free anti virus protection alternative.
Come in German and English version
Not personally tested : User information report will be appreciated  
Win NT/ 2000 version available

F-Prot Antivirus for DOS

F-Prot Antivirus for DOS is the classic command line scanner for the DOS operating system. Combining experience and latest technology, F-Prot Antivirus for DOS is the ideal second defense antivirus protection. F-Prot Antivirus for DOS is free for personal use and is included with F-Prot Antivirus for Windows.

Download F-Prot Antivirus for DOS
Product details


Comment:  I keep in reserve the last DOS version ... in case 
Free only for non-commercial use.

Free Removal tools  from Symantec 

Viruses have become increasingly complex and virus infections involve more system elements than ever before. Symantec Security Response has developed tools to automatically conduct what would often amount to extensive and tedious manual removal tasks. If your system has become infected, the tools listed below should aid you in repairing the damage.

Symantec also offers online tutorials for manual removal of many threats.

Note: I have tested and used most existing AV freeware since 1997, includes Inoculate personal, AVG, Adif, Avast, F-Prot Antivirus, and also VCatch last year.
Warning about using Vcach virus detector
See archives page.


Other Anti-Virus Alternatives and sites specialized on the virus subjects.
The Anti-Virus test file
(read the complete text, it contains important information)

Comment: From the European Institute for Computer Anti-Virus Research (EICAR) - leads task forces, organizes conferences, and publishes documents.

GFI Email Security Testing Zone
Comment: A serious evaluation about your email protection.


 

 Other Anti-Virus Alternatives and sites specialized on the virus subjects
The Anti-Virus test file
(read the complete text, it contains important information)

Comment: From the European Institute for Computer Anti-Virus Research (EICAR) - leads task forces, organizes conferences, and publishes documents.

GFI Email Security Testing Zone
Comment: A serious evaluation about your email protection.


Other sites of quality

Freewwwtools is not a copy and paste freeware sites!
I can't use two or three Anti-virus at the same time , so I do share with you my years of hunting experience for interesting freeware sources :

bT Square Peg Design Studio

Indian site
Comment: You can find eventually some extra interesting anti virus tools visiting this site.
The site authored by a fellow designer also concerned by Alternative thinking.
Freebyte's Guide to free anti-virus software
A site of great quality from Nederland
You will also find a list of commercial anti-virus that you can download to test for about one month ... in some case could help to double check your protection.
I can 't have this list because freewwwtools is strictly a Freeware site

 

The Anti-Virus test file
(read the complete text, it contains important information)

Comment: From the  European Institute for Computer Anti-Virus Research (EICAR) - leads task forces, organizes conferences, and publishes documents.

GFI Email Security Testing Zone

Comment: A serious evaluation about your email protection.

Freewwwtools is not a copy and paste freeware sites!

I can't  use two or three Anti-virus at the same time , so I do share with you my  years of hunting experience for interesting freeware sources :

bT Square Peg Design Studio

Indian site

Comment: You can find eventually some extra  interesting anti virus tools visiting this site. 
The site authored by a fellow designer also concerned by Alternative thinking.

Freebyte's Guide to free  anti-virus software  

A site of great quality from Nederland
You will also find a list of commercial anti-virus that you can download to test for about one month ... in some case could help to double check your protection.  
I can 't have this list because freewwwtools is strictly a Freeware site 

Regarding I.E. security
gaps just visit those sites, you will be surprised!
http://www.microsoft.com/java/vm/dl_vm31.htm
http://www.microsoft.com/windows/ie/Download /jvm.htm
 

Comment : I had to reinstall Windows after testing to install the full pack of Windows' and IE security  patches!!!!

    Ad-aware

What is the purpose of Ad-aware
Basically, Ad-aware will scan your system for known advertising systems and lets you remove them from your system.

What's new in Ad-aware version 6?

· Leading anti data-mining utility, features the best maintained and updated target base 
· Targets hundreds of systems and thousands of variations 
· All new, vastly improved, in-depth scanning engine 
· Includes an Advanced process browser full supporting installed extensions, linked to the in-depth scan engine 
· Fully customizable automated scanning modes 
· Webupdate module now fully integrated into the Ad-aware interface 
· Entirely new, highly improved user interface 
· All new plug-in concept allows for powerful expandability and updating without the need to download a new core-application 
· Automatic quarantine (backup) function capability 
· Enhanced logging capabilities 
· Powerful tweaking options allows tweaking all aspects of Ad-aware 
· Extended in-depth registry scans 
· Exporting and printing of HTML reports 
· Powerful command line options, to load config scripts and referencefiles from, and send logfiles to remote drives 
· Blocks Browser hijacker attempts, Active-X installations, IE save attempts, and unauthorized auto start entries 
· Includes a Popup stopper with customizable black-list 
· Smart process-blocking, including filter lists 
· Enhanced menus providing many more options. 
· Plus many other enhancements! 

Thanks to Jason Loefer from sweden  for providing a great freeware utility!
 

 Sygate Personal Firewall PRO

Sygate Personal Firewall PRO, ICSA certified and built on Sygate's unique and proven technology, is the first personal firewall software that provides a multi-layered shield of network, content, application, and operating system security. Sygate Personal Firewall PRO is the ultimate desktop security solution trusted by professionals and relied upon by millions of users. More info...

For Windows 95/98/ME/NT/2000/XP

ZoneAlarm

Personal Internet firewall which is particularly suitable for anyone with a permanent Internet connection (ie, a permanent IP address – DSL & cable users); you designate which programs can have permanent or temporary access to the Internet. Nagware.

Comment: Finally, I am using Zone Alarm

 

 ZoneAlarm

Personal Internet firewall which is particularly suitable for anyone with a permanent Internet connection (ie, a permanent IP address – DSL & cable users); you designate which programs can have permanent or temporary access to the Internet. Nagware.

Comment: Finally I am using ZoneAlarm

Script Defender
About email viruses.
By now everyone has heard about email viruses; most people probably have either experienced one themselves or know someone who has. The latest batch of viruses has become more adept than ever at getting people to execute them unintentionally - that's where AnalogX Script Defender comes in! AnalogX Script Defender will intercept any request to execute the most common scripting types used in virus attacks, such as Visual Basic Scripting (.VBS), Java Script (.JS), etc

Comment: Script Defender is a first class security ad-on, don't miss getting it!



http://www.firewallguide.com/
Great resources about firewall, Privacy Protection, etc
Firewall Testing
 

 Script Defender
About email viruses.
By now everyone has heard about email viruses; most people probably have either experienced one themselves or know someone who has. The latest batch of viruses have become more adept than ever at getting people to execute them unintentionally - that's where AnalogX Script Defender comes in! AnalogX Script Defender will intercept any request to execute the most common scripting types used in virus attacks, such as Visual Basic Scripting (.VBS), Java Script (.JS), etc

Comment: Script Defender is a first class security ad-on, don't miss to get it!



Security
Free Removal Tools
Symantec Security Response has developed tools to automatically conduct what would often amount to extensive and tedious manual removal tasks. If your system has become infected, the tools should aid you in repairing the damage.
http://www.firewallguide.com/
Great resources about firewall, Privacy Protection, etc
Firewall Testing
 

Free Removal Tools
Symantec Security Response has developed tools to automatically conduct what would often amount to extensive and tedious manual removal tasks. If your system has become infected, the tools  should aid you in repairing the damage.

http://www.firewallguide.com/
Great resources about  firewall, Privacy Protection, etc

Firewall Testing

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