UFO

i just wanted to share some links you might find useful,about security issues.
all tips are marked with : ' ' .
use everything at your own risk:
free online scans- viruse scans, spyware scans and security tests of your firewall.
security tools - free antiviruses , firewalls and antispyware.
other general stuff - more tips and tools you might want to try.
in case your computer is infected - tools to get rid of viruses and other malicious sfuff.

about the tips of scheduled scans, if you don't have a password for logining to windows, you will need to do the folowing:
go to the registry key:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Lsa
create there a key (or modify it if it exist) of REG_DWORD with name : "limitblankpassworduse"  and value: 0 .
restart the computer.

if you know of some more important (yet good) links, please tell me and i might add them to the list.
also, if you noticed that some links doesn't work anymore , please notify me...
i use avg free antivirus and all of the antispyware programs, except for the one of microsoft. reason: i don't like things that work in the background and uses too much of the cpu. also i think maxthon and every-night scan using ad aware and spybot is just enough.

UFO

security tests

shields up- fastest and probably the best.
symantec
sygate-NOT AVAILABLE ANY LONGER ,since symantec bought it...
securitymetrics
broadband port scan
browser scan
dshield
pc security test-an offline security scan.also it isn't such a good scan.
pc flank
checkit
hacker guardian by comodo -needs registration.

free online spyware scan

ewido- cannot remove the spyware, but shows exactly where it is ,so you can remove it manually.
ZoneAlarm Spyware Scanner-only scans,but quite fast.
tenebril-spycatcher - very fast scan, but cannot cure.
Panda Xposer
x-cleaner-scans adwares,spywares, keyloggers, and trojans.
RegFreeze-very fast.
Pest Patrol online scanner-for Spyware ,Adware ,Keyloggers ,Browser hijackers ,Remote Access Trojans scans ,but doesn't clean anything.quite fast
Aluria - Free Spyware Scanner-so fast i didn't see it do anything.also, it said i had spyware, but showed me an empty list of them...
CounterSpy Spyware Scan
MySpyZero-only scans.
trend-micro-scans and cures Trackware,Adware,Trojans,Keyloggers,Dialers,Browser Hijackers and Parasites.
a-squared Web Malware Scanner-scans Trojans, Backdoors, Worms, Dialers, Spyware/Adware, Keyloggers, Rootkits, Hacking Tools, Riskware(read before scanning! and Tracking Cookies.
doxdesk-very fast scan using script to scan for Adware, Spyware, Scumware, Dialers, ’Jackers and other unsolicited commercial software.also available here .
Aumha check- parasite check -very fast. also available here
Computer Helpdesk -parasite check- very fast too.
winvistaclub - another fast parasite scan. plus it has some tips for vista users.

free online virus scan

eset- can remove malware—viruses, spyware, adware, worms, trojans, and more—from any PC utilizing only a web browser. No installation required.
mcafee-can only scan drive c or "my documents" folder or "windows" folder.but it can cure files...
symantec-really slow scanning, yet maybe it's just scanning for much more viruses than others? anyway it doesn't offer curing infected files. only show you where they are.
bitdefender - shows you a popup window while scanning, so you can't switch to to other tabs in maxthon.but it's a fair scanner, since it can disinfect viruses , and shows much more information and settings than the others.it sometimes has updates problems,but it usually works just fine.
f-secure - you need to download everything all over again for each time you open it(18MB!!!).
Kaspersky - Heuristic analysis to detect unknown viruses.cannot scan RAM, boot sectors and MBRs, so it cannot detect malicious code located in these areas. also, i think that after many times you use it , it will not allow you to use it anymore(happened to me only once).you'd probably need to uninstall it and re-install it.
panda-activescan - scans for Viruses,Spywares,Hacking Tools and potentially unwanted tools,Dialers,Security Risks,Suspicious files and jokes " . can also cure, but only if you are registered(registration is free). some other scanners somehow show the folder of it has viruses(probably false alarm).
trend micro - housecall - Detects and removes viruses,worms,Trojans,grayware,spyware,works for Windows, Linux and Solaris.can use java instead of activex , so it can even work in firefox.
e-trust-doesn't have much info about what it does, except for curing viruses.
PC Pitstop
ArcaOnline- On line Scanner. pretty unstable in my opinion, but maybe it's my activex blocking problems or something.
Command on Demand - added thanks to the user subgeniusd.
PCdefense- exactly the same as bitdefender, so you can ignore this link unless bitdefender site doesn't work for you
myv3-by ahnlab
ESET
Freedom Online Virus Check - very similar to command on demand
Rising AV - from some reason, i couldn't open this scanner...
TrojanScan - very similar to A2 squared .
Virus Chaser Online Scan

free online scans of specific file

virscan - scans a file using 36 (!) anviruses engines .
virustotal-can also scan a file using 21 antiviruses engines . also has an installer for it.
Virus.Org Rogue File Scanning Service-scans a file using about 14 antiviruses engines.
Jotti's malware scan-scans a file using 14 antiviruses engines.
drweb-simply scan a file.
FortiGuardCente- you need to put your email to get the results.
arcabit-you need to give too much info, including your mail. but maybe it's better since they might scan it in a better way(you describe why you suspect this file...)
norman-you need to give your email address to get the results.also shows the file scanned in public, but without too much info.
drweb-scans a website
linkscanner-scans a website
scan a specific file using clamwin
avast
kaspersky
UNA online
eset(nod32)
Sunbelt Sandbox-you need to give your email address to get the results.max file size-about 8 MB.
novirusthanks - 20 MB max
viruschief
filterbit -20 MB max
anubis -8 MB max

[ Last edited by UFO at 2010-7-5 10:02 ]

UFO

free antivirus programs

avg free antivirus-by grisoft- a really good AV. also includes anti-spyware.
avast Home Edition-by alwil - needs registration in order to use it.
Avira AntiVir PersonalEdition Classic - identifies a huge number of viruses.
ClamWin Free Antivirus-for windows only.updates almost every day.please also look at spyware terminator that has it as built in component.
comodo antivirus-from some reason i had an error while installing, and then the computer crashed.  for download
pc tools
panda cloud
MSE

want to test your antivirus? try this website (or here, or here).download the file. if you can't open it (or even download it as does) , it means your antivirus is working just fine.

free firewalls

zonealarm-my favorite.very easy to use,doesn't consume much of the CPU.doesn't annoy too much about programs.can be downloaded here.
Online Armor (Free edition) - seems to be a very secure firewall, at least according to thiswebsite.
kerio firewall- the last time i tried it, it didn't pass many security tests on shields-up.other than that , looks kinda good.
comodo Firewall- checked by the users RakuPL and activexproblem and confirmed to passed the security scans in shields-up.it looks it's getting very popular.personnally although it's a very secure firewall,i didn't like it, since it asks too many questions and has a too many advanced options for the end-user.for download. here's my opinion.
PC Tools Firewall Plus-a very nice firewall that quite reminds of zonealarm.
Ashampoo Firewall Free-a very easy to use and low on resource usage firewall. however, it didn't pass the shields-up security tests.
the next firewalls weren't tested at all by me. maybe you should give them a try , and tell us at least if they passed the security tests:
webroot
agnitum Outpost Firewall
Filseclab Personal Firewall Professional Edition
R-Firewall
Safety.Net
SoftPerfect Personal Firewall
Jetico Personal Firewall
freesco
CHX Packet Filter- a firewall that require knowledge and is only for inbound protection (thank to the user VaMPiRiC_CRoW who wrote some info about it)
GhostWall
not recommended since it was reported as spyware - Adorons Firewall. also called "Enigma firewall"
privacy personal firewall

tips for ZONEALARM firewall:
it seems that on some versions there is a file that grows more and more.use CTRL+SHIFT on the icon of the firewall and choose the debug level to be off.
another zonealarm tip:it seems that the new versions added a context item for all folders and files.you can't do anything with it if you don't have their antivirus so you might want to disable it by using this tool.

free anti-spyware programs

spyware terminator-also include clamwin antivirus. really good tool for scanning spywares and viruses.
spyware blaster-for immunizing against spyware.works also for firefox
spybot search&destroy-can immunize against spyware in addition to scanning and cleaning, and some more stuff...
koffix blocker-for immunizing only.
Bazooka Adware and Spyware Scanner-for very quick scan, but only show how to remove and not clean by itself.
Ad-Aware Personal- only for scanning and cleaning, but as popular as spybot.
Advanced Spyware Remover by evonsoft - has some features as spybot, but offers much more in the paid version.its scans are very fast,even for the full scans.i don't recommend it since it had some false-positive results.
RogueRemover- tool to remove many false anti-spyware programs. it's very very fast.
SmitFraudFix- tool to remove Desktop Hijack malware.quite fast .also works in safe mode.
X-RayPc- Detects hundreds- of suspicious programs that runs on the computer(even in auto run) , using an internet connection.
Advanced WindowsCare 2 Personal- immunize,scan&clean spyware, as well as tweaking and fixing and cleaning your computer.very nice.it worked fine for me for the last month.
Windows Defender-by Microsoft.personally, i don't like it(reasons:annoying,taking too much cpu...) , but it's still beta version.
a-squared- i haven't tested it much.looks good though.doesn't allow as much as the paid version, but still nice.warning:you should read about riskware herebefore scanning.
superantispyware-i've tried it only once.the scan is very slow.portable version here
Arovax Shield and Arovax AntiSpyware-i haven't tested them yet. i would love to put your comments.
BHODemon - it suppose to allow to control all plugins of your IE browser. you might consider not having it if you have windows xp sp2 or later.
Easy  Spyware Scanner -i tested it and it's very fast. i don't know how often it is updated,though, and how well it is.
Ad/Spyware Terminator-ditto.
WinCleaner AntiSpyware -ditto.
1-2-3 Spyware Free-showed some false positives.
runscanner - can show many information about the processes, but for now it's still not quite a finished software.
spycatcher-express-found about 7 spywares on my computer. it's odd since i'm very cautious about those things...

tips about spybot and ad aware(pro version):
here's a way to update,scan,immunize and clean your computer . add a scheduled job at night (so that you won't be bothered while you are using the computer) and have the following command lines.
"C:\Program Files\Lavasoft\Ad-Aware SE Professional\Ad-Aware.exe" /full +update +silent
"C:\Program Files\Spybot - Search & Destroy\SpybotSD.exe" /taskbarhide /autoupdate /autoimmunize /autocheck /autofix /autoclose

[ Last edited by UFO at 2010-2-9 14:23 ]

UFO

general purpose websites

Secunia Software Inspector-Detects insecure versions of applications installed, verifies that all Microsoft patches are applied,assists you in updating your system and applicationsand runs through your browser. No installation or download is required.
smokey's security forum-has many links and suggestions.
microsoft protection center-it's more than just security scan.
grc-gibson research center-security news + 3 important tools for those who don't use xp sp2
trojan scanner
my ip is ...-find out what is your ip
arin-whois-find out who has a specific ip
PC Pitstop Quick Program Scan- shows you all running programs, and which of them are safe or not.
get your own 1-day "fake" email-no registration. the purpose-less spam you can get from websites.it's also available in Hebrew and Russian.

updates for windows (very important too)

the "normal" way to update windows
autopatcher-download a package of all updates for windows, that will update just what you want...
update windows using other browsers (that don't use the IE engine)-needs installation of some stuff.supports:Firefox,Opera,K-Meleon,SeaMonkey,AOL Netscape.another alternative is widiz .
windows updates downloader

miscellaneous tools

AppRemover  - removes stubborn security programs.
Secunia Personal Software Inspector (PSI)- scans for missing security patches of many programs that you have, and gives information about them.
KL-Detector- detects keyloggers
Anti-Keylogger Tester- check your anti-keylogger software (if you have one), to see if it can protect you after you have a keylogger.
Windows Worms Doors Cleaner- close some services that worms can use.
process explorer- a really good for showing running processes, that can replace your task manager.there are some more nice tools in this website.
unlocker- unlocks any file.can be used to delete files used by viruses ...
Belarc Advisor-Free Personal PC Audit- can show you information of your system, including which Microsoft Security Hotfixes are missing.
keypass-remembers passwords for you.can use a master password for all.also have a version for other OS's(PocketPC,Linux,MacOS X,PalmOS).
Protected Storage PassView-speaking of passwords, this program can show you many of the stored passwords that are saved on your computer.
five important tools that covers some security risks of windows :   
UnPlug n' Pray-disables UPNP.nobody actually need this service, and it is a security risk.
DCOMbobulator -disables a service that actually can attract worms.
Shoot The Messenger .don't worry - it's not for removing the chat-program, but a security risk that also might get you more spam.
XPdite- disables vulnerability :"clicking on a simple, but malicious, URL can delete the entire contents of your directories"
WMP Scripting Fix-"Disable script-based attacks on Windows Media Player", so that it will always act as "pure data" files.
LSP fix - winsock repair- fixes an internet problem that is caused by removing spyware/malware.
some Merijn.org security tools- some tiny security programs,one of themis for totally delete what kazaa has installed. use at your own risk!
freefixer-allows you to see many installed components , and decide what to do with them, also gives you opinion of other users. use at your own risk!
bugoff- can disable/enable some features that make your computer vulnerable.it also says what could be the consequences.use at your own risk.
Windows Genuine Advantage Notifications remove tool- removes the notifications of the wga component.please read the entire text on the website.

tip for totally removing wga,and still have the ability to download anything you want:
you can read this article (or herefor hebrew readers),or you could just do the following steps(easier and shorter text...):
1.use the program unlockerto delete wgatray.exe,wgalogon.dll ,GWFSPIDGen.dll , LegitcheckControl.inf and LegitCheckControl.dll from the folders C:\windows\system32 and c:\Windows\System32\dllcache .if you don't use this program, you could temporary install and use it, and then uninstall it, or just read the article i gave you.
2.to disable downloading and installing it for the future, just untick it in the windows updates website,and choose to hide it.
and that's it (until next time they will make such a thing) !
note:if your OS is legal (like mine) , you will still be able to download anything that you want from MS, by using a manual check for the license you have. it's not hard at all.each time you are prompted to install this thing , just choose no , and they will give you the alternative...
you can also read the MS website for removing this thing here

[ Last edited by UFO at 2009-5-3 09:05 ]

UFO

free virus removal tools(some can scan many viruses)

general scan:antivir(general virus scan)
mcafee-stinger(general virus scan)
prevx
avast(general virus scan)
microsoft malicious software removal tool(general virus scan,maybe something more, like spyware)
Dr.Web CureIt- Curing Utility (general virus scan)
norman NGenFix-Program to clean infected computer from certain malware(general virus scan)
bughunter(general virus scan)-works on almost any windows OS ,and even in DOS.
grisoft(general+specific virus scan)
PC Tools AntiVirus Free Edition(general virus scan)-can also clean.a weird thing that happened as soon as i opened it- some programs closed themselves.
specific scan:virusbuster(specific virus scan)
eset(specific virus scan) (those who made nod32)
mcafee(specific virus scan)
panda(specific virus scan)
Kaspersky(specific virus scan)
symantec(specific virus scan)
f-secure(specific virus scan)
sophos(specific virus scan)
rootkits scans(be sure you know what you are doing!:
AVG Anti-Rootkit Free-general scan.needs installation.
norman-"Sony rootkit removal tool for Windows 2000/XP"-for those who used Sony disks, there is a tiny chance that your computer is infected(scan of just one rootkit only).
Sophos Anti-Rootkit(scan of rootkits only).
Gromozon Rootkit Removal Tool-scan of just one rootkit.
F-Secure BlackLight Beta-freeware for now at least(scan of rootkits only).
McAfee Avert Labs Rootkit Detective Beta
NSIS Media Remover(specific virus scan)-removes installed files and registry keys related to NSIS Media, a notorious malware parasite that serves advertising from your computer.
Qoofix (specific virus scan)-removes the Qoologic malware from your system.
ad aware rootkits removers(specific virus scan)-5 tools to remove the rootkits:ARIES,Look2me,Virtumonde,VX2,Win32.Pipeline .

note about rootkits scanners: i know there are many tools for removing and scanning rootkits, but most of them are not so simple to use, and they show too much info that only experts can do anything with them.since i am not an expert, i think i shouldn't recommend or even mention here tools that i really don't know how to use.you can take it as a tip about everything. as long as you don't know what you are doing, don't do it.

[ Last edited by UFO(106) at 2008-4-3 00:59 ]

sharoncreech

Thanks for great collection of site that perform free security, antivirus online testing. It is real impressive collection. []

LUSHER

Quote: Original posted byUFO at 2007-01-08 12:27

added many links from this website (thanks to the user LUSHER that showed it to me): http://wiki.castlecops.com/Online_antiviru...Full_disk_scans and even some more.

You are welcome.

Software Guy

Concenting the list of free firewalls, for R-Firewall (http://www.r-firewall.com), add a comment something like the following: Unsupported, last updated March 2, 2005 (See http://www.r-firewall.com/R_Firewall_Download.shtml)

anandk

a real nice link. thanx ! :-) have a look at some more related and useful links on the RHS http://www.winvistaclub.com/security.html its a site vista users may find useful.

UFO

QUOTE

Concenting the list of free firewalls, for R-Firewall (http://www.r-firewall.com), add a comment something like the following:

Unsupported, last updated March 2, 2005

(See http://www.r-firewall.com/R_Firewall_Download.shtml)

-where is it written? btw, the second link you gave doesn't work .

QUOTE

have a look at some more related and useful links on the RHS http://www.winvistaclub.com/security.html its a site vista users may find useful.

-i will add it soon. thanks

QUOTE

Same problem with COMODO antivirus,
My computer crashes when I log in into my Computer user account!!
Whats the problem to it?

-i don't know. everything of comodo didn't work well for me , although many people said they have really good software. maybe you should wait a year or so till they fix most of the bugs.

UFO

from some reason , uninstalling the windows defender causes really bad things to the ".net framework" components. can anyone else please tell me how to remove this program without causing any damage to the OS and this component?

UFO

there is a new security suite that includes antivirus,antispyware, a firewall and some more features , all for free: http://www.pclive.com/products/pclive_security.php i wonder how good it is. the problem is that i don't know in which of the categories to put it . []

Jochem

Quote: Original posted byUFO(106) at 2007-10-19 10:24

there is a new security suite that includes antivirus,antispyware, a firewall and some more features , all for free: <a href="http://www.pclive.com/products/pclive_security.php" target="_blank">http://www.pclive.com/products/pclive_security.php</a> i wonder how good it is. the problem is that i don't know in which of the categories to put it . []

In all the categories [] ? The antivirus component is pretty good, it seems to use ClamAV.

UFO

QUOTE

In all the categories ? The antivirus component is pretty good, it seems to use ClamAV.

-you think i should put it in all of them? maybe i could make a new category for programs that have multiple things in them. i don't know how i should name it. spyware terminator also have an AV component (it uses the clamAV too). maybe it could be there.

Jochem

QUOTE (UFO(106) @ 2007-10-22 06:58:37 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

QUOTE

In all the categories ? The antivirus component is pretty good, it seems to use ClamAV.

-you think i should put it in all of them? maybe i could make a new category for programs that have multiple things in them. i don't know how i should name it. spyware terminator also have an AV component (it uses the clamAV too). maybe it could be there.

You could call the new category Free security suites, or simply put it in all categories. Because in the end its a free antivirus, free antispyware and free firewall programme, all in one.

UFO

a new antivirus program is out , by MS :
http://www.microsoft.com/security_essentials/
it's freeware and some people say it's great. however, i don't know about how well it handles viruses.
from some reason, i cannot edit the post of free antiviruses and add this to the list .

[ Last edited by UFO at 2009-9-29 18:44 ]

wetkri

Very nice links. Thank you for the links.



wetkri
Simulation prêt

ntzphyr

I tried this and ever since I get this Msmpeng running on start up that swallows up 90% of my cpu and all my memory until my pc crashes. In order to run my pc I have to end it with task manager 3 times before I can use my machine. I can't even find it to remove it: angry:

No.1MaxthonFan

I've had it since Beta and it works beautifully.  Very quiet.  Just sits there protecting me.  Can't find it?  It show in my Add/Remove programs list.  Did you get the final version just released the other day?

UFO

well, then MS shouldn't have made it final yet...