Hi there

My anti-virus licence ran out recently and I decided to try the opensource route instead. I've downloaded ClamWin. Is that enough? I see links for malware (have no idea what that is?). Is there anything else I need to know or download or familiarise myself with?

I'm a newbie and would appreciate any advice.

Thanks

Angela

For most people who surf the web, ClamWin is not enough for malware protection. The main reason why it isn't enough protection is that it is an "on-demand" scanner which only scans files when you click on them or set up a scheduled scan of your computer. It does not scan your computer in "real-time" as files are placed on your computer--from downloading them or automatically dropped on your computer from web sites. It also does not offer complete antispyware protection--not many antivirus programs do, and you should use an antispyware/antimalware program with most of them.

ClamWin works great as a backup scanner to a real-time scanner, and there are several good real-time scanners that are free. AntiVir from Avira and Avast from Alwil are probably the best known and most used free scanners. PC Tools also has a free scanner that isn't quite as good as these two. Threatfire is a good free real-time behavior blocker from PC Tools. Also, check out Microsoft's free Security Essentials antimalware program. It is in beta testing right now, but the final free version should be out in October, and it is a very good complete antivirus/antispyware program. You can get the XP beta version at https://www.mydigitallife.info/2009/06/18/microsoft-security-essentials-1-0-morro-mse-free-anti-virus-leaked-download/ on the web.

My recommendation is to get the Microsoft Security Essentials program. It offers complete antivirus and antispyware protectionand is very easy to use.

Regards,

Hi there Guitar Bob

Thanks so much for your really indepth response. Much appreciated!

Warm regards

Angela

You have offered the good reference. At me it is established NOD32. How you think to me it is necessary to establish a new antivirus? Like NOD32 works well.

Nod32 is a good AV, but there are other good AVs. Some people also prefer not to pay for their AV. Others prefer to use an AV that keeps users informed about problems/bugs, and coming updates. Others prefer to use an AV that emphasizes manually-prepared signatures.

Clam/ClamWin detection should improve a bit when their heuristics package comes out in version .96 in February.

Rrgards,

For those running Win 200x/XP, ClamWin plus AVZ from www.z-oleg.com is a good combo. AVZ is realtime part of the free Kaspersky toolkit.

Dave-

no english?

https://translate.google.com/translate?prev=hp&hl=it&js=y&u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.z-oleg.com%2F&sl=ru&tl=en&history_state0= https://translate.google.com/translate?prev=hp&hl=it&js=y&u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.z-oleg.com%2F&sl=ru&tl=en&history_state0=
fortunately the interface of the program starts in english

DARN! I an sorry about that! But the dropdown menus on the Oleg's site are also in English.

Also disable the realtime AVZ guard while scanning a drive with ClamWin, and make sure that the realtime extended driver is installed in the AVZPM option of the AVZ app.

Dave

PS: Is there some way I could upload the HIPS System Safety Monitior Free to someone who could allow it to be downloaded or shared? The company who made SSM has been sadly long gone for years. I've found, AVZ + ClamWin + System Safety is a VERY good source of PC protection with nearly NO use of RAM, CPU, etc., and SSM is so simple to use: it spells out so clearly what something malicious is trying to do, and how to stop it.