Anybody still using Avast?

[Anoobis]

Jake, thanks for the info. I've been using the free AVG but will be switching back to Trend Micro (or an alternative) as AVG let a password keylogger trojan slip by. Housecall picked it up, but AVG missed it. :?

I agree completely with the Safe Mode method of cleaning. In fact it's the only way I clean an infected system as most AV programs are decent at preventing the problem, but fail quite miserably at cleaning if one slips by. I'd just like to add that it's also a good idea to temporarily disable System Restore and then run your online scanner like Trend's Housecall from Safe Mode.

I've also found it interesting that Trend's Housecall works far better with Firefox than it does with IE, regardless of which kernel you use.

 

[Jake_Barnes]

I'd just like to add that it's also a good idea to temporarily disable System Restore and then run your online scanner like Trend's Housecall from Safe Mode.

Yep - totally agree. System restore will often restore a virus or other malicious file.

I might add that there is this cooperative site (in Europe, I think) - that allows you to upload a single file and have it scanned by 8 of the more popular applications at once. I need to add that if you "abuse" this site, they will block you eventually - but it's a good resource for "checking out" a suspicious zip/compressed file or exe file some idiot might have sent you.

Jotti's - it's often very busy and waits are not uncommon.

 

[russell]

Hello Ryan and PF and Jake and Anoobis and Mugs,
I didn't mean to ignore your responses. I was counting on the automatic notification of replies which apparently didn't work. Perhaps due to the thread being moved.

Jake, that is probably the most informative, best post I have ever read from you. Of course you have to remember I reside in the dungeon i.e. the Other section.

PF, I didn't know that AVG had merged with another company. I just installed the AVG anti spy-ware on a machine I cleaned up for a friend and still didn't know they had merged.

Mugz, No more lurking.

Speaking of which, can anyone recommend any decent antispyware utils which work WELL and also do not take my system resources and rape them?

The resource Hog I believe was the downfall for avast on my system was the method in which it actively scanned the Internet activities apparently sharing the bandwidth. (Just my thoughts .. No proof)

Anoobis, Thanks for reminding me. I haven't done a safe mode scan in forever.

4ryan6, I agree that on line scans are great to catch stuff that escapes the first line of defense. I have been rather lax in the scanning area. I've got my system pretty much bullet proof and it's lulled me into a dangerous sense of contentment.

 

[bwkiller]

Here's a broadband speed test that won't be affected by Avast running in the background because unlike most tests this test uses sockets vss http to conduct the test.

Here's an example of a test I just ran,

Not to brag or anything but here's my speed as of like 5 minutes ago. I have a 20/2 connection with turbo boost.

Speed test statistics
---------------------
Download speed: 6372240 bps
Upload speed: 1766160 bps
Download quality of service: 90 %
Upload quality of service: 97 %
Download test type: socket
Upload test type: socket
Maximum TCP delay: 70 ms
Average download pause: 4 ms
Minimum round trip time to server: 68 ms
Average round trip time to server: 69 ms
Estimated download bandwidth: 36800000bps <<<---Not bad eh?
Route concurrency: 5.775049
Download TCP forced idle: 79 %
Maximum route speed: 7710000bps

Detailed analysis : http/174.34.146.20/myspeed/db/report?id=976

You can find the test at http/www.ispgeeks.com just click on the diagnostics tools tab and you will see this test called TCP Speed Test and several others including one thats good for voip or ventrillo.