Avira (Free) Question

grc123 · Aug 22, 2012

Hello,

I'm running Windows 7 Home Premium (x64), and would like to try Avira AntiVir (free) --> http://www.majorgeeks.com/download955.html . . .

Could someone be so kind as to please confirm for me that a real-time anti-spy program is included with this program, please?

Thanks in advance,
glenn
PS I am also currently running Comodo (free) Firewall and SpywareBlaster by JavaCool

LauraR · Aug 22, 2012

Hi Glenn

I've used Avira for years. Its real-time Antivirus. I see it does mention it protects against spyware, but really you should have a separate AntiSpyware app as well... such as Malwarebytes or Superantispyware. I believe Spywareblaster is a real time app as well, but I'm not sure on its reputation anymore. I do know it used to be recommend by our malware team but isn't anymore but I'm not sure why.

grc123 · Aug 22, 2012

LauraR said: ↑

Hi Glenn

I've used Avira for years. Its real-time Antivirus. I see it does mention it protects against spyware, but really you should have a separate AntiSpyware app as well... such as Malwarebytes or Superantispyware. I believe Spywareblaster is a real time app as well, but I'm not sure on its reputation anymore. I do know it used to be recommend by our malware team but isn't anymore but I'm not sure why.
Click to expand...

Hi Laura and thank you, great reply as usual ... oh, quick note, Spywareblaster is still recommended by Chaslang, under: "What do we recommend for antispyware", here> http://forums.majorgeeks.com/showthread.php?t=44525 - and it's listed as the most popular download (I believe?) here>> http://www.majorgeeks.com/download.php?id=31&sort=25

Thank you again!

LauraR · Aug 22, 2012

I do see that...thanks for pointing that out, Glenn.

I think I was thinking it was a real time app which its not.

Novice · Aug 22, 2012

Spywareblaster is a passive application, in that it only enters bad sites into your host files.

thisisu · Aug 23, 2012

Novice said: ↑

Spywareblaster is a passive application, in that it only enters bad sites into your host files.
Click to expand...

While it is a passive application, it does some other trickery (I believe registry related) but does not actually add anything to the hosts file.

sikvik · Aug 23, 2012

thisisu said: ↑

While it is a passive application, it does some other trickery (I believe registry related) but does not actually add anything to the hosts file.
Click to expand...

Yes quietman7, explains it better than I could.

SpywareBlaster adds sites to the restricted zones by adding the domain as a subkey under the registry key: HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Internet Settings\ZoneMap\Domains. A dword is then added to that domain named * and given a hex value of 4 to specify that it is part of the Restricted Sites Zone. More specifically, Spywareblaster sets the "killbit" on the CLSID's of known spyware. Every program has a CLass ID that is unique to the type of program. Once Spywareblaster enables (writes) those killbits they are "locked in" and any identified spyware cannot be opened. Spywareblaster writes these killbits in and then stays off until you need to re-write them again with an update.

SB does not run in the background. Instead it only requires installation and then enabling of all protection. After that you only have to check periodically for database updates and then enable all protection again.
Click to expand...

http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/forums/topic92857.html

Cheers..

Novice · Aug 23, 2012

My apoligies grc123 for posting misleading information! Thanks thisisu and sikvick for the correction.

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Avira (Free) Question

grc123 MajorGeek

LauraR MajorGeeks Super-Duper Administrator Staff Member

grc123 MajorGeek

LauraR MajorGeeks Super-Duper Administrator Staff Member

Novice MajorGeek

thisisu Malware Consultant

sikvik Corporal Karma

Novice MajorGeek