Wednesday, April 05, 2017

Is This The Face That Launched A Thousand Ships...?

     Whatever; the virus was a Trojan and not a good one.  I may have got it, but I'm seeking expert help at work to make sure.

     Any recommendations on anti-virus software for Windows 10? 

16 comments:

Grog said...

Try Malwarebytes, I've heard good reviews.

Ruth said...

I've always had great success with Malwarebytes, but I don't have Win10 either, so I can't comment on how it functions there.

TriggerFinger said...

The best antivirus program for Windows 10 is Linux.

Really, it works well on any version of Windows...

Guffaw in AZ said...

I use Malwarebytes. Seemed to work well, (I'd purchases the premium) but it expired, then I began getting 'your hard drive failure is imminent' messages!
Coincidence?
Regardless, I've not purchased my renewal(broke)and my hard drive has yet to fail. It's been almost two weeks, now...

Hmmm.

gfa

Fuzzy Curmudgeon said...

Malwarebytes isn't anti-virus. While you can buy the pro version that runs in the background and catches things on the fly, it's not the same thing. Their own website says so:

"Malwarebytes Anti-Malware is not meant to be a replacement for antivirus software. Malwarebytes Anti-Malware is a complementary but essential program which detects and removes zero-day malware and 'Malware in the Wild'."

You need actual anti-virus software. The problem is finding a good one. The one that comes with Windows 10 (Windows Defender) is supposed to be reasonably good if you are not constantly browsing Chinese websites and downloading warez.

This page suggests that BitDefender and Kapersky are the best for Windows 10. It also notes that if you use IE, you should have the SmartScreen feature turned on.

I use F-Secure Client Security myself, but that's because I get a free license for it from work (we're corporate partners).

Roberta X, remotely said...

What Fuzzy said; I routinely use both MalwareBytes and BpybotS&D, but they are not real-time anti-virus. I had MacAfee on the old one and it missed the bug (possibly because the delivery was more clever than I was).

Rick T said...

Can you bring home a license from whatever AV package used at work? Many vendors allow home installs/reuse...

Joe Allen said...

I've had good luck with BitDefender.

Eck! said...

Malwarebytes and spybot are only two tools and they are NOT antivirus.
THey are scrubbers used between for other junk.

You need something even the MS supplied, Panda or any of those listed.

Myself I got off that wagon and went to linux and stopped doing circles.
I do not spend anywherwnear the time I used to keeping winders clean
and from eating its feet or wanting a new and more expensive system
to run it acceptably.

Eck!

Merle said...

I use Norton.

Merle

John in Philly said...

I use Vipre.

Roberta X said...

All of the software I use is Windows-based, though some is ported-over from the Apple universe. Linux isn't an option. I have to have Q10 and Scrivener.

I'm still in "Is it really gone?" hell with the old machine, and using my Surface Pro for blogging. The virus was doing a mock shutdown: power down the machine, the fan stops, the power light goes out...but the USB dongle for my Qwerkywriter keyboard would stay lit, as would the "NUM LOCK" indicator on my hardwired keyboard (I prefer the number pad for using the calculator). That stopped when the virus was removed, but my uncertainty remains.

Ruth said...

Yes, sorry, I didn't mean to imply that Malwarebytes would replace standard anti-virus. But the times I've somehow picked up a virus/trojan/whatever Malwarebytes has done the job.

Anonymous said...

" ...my uncertainty remains."

As it should, that's the safest position to take.

Were it me, I would consider your computer's suspect until its been sterilized.

Fully. As in a full wipe. Were it me, I'd salvage all data, pics, etc to a flash drive and then visit three web pages, 1, the hard drive manufacture's website for their drive tools software, it's usually an .iso you can burn to make a bootable disk, and second, Windows for an ISO of the OS. The good news is, since your machine was originally Win 10, the OS disk will recognize your computer as a Win 10 and not require a serial number or activation code, the Bios takes care of it. Third, you computer manufacturers web page for all the hardware drivers.

All data off to an external drive, and drive tools disk in hand, run a full HD format. You may have to tweak BIOS so it boots from your optical or USB. Once done, reboot and boot the Win 10 disc an install. Then drivers, then OS updates.

That's a bit of work and a pain in the ass, but you will be *certain* your harddrive is clean.

Save a *ton* of time for next time and create a hard drive 'image' of your shiny-clean drive so the next time you get bit it will only take you 15 min. to restore it, and not several hours.

Here's the intersting part. I've helped restore a few freinds machines this way after they were attacked and suggested they make that full drive restore image to make their lives easier for the next time.

Only *one* has bothered to do so. One guy called me a few months after he got bit again. I helped him again, and charged him for the time.

Someone as bright as yourself can see the value of having a full backup on hand for when the next time it gets bitten...

Paul said...

daughter use kapersky on her windows 10 box.

I have stayed away from 10 on the basic thought that MS gets it right ever 3-4 iteration of windows.

ymmv.

Sendarius said...

I use AVG - it's not cheap, but there is a free version. With the number of machines in my network and non-technical users, I went with central management.

In addition, I run Malwarebytes (there are some issues with parts of it failing to start on Win 10, but they seem to be resolvable), and SpybotS&D.

Seems to be enough, so far.