AVG Update Cripples Windows

[mdsx1950]

Originally Posted by _JP_

Same here, except for me was more like AVG7.5 -> Avast! -> ESET+NOD32. AVG 8 just didn't work for me. Plus, when I get asked what's the best free security suite I always reply MSE or Comodo, but this last one is only if that person has a grudge on Micro$oft...
I can say I'm very happy with my choice. Not going to change it in the near future.

Yeah ESET NOD32 rocks! My PC hasn't had a single virus yet!

[jpierce55]

I tried the trial on Nod64 once, it did seem good.

[Easo]

It killed my XP installation two years ago.

[F1reFly]

Linux FTW
i'm curious though, how does anyone truly know for a fact what a false positive is or is not? The best an AV can do is detect 98%, they can never detect 100%, the constant cat and mouse game thing and some AV's catch some that others don't.
its easy to say, oh thats just false positive and is prevalent in P2P,torrents stuff , but malware or not, it must have some shady or poor coding to mimic as such and those kinds of apps i can do without.

[Easy Rhino]

Originally Posted by F1reFly

Linux FTW
i'm curious though, how does anyone truly know for a fact what a false positive is or is not? The best an AV can do is detect 98%, they can never detect 100%, the constant cat and mouse game thing and some AV's catch some that others don't.
its easy to say, oh thats just false positive and is prevalent in P2P,torrents stuff , but malware or not, it must have some shady or poor coding to mimic as such and those kinds of apps i can do without.

after your hacked ps3 comment, we must be on the same page today. i agree completely. there is a lot of funny stuff in those pirated games. if you read the comments on those sites they all say, "oh, it is a false positive." really? how can this be proved when the virus database only contains a small amount of information on it? i would stay far far away from pirated game.

[F1reFly]

Originally Posted by Easy Rhino

after your hacked ps3 comment, we must be on the same page today. i agree completely. there is a lot of funny stuff in those pirated games. if you read the comments on those sites they all say, "oh, it is a false positive." really? how can this be proved when the virus database only contains a small amount of information on it? i would stay far far away from pirated game.

Plus doesn't it make sense that malware people would want you to believe their false positives? I mean they test their stuff on sites like Virustotal.com and try to make their code so its as undetectable as possible and as long as they can beat some AV engines, they can say...oh its just false positive. Imagine how gullable some are...considering its the user who is the #1 security wall to break through and its going to be an application/game that they would want and because they want it so bad, they'll believe anything.

I also find it odd that legit applications like CCleaner or FireFox, dl'ed from proper sites are never detected as false positive...doesn't that alone tell people anything?

Thats what i like about using a Linux VM or partition online...i never have to worry about even a suspicion, especially since i pay bills and do banking online...its never worth the risk imo. Not to say that linux is 100%, but its just far more rare

[Easy Rhino]

Originally Posted by F1reFly

Plus doesn't it make sense that malware people would want you to believe their false positives? I mean they test their stuff on sites like Virustotal.com and try to make their code so its as undetectable as possible and as long as they can beat some AV engines, they can say...oh its just false positive. Imagine how gullable some are...considering its the user who is the #1 security wall to break through and its going to be an application/game that they would want and because they want it so bad, they'll believe anything.

I also find it odd that legit applications like CCleaner or FireFox, dl'ed from proper sites are never detected as false positive...doesn't that alone tell people anything?

Thats what i like about using a Linux VM or partition online...i never have to worry about even a suspicion, especially since i pay bills and do banking online...its never worth the risk imo. Not to say that linux is 100%, but its just far more rare

agreed! finally, someone does not think i wear a tinfoil hat because i believe a lot of warez contains trojans and virii

i will be back to my linux system once i get a few things sold and then will run windows 7 as a vm when WINE does not cut it.

[TheLaughingMan]

I was going to let this all slide, but now I have to say something.

Virus protection is not a cat and mouse thing as the cat wins that fight 99.9% of the time. It is more of a Spy vs. Spy thing. All and I mean all virus protection software systems are reactive programs. When a new virus or security issue that can be addressed by their system is released, the company integrates detection, quarantine, and remove into their software. This is why Virus protection software is the hands down most updated software ever. As such, no can or will offer 100% protection until A.I. is created.

As such, it doesn't really matter what software you use. The real important factors are cost, update efficiency, system resource usage, interface, and additional features. Since NOD32, Avast, AVG, etc. are all free, update 2 or 3 times a week, and are all user friendly, they can only be seperated by resource usage and additional features. I will admit AVG is a bit of a resource hog compared to leaner software like NOD32 and ClamWin, but I pay that price for the additional features and easier interface.

I personally thing a what, 1 day response and fix is damn good for any company. AVG has done a great job isolating the issue and resolving it as quickly as possible. For those who had to use another PC to create a boot disc or thumb drive, sorry for the inconvenience but such is life.

Now Linux is not any more or less secure with your data than Windows. We all know that people don't create viruses for Linux because they are after the largest audience possible. It is not safer because it lives in a better neighborhood so to speak. You want to know why? Banking data, personal information, etc. are not stolen from your computer. It is almost always stolen when being transported from your computer to the server you are sending it. Tricks like phishing, false logon screens, and wireless packet stealing are by far the most used and most effective means to jack someone's personal data. A simple SSL and common sense is a thousand times more effective than "I use Linux cause I am leet". To you I say, you are crazy and you need to learn to spell.

I could go into details about the actually security built into Linux which amounts to some good and some "Windows does the same thing, but it is optional while Linux forces the issue" (Like minimum password requirements) stuff. Linux also has a user base that actually helps with exploit detection and correction.

[Hayder_Master]

i don't be surprise if i see AVG sell sex movies next year

[Live OR Die]

Now i know why i was getting a bsod i had to do a system restore to fix it but cant complain using a mates copy so its free

[csendesmark]

I used AVG 2-3 years ago, to Avast, but now, I have NOD Smart security on my windows

[DaedalusHelios]

ESET is great with a small footprint but it isn't free. Avast still very good and free.

[Mescalamba]

Originally Posted by TheLaughingMan

Czech made! That explains way too much. Glad I switched from that mess.

Its not like any of those Czech made (Avast!, AVG, NOD) are bad or were bad from beginning. AVG used to be quite nice antivirus few years ago (well maybe more than few.. like 98-99). But, quite a lot of ppl from those companies like to see money, a lot of money. And they really dont care that much about quality of SW they produce. Thats why AVG fallen down. Cause they cared more about how much they can squeeze from customers, than caring about quality.

Avast! is free, so maybe they care about quality bit more. (free for personal use only ofc, but even that mean something) Btw. if I remember correctly, AVG used to be free too, but its looong time since then.

[theJesus]

Thanks AVG! You just got the repair shop I work in some more customers!

[WarEagleAU]

Wow that is crazy!

[TheLaughingMan]

Originally Posted by Mescalamba

Its not like any of those Czech made (Avast!, AVG, NOD) are bad or were bad from beginning. AVG used to be quite nice antivirus few years ago (well maybe more than few.. like 98-99). But, quite a lot of ppl from those companies like to see money, a lot of money. And they really dont care that much about quality of SW they produce. Thats why AVG fallen down. Cause they cared more about how much they can squeeze from customers, than caring about quality.

Avast! is free, so maybe they care about quality bit more. (free for personal use only ofc, but even that mean something) Btw. if I remember correctly, AVG used to be free too, but its looong time since then.

I see you are smoking the good shiznit. AVG is still free.

Free AVG Security 2011

Kids, just say NO!

[Rado D]

Originally Posted by theJesus

hanks AVG! You just got the repair shop I work in some more customers!

Haha haha :

Originally Posted by newtekie1

I can't stand Avast's UI

Sorry,but are you talking about that shitty Winamp skin like of Avast! before version 5?If not I do very much disagree,because I think Avast! v5 UI is smooth and sexy.

[F1reFly]

Originally Posted by TheLaughingMan

We all know that people don't create viruses for Linux because they are after the largest audience possible.

that quote said everything, It is why some of us use Linux. Security has nothing to do with anything as it is about prevention. The user is the #1 security leak of any system and because Linux is Linux, we don't really have to worry nearly as much about Malware leaks into the system.
Phishing scams ..etc are prevented from common sense..thats a human exploit, not an OS exploit. malware like "blue pill" is a good example of why you can't rely completely on your AV product and adding Windows OS on top of it all only adds insult to the injury due to its massive userbase.

[Mescalamba]

Originally Posted by TheLaughingMan

I see you are smoking the good shiznit. AVG is still free.

Free AVG Security 2011

Kids, just say NO!

I missed that one. Though, another thing is.. how good it works? Is it same version that caused BSOD?

[mdsx1950]

Originally Posted by TheLaughingMan

I was going to let this all slide, but now I have to say something.

Virus protection is not a cat and mouse thing as the cat wins that fight 99.9% of the time. It is more of a Spy vs. Spy thing. All and I mean all virus protection software systems are reactive programs. When a new virus or security issue that can be addressed by their system is released, the company integrates detection, quarantine, and remove into their software. This is why Virus protection software is the hands down most updated software ever. As such, no can or will offer 100% protection until A.I. is created.

As such, it doesn't really matter what software you use. The real important factors are cost, update efficiency, system resource usage, interface, and additional features. Since NOD32, Avast, AVG, etc. are all free, update 2 or 3 times a week, and are all user friendly, they can only be seperated by resource usage and additional features. I will admit AVG is a bit of a resource hog compared to leaner software like NOD32 and ClamWin, but I pay that price for the additional features and easier interface.

I personally thing a what, 1 day response and fix is damn good for any company. AVG has done a great job isolating the issue and resolving it as quickly as possible. For those who had to use another PC to create a boot disc or thumb drive, sorry for the inconvenience but such is life.

Now Linux is not any more or less secure with your data than Windows. We all know that people don't create viruses for Linux because they are after the largest audience possible. It is not safer because it lives in a better neighborhood so to speak. You want to know why? Banking data, personal information, etc. are not stolen from your computer. It is almost always stolen when being transported from your computer to the server you are sending it. Tricks like phishing, false logon screens, and wireless packet stealing are by far the most used and most effective means to jack someone's personal data. A simple SSL and common sense is a thousand times more effective than "I use Linux cause I am leet". To you I say, you are crazy and you need to learn to spell.

I could go into details about the actually security built into Linux which amounts to some good and some "Windows does the same thing, but it is optional while Linux forces the issue" (Like minimum password requirements) stuff. Linux also has a user base that actually helps with exploit detection and correction.

I agree with your post except the part where you've mentioned the ESET NOD32 is free. It's ranked 2nd best paid AV out there.

[araditus]

I havent used any form of AV in over 7 years now, and I never have had a virus, I just practice smart surfing techniques and have 3 bogus email accounts to sign up for things (except for TPU of course!) . All my family has AV and they are asking me to fix their stuff all the time.

[TheLaughingMan]

Originally Posted by Mescalamba

I missed that one. Though, another thing is.. how good it works? Is it same version that caused BSOD?

I have been using AVG on my machines for 4 years now with the break down yesterday (note that was resolved in approx. 5 minutes) was the first time it has every done anything other than its job. So I am going to go with it being very stable. I just checked and I just noticed that it's memory usage has gone way down since I lasted looked at its processes a few months back. Currently only using about 30 MB of RAM to run in the background.

Originally Posted by mdsx1950

I agree with your post except the part where you've mentioned the ESET NOD32 is free. It's ranked 2nd best paid AV out there.

And I stand corrected. NOD32 is not free for Windows. The Beta is still free to use and fully functional for Linux Distros.....for now.

Originally Posted by araditus

I havent used any form of AV in over 7 years now, and I never have had a virus, I just practice smart surfing techniques and have 3 bogus email accounts to sign up for things (except for TPU of course!) . All my family has AV and they are asking me to fix their stuff all the time.

That is just the difference between a computer user and a power user. Your family doesn't have a clue what they are really doing. I doubt it is even virus and malware breaking stuff. More likely to be the 12 search bars they installed to play their Bejeweled and Zuma overloading their PC with ads.

You really should get some AV. Lets just say not all viruses are out to break your system. That is a myth.

[zithe]

Wow. I've never had it prevent booting, but it has caused problems with me before. Glad I stopped using it.

[pr0n Inspector]

Originally Posted by araditus

I havent used any form of AV in over 7 years now, and I never have had a virus, I just practice smart surfing techniques and have 3 bogus email accounts to sign up for things (except for TPU of course!) . All my family has AV and they are asking me to fix their stuff all the time.

No AV -> no way to know if there's virus/malware ->"I never had a virus in years"

[Mussels]

Originally Posted by pr0n Inspector

No AV -> no way to know if there's virus/malware ->"I never had a virus in years"

nah baby we dont need a condom, i've never been tested for STD's so i'm obviously clean!