Windows Defender Fails Malware Test

[Jimmy 2004]

Microsoft’s very own antivirus software, Windows Live OneCare, was recently found to be failing Vista users, and now the same has been discovered for its free anti-spyware application. In tests carried out by Australian company Enex Testlab, Windows Defender struggled to detect just half of the malware which it was tested with, with the quick scan finding missing most of the malware and the full scan finding only 53.3%. It would be best to note that the test was financed by competing company PC Tools, which claims the test was unbiased, although the winning software (detecting 88.7% of malware) was PC Tools’ very own Spyware Doctor. Windows Defender was released as a final version in October 2006, so it is relatively new and of course (being free) costs less than Spyware Doctor.

Source: Techworld.com

[Benpi]

oh noes! Let's all go buy Macs! That way, when we do get a virus, we'll only have a very limited amound of hardware and software available to be affected! WOOT

[WarEagleAU]

Rofl. Biased? mebbe, but we all kno M$ to make shody hardware and software

[C.Ash]

Originally Posted by Benpi

oh noes! Let's all go buy Macs! That way, when we do get a virus, we'll only have a very limited amound of hardware and software available to be affected! WOOT

Too true.

On a Mac there is simply nothing to put a virus into. The fact that Macs have less viruses tells u how popular they are. It sucks so much that bad people dont even want to ruin it.

[Easy Rhino]

well it is more difficult to write a virus that would effect the mac OS because of how it is written. even if it were as popular as windows statistically speaking there would be less because M$ code isnt exactly the best. anyway...

[Alec§taar]

Originally Posted by Benpi

oh noes! Let's all go buy Macs! That way, when we do get a virus, we'll only have a very limited amound of hardware and software available to be affected! WOOT

Naw... I'll just stick by Windows Server 2003 SP #1 fully hotfix patched (& current on that note), for now @ least, & doing what I do, to get THIS kind of security analysis score:



I never suck in virus' either! The 2 the times I thought I did, the past 15 years now? They were my own fault (running 2 antivirus once, & another I don't know WHAT caused it, or I can't recall specifics anymore) in "false positives"!

Ever since I started implementing a BOAT LOAD of things ANYONE can do, if they take 45 min. - 1 hr. running, or doing:

• BELARC advisor

• Using some security & speed oriented .reg file hacks

• gpedit.msc (altering various policies for better security)

• secpol.msc (hardening default security policies)

• lusrmgr.msc (hardening default userrights)

• regedit.exe (registry hive ACL rights)

• explorer.exe (NTFS rights)

• Turning off java/javascript & ActiveX/ActiveScripting in browsers

• Using Tcp/IP ports filtrating (easy to do in IP properties)

• Turning off Services I do NOT use that may have holes

• AntiVirus (AntiVir, NOD32, AVG, or Norton Corporate 10.2 edition (my favs @ least - I keep 1 resident, & one other as a 2nd opinion))

• AntiSpyware program (I like AdAware & SpyBot + use both, 2nd opinion stuff again)

• SEVERAL AntiRootkit programs (GMER, AVG, BitDefender, BlackLight, Rootkit Buster, Rootkit Revealer, AntiRootKit, Rootkit Hook Analyzer, Sophos - all many doctors opinions from what I feel IS the biggest threat out there now, rootkits)

• + using a hardware NAT firewall in combination w/ a software firewall (ZoneAlarm used to be good, & the native Windows firewall isn't bad, except for noting outgoing packets)

• Keeping up on Microsoft security patches to the OS & programs from them I use

• Being SMART about not opening email attachments & also using TEXT or RTF as my email reading format too

• After trimming services I do NOT use (& even the ones I don't as well, set disabled or not), I secure them ALL, per this thread:

http://forums.techpowerup.com/showthread.php?t=16097

• Using adbanner blocking HOSTS files (adbanners have been found to hold malicious code more than a few times the past 4-5 years now mind you)

*HARD TO BELIEVE ON THAT NOTE OF ADBANNERS HOUSING MALWARES IN SCRIPT & MORE?

CHECK THIS, DATED TODAY 02/21/2007:

Microsoft apologises for serving malware

http://apcmag.com/5382/microsoft_apo...e_to_customers



* YOU DO ALL OF THAT? Yes, You CAN be safe online & use Windows, just takes a bit of work... 1 hr. implementing it all, & maybe another 1/2 hr. testing it (like when you secure services - I did a BIG list, but not every possible service under the sun, because I have not run them ALL!)

MS ships their Operating Systems 'generic' enough to run on anything FULL FUNCTION, right outta the box... this can be its 'problem' too!

APK

P.S.=> Funny thing is though, I don't think we'll EVER be "110% solid secure" unless we go OFFLINE... @ least not for another 5 yrs. or so & then I think we'll be REALLY close @ least!

Microsoft's taking the RIGHT steps, in the RIGHT direction in their apps & OS, & so are other vendors too... this is a GREAT trend!

Heck - funny thing is? Snort turned up a security hole the other day... a program you CAN use to defend yourself... mistakes & oversights get made is all, still now even.

Today? It's the "Wild West" still, not as bad as it used to be in the earlier days/decades, but still 'risky' to an extent... still in the Stone Age guys, you'll miss these days, when they are gone... apk

[Ketxxx]

I'll be sticking with NoAdware, best software I've found.

[Alec§taar]

Originally Posted by Ketxxx

I'll be sticking with NoAdware, best software I've found.

Got a link? I am willing to try out new programs, by ALL means...



* Folks here have 'changed my ways' on a couple, like NOD32, PerfectDisk, & VLC to name them @ this point!

(If you get time & wind of this? Thanks!)

APK

P.S.=> On the topic of the thread itself? It seems MS just has to do more research into that which its competitors are doing, & implement an analog is all... 'corporate espionage'? Maybe... goes on all the time anyhow, lol, & NOT just in THIS particular field! apk

[randomperson21]

hmm i've been running windows defender for a few months now, but no problems yet. most likely because i'm careful online (ff, no html emails, only trusted sites, etc). windows defender does have some annoying things with it tho (like not telling you what spyware/ problem it found, but logging it in event viewer with some cryptic id or sommat). i need to find a new proggie soon.

[Scavar]

I think I am going to ship my computer to like different people on the forum, and see who can make it the most secure/function the best with all the useablility it should have.....


If MacOS was as popular as MS Windows, it would have just as many viruses/mal-ware, because everyone would has the ability for it, as far as the people that do it, if right now Windows XP SP2 didn't exist, nor anything for it, all we had was linux and OS10, with the Mac Dominating, Windows would pop out, and have no viruses, because no one would care.


Also recently, due the increase in Mac owners, there does indeed exist risks to using a Mac.

[ex_reven]

has anyone ever used CCleaner? (Crap Cleaner)
i find it to be a nice little, easy to use program.
I am yet to try nod32

btw Windows Defender is an improvement compared to when Microsoft called "Windows Firewall" a 'protective boundary'. That made me lol so hard...

[AshenSugar]

spysweeper+nod32 FTW

[Easy Rhino]

Originally Posted by ex_reven

has anyone ever used CCleaner? (Crap Cleaner)
i find it to be a nice little, easy to use program.
I am yet to try nod32

btw Windows Defender is an improvement compared to when Microsoft called "Windows Firewall" a 'protective boundary'. That made me lol so hard...

yea ccleaner is awesome. i use avast since it works well on 64bit vista and its still free. windows firewall is a pain in my ass. people if you have a gateway working as a firewall you dont need windows firewall on!

[ex_reven]

better yet, get a registry hack so you never have to deal with it again

i know a few network engineers/technicians, one of them installed my first WIFI setup at home (i had no idea how to configure firewall routers then), and he told me that alot of the time when his customers have a problem with their computer/network, its windows firewall stuffing around and preventing their own selected programs from working.

Its a true POS if you ask me, and when we were trying to set up my network, we couldnt get the bloody thing to shut off...

[theonetruewill]

I'm a little paranoid (mainly because my stupid sister uses my machine and all the viruses are in her user files) so I use Norton Internet Security 2006 (I only use it because of its user friendliness and parental controls), Nod32 as my manual scanner (to actually find the viruses), Adaware, Spybot, Spython, Spyware Blaster, Windows Defender and Ccleaner. I also have Zonealarm Pro as a backup firewall ready to be activated if Norton goes down.
...Jesus, I am paranoid!

[ex_reven]

itd probably be better if you didnt use multiple user accounts

having more than one user account leaves files everywhere.
the other computer (family computer) has 5 accounts on it...i dont even want to begin to think about touching that machine, id rather just nuke the drive and start from scratch...

my pita sister downloads all these programs like morpheus that are packed with god knows what...better to be paranoid than to have no defense at all, once a machine starts to get dirty it gets harder and harder to clean the more you leave it.

[theonetruewill]

Originally Posted by ex_reven

itd probably be better if you didnt use multiple user accounts

having more than one user account leaves files everywhere.
the other computer (family computer) has 5 accounts on it...i dont even want to begin to think about touching that machine, id rather just nuke the drive and start from scratch...

my pita sister downloads all these programs like morpheus that are packed with god knows what...better to be paranoid than to have no defense at all, once a machine starts to get dirty it gets harder and harder to clean the more you leave it.

I have to use mulitiple accounts for the rest of my family. (because they ********* up their one) Can you imagine an 11 year old with my Admin account!!

[ex_reven]

make two accounts then? one for the youngling with restrictions and everyone else can use the administrator account

at least the 11 year old wouldnt download spyware and stuff like that (unless theyve been using the internet alot and are hooked with downloading music/movies/whatever...and im hoping a kid that young hasnt lol)

should stay relatively clean...god i cant live even with a messy desktop

[Alec§taar]

Originally Posted by Scavar

I think I am going to ship my computer to like different people on the forum, and see who can make it the most secure/function the best with all the useablility it should have

Thing is? There IS enough documentation here @ this site, for you to do this, yourself... maybe 1 hr. work tops/at most.



* Nicest part of doing it youself is, that once you do this yourself, you actually LEARN something good, imo @ least!

APK

[ex_reven]

Originally Posted by Alec§taar

Thing is? There IS enough documentation here @ this site, for you to do this, yourself... maybe 1 hr. work tops/at most.

absolutely true...ive been copying and pasting heaps of stuff APK has been listing here into a word document, with the intention of trying all of it when i find the time...

hopefully it will be a worthwhile experience

[Alec§taar]

Originally Posted by ex_reven

absolutely true...ive been copying and pasting heaps of stuff APK has been listing here into a word document, with the intention of trying all of it when i find the time...

hopefully it will be a worthwhile experience

It will be, & it works...



* You run just as functional as before, & as a bonus? Safer & faster!

APK

[ex_reven]

Originally Posted by Alec§taar

It will be, & it works...



* You run just as functional as before, & as a bonus? Safer & faster!

APK

thankyou
and on that note i bid you goodnight Priam (king) with good walls (computer security )

[Alcpone]

I try not to get to freaked by threats, I have a hardware firewall (router) I use F-Secure Anti-virus which is rated very well and I use eTrust pest patrol, which is the bollocks! I have never had any issues with crap with this security package I have now! Only thing I suffered from recently was some dumbass trying to make me believe there emails directing me to sign in with my bank details were genuine, I mean haway do I look thick? Dont answer that I just grassed them up to barclays and I dont get anything like that anymore..

[Alec§taar]

Originally Posted by ex_reven

thankyou
and on that note i bid you goodnight Priam (king) with good walls (computer security )

LOL!



(ACHILLES (the invulnerable (almost)) is more like it, due to the above security list & score on BELARC... but, it is the thought that counts!)

APK

P.S.=> & since you're my "online tribe/home" here? Well, you are ALL myrmidons... apk

[ramblinche81]

Originally Posted by Easy Rhino

well it is more difficult to write a virus that would effect the mac OS because of how it is written. even if it were as popular as windows statistically speaking there would be less because M$ code isnt exactly the best. anyway...

I get a tickle out of the MS/MAC wars.....its like nascar rednecks talking about their loyalty to furds or shevies.

There is a long list of reasons MS is more prevalent, just as there are reasons Toyota and General Motors outsell Mercedes. If some one gave me a Mercedes I would take it, but Mercedes would not be my first choice for an auto to purchase.

Kind of hard to argue against the wisdom of Henry Ford even though Mercedes is a nicer car.

Each brand serves a purpose. Each meets the needs of users/consumers who choose the product.

Each has features which create advantages and limits on use.