Anti-spyware programs tested

[Noreen]

I haven't downloaded the results, just noted them. http://www.dozleng.com/updates/index.php?showtopic=18279&hl=

[madasahatter]

Interesting link- thanks Noreen - 

[Rik]

Interesting, if a little confusing in places. 

[Noreen]

Thanks, Mad. I have to say that the results are getting a mixed reaction from the American forum where I found this link.

[Sebby]

Thanks.

I find it's always difficult to know who to believe.

[Noreen]

Yesterday I installed free a-squared to use alongside free SUPERAntiSpyware and free SpywareBlaster. I decided to run a deep-scan for its first scan. It found 5 medium risk items, I'd run SUPERAntiSpyware two days before and it had found nothing. This is what is now in Quarantine, any comments welcomed.

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[Rik]

Keylogger:

http://ca.com/us/securityadvisor/pest/pest.aspx?id=453097322

Spyman:

http://securityresponse.symantec.com/en/uk/home_homeoffice/security_response/writeup.jsp?docid=2008-051414-4843-99

PC Police:

http://www.symantec.com/security_response/writeup.jsp?docid=2005-062014-5447-99

If they are there, get rid of them. However, I have found that spyware programs are prone to flag up entries which are perfectly legitimate, so set a system restore first, or use something like Erunt to back up the registry.

[Inactive]

Noreen, I tried A Squared, it gave similar results, however on doing some research, it showed that most results were " false " and part of a ploy to encourage the purchase of the paid for version, I dumped it quickly with no bad results.

[Noreen]

Noreen, I tried A Squared, it gave similar results, however on doing some research, it showed that most results were " false " and part of a ploy to encourage the purchase of the paid for version, I dumped it quickly with no bad results.

In, I'm not quite sure what you mean, did it discover exactly the same results for you? According to Rik's post they all appear to be real threats of various sorts and I can only assume that the program did actually "find" them. If so, isn't Quarantine the best place for them rather than sitting undiscovered on my computer?

[Inactive]

Not exactly the same results, it found stuff that other programmes did not, however when I did some research, I found that this was usual with A Squared, and that the stuff it found was supposedly " false " stuff planted by A Squared, as I said, I dumped it without any adverse effects.

[Simon]

I'm also slightly sceptical about a-squared's results, Noreen.  Given that I assume you to be a 'safe' surfer, do you have any idea where these apparent threats may have come from?  Will a-squared remove the perceived threats without any payments required? 

[Noreen]

I've no idea where they came from, Simon. I regard myself as a fairly unadventurous surfer however I don't really know what sort of sites have these items. I certainly don't go to any of those "social" type sites. I really am confused now, are you both assuming that because one scanner finds threats that others don't find, that it must therefore be "fishy" or is there other evidence?

I believe that it will remove the threats without payment otherwise they can just stay in Quarantine.

[Inactive]

All I can say with certainty, is my computer has had no problems without A Squared, I use SUPERANTISPYWARE and S & D, as well as Comodo Firewall and AVG.

I would think you are safe without it Noreen.

[Simon]

I'm always a little sceptical when one program claims to find 'suspect' items that no other anti-spyware programs find, and it suggests to me, a ploy to get you to use the program.  It's up to you, Noreen, whether you continue to use a2, but if the items it found are now quarantined, you should be safe in any case.

[Noreen]

I've been doing some checking online and there certainly are comments about a-squared and false positives although some of them go back a couple of years and the program may have improved since then.

It's really difficult to know what to do about anti-spyware, if the programs that you use never find anything is it because there is nothing to find or that they are no good at finding spyware?

[madasahatter]

It's really difficult to know what to do about anti-spyware, if the programs that you use never find anything is it because there is nothing to find or that they are no good at finding spyware?

Quite true Noreen - and unless you are working on a machine that you have purposefully infected to test, then I guess you never really know the answer 

[Rik]

That's always been the big question, Noreen. Many programs get excited about things which are merely tracking cookies that you'll pick up on almost any site you visit. If your AV is good, it will catch more things anyway.

[Noreen]

After reading online and taking advice from here and elsewhere I'm going to stay with a-squared for a while and see what happens. The quarantined items will stay there for a while and then be deleted if there are no ill effects as I'm sure that whatever their source I'll be better off without them. Thanks to all for your input.

[Baz]

there is a test file you can download to test your AV program here


its not a virus just a legit program what is used to test AV software.

I have tried this on my system and NOD picks it up straight away, Im not responsible for any faults if your software does not

[Steve]

Kaspersky got very angry when I tried to download them. Best left then as said to be difficult to remove.

[Sebby]

Same on mine, Steve.

[Simon]

I'm pleased to report that F-Secure blocked all downloads, without anything being saved on my PC.  This means it has a great web traffic scanner. 

If EICAR does get past your protection, I believe it's harmless enough, but it does prove that your AV software is poorly configured, or just plain cr*p! 

[Rik]

NOD's always picked up EICAR when I've tested it.

[Inactive]

I ain't going to risk testing it on AVG 8.

[Simon]

That suggests a vote of no confidence, In.