Software to avoid

[goyta]

Winhlp32 available from Microsoft as an add-on

Also, Windows 7 does not support the older .hlp help file format (.chm is) so the help won't work.

Support for the old .HLP format is available as an add-on for both Vista and Windows 7. Look at Microsoft Download Center and search for "Winhlp32" - I would post a direct link, but they are highly variable on Microsoft's site. Maybe for now you could make a temporary workaround placing a screen in your installer telling users to download the applicable help DLL.

When Microsoft initially pulled out the support to .HLP in Vista, there was a lot of outcry, because it takes a lot of time and effort to convert a whole base of digital documentation to a new format, and a lot of the existing base was rendered useless overnight. So, they stepped back and restored the support as an extra download.

Just copying a Winhlp32.exe file from an existing Windows XP install to the %windir%\System32 folder used to work in Vista, too (probably also on Windows 7), although this may technically be a violation of the EULA, since you are "modifying the system", as well as using a part of another unlicensed Windows copy. I doubt that Microsoft would ever make a fuss of so little, though.

And AntiSilence, let me add my voice and commend you for being so responsible and upfront about your software's own limitations!

 

[SlackerITGuy]

Kaspersky Internet Security 2010.

Slows down Explorer SIGNIFICANTLY.

 

[carlharsch]

Might be just my machine, but Webroot's Spy Sweeper and Antivirus was causing my IE8 and FireFox and other programs to frequently quit responding (and not recover) and also the shutdown routine would hang. Ever since removing the program, my system has had ZERO issues.

 

[goyta]

Kaspersky Internet Security 2010.

Slows down Explorer SIGNIFICANTLY.

Not here, and mind you, my PC is four years old, with a single-core processor and 2 GB RAM. This shows, however, that one's mileage may vary a lot, often for imponderable reasons.

However, be sure you are using KIS version 9.0.0.736, which is the first and so far the only compatible with Windows 7. Previous versions of KIS 2010 (9.0) will install and run apparently without problems, but they aren't really protecting you. The firewall, in particular, will let anything through.

Even earlier releases, up to and including KIS 2009 (8.0), are also incompatible with Windows 7 (this may sound obvious but it really isn't, since security suites - and Kaspersky even more so - often take different development courses in new versions, while the older ones keep being sold, supported and sometimes even get new minor version updates).

 

[SlackerITGuy]

Kaspersky Internet Security 2010.

Slows down Explorer SIGNIFICANTLY.

Not here, and mind you, my PC is four years old, with a single-core processor and 2 GB RAM. This shows, however, that one's mileage may vary a lot, often for imponderable reasons.

However, be sure you are using KIS version 9.0.0.736, which is the first and so far the only compatible with Windows 7. Previous versions of KIS 2010 (9.0) will install and run apparently without problems, but they aren't really protecting you. The firewall, in particular, will let anything through.

Even earlier releases, up to and including KIS 2009 (8.0), are also incompatible with Windows 7 (this may sound obvious but it really isn't, since security suites - and Kaspersky even more so - often take different development courses in new versions, while the older ones keep being sold, supported and sometimes even get new minor version updates).

I was using version 9.0.0.736 as a matter of fact (did a clean install the day it got released).

I also tried it's previous version, 9.0.0.4-something, same result.

I recently moved to Avira AntiVir Personal (KIS license expired), and I gotta say, I'm loving every minute of it.

Just give it a try. You'll notice that your system will become much 'snappier' as a result (not to mention that Avira has a better protection rate than KIS, so you'll be safer as well, plus, with it's new updating system in place, every update is like ~64kb... lolz).

EDIT: And no... I don't work for Avira =).

For Firewall I decided to go with PC Tools' Firewall Plus. Higher score than KIS on Matousec.com's most recent Proactive Security Challenge test. Rock Solid.

Avira + PC Tools' Firewall + Malwarebytes FTW!!111!!

 

[jaydax]

KIS v 9.0.0.736 does slow down your machine significantly if you happen to be running a vulnerability scan. If you also run a full scan at the same time your computer will crawl - a significant keyboard and mouse click delay occurring.

The solution is simple - change your settings so that these scans take place when you are not using the computer. In normal operation - it's fine.

 

[goyta]

I was using version 9.0.0.736 as a matter of fact (did a clean install the day it got released).

I also tried it's previous version, 9.0.0.4-something, same result.

9.0.0.463. I hope you weren't using it on Windows 7. It appeared to be working, when in fact it wasn't. Kaspersky Labs itself warned not to use it on Windows 7.

I recently moved to Avira AntiVir Personal (KIS license expired), and I gotta say, I'm loving every minute of it.

Just give it a try. You'll notice that your system will become much 'snappier' as a result (not to mention that Avira has a better protection rate than KIS, so you'll be safer as well, plus, with it's new updating system in place, every update is like ~64kb... lolz).

I actually did try Avira a few months ago, when I was playing with Windows 7 RC and Avira was one of the few compatible antivirus programs already available for it at the time. I don't remember what was wrong with it, but I uninstalled it for Avast! after a while. I didn't want to spend money just for testing an RC, so I only used free security programs. I am using the free version of Avast! now on the XP virtual machine I'm running under VMware on Windows 7.

Now, the "best" antivirus is not only a tricky subject, but one that runs the risk of starting a passionate flame war, like Linux vs. Windows vs. Mac. It gets complicated because if you see 10 different antivirus tests, you will see 10 wildly different rankings. There is clearly a top tier of products - Kaspersky, Avira, Avast!, McAfee, Symantec, BitDefender, NOD32 - and maybe a close second tier with AVG and Panda, for example, but within those tiers there is no consistent clear winner through all tests. They have no consistent rates of detection, and all will leave gaps that others will cover and vice versa. It has always been so, but there used to be just a minor variation with obscure and uncommon types of malware. Not any more.

The fact is that the question is trickier now than it has ever been. The whole security software market is in a crisis, because zero-day attacks are happening much faster than any vendor can handle it. Attack and infection vectors and stealthing techniques are also getting more sophisticated than ever. In short, all products are failing miserably and anyone who relies just on them to feel secure is deceiving oneself. Vendors are responding by tightening heuristics (leading to a lot of false alarms) and dumping threats with low incidence from their databases to make room for new ones (something they will be very reluctant to confess, but all of them are doing it).

A year or two ago, I was a passionate Kaspersky fan and evangelist. And Kaspersky deserved my devotion and loyalty - at that time. Now it is just one more product. It certainly still is in the top tier, but it is not king any more like it used to be. Nor is any of its competitors.

I am still in an early phase of configuring and installing things in my new Windows 7 install, but I intend to tighten it with two or three further antiviruses. Yes, you can use more than one without conflicts, provided you use only one resident program at a time. Dedicated spyware detectors also usually don't conflict with antivirus programs - Spyware Doctor lived harmoniously with KIS in my old XP install. KIS was my main protection, but I also had BitDefender Free (which can only perform manual scans, but doesn't stay resident), Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware Free (ditto) and a-Squared Free (same, though it had a VERY high false positive rate and I didn't trust it). I often ran full system scans with them while I went to sleep or had to go out, to supplement Kaspersky's own detection. However, all of them give so many false positives these days that one has to use discretion and common sense to decide if a threat is real or not. As a former IT professional, that's easy for me, but not for most average users.

I also submit anything suspicious to Virustotal.com (and likewise, then I have to use the same discretion and common sense to decide whether the results of its 40-odd antivirus tests mean a real threat or not) and make use of on-line scans that most major vendors offer today, though in this case conflicts may occur, since then I can't turn off Kaspersky as I could when doing an off-line scan (unplugging the PC from the Internet for the duration of the scan), and the scanning process is much slower as well. ESET's on-line NOD32 scan, in particular, is painfully slow, but it has detected hidden spyware more than once and more than any other. But I tested the antivirus program itself and it gives too many false alarms (including one in a 6-year-old ZIP file that only contained archived .TXT and .PDF files!) and the interface doesn't offer you any freedom to decide what to do next. I didn't like its usability.

However, the single most effective preventive measure is your habits: not accepting suspicious attachments, configuring your e-mail client not to fetch remote images and not to run scripts, not visiting suspicious sites, etc. (though with so many XSS attacks these days even in unsuspecting reputable sites, you often do it without even knowing). The second most effective one is keeping all your software up-to-date and patched, closing the door to known vulnerabilities - not only all the latest Windows Updates, but the latest versions of everything you use. Secunia Personal Software Inspector is free for personal use and great for that. CNET and Filehippo.com also have more limited tools that detect if there is a newer version at least of the software they feature for download from their respective sites.

For Firewall I decided to go with PC Tools' Firewall Plus. Higher score than KIS on Matousec.com's most recent Proactive Security Challenge test. Rock Solid.

I will certainly be using Kaspersky Internet Security 2010 at least until late March, when my current license expires, because one can't say that it isn't adequate protection as far as it goes, and like I said, it is not significantly impairing performance here. However, unlike in previous years, I am not sure that this time I will blindly and thoughtlessly just renew my license. For starters, Kaspersky's user interface became very bad and confusing in KIS 2009, and got even worse in KIS 2010 - I'm always looking where I will find some function, and it may be at odd places (for example, application activity rule configuration is not on the "Settings" window but in an obscure tiny link in the main window!).

More importantly, being forced to use separate products for antivirus and firewall purposes rather than a monolithic security suite, when I was exploring Windows 7 RC and there were not many compatible products, reminded me how good it is to have that flexibility. For example, with a separate antivirus, I could turn it off while doing an on-line scan to avoid conflicts and speed up the process, without losing firewall protection. (Kaspersky does allow selective activation/deactivation of components, but it gets really nasty when you do it, popping scandalously scary alerts all the time - it's really annoying!)

True that a firewall these days is much more than just monitoring your network connections and allowing or denying traffic according to rules. I used PC Tools' Firewall on RC for lack of a better alternative at the time (actually, there was one: Comodo, but with all those reputation problems, questionable antics and bullying of discussion forums and Softpedia, it lost my trust), but it was only a conventional firewall and I missed other security features that KIS had, like application activity monitoring and sandboxed execution ("Safe Run"). I was using the free version and maybe the paid one has more features, but I found PC Tools too simplistic.

I'm not sure about the resident antivirus I will use. It may be Kaspersky Antivirus, Avira, as you suggested, or Avast!. BitDefender would also be a good choice, and Symantec/Norton has regained its reputation of being effective as in the old days, but they are way too heavy on the system. As for the firewall, I'm inclined to use either Online Armor or Agnitum Outpost. I'm using the free version of Online Armor on my XP virtual machine and I'm very impressed with it: simple, clear interface and very light, yet also very tight, including very strict application monitoring even in the free version.

Avira + PC Tools' Firewall + Malwarebytes FTW!!111!!

Although I can't say for sure that I would use the same combo (especially because of PC Tools), I also wouldn't say that you have made bad choices. It is certainly a very reasonable combination, to say the least.

 

[SlackerITGuy]

I was using version 9.0.0.736 as a matter of fact (did a clean install the day it got released).

I also tried it's previous version, 9.0.0.4-something, same result.

9.0.0.463. I hope you weren't using it on Windows 7. It appeared to be working, when in fact it wasn't. Kaspersky Labs itself warned not to use it on Windows 7.

I knew it wasn't 'officially' 7-compatible yet, but I had to give it a shot.

I didn't trust any other Internet Security suite at the moment, and my license had yet to expire, plus I was desperate to try 7 =).

Overall, I didn't have any problems/issues with it.

That I knew of.

I recently moved to Avira AntiVir Personal (KIS license expired), and I gotta say, I'm loving every minute of it.

Just give it a try. You'll notice that your system will become much 'snappier' as a result (not to mention that Avira has a better protection rate than KIS, so you'll be safer as well, plus, with it's new updating system in place, every update is like ~64kb... lolz).

I actually did try Avira a few months ago, when I was playing with Windows 7 RC and Avira was one of the few compatible antivirus programs already available for it at the time. I don't remember what was wrong with it, but I uninstalled it for Avast! after a while. I didn't want to spend money just for testing an RC, so I only used free security programs. I am using the free version of Avast! now on the XP virtual machine I'm running under VMware on Windows 7.

Now, the "best" antivirus is not only a tricky subject, but one that runs the risk of starting a passionate flame war, like Linux vs. Windows vs. Mac. It gets complicated because if you see 10 different antivirus tests, you will see 10 wildly different rankings. There is clearly a top tier of products - Kaspersky, Avira, Avast!, McAfee, Symantec, BitDefender, NOD32 - and maybe a close second tier with AVG and Panda, for example, but within those tiers there is no consistent clear winner through all tests. They have no consistent rates of detection, and all will leave gaps that others will cover and vice versa. It has always been so, but there used to be just a minor variation with obscure and uncommon types of malware. Not any more.

The fact is that the question is trickier now than it has ever been. The whole security software market is in a crisis, because zero-day attacks are happening much faster than any vendor can handle it. Attack and infection vectors and stealthing techniques are also getting more sophisticated than ever. In short, all products are failing miserably and anyone who relies just on them to feel secure is deceiving oneself. Vendors are responding by tightening heuristics (leading to a lot of false alarms) and dumping threats with low incidence from their databases to make room for new ones (something they will be very reluctant to confess, but all of them are doing it).

A year or two ago, I was a passionate Kaspersky fan and evangelist. And Kaspersky deserved my devotion and loyalty - at that time. Now it is just one more product. It certainly still is in the top tier, but it is not king any more like it used to be. Nor is any of its competitors.

I am still in an early phase of configuring and installing things in my new Windows 7 install, but I intend to tighten it with two or three further antiviruses. Yes, you can use more than one without conflicts, provided you use only one resident program at a time. Dedicated spyware detectors also usually don't conflict with antivirus programs - Spyware Doctor lived harmoniously with KIS in my old XP install. KIS was my main protection, but I also had BitDefender Free (which can only perform manual scans, but doesn't stay resident), Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware Free (ditto) and a-Squared Free (same, though it had a VERY high false positive rate and I didn't trust it). I often ran full system scans with them while I went to sleep or had to go out, to supplement Kaspersky's own detection. However, all of them give so many false positives these days that one has to use discretion and common sense to decide if a threat is real or not. As a former IT professional, that's easy for me, but not for most average users.

I also submit anything suspicious to Virustotal.com (and likewise, then I have to use the same discretion and common sense to decide whether the results of its 40-odd antivirus tests mean a real threat or not) and make use of on-line scans that most major vendors offer today, though in this case conflicts may occur, since then I can't turn off Kaspersky as I could when doing an off-line scan (unplugging the PC from the Internet for the duration of the scan), and the scanning process is much slower as well. ESET's on-line NOD32 scan, in particular, is painfully slow, but it has detected hidden spyware more than once and more than any other. But I tested the antivirus program itself and it gives too many false alarms (including one in a 6-year-old ZIP file that only contained archived .TXT and .PDF files!) and the interface doesn't offer you any freedom to decide what to do next. I didn't like its usability.

However, the single most effective preventive measure is your habits: not accepting suspicious attachments, configuring your e-mail client not to fetch remote images and not to run scripts, not visiting suspicious sites, etc. (though with so many XSS attacks these days even in unsuspecting reputable sites, you often do it without even knowing). The second most effective one is keeping all your software up-to-date and patched, closing the door to known vulnerabilities - not only all the latest Windows Updates, but the latest versions of everything you use. Secunia Personal Software Inspector is free for personal use and great for that. CNET and Filehippo.com also have more limited tools that detect if there is a newer version at least of the software they feature for download from their respective sites.

To be perfectly honest with you, you have to at least 'trust' the likes of av-comparatives.org and/or matousec.com to some extent.

If you read up on what Matousec is, and what they stand for, you will realise they're not selling any BS. On the contrary. Read up on the site and you will see what kind of testing level is used to acquire those results, AND what kind of effect they have on the vendors reactions to them.

When comparing the two websites and considering that one compares the standalones, and the other compares the Firewall protection of mostly suites, the wise decision would be combining what is a good standalone AV according to av-comparatives, with a good Firewall according to Matousec, and that's exactly what I did.

Throw in a light but effective Malware agent like Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware, and you will REALLY have yourself a FULL circle.

For Firewall I decided to go with PC Tools' Firewall Plus. Higher score than KIS on Matousec.com's most recent Proactive Security Challenge test. Rock Solid.

I will certainly be using Kaspersky Internet Security 2010 at least until late March, when my current license expires, because one can't say that it isn't adequate protection as far as it goes, and like I said, it is not significantly impairing performance here. However, unlike in previous years, I am not sure that this time I will blindly and thoughtlessly just renew my license. For starters, Kaspersky's user interface became very bad and confusing in KIS 2009, and got even worse in KIS 2010 - I'm always looking where I will find some function, and it may be at odd places (for example, application activity rule configuration is not on the "Settings" window but in an obscure tiny link in the main window!).

More importantly, being forced to use separate products for antivirus and firewall purposes rather than a monolithic security suite, when I was exploring Windows 7 RC and there were not many compatible products, reminded me how good it is to have that flexibility. For example, with a separate antivirus, I could turn it off while doing an on-line scan to avoid conflicts and speed up the process, without losing firewall protection. (Kaspersky does allow selective activation/deactivation of components, but it gets really nasty when you do it, popping scandalously scary alerts all the time - it's really annoying!)

True that a firewall these days is much more than just monitoring your network connections and allowing or denying traffic according to rules. I used PC Tools' Firewall on RC for lack of a better alternative at the time (actually, there was one: Comodo, but with all those reputation problems, questionable antics and bullying of discussion forums and Softpedia, it lost my trust), but it was only a conventional firewall and I missed other security features that KIS had, like application activity monitoring and sandboxed execution ("Safe Run"). I was using the free version and maybe the paid one has more features, but I found PC Tools too simplistic.

I'm not sure about the resident antivirus I will use. It may be Kaspersky Antivirus, Avira, as you suggested, or Avast!. BitDefender would also be a good choice, and Symantec/Norton has regained its reputation of being effective as in the old days, but they are way too heavy on the system. As for the firewall, I'm inclined to use either Online Armor or Agnitum Outpost. I'm using the free version of Online Armor on my XP virtual machine and I'm very impressed with it: simple, clear interface and very light, yet also very tight, including very strict application monitoring even in the free version.

I was thinking about going with Online Armor Personal Firewall (tied for 2nd in matousec.com's latest test with PC Tools' Firewall Plus), but after going to it's official web site, I found that they don't have x64 support at the moment, plus I don't think it's 'officially' 7-compatible yet.

Avira + PC Tools' Firewall + Malwarebytes FTW!!111!!

Although I can't say for sure that I would use the same combo (especially because of PC Tools), I also wouldn't say that you have made bad choices. It is certainly a very reasonable combination, to say the least.

Fair enough.

 

[goyta]

To be perfectly honest with you, you have to at least 'trust' the likes of av-comparatives.org and/or matousec.com to some extent.

If you read up on what Matousec is, and what they stand for, you will realise they're not selling any BS. On the contrary. Read up on the site and you will see what kind of testing level is used to acquire those results, AND what kind of effect they have on the vendors reactions to them.

When comparing the two websites and considering that one compares the standalones, and the other compares the Firewall protection of mostly suites, the wise decision would be combining what is a good standalone AV according to av-comparatives, with a good Firewall according to Matousec, and that's exactly what I did.

I know both sites, and they are indeed serious ones, and both Avira and PC Tools' Firewall are good products as well. You've made a wise decision. However, the "best" product will still be another one according to some other equally serious and reputable site. And the next tests by av-comparatives.org and Matousec may have entirely different results. There is no single product that stands out at this moment, and given how things are changing, there isn't likely to be one in the future.

The days of "innocence" are over. Malware is not any more the work of some bored or disgruntled teenage computer whiz somewhere. It is the work of highly organized, multinational, professional criminal gangs with a high level of technical knowledge and competence. I mean Ph.D. level - often literally. They increasingly know how to fool security products and render them useless by themselves.

So, use top-tier products, as you are doing, but be aware of their limitations and of the ever-changing landscape and state of things.

Throw in a light but effective Malware agent like Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware, and you will REALLY have yourself a FULL circle.

No doubt you'll come nearer to it, but the point is, the circle can never be fully closed these days, if it ever could. It is very important that you have this in mind. And I would add another very essential component: Secunia Personal Software Inspector (in this case, I don't know of any real serious alternative). KIS partially implements Secunia's engine and database for its "vulnerability scan", but the real thing is even better. As opposed to being reactive like a usual antivirus is, it is proactive by closing all known doors a piece of malware could use to gain access to your system. It is extremely important to have all your software, OS and apps alike, fully updated and patched. Today, this is even more important than having an antivirus, as top specialists like Dancho Danchev always point out.

I was thinking about going with Online Armor Personal Firewall (tied for 2nd in matousec.com's latest test with PC Tools' Firewall Plus), but after going to it's official web site, I found that they don't have x64 support at the moment, plus I don't think it's 'officially' 7-compatible yet.

Indeed, Online Armor doesn't have a 64-bit version yet, although its publisher, Tall Emu, says that it is in the works. But version 4.0 has just been released and it does support 32-bit Windows 7, fully and "officially".

I have decided to stick to 32-bit for now, because in my current configuration and conditions there would be no real advantage and some real hassles for me to go 64-bit. So, this not a problem for me. If and when I decide to switch to 64-bit, Online Armor will certainly already have a x64 version. But then, of course, the security software landscape may be radically changed and I may just as well choose another product.

Many people are also adding another layer of security with a hardware firewall, a specially configured router to serve that purpose. But in my conditions, I think it's overkill and an extra layer of complexity that I can do without.

 

[Moondragon]

YEp! Bitdefender is definitely out! Tried Bitdefender 2010 (totalsecurity) and had loads of problems (windows explorer closing, freezes and the like) which all disappeared as soon as I removed it. Now using Avast. Am a bit irked 'cos I had an account with Bitdefender paid up until June of next year.
______________________________

I thought it would be a good idea to make a list of programs to avoid because of either compatibility issues or they screw Win7 up.

If you have your own bad experience with a program, please give the program name, website and synopsis of experience.

Any Registry Defraggers
They generally cause a boot time bsod and system restore or startup repair cant fix the issue. Usually requires a complete reinstall of windows.

SUPERAntiSpyware.com | Remove Malware | Remove Spyware - AntiMalware, AntiSpyware, AntiAdware!
Can someone report back on latest version compatibility please.

NetLimiter - The Ultimate Bandwidth Shaper

Net Limiter causes a BSOD after restart on W7 7000 64-bit.

Antivirus software - BitDefender - The future of security now!

You can add BitDefender 2009 to the list. I don't think that BD '09 works well under 64-bit Vista and W7.. on both OS's they eliminate my use of the internet/network (this happens after a while, it's not immediately apparent), it's like a driver crashes or something. BD '09 works well under Vista 32-bit, though.

Maybe someone that's running W7 32-bit can try and see if it works for a few hours?
Another for the list is EASEUS Partition Manager -- it borked my W7 partition, and called for a reinstall for W7. It failed on expanding the partition..

Advanced SystemCare Free | Free Windows XP/Vista/7 Registry Cleaner, Clean Privacy & Speed Up PC Advanced System Care
It mess with Windows Registry resulting in numerous System Errors.
(Sounds like its probably best to avoid registry tinkering software in general)

iTunes.

DVD Player Software ? Corel WinDVD 2010 - buggy and iffy registration with limited number of installs.

EnhanceMy7
Caused me a lot of problems.
Can't even shut down my PC now, and cannot get the shutdown box back

Stardock WindowBlinds
due to the new UI in Windows 7 which makes it incompatible.
Can someone report back on latest build compatibility please.

Vasilios Commands in Demand and certain other of their software: VasiliosFreeware-CommandsinDemand
creates some problems in windows 7. Check to see if their download links mention "windows all". No specific mention of Windows 7 on their website.

 

[catilley1092]

A lot of these "free downloads" that promises your speed to increase up to 400% and even some free programs that you receive by email invitation are at the very least, a fraud. If your system is that bad off, then you need a new one. In the past (my XP days), I bit at anything that would improve performance for free. Lucky thing for restore points and on a couple of occasions, breaking out the reinstall disc. I still get spam email from Easous, Paragon, and many others. Please listen to me, nothing worthwhile in the PC world is entirely free. All these registry cleaners, memory defraggers and such will lead you to disaster. If you need help, the forum is here, get on it. Or if your system is under warranty, call them. Don't fall victim to con artists. Cyber fraud is the fastest growing crime in America.

 

[AntiSilence]

Also, Windows 7 does not support the older .hlp help file format (.chm is) so the help won't work.

Support for the old .HLP format is available as an add-on for both Vista and Windows 7. Look at Microsoft Download Center and search for "Winhlp32" - I would post a direct link, but they are highly variable on Microsoft's site. Maybe for now you could make a temporary workaround placing a screen in your installer telling users to download the applicable help DLL.

Yeah, I know you can download the old help file system, but it's not native to Vista and 7. I don't think it's right to have to download something that's obsolete to run an older programme though lol.

 

[SlackerITGuy]

To be perfectly honest with you, you have to at least 'trust' the likes of av-comparatives.org and/or matousec.com to some extent.

If you read up on what Matousec is, and what they stand for, you will realise they're not selling any BS. On the contrary. Read up on the site and you will see what kind of testing level is used to acquire those results, AND what kind of effect they have on the vendors reactions to them.

When comparing the two websites and considering that one compares the standalones, and the other compares the Firewall protection of mostly suites, the wise decision would be combining what is a good standalone AV according to av-comparatives, with a good Firewall according to Matousec, and that's exactly what I did.

I know both sites, and they are indeed serious ones, and both Avira and PC Tools' Firewall are good products as well. You've made a wise decision. However, the "best" product will still be another one according to some other equally serious and reputable site. And the next tests by av-comparatives.org and Matousec may have entirely different results. There is no single product that stands out at this moment, and given how things are changing, there isn't likely to be one in the future.

The days of "innocence" are over. Malware is not any more the work of some bored or disgruntled teenage computer whiz somewhere. It is the work of highly organized, multinational, professional criminal gangs with a high level of technical knowledge and competence. I mean Ph.D. level - often literally. They increasingly know how to fool security products and render them useless by themselves.

So, use top-tier products, as you are doing, but be aware of their limitations and of the ever-changing landscape and state of things.

Throw in a light but effective Malware agent like Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware, and you will REALLY have yourself a FULL circle.

No doubt you'll come nearer to it, but the point is, the circle can never be fully closed these days, if it ever could. It is very important that you have this in mind. And I would add another very essential component: Secunia Personal Software Inspector (in this case, I don't know of any real serious alternative). KIS partially implements Secunia's engine and database for its "vulnerability scan", but the real thing is even better. As opposed to being reactive like a usual antivirus is, it is proactive by closing all known doors a piece of malware could use to gain access to your system. It is extremely important to have all your software, OS and apps alike, fully updated and patched. Today, this is even more important than having an antivirus, as top specialists like Dancho Danchev always point out.

I was thinking about going with Online Armor Personal Firewall (tied for 2nd in matousec.com's latest test with PC Tools' Firewall Plus), but after going to it's official web site, I found that they don't have x64 support at the moment, plus I don't think it's 'officially' 7-compatible yet.

Indeed, Online Armor doesn't have a 64-bit version yet, although its publisher, Tall Emu, says that it is in the works. But version 4.0 has just been released and it does support 32-bit Windows 7, fully and "officially".

I have decided to stick to 32-bit for now, because in my current configuration and conditions there would be no real advantage and some real hassles for me to go 64-bit. So, this not a problem for me. If and when I decide to switch to 64-bit, Online Armor will certainly already have a x64 version. But then, of course, the security software landscape may be radically changed and I may just as well choose another product.

Many people are also adding another layer of security with a hardware firewall, a specially configured router to serve that purpose. But in my conditions, I think it's overkill and an extra layer of complexity that I can do without.

Agreed (very nice post btw).

I was just explaining the thought process behind my decision.

I'll be keeping a close eye on Online Armor. Really looking forward to it's 64-bits version.

 

[goyta]

Another one in the list: Spyware Doctor 6

I just had a horrific experience trying to use PC Tools Spyware Doctor 6 on Windows 7. PC Tools' website states that it is compatible with Windows 7 (and both with 32- and 64-bit versions), I have a valid license until June next year, so I installed it. Contradicting the website, the first screen of the setup program warned that using Spyware Doctor on Windows 7 was "not recommended", but the site said it was OK, and PC Tools hasn't released a new version (at least a directly downloadable one) since May, when only Windows 7's betas and the RC were available and there was reason to be cautious. So, I let the setup proceed.

Setup went OK through the end, Spyware Doctor started running and updated its databases and the program itself to a minor newer version (6.1. something). Then it asked for a reboot. I rebooted, logged on to my usual standard account and there was no desktop! All black, no icons, no wallpaper, no taskbar, no Start button, unresponsive Windows key. I pressed CTRL+ALT+DELETE and used Task Manager to kill explorer.exe then restart it. The desktop appeared, but without Aero.

I rebooted again. This time the desktop appeared (including Aero), but Kaspersky Internet Security didn't load (and its icon on the desktop mysteriously disappeared as well!). I started KIS manually from the Start menu and it loaded OK. (I had used both at the same time without any problems on Windows XP.) But several programs, such as CCleaner and The Bat! e-mail, started displaying weird error messages when I tried to use them.

At this point, I sent a message to PC Tools' support (and I'm still waiting for an answer, almost 18 hours later), but then I decided I wouldn't take it and uninstalled Spyware Doctor using Revo Uninstaller. Still not satisfied, I decided to do a system restore to a point before installing Spyware Doctor (even though that would force me to reinstall a couple of other programs). The system restore failed with a weird error (it said it couldn't find the C:\Windows folder!). By this time I was sweating cold. But from then on everything worked as usual and I was VERY relieved!

I'm angry for losing some 7 months of my paid license, but even if PC Tools replies with a workaround, I'm not going to risk installing Spyware Doctor on Windows 7 again!

 

[KDW]

You can add BitDefender 2009 to the list. I don't think that BD '09 works well under 64-bit Vista and W7.. on both OS's they eliminate my use of the internet/network (this happens after a while, it's not immediately apparent), it's like a driver crashes or something. BD '09 works well under Vista 32-bit, though.

Maybe someone that's running W7 32-bit can try and see if it works for a few hours?

Another for the list is EASEUS Partition Manager -- it borked my W7 partition, and called for a reinstall for W7. It failed on expanding the partition..

I was using the BD09 on the win7RC it worked fine, but I had problems with my network connection.
Since I installed the Windows 7 Home Premium 32 bit, I've updated my BD09 to BD10 and it works fine, no problems so far, 4 days since I installed the win7.

 

[Tews]

I just had a horrific experience trying to use PC Tools Spyware Doctor 6 on Windows 7. PC Tools' website states that it is compatible with Windows 7 (and both with 32- and 64-bit versions), I have a valid license until June next year, so I installed it. Contradicting the website, the first screen of the setup program warned that using Spyware Doctor on Windows 7 was "not recommended", but the site said it was OK, and PC Tools hasn't released a new version (at least a directly downloadable one) since May, when only Windows 7's betas and the RC were available and there was reason to be cautious. So, I let the setup proceed.

Setup went OK through the end, Spyware Doctor started running and updated its databases and the program itself to a minor newer version (6.1. something). Then it asked for a reboot. I rebooted, logged on to my usual standard account and there was no desktop! All black, no icons, no wallpaper, no taskbar, no Start button, unresponsive Windows key. I pressed CTRL+ALT+DELETE and used Task Manager to kill explorer.exe then restart it. The desktop appeared, but without Aero.

I rebooted again. This time the desktop appeared (including Aero), but Kaspersky Internet Security didn't load (and its icon on the desktop mysteriously disappeared as well!). I started KIS manually from the Start menu and it loaded OK. (I had used both at the same time without any problems on Windows XP.) But several programs, such as CCleaner and The Bat! e-mail, started displaying weird error messages when I tried to use them.

At this point, I sent a message to PC Tools' support (and I'm still waiting for an answer, almost 18 hours later), but then I decided I wouldn't take it and uninstalled Spyware Doctor using Revo Uninstaller. Still not satisfied, I decided to do a system restore to a point before installing Spyware Doctor (even though that would force me to reinstall a couple of other programs). The system restore failed with a weird error (it said it couldn't find the C:\Windows folder!). By this time I was sweating cold. But from then on everything worked as usual and I was VERY relieved!

I'm angry for losing some 7 months of my paid license, but even if PC Tools replies with a workaround, I'm not going to risk installing Spyware Doctor on Windows 7 again!

Im sorry for your problems, but the next time that a program warns you about compatibility problems, pay attention to it.. I would also recommend implementing a system imaging policy in case your system gets borked again...

 

[KDW]

about a month ago i was installing BD2009. it created some kind of a ghost user named BitDefenderComm which couldnt be deleted + i couldnt use bitdefender firewall nor windows defender. i had to use a system restore.

I was asking in customer support and they told me that bitdefender probably hadnt acces to some windows files and that messed up my system. i tried to install via administrator account and it worked perfectly.

...and the lived happily ever after.

And Paragon partition manager screwed my computer. I had to format whole disk.

I'm not sure if I had those symptoms or not.. however, are you running the 64-bit or 32-bit version of BitDefender, and are you positive, absolutely positive, that it's the 2009 series product that you installed? Also, what was the type (AV/GameSafe/Total Security/etc)?

If my memory serves me correctly, I did install it as administrator (not using the actual "Administrator" account name, but sufficient privileges should do). I didn't "run as administrator," I actually went into properties and went to the compatibility tab and checked "Run as Administrator" (as I believe those two options have different effects).

My copy did install correctly, but it malfunctioned (as I mentioned in my original post) every so often -- causing stuff to go haywire. How long have you been using BitDefender on Windows 7, and have you successfully had your system running for a period longer than a few (3~) hours, without it going haywire?

Thanks

I am using the BD2010 Total Security on Windows 7 Home Premium and it works fine.

 

[KDW]

I had to uninstal itunes it was messing up my audio, there was no sound after I installed itunes, and I also uninstalled the Advanced System Care.
Now the laptop is purring like a cat!

 

[goyta]

Im sorry for your problems, but the next time that a program warns you about compatibility problems, pay attention to it..

I agree, but the Web site said it was compatible... So, I think the real lesson is that at least for now, one should not blindly trust a software maker, even a well-known one, when it says its software is compatible with Windows 7.

I should know better: I'm a technical translator now, but I once worked in the IT department of a large institution just as the Web was appearing, and I know that more often than not, Web design, marketing and technical staff work completely out of pace!

Now I'm also having problems with Secunia Personal Software Inspector 1.5.0.1 - and this is serious, because I consider it one of the most essential things to have these days. Likewise, Secunia states that it is compatible with Windows 7 (going as far as to mention both 32- and 64-bit compatibility), but Microsoft disagrees: the verdict from the compatibility troubleshooting wizard is that it is incompatible.

I would also recommend implementing a system imaging policy in case your system gets borked again...

Mea culpa... I am extremely disciplined and paranoid about data file backups, but not so much with system images...

 

[AntiSilence]

Until I get the time to write a new version, I would avoid this in Windows Vista and 7.

That is the first time I have seen a Developer opening report his software in a personal manner as not working on a platform

I started designing the new version of my app today It will be totally Windows 7 compatible including such things as Jump Lists as I added my first jump list to a project yesterday