Rootkit, Fix It and MSE Final?

[jonesnewton]

Hi
I am reading about these on the net and would like advice regarding them?

Which is the best Anti-Rootkit software? Do I need it?

And the Fix It package from MS, its Beta, so should I use it now? Any problems?

MSE Final, I read here that there seems to be some issues?


I am running Win 7 Home Premium-64 bit and currently have MSE and Malwarebytes, they seem to be doing a good job.
I dont want detailed explainations, just simply your opinions as I am not a techy

Thanks.

 

[not so gray matter]

I wouldn't use the Fix It Beta yet, but that's just me, it depends on your beta habits.

As far as rootkits/malware, use a decent anti-virus such as MSE and download these two:
Malwarebytes Anti-Malware
SuperAntiSpyware

MSE is great... the only reason I don't use it is because it uses more resources than Avast on my system and I prefer the options of Avast.

Check the different AV's results in benchmarking:
AV-Comparatives - Independent Tests of Anti-Virus Software - Welcome to AV-Comparatives.org

 

[Corrine]

Hi, jonesnewton.

Since you are running Windows 7, you already have the excellent Troubleshooting included. The Fix it Center (Beta) is an expansion of that technology for Windows XP and Windows Vista. If you are having compatibility, hardware, or similar issues, merely click start and type "troubleshooting".

With a 64-bit OS, MSE and MBAM, it sounds as though you are doing just fine. What software firewall are you using and do you have UAC on?

 

[CarlTR6]

I will also ask if you are behind a router hardware firewall?

 

[jav]

Which is the best Anti-Rootkit software? Do I need it?

...

I am running Win 7 Home Premium-64 bit and currently have MSE and Malwarebytes, they seem to be doing a good job.

1. Which is the best Anti-Rootkit?
We can go for a long discussion on this... And we will never reach the end of it.
My personal opinion?
Prevx
Hitman Pro 3 - SurfRight
Emsisoft Anti-Malware or a-squared Free

more specific Anti Rootkits:
GMER - Rootkit Detector and Remover
Stealth MBR rootkit
UnHackMe - First BootWatch AntiRootkit - Greatis Software
Anti-Rootkit | Free Rootkit Removal | Rootkit Detection - Sophos

And a lot more....

2. Do I need it?
This question is more important then the first one.

Average user, with realtime AV, MalwareBytes and most important part running Windows 7 64-bit version.

You know, without going into details 64-bit versions of Windows feature called PatchGuard (aka KPP or Kernell Patch Protection) does really great job at blocking most of the rootkits out of box in 64-bit systems.

That's why you don't really need this.
But I tend to think that security is state of mind. You will never will be secure. It just state of mind, when do YOU think that you are enough protected.

For some people it's just AV, for some people it's great lot of softwares..

In my opinion, you don't really need professionsl anti rootkit programs like Gmer...
If you are still not sure, my recommendation just get Hitman Pro 3 - SurfRight for second opinion scans.

This little software will run on-demand and scans your systemm really (I mean REALLY) fast but Effective. Believe me, it is effective evethough it doesn't look so.

It was one of the fewest public products which was able to effectively clean up TDL 3 (one of the most spread rootkits of 2009/2010) up to date.

So, It is you who should decide whether you need it or no....

 

[wickedout]

MSE uses resources but not as much as other AV programs out there. If you have a huge hard drive and a ton of memory it shouldn't matter what resources are used. I've checked out the resource meter myself and it's not that bad. The only thing I don't like about MSE it as a slow scanning engine. Just my .02 cents!

 

[severedsolo]

MSE uses resources but not as much as other AV programs out there. If you have a huge hard drive and a ton of memory it shouldn't matter what resources are used. I've checked out the resource meter myself and it's not that bad. The only thing I don't like about MSE it as a slow scanning engine. Just my .02 cents!

agree 100% on that, MSE's scan speed is shocking, but i think thats more to do with the fact it gets into everything got an ISO sitting on your hard drive? MSE will open it up and poke around every single file, CAB and RAR on there scanning each individual file, im not sure alot of other AV's do that, for the time they spend scanning it seems like they wouldn't have time to.

 

[jonesnewton]

Hi
Thanks all for your replies.

I installed Super Antispyware. It found 6 items straight after scanning with the others.

I have Windows firewall and UAC does pop up now and then, nothing like it did with Vista!!

No router.

So I will not bother with Anti Rootkit software, thanks for the info on my comp spec (64 bit), did not know these facts.
But, I did install Hitman Pro (for all round check)and nothing came back with this, its good that it will search and if it finds anything you can use the 30 day trial to remove it. Hopefully I will not need it, but its peace of mind.

 

[CorneliusM]

Hi I know this thread is a couple of months old but, I have to add about MSE- I had a rar file with a zip in it that had a rather demonic trojan I've never seen before in my computing life.
MSE scanned the rar and found nothing, I unpacked it to desktop, scanned the zip and nothing was located though, when I unzipped the .zip folder, MSE scanned it and found the trojan inside. It should be noted that MSE scanned it as I was unpacking and unzipping.
By the time MSE spotted the virus, I had plenty of time to scan it as safe and run it!
And that was yesterday!