Security Setup

[TheIgster]

For those that may be looking for a good security setup, here is what I'm currently using and am extremely happy with. I have done some serious testing and these have proven themselves. This post is not meant to say one anti virus or anti malware solution is better than others, it is simply my opinion and personal experience. Everyone has their favorites and their own experiences.

Shadow Defender

For me, Shadow Defender is something I use when I am going into unchartered waters. I wouldn't be in Shadow Mode all the time. Shadow Mode allows any changes to the system to be reverted right back to the way they were when you reboot. So no matter what you do to your system, it will be right back when you reboot. This is an excellent testing app as well, allowing you to go to places you might not normally go and not have to worry about infecting yourself with malware. It's easy to use and very easy to understand.

I just did a test for the heck of it. Entered Shadow Mode and tried to infect myself. I had a pretty large list of rogues, malware, you name it, whatever I could find.

The good news? After rebooting, SD did it's job, every single thing was back to the way it was when I entered Shadow Mode. There really wasn't anything that needed to be reverted, but I did move a few things around and delete some things just to see what might happen. All were back to where they were supposed to be when I rebooted.

The really good news? My combo of Avast 5 and Malwarebytes Pro did not let a SINGLE piece of malware infect my system. NOTHING got in. This was seriously a list of about 50 links. I also tried to go to various sites I know to be bad, and I simply could not infect myself.

Avast

Malwarebytes

So, with that being said, I feel pretty darn confident with Avast and MBAM running in real time and when I know I am going to go somewhere that could cause issues, I'll go into Shadow Mode and be even more confident.

Shadow Defender is $35 for a lifetime license, Malwarebytes with realtime protection is $24.95 for a lifetime license and Avast 5 is free. So for $60 you are really covered in my opinion.

 

[Jaxryley]

And what have you got to stop a zero day malware that auto reboots the pc?

Zero day as in not detected by any av/am scanners as yet.

Sure it's gone after rebooting thanks to Shadow Defender, I use Returnil, but if also using Sandboxie and executing the malware sandboxed the system call to reboot is contained.

Delete the contents of the sandbox and it's gone completely without a need to reboot.

Malwarebytes is one of the best but I would replace Avast with Hitman Pro.

 

[TheIgster]

Well, it can reboot if it wants as I am in Shadow Mode and all will be gone after the reboot anyway.

As I stated, anything I found has been handled by either Avast or Malwarebytes. If I'm somewhere I shouldn't be, that's when Shadow Defender kicks in and I'm fine after a reboot anyway.

As you can see by my signature, I already use Hitman Pro on demand. Not sure how you could expect someone to replace real time protection from Avast with an on demand scanner like Hitman Pro. It doesn't do real time. Besides, Avast has MORE than proven itself worthy as my main stay AV real time product. It has been amazing in the tests I've done and for a free product, well, that is nothing short of outstanding IMO.

 

[Jaxryley]

And as I stated that it would be gone after a reboot but you ain't got nothing to stop the reboot.

Have you ever tried to harvest any malware droppers which is far easier searching through the sandbox rather than system wide which is only possible with Shadow Defender.

Realtime AV then my choice would be Avira but each to whatever suits em.

Sandboxie imho is one of the best security apps ever.

 

[TheIgster]

And as I stated that it would be gone after a reboot but you ain't got nothing to stop the reboot.

Really not concerned about that as in most cases, when I'm in Shadow Mode, I'm just testing anyway, so a reboot does nothing to me.

Have you ever tried to harvest any malware droppers which is far easier searching through the sandbox rather than system wide which is only possible with Shadow Defender.

Nope, can't say it is something I'm all that interested in.

Realtime AV then my choice would be Avira but each to whatever suits em.

Tried Avira numerous times and personally I think Avast is better. Better GUI, better performance and less fp's.

Sandboxie imho is one of the best security apps ever.

And when they get the 64-bit version out of beta (just started in beta after a lot of pressure from 64-bit users), I might give it a chance, but up to this point, I've had no need for it personally.

 

[Jaxryley]

Tried Avira numerous times and personally I think Avast is better. Better GUI, better performance and less fp's.

Sorry, can't agree. Avast has lotsa bells and whistles but is bloated and doesn't seem to surpass Avira in any way.

Sandboxie imho is one of the best security apps ever.

While you wait for a reboot I'll be uploading samples to AV/AM vendors so you don't get a reboot.

And when they get the 64-bit version out of beta (just started in beta after a lot of pressure from 64-bit users), I might give it a chance, but up to this point, I've had no need for it personally.

No probs, there are dedicated testers out there that will if at all possible make Sandboxie as secure as possible on 64 bit systems but I know 64 bit is a piece of crap with 32 bit along with Sandboxie/Returnil/Ghost Images being way more secure.

 

[TheIgster]

Guess we just disagree. Avira is NOT better than Avast IMO.

Again, I'm not uploading samples so I don't care if it reboots. I test for fun.

Sorry, but disagree again on 64-bit being crap. You enjoy your 4GB or RAM while I cruise along with my 8GB. I've had ZERO issues with 64-bit and prefer it over 32-bit. Hate to break it to you, but 32-bit is going by the wayside. Every new comp I've seen being shipped comes pre loaded with 64-bit Win 7.

 

[Jaxryley]

I do have several hard drives with different installs including 64 bit but much prefer using 32 bit on this 4 gig xeon quad and to be honest I really can't perceive any better performance between the two.

If you're not bothered about any zero day initiated reboots then your setup is extremely secure mainly due to Shadow Defender.

But you already know that.

What is your most favourite security application? - Wilders Security Forums

 

[Dinesh]

Installed Shadow Defender. I really liked its concept towards security.
Thanks Mate.

 

[TheIgster]

Installed Shadow Defender. I really liked its concept towards security.
Thanks Mate.

Yeah, it's a great product. Nice to have when you are going places you know may not be safe. A simple reboot if anything happens and you are right back nice and clean. Very cool product.

 

[AussieGuy92]

so you could test malware and see what it does and then reboot and it will be gone?

 

[TheIgster]

so you could test malware and see what it does and then reboot and it will be gone?

Yes. Shadow Defender is an excellent product.

I have a system image as well, just in case there are any issues.