Windows security question

[mikehende]

Whenever there isn't a virus system installed there an icon is the system tray of a red shield, when you open that icon you will see where it says that there isn't a virus protection program installed but there is, just that windows doesn't recognise some of these virus programs, is there any way to get rid of that icon or not have it show in the system tray when you do have an AV program?

[classicsoftware]

If you have an AV installed the Windows Security Center Icon should be invisible unless their are other alerts. If you have an AV installed and the Security Center says you don't, I think you have a major problem

[jlreich]

What AV do you have installed. The security center recognizes all the major AV's.

[mikehende]

If you have an AV installed and the Security Center says you don't, I think you have a major problem

I don't think so becuase this is a very common problem I am describing here and have expereinced with many pc's whether old or new, what I notice is that this only happens when I load "free" AV programs on a pc, it seems that the Security Center does not recognise "free" AV programs then?

[mikehende]

oh sorry jlreich, looks like we posted at the same time, I have had this same problem when loading both free versions of Ewido and SAS [Super Anti Spyware].

[classicsoftware]

I have installed Avast and AVG on hundreds of systems and have NEVER had a problem.

[classicsoftware]

oh sorry jlreich, looks like we posted at the same time, I have had this same problem when loading both free versions of Ewido and SAS [Super Anti Spyware].

Neither of which are AV programs......

[mikehende]

Neither of which are AV programs......

Well, this makes sense now, so maybe that's it? I never paid attention to this but looks like you're correct, maybe the Security center is looking for virus-specific programs and since the 2 mentioned are more "spyware"...?

Thing is, this will open up a new debate now whether programs like SAS is an AV program? Since it scans for ALL harmful softwares, then why isn't it an AV program?

[classicsoftware]

It is not a debate. Spyware is spayware and viruses are viruses and they are not the same. They may be converging, but they are not there yet.

[Budfred]

Antispyware programs do NOT scan for viruses and you are not adequately protected if you do not have an antivirus installed and active as a resident program... Also, if you are running 2 antispyware in resident mode, you may also not be adequately protected from spyware and you may be causing problems with your system... Do not operate more than 1 resident program for any security purpose... Run scans from whatever you want, just don't run 2 programs in resident mode...

[mikehende]

Antispyware programs do NOT scan for viruses


I am looking at the SAS right now as I type this, it shows

Scan for Harmful Software

Scans your computer for Spyware, Adware, Malware, Trojans, Worms, Parasites and other potentially harmful software that may be installed in your computer.

Now, are you telling me that this is false advertising? Yes or no please? I'd like to know because if you say yes, then I will contact the company and ask them to prove that this software does what it says, what say you?

[mjc]

No, but it still isn't a dedicated AV...it is primarily an antispyware scanner. Part of the problem is that many of the programs do overlap what they scan for...Norton will scan for some spyware. Ewido will scan for some viruses, etc...there is not one program that can do it all.

SAS will not, cannot, scan for the sheer number of viruses that a dedicated AV can, without sacrificing the spyware it scans...

[Budfred]

And please notice, viruses are not even in that list... The truth is that the definition of malware types varies from one company or group of people to another... Many worms are also called viruses and have virus properties... Same with trojans and even some spyware... If you look at the various threads where we have helped people clean their systems, you will see that we usually use a variety of tools in an effort to catch all of the garbage...

Again, going online (or even running a computer offline if you exchange files) without an antivirus is just not a good idea... You will probably get infected and you will probably not even know it... Antispyware is a good idea, but not as important...

[mikehende]

I do understand the purpose of running different programs to catch different malware. Which AV programs would you guys say are the top 2? And which is the best "free" AV program?