[RTC List] Choice of antivirus protection - Microsoft revisited

Tue Aug 5 00:26:01 PDT 2008

Not to be a spoiler... I have appreciated this thread about anti-virus
software. I was unaware of the free ones mentioned. In the past, I was a
hardcore user of Norton products... but as things moved into Windows NT, my
support softened until I finally dropped using it for my  own systems. CA
has been not bad, but it also has problems.

One thing I really disliked about Norton and CA was that utilities that
before were optional, became mandatory options. Then other no-brainers,
become profit-based options. 

Having converted two major corporations over to Linux (mostly from Sun, IBM
or HP), I'm hardly a Microsoft fan. But for all of the problems Microsoft
has, we must face it, its success is part of its problems. Who else has
software that is sold, that works moderately well on so many different
hardware configurations and with so many different types of software
applications? 

About two years ago, I went to Microsoft Live for my antivirus. I have had
no performance issues since, compared to what I had with CA or Norton. I
like the fact that I could put it on ALL the machines at home, without
violating the license agreement. Most software companies followed suit,
except a few foolish ones, like Symantec... Having disk defragmentation as a
scheduled item, without having to go out and buy the better program,
Diskkeeper, is sure nice. Up to this point, with WatchDog v9.3 running as
well, I have had no problems on any of our computers. As for browsers, I
have been primarily using Firefox, and sometimes use Opera and IE. 

Kevin

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From: list-bounces at redwoodtech.org [mailto:list-bounces at redwoodtech.org] On
Behalf Of Pat Bitton
Sent: Monday, August 04, 2008 8:45 PM
To: 'robert beckerdite'; 'M Welch'; list at redwoodtech.org
Subject: Re: [RTC List] Choice of antivirus protection

Interesting idea. I'd also like to let this group know that my company is in
the process of launching a (strictly vendor-neutral) social networking site
that's intended to function as "information and education central" for
regular folks wanting to understand more about protecting themselves while
they're online. It's specifically NOT a tech support forum - there are
plenty of those around, and 95% of the population doesn't understand a word
of what's posted there - although there is a geeks group for those kinds of
conversations :-)

If anyone's interested in take a look/commenting/contributing, let me know
offlist - we're still using a development site at the moment. If all goes
well with the initial launch and first few months of operation, I might be
able to be persuaded to demonstrate/talk about the site at a future RTC
meeting ...

Pat Bitton
Partner, Euresto Partners Inc
Sales & Marketing Strategies for Technology Startups
+1 707 268 8968/+1 408 464 0829 cell
www.eurestopartners.com <http://www.eurestopartners.com/> 

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From: list-bounces at redwoodtech.org [mailto:list-bounces at redwoodtech.org] On
Behalf Of robert beckerdite
Sent: Monday, August 04, 2008 6:52 PM
To: M Welch; list at redwoodtech.org
Subject: Re: [RTC List] Choice of antivirus protection

All,

   I have recently seen organizations concerned about Instant messaging as a
vector for threats. Whichever AntiVirus is chosen for an organization should
match the specific requirements for the business. Each provider has
different strengths,  Performance, Cost, Email (outlook, POP3, IMAP and
HTTP), Instant Messaging, Spyware (if that is a consideration),Rootkits,
Keyloggers etc.   I would not underestimate the challenge in choosing a
solution in the modern environment as i have seen standup providers i have
recommended in the past (Symantec & Mcafee) struggle to integrate these
functions and have a significant negative impact on a computers performance
and staff productivity. 
  It is important to have a client firewall (windows, ZoneAlarm,etc.) and a
solid patching solution.  A "hardware" firewall does nothing to protect a
portable computer or a computer that encounters other computers  through off
channel methods (peerware, bluetooth, vpn, visitors,wifi etc.).   Port 80
(HTTP) has become the highway for all different kind of modern exploits and
a good "hardware" firewall should include application layer inspection to
mitigate common exploits but that really may not be the case.  I would love
to start a local discussion on this topic. There are computing baselines
provided by software vendors but they may not align with our local computing
requirements.  It might be worth it being a RTC project to publish a
baseline recommendation to the community on an annual or quarterly basis. 

P.S.  I am suspicious that Windows Defender will not be a very strong
solution if you are using Firefox as your browser.  I have recently been
considering Webroot SpySweeper as a solution for shops that use Firefox.
There was a recent evaluation done by PC Magazine that ranked a couple of
other spyware solutions higher.  
P.S.S.  Your backup solution is your number one security tool. Antivirus
software rarely works against Zero Day exploits and it is important to have
a backup solution that mitigates the virus that makes it past your
antivirus. 

Rob Beckerdite
Beckerdite Consulting

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> Date: Sun, 3 Aug 2008 16:00:37 -0700
> To: list at redwoodtech.org
> From: sb at igc.org
> Subject: Re: [RTC List] Choice of antivirus protection
> 
> Hi Pat. Sounds like a marketing blurb. ;^)}}}
> 
> The folks that I know that "upgraded" to AVG 8, uninstalled and went back
to AVG 7, even though it is not being supported. AVG 7 is still updating
virus definitions, but it gives me occasional reminders to upgrade, which I
likely will never do. Once AVG 7 dies, I will be searching for another
product. I miss the Grisoft attitude.
> 
> I highly recommend against "do everything" security programs.
Historically, they often create problems and slowdowns that can be difficult
to track down.
> 
> Here is my own security solution for Win XP:
> 1. AVG 7 free 
> 2. Windows Defender
> 3. Hardware (router) firewall, turn off Windows firewall & uninstall any
others
> 4. Firefox 3 browser
> 5. Anything but Internet Exploder, Outhouse, or Entourage for email
clients
> 
> Pat Bitton wrote at 03:16 PM 8/3/2008:
> 
> >Well, given that AVG is my client, I kind of have to recommend them :-)
> > 
> >Seriously, though, AVG 8 is the only a-v product to provide
up-to-the-minute protection against drive-by downloads and other threats
embedded in otherwise-trustworthy web pages. Different approach than Site
Advisor et al ...
> > 
> >Pat Bitton
> >Partner, Euresto Partners Inc
> >Sales & Marketing Strategies for Technology Startups
> >+1 707 268 8968/+1 408 464 0829 cell
> ><http://www.eurestopartners.com/>www.eurestopartners.com
> 
> 
> _______________________________________________
> List mailing list
> List at redwoodtech.org
> http://redwoodtech.org/mailman/listinfo/list_redwoodtech.org

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