Wednesday, February 21st 2007
Windows Defender Fails Malware Test
Microsoft's very own antivirus software, Windows Live OneCare, was recently found to be failing Vista users, and now the same has been discovered for its free anti-spyware application. In tests carried out by Australian company Enex Testlab, Windows Defender struggled to detect just half of the malware which it was tested with, with the quick scan finding missing most of the malware and the full scan finding only 53.3%. It would be best to note that the test was financed by competing company PC Tools, which claims the test was unbiased, although the winning software (detecting 88.7% of malware) was PC Tools' very own Spyware Doctor. Windows Defender was released as a final version in October 2006, so it is relatively new and of course (being free) costs less than Spyware Doctor.
Source:
Techworld.com
28 Comments on Windows Defender Fails Malware Test
On a Mac there is simply nothing to put a virus into. The fact that Macs have less viruses tells u how popular they are. It sucks so much that bad people dont even want to ruin it.
I never suck in virus' either! The 2 the times I thought I did, the past 15 years now? They were my own fault (running 2 antivirus once, & another I don't know WHAT caused it, or I can't recall specifics anymore) in "false positives"!
Ever since I started implementing a BOAT LOAD of things ANYONE can do, if they take 45 min. - 1 hr. running, or doing:
- After trimming services I do NOT use (& even the ones I don't as well, set disabled or not), I secure them ALL, per this thread:
forums.techpowerup.com/showthread.php?t=16097- Using adbanner blocking HOSTS files (adbanners have been found to hold malicious code more than a few times the past 4-5 years now mind you)
*HARD TO BELIEVE ON THAT NOTE OF ADBANNERS HOUSING MALWARES IN SCRIPT & MORE?CHECK THIS, DATED TODAY 02/21/2007:
Microsoft apologises for serving malware
apcmag.com/5382/microsoft_apologises_for_serving_malware_to_customers
:)
* YOU DO ALL OF THAT? Yes, You CAN be safe online & use Windows, just takes a bit of work... 1 hr. implementing it all, & maybe another 1/2 hr. testing it (like when you secure services - I did a BIG list, but not every possible service under the sun, because I have not run them ALL!)
MS ships their Operating Systems 'generic' enough to run on anything FULL FUNCTION, right outta the box... this can be its 'problem' too!
APK
P.S.=> Funny thing is though, I don't think we'll EVER be "110% solid secure" unless we go OFFLINE... @ least not for another 5 yrs. or so & then I think we'll be REALLY close @ least!
Microsoft's taking the RIGHT steps, in the RIGHT direction in their apps & OS, & so are other vendors too... this is a GREAT trend!
Heck - funny thing is? Snort turned up a security hole the other day... a program you CAN use to defend yourself... mistakes & oversights get made is all, still now even.
Today? It's the "Wild West" still, not as bad as it used to be in the earlier days/decades, but still 'risky' to an extent... still in the Stone Age guys, you'll miss these days, when they are gone... apk
:)
* Folks here have 'changed my ways' on a couple, like NOD32, PerfectDisk, & VLC to name them @ this point!
(If you get time & wind of this? Thanks!)
APK
P.S.=> On the topic of the thread itself? It seems MS just has to do more research into that which its competitors are doing, & implement an analog is all... 'corporate espionage'? Maybe... goes on all the time anyhow, lol, & NOT just in THIS particular field! apk
If MacOS was as popular as MS Windows, it would have just as many viruses/mal-ware, because everyone would has the ability for it, as far as the people that do it, if right now Windows XP SP2 didn't exist, nor anything for it, all we had was linux and OS10, with the Mac Dominating, Windows would pop out, and have no viruses, because no one would care.
Also recently, due the increase in Mac owners, there does indeed exist risks to using a Mac.
i find it to be a nice little, easy to use program.
I am yet to try nod32
btw Windows Defender is an improvement compared to when Microsoft called "Windows Firewall" a 'protective boundary'. That made me lol so hard...
i know a few network engineers/technicians, one of them installed my first WIFI setup at home (i had no idea how to configure firewall routers then), and he told me that alot of the time when his customers have a problem with their computer/network, its windows firewall stuffing around and preventing their own selected programs from working.
Its a true POS if you ask me, and when we were trying to set up my network, we couldnt get the bloody thing to shut off...
...Jesus, I am paranoid!
having more than one user account leaves files everywhere.
the other computer (family computer) has 5 accounts on it...i dont even want to begin to think about touching that machine, id rather just nuke the drive and start from scratch...
my pita sister downloads all these programs like morpheus that are packed with god knows what...better to be paranoid than to have no defense at all, once a machine starts to get dirty it gets harder and harder to clean the more you leave it.
at least the 11 year old wouldnt download spyware and stuff like that (unless theyve been using the internet alot and are hooked with downloading music/movies/whatever...and im hoping a kid that young hasnt lol)
should stay relatively clean...god i cant live even with a messy desktop :p
:)
* Nicest part of doing it youself is, that once you do this yourself, you actually LEARN something good, imo @ least!
APK
hopefully it will be a worthwhile experience :)
:toast:
:)
* You run just as functional as before, & as a bonus? Safer & faster!
APK
and on that note i bid you goodnight Priam (king) with good walls (computer security :laugh: )
:)
(ACHILLES (the invulnerable (almost)) is more like it, due to the above security list & score on BELARC... but, it is the thought that counts!)
APK
P.S.=> & since you're my "online tribe/home" here? Well, you are ALL myrmidons... apk
There is a long list of reasons MS is more prevalent, just as there are reasons Toyota and General Motors outsell Mercedes. If some one gave me a Mercedes I would take it, but Mercedes would not be my first choice for an auto to purchase.
Kind of hard to argue against the wisdom of Henry Ford even though Mercedes is a nicer car.
Each brand serves a purpose. Each meets the needs of users/consumers who choose the product.
Each has features which create advantages and limits on use.