G
Guest
Robin said:
That's a bit more encouraging! Thanks for reporting it Robin.
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That's a bit more encouraging! Thanks for reporting it Robin.
G
Guest
In some cases it may appear that a-squared is giving a false positive.
However, these "false positives" may be residual registry entries (the
malware had been deleted or uninstalled). I am not saying this is always the
case.
However, these "false positives" may be residual registry entries (the
malware had been deleted or uninstalled). I am not saying this is always the
case.
G
Guest
Along with these potential orhaned entires, which I believe a-squared terms
'traces', are the 'risk' items already mentioned.
My own online scan included at least one such item called VNC, which as a
remote control application is considered potentially risky exactly like mIRC.
In my case I'm aware that this exists, though the detection and its two
associated traces might be considered a false positive by some who regularly
use it for its intended purpose.
Nothing within the 7 files, 2 traces and 1 cookie the online scan detected
were a true false positive, though when set to scan the entire disk the scan
is very agressive, even detecting items contained in the Avast! 'moved'
folder. However, it generally described quite clearly what the potential risk
might be, with only the separately detected VNC registry traces not clearly
associated directly with the related VNC file detection.
As with other antimalware which are scanning an entire disk there is always
a potential for items detected out of context to be false positives, so they
should be examined carefully. I've seen this with every scanner which allows
such a 'full disk' scan, so it's nothing new and simply reflects the level of
agressiveness designed into the scan.
I prefer to call such agressive detection 'noisy', which can be good or bad
depending on the audience. Someone wanting to find any trace of possible
malware would find this helpful while those only wishing to be aware of truly
active and operational items would find it annoyingly 'noisy'.
In those terms I find a-squared to be one of the more informative noisy
antimalware I've tried. I have no need for an additional installed
application however, since the management of each simply adds to the
potential for confusion including both actual false positive and/or real-time
detections, along with maintenance of updates and program upgrades.
Bitman
'traces', are the 'risk' items already mentioned.
My own online scan included at least one such item called VNC, which as a
remote control application is considered potentially risky exactly like mIRC.
In my case I'm aware that this exists, though the detection and its two
associated traces might be considered a false positive by some who regularly
use it for its intended purpose.
Nothing within the 7 files, 2 traces and 1 cookie the online scan detected
were a true false positive, though when set to scan the entire disk the scan
is very agressive, even detecting items contained in the Avast! 'moved'
folder. However, it generally described quite clearly what the potential risk
might be, with only the separately detected VNC registry traces not clearly
associated directly with the related VNC file detection.
As with other antimalware which are scanning an entire disk there is always
a potential for items detected out of context to be false positives, so they
should be examined carefully. I've seen this with every scanner which allows
such a 'full disk' scan, so it's nothing new and simply reflects the level of
agressiveness designed into the scan.
I prefer to call such agressive detection 'noisy', which can be good or bad
depending on the audience. Someone wanting to find any trace of possible
malware would find this helpful while those only wishing to be aware of truly
active and operational items would find it annoyingly 'noisy'.
In those terms I find a-squared to be one of the more informative noisy
antimalware I've tried. I have no need for an additional installed
application however, since the management of each simply adds to the
potential for confusion including both actual false positive and/or real-time
detections, along with maintenance of updates and program upgrades.
Bitman
G
Guest
Thank you Bitman for the clarification.
Bitman said:Along with these potential orhaned entires, which I believe a-squared terms
'traces', are the 'risk' items already mentioned.
My own online scan included at least one such item called VNC, which as a
remote control application is considered potentially risky exactly like mIRC.
In my case I'm aware that this exists, though the detection and its two
associated traces might be considered a false positive by some who regularly
use it for its intended purpose.
Nothing within the 7 files, 2 traces and 1 cookie the online scan detected
were a true false positive, though when set to scan the entire disk the scan
is very agressive, even detecting items contained in the Avast! 'moved'
folder. However, it generally described quite clearly what the potential risk
might be, with only the separately detected VNC registry traces not clearly
associated directly with the related VNC file detection.
As with other antimalware which are scanning an entire disk there is always
a potential for items detected out of context to be false positives, so they
should be examined carefully. I've seen this with every scanner which allows
such a 'full disk' scan, so it's nothing new and simply reflects the level of
agressiveness designed into the scan.
I prefer to call such agressive detection 'noisy', which can be good or bad
depending on the audience. Someone wanting to find any trace of possible
malware would find this helpful while those only wishing to be aware of truly
active and operational items would find it annoyingly 'noisy'.
In those terms I find a-squared to be one of the more informative noisy
antimalware I've tried. I have no need for an additional installed
application however, since the management of each simply adds to the
potential for confusion including both actual false positive and/or real-time
detections, along with maintenance of updates and program upgrades.
Bitman
G
Guest
Bitman said:I have no need for an additional installed
application however, since the management of each simply adds to the
potential for confusion including both actual false positive and/or real-time
detections, along with maintenance of updates and program upgrades.
Thanks for your description of what's going on, Bitman - really helpful. In
particular the concept of a 'noisy' scanner is quite useful, I think.
I suppose I too am wondering whether I'm gaining anything by having this
installed (as opposed to using the online scanner).
G
Guest
i use a-squared for 1 year , had never any false positives....strange but
true....
is a programm between a antispyware and antivirus , only on demand scanning
in free version , not the best of both worlds but a good program for tracking
cookies (like ad-aware also is ) and as a second opinion.
i also use avg antispyware , spybot search and destroy , ad-aware , and
norton 2006 antivirus and firewall.
true....
is a programm between a antispyware and antivirus , only on demand scanning
in free version , not the best of both worlds but a good program for tracking
cookies (like ad-aware also is ) and as a second opinion.
i also use avg antispyware , spybot search and destroy , ad-aware , and
norton 2006 antivirus and firewall.
G
Guest
That's a good point Joris, since understanding where each of your tools fit
together is a key to using them effectively. Since almost everthing now has
real-time protection available it's also important to understand where the
products overlap to avoid the potential confusion due to conflict or
duplicate detection and notification.
It's also quite clear that Alan is going through the tools discovery phase
in an attempt to fill out a complete antimalware tool box. However, like
myself he's a conceptual learner, preferring to understand the concept of a
particular type of malware to the specific detections themselves. I should
mention that the items a-squared detected on my PC are partially the remnants
of antimalware testing, recent and long past, along with the VNC which was
originally installed for it's intended purpose.
This testing and understanding of antimalware tools, however, is something
that most users have no interest in. They'd rather just turn on the computer
and have it work and protect them, which is where the suites come in. These
generally attempt to create a complete coverage of all malware types, with
overlap only where it's really useful to avoid confusing the user. This is
what's needed for most of the general population and why I've been involved
in the public beta testing side of development for both Defender and OneCare,
since in the past most such tools have become what the techies wanted and
thus useless to those who need them most.
Bitman
together is a key to using them effectively. Since almost everthing now has
real-time protection available it's also important to understand where the
products overlap to avoid the potential confusion due to conflict or
duplicate detection and notification.
It's also quite clear that Alan is going through the tools discovery phase
in an attempt to fill out a complete antimalware tool box. However, like
myself he's a conceptual learner, preferring to understand the concept of a
particular type of malware to the specific detections themselves. I should
mention that the items a-squared detected on my PC are partially the remnants
of antimalware testing, recent and long past, along with the VNC which was
originally installed for it's intended purpose.
This testing and understanding of antimalware tools, however, is something
that most users have no interest in. They'd rather just turn on the computer
and have it work and protect them, which is where the suites come in. These
generally attempt to create a complete coverage of all malware types, with
overlap only where it's really useful to avoid confusing the user. This is
what's needed for most of the general population and why I've been involved
in the public beta testing side of development for both Defender and OneCare,
since in the past most such tools have become what the techies wanted and
thus useless to those who need them most.
Bitman
G
Guest
joris said:i use a-squared for 1 year , had never any false positives....strange but
true....
Well actually, that is very encouraging to hear - thanks for reporting it.
is a programm between a antispyware and antivirus
I suppose that was the attraction of it for me in the first instance (as
well as Mr Cat's recommendation) - as a program that (reportedly) devoted
extra attention to winkling out trojans, and therefore potentially filling a
possible gap.
only on demand scanning
in free version
That's fine by me, as I have both Defender and AVG's integrated antimalware
scanner running real time protection already, and to have another one running
would make a real hit on performance I think.
G
Guest
Bitman said:This testing and understanding of antimalware tools, however, is something
that most users have no interest in. They'd rather just turn on the computer
and have it work and protect them, which is where the suites come in. These
generally attempt to create a complete coverage of all malware types, with
overlap only where it's really useful to avoid confusing the user.
I think I have a foot in both camps, insofar as I don't yet quite have the
level of trust in my AVG security suite that I'd like. I know it starts from
a good base, combining its established antivirus technology with Ewido, but
I'm still left with the need for second opinions that I can trust, as well as
the desirability of being able to use a sharply-focused trojan-detecting tool
- so I shall persevere with a-squared for a while at least and see how things
go.
G
Guest
That's exactly what a technically minded person should and will do, so it's
quite appropriate.
I'm just pointing out that you also seem to recognize that an entry level
user requires a better explanation of the detections than those with
technical knowledge. This apparent quest for a more user friendly interface
is a major reason I believed you might prefer a suite, but that's more of a
question with your current interest in alternative tools.
I went through the tools trials over the last few years and was tiring of
the constant search for a new tool every time the malware morphed. That's why
I became interested in OneCare, since it is designed to morph along with the
malware, not really defining itself as anything specific, but containing the
important components to protect from all current malware threats.
This takes the core tools selection and associated need for testing out of
the hands of the user who generally doesn't have the knowledge required
anyway. The techies don't like this and that's fine, since there are still
plenty of options available. Eventually even most techies will tire of the
chase and choose either a suite or small fixed set of tools they trust.
Bitman
quite appropriate.
I'm just pointing out that you also seem to recognize that an entry level
user requires a better explanation of the detections than those with
technical knowledge. This apparent quest for a more user friendly interface
is a major reason I believed you might prefer a suite, but that's more of a
question with your current interest in alternative tools.
I went through the tools trials over the last few years and was tiring of
the constant search for a new tool every time the malware morphed. That's why
I became interested in OneCare, since it is designed to morph along with the
malware, not really defining itself as anything specific, but containing the
important components to protect from all current malware threats.
This takes the core tools selection and associated need for testing out of
the hands of the user who generally doesn't have the knowledge required
anyway. The techies don't like this and that's fine, since there are still
plenty of options available. Eventually even most techies will tire of the
chase and choose either a suite or small fixed set of tools they trust.
Bitman