Keep your PC clean and fast for BF2

[loony]

Seeing how performance of PC and Adsl connection really seem to affect quality of play in BF2, i thought it would be good to have a comprehensive list of Anti Malware software (some free) here so you can all keep clean, fast (hopefully) and stress free :cry: :p

Here are some of the trusted software I use on a regular basis, majority available from Majorgeeks.com. As you will see it is a minefield when trying to keep clean as everyone seems to be jumping on the Malware bandwagon. Be aware that although there are hundreds of programs available, Not all will solve your problem and may cause even more, hence as a start, the list below.
I should point out that some of the software below will not remove malware but will give you the path to remove it manually.


Ad-Aware SE Personal 1.06

http://www.majorgeeks.com/Ad-Aware_SE_Personal_d506.html

free version, update on a regular basis, in settings before scan, select
"perform full system scan" radio button, remove anything it finds.


Spybot search and destroy 1.4

http://www.majorgeeks.com/SpyBot-Search_&_Destroy_d2471.html

when installing spybot, i suggest you do not use SDHelper or Teatimer option. Update regularly with "safer networking" servers as i have had problems with the others. If spybot asks you to automatically run it on next boot, i would not as this has caused problems for me before. Delete anything it finds.

Spywareblaster 3.5

http://www.majorgeeks.com/SpywareBlaster_d2859.html

Update regular to get best from this App.

Spysweeper online scan

http://www.webroot.com/land/freescan.php

Spysweeper download trial version

http://www.webroot.com/consumer/

untested but recommended.

AVG 7 antivirus free edition with free updates

http://free.grisoft.com/doc/Get+AVG+FREE/lng/us/tpl/v5

excellent Anti virus package for free, but does not find everything, cross reference if you have problems.

Sygate personal firewall 5.6 free edition

http://www.majorgeeks.com/Sygate_Personal_Firewall_Free_d3356.html

How long this software will be available is unknown due to being bought out by symantec.
an annoying feature is the notifications. goto Tools>Options>general>then tick "hide notification messages", if you share files on your network, Options>network neighbourhood tab>tick "allow others to share my files etc". you will be able to switch of windows firewall completely if you have sygate.

Ewido security suite

http://www.ewido.net/en/download/

Fairly new kid on the block, excellent package but limitations after 14 days.

Ewido Scan Beta

http://www.ewido.net/en/onlinescan/

Beta scan but works fine for me.

Microsoft Anti Spyware Beta
http://www.microsoft.com/athome/secu...e/default.mspx
looks good, but hasnt solved any major issues the other software above has.

Java.com

http://java.com/en/

you will need the latest version of java to run online scanners like housecall etc. get it above.
Note: for java auto update, unless you want java to automatically update itself
start>control panel>java>update tab>untick "auto update".

Nod 32

http://www.eset.com/home/home.htm

Untested but apparently very good but not free as far as i know.

Kaspersky free online scan

http://www.kaspersky.com/virusscanner

will detect malware but possibly will not remove it unless you open your wallet.

Pandascan free online scan
http://www.pandasoftware.com/products/activescan.htm
as above, but in my experience tries to find things that dont seem to exist on my system.

Trendmicro housecall free online scan(UK)
http://uk.trendmicro-europe.com/cons...all_launch.php
excellent scanner now with spyware removal included.

Bitdefender
http://www.bitdefender.com/
as yet untested but is highly recommended by others in the know.

GRC.com Shields Up
http://www.grc.com/
excellent site to test your firewall security, go to the "shields Up" link and follow intructions. common ports will give you a list of the first 1000 or so ports safety.

PcPitstop
http://www.pcpitstop.com/
Nice site, use the anonymous check for less hassle, availble ping (pinger) test on this site too.

Zonealarm firewall Free Version
http://www.zonelabs.com/store/conten...=en&lid=nav_za
Haven't used this App for ages since sygate, but did get on my nerves a lot of the time.

Zone alarm online spyware scanner
http://www.zonelabs.com/store/conten...d=uk_home_scan
untested but it cant hurt to try it.

GiPO Move on Boot
http://www.gibinsoft.net/gipoutils/index.htm
If you find some malware on your system(after running online scanners) but cannot remove it manually or in safe mode. "move on boot" will do it for you, navigate to the file, choose the option "delete" and reboot. Download older free version.

Symantec security test
http://security.symantec.com/sscv6/d...d=ie&venid=sym
Another online scanner

Symantec virus encyclopedia
http://www.symantec.com/avcenter/global/vinfodb.html
Info on your possible problem, and some specialist tools to remove the stubborn stuff.

Hijackthis 1.99
http://tomcoyote.com/hjt/
You will need a HJT log to post your problem on spywareinfo forums.
be careful with this software and only remove entries if you know what you are doing.

Smitrem
you will find this Smitfraud c removing tool on Spywareinfo forums, not listed here for download because it keeps changing, make sure you get the latest version.


Spywareinfo.com Forums
http://www.spywareinfo.com/
A superb site for bigger problems ie: spyaxe, Psguard etc.
forums get very busy and it can take some time to get a solution, but be patient they will get you clean if you dont want to reformat. must register to read forums.
Do exactly as they suggest to get the best results.

Easycleaner 2.0
http://www.majorgeeks.com/EasyCleaner_d414.html
clean out all those unwanted registry entries and other junk. have had some issues with the GUI on this app tho.

A few to get you going, I've tried to list the non-pay software coz I don't like paying for this stuff, I cannot give technical support for any of this software.
please contact the developer.

Tip:
If you find lots of problems, its always a good idea to update all your software, disconnect from the internet, reboot and run the programs again until nothing comes back.
there are lots of other nice applications on www.majorgeeks.com, have a good search round for more.

If you use a good program that is not listed above, feel free to add it and your opinions to this thread.

Hope that helps
Loony

[TehTrick]

Re: Keep your PC clean and fast for BF2

Thanks for all the info. Lot of these programs I have never heard of but work great. I say sticky this thread.

[redearedslider]

Re: Keep your PC clean and fast for BF2

Watch out for the Microsoft spyware cleaner though, cleans out the internet files too... ending up me cant connect to the internet ... had to reïnstall windows... that was a year ago :P so watch out dont use that one !

[gui99]

Re: Keep your PC clean and fast for BF2

Ad-aware is one of the best program I ever used. I recommend to everyone .

[GameWizard]

Re: Keep your PC clean and fast for BF2

Ad-aware is one of the best program I ever used. I recommend to everyone .

I actually found this program to be crap seeing as how it said it removed something, and then i loaded it up again and then some completely new crap came up that I never heard of.

Don't get me wrong, I'm a computer technition, I've been cleaning computers for years now. I would personally recommend Spy Sweeper by www.webroot.com. It does a much better job and finding REAL threats and actually removing them.

[DieFledermaus]

Re: Keep your PC clean and fast for BF2

This needs a sticky!

[loony]

Re: Keep your PC clean and fast for BF2

i disagree Game wizard, some software is better than others sure and definitions do take time to get released, shame lavasoft shut down there forums as they were very helpful. but dont put all your trust in one program, cross reference with a few.you know that anyway but some here might not. (added webroot products to list)
redslider you will probably find that is was a layer service provider(LSP) problem that messed up your internet settings, and after all it is still beta, adaware has a plug-in to deal with that.
so far ive heard that certain malware is not removed by MSASw coz microsoft sold out to a company, but that was a while ago
I run MSASw then uninstall it same with ewido if my PC's are behaving strangely.

[MWHRowdee]

Re: Keep your PC clean and fast for BF2

I feel for anyone who owns a system that they dont know how to maintain properly. If you have the ability to build your own, you know what to do. Proprietary systems come with so much crap software and you typically dont even get the disks, etc. that come with the programs. I spend a little time every day maintaining hardware and software on my machine and I almost never have any real issues. Spend the time, maybe a little cash for some good maintenance software and you wont regret it.

[loony]

Re: Keep your PC clean and fast for BF2

i vote sticky too, this is about the fifth time ive written this out, my old clan kept crashing/cleaning out the forum to often and losing it.

[Talus]

Re: Keep your PC clean and fast for BF2

Watch out for the Microsoft spyware cleaner though, cleans out the internet files too... ending up me cant connect to the internet ... had to reïnstall windows... that was a year ago :P so watch out dont use that one !

Even if it WAS the fault of the software (which it likely wasn't), that was a YEAR ago.

Running MS AntiSpyware is perfectly safe.