Thursday, March 11, 2010
Rootkit Revealer 1.71 (Freeware)
RootkitRevealer is an advanced rootkit detection utility. It runs on Windows NT 4 and higher and its output lists Registry and file system API discrepancies that may indicate the presence of a user-mode or kernel-mode rootkit.
RootkitRevealer successfully detects many persistent rootkits including AFX, Vanquish and HackerDefender (note: RootkitRevealer is not intended to detect rootkits like Fu that don't attempt to hide their files or registry keys).
Since persistent rootkits work by changing API results so that a system view using APIs differs from the actual view in storage, RootkitRevealer compares the results of a system scan at the highest level with that at the lowest level. The highest level is the Windows API and the lowest level is the raw contents of a file system volume or Registry hive (a hive file is the Registry's on-disk storage format).
Thus, rootkits, whether user mode or kernel mode, that manipulate the Windows API or native API to remove their presence from a directory listing, for example, will be seen by RootkitRevealer as a discrepancy between the information returned by the Windows API and that seen in the raw scan of a FAT or NTFS volume's file system structures.
Tuesday, September 15, 2009
Super Anti Spyware Pro
Computer technology is constantly moving forward. Machines are built to be faster than their predecessors, hard drives increase in size, and connecting to the Internet is faster now than ever. Unfortunately, in parallel with leaps in computer technology, spyware and virus writers are constantly working on creating deadlier and more difficult to detect malware.
Thankfully, there are a variety of choices when it comes to defending against malicious programs. Symantec, McAfee, and Computer Associates, to name a few, are just three companies producing software solutions protect against malware. However, their products are costly, and typically take up a bit of system resources (processor use and memory) while running on your computer. These programs usually require an annual fee to keep the software registration current.
There are other products on the market that are not only less expensive, but have free counterparts as well. Companies like Grisoft (AVG Anti-Virus), Avast, and AVIRA give away free versions of their software, with reduced functionality, but still the same core components. It is left up to the individual whether they are content with the free version, or desire the premium, paid for, version. These premium versions will typically have a yearly paid subscription, akin to the previously mentioned companies.
One such program that has a premium and a free distribution is SuperAntiSpyware (found here
One of the bigger draws to SuperAntiSpyware Pro is real time scanning. The free version does not have this feature. Pro will monitor your computer for anything that is listed in its database of harmful programs as well as watch you computer for changes in behavior. SuperAntiSpyware Pro provides an easy method to toggle the real time scanning on and off. Simply right-click on the Start bar icon, then left-click on Enable Real-Time Protection.
From this menu, you can access SuperAntiSpyware Pro’s preferences area. Upon entering this section, you can click on the Real-Time Protection tab to see some extra choices for active scanning. In addition to the scanning while you computer is running, there is the option of having your computer scanned during startup and shutdown.
Another advantage that the Pro version has over Free are Automatic Updates. To access this feature, click on the Updates tab while in the preferences area. Here you can tell SuperAntiSpyware Pro to check for updates periodically, check for updates when you start the program itself, and how often to remind you about program updates.
I have used both the Free and Pro versions of SuperAntiSpyware. Through the website claims to the contrary, both versions have a special Repairs tab. The Repairs tab allows you to make specific repairs to things like the Task Manager, the Start Menu Run tool, and repairing your Internet Security Zones. The Repairs section was designed in mind to fix the aftermath of malware that hurts Windows functionality.
While this would not be considered an advantage over the free version, the Pro costs less than the major competitors. At $19.95, SuperAntiSpyware Pro is inexpensive and contains similar functionality to offerings from Symantec, McAfee, and the like. Of course, the Free version wins in this category though.
What it all boils down to is if you have the need for more automation with your copy of SuperAntiSpyware. The Free offering is more manual, with respect to updates and scanning. The Pro version is more “hands off” when it comes to what the user needs to accomplish. SuperAntiSpyware.com is nice enough to give out a timed trial of the Pro version to let the end user try before they buy.
Spam Blocker for Outlook Express
Email spam has been growing rapidly or even exponentially since the invention of email.Out of this, around 80% spams are sent from botnets and virus infected computers.But nowadays due to development of mass filtering technology, the net amount of spam emails received in users inbox have decreased.Even though most of us use Outlook express or Mozilla thunderbird for receiving the email messages,there are third party applications like spamfighter which prevents spam emails from reaching your Inbox.
Related: Norton AntiSpam 2009 Free
When a new email arrives,it is tested by spamfighter and if positive it is moved to spam folder.
Spam Blocker for Outlook express Features
- 100% clean and free
- Protects against "phishing", identity theft, and other email fraud
- Unique language filtering tool that empowers you to stop emails written in specific languages
- Unique picture filter that can recognize spam which is sent as a picture
- Automatic "real mail" protection - means no lost business mails!
- Blacklist domains and emails
- Spam Abuse Reporting with one click
- Automatic Whitelist management
Install Requirements
OS: Windows 98, ME (32 bit), 2000, XP or Windows Vista (32 bit)
Email Clients: Outlook 2000/2002/2003/2007, Outlook Express 5.5 or later, Windows Mail and Mozilla Thunderbird 2.0
Download SpamFighter 2009 [free]
Thursday, August 20, 2009
WinPatrol 16.1.2009.1.0 (Freeware)
WinPatrol alerts you to hijackings, malware attacks and critical changes made to your computer without your permission. As a multipurpose support utility, WinPatrol replaces multiple system utilities with its enhanced functionality.
WinPatrol was the pioneer in using a heuristic behavioral approach to detecting attacks and violations of your computing environment. Traditional security programs scan your hard drive searching for previously identified threats. WinPatrol takes snapshots of your critical system resources and alerts you to any changes that occur without your knowledge.
You'll be removing dangerous new programs while others prepare to update their definition/signature data files.
