Time to test your PC Security.
#1
Posted 18 November 2008 - 05:14 AM
OK, we all have heard of the "Eicar Test File to test our A / V . Try downloading this file to test again.
As soon as I clicked on the download button, Avira let out a cry and forbid me to download.
Now it's time to test your AntiSpyware or AntiMalware.Try, if you will , to download and execute this Trojan
made specifically to test the ability of your AntiMalware. Trojan Simulator .
Back in August, on GiveAwayOfTheDay they had A-Squared for a free download. A full app. with auto
up-dates for a full year. I already have SUPERAntiSpyware Professional and was hesitant to install A-Squared. Since SUPERAntiSpyware
Professional is a For Life subscription , I reasoned that I would evaluate this new version 4.0 for a year and see if it is as good as
SUPERAntiSpyware. So, I disabled the "Real Time Scanner" in SUPERAntiSpyware and installed A-Squared. I must admit that, in the three
months that I have used it , it only reported one False Positive. They were notorious for for False Positives before this new version.
When I downloaded the "Trojan Simulator" file, which is a .ZIP, I unpacked it and proceded to install by double clicking on the .exe file.
Well, as soon as I double clicked on the .exe , A-Squared jumped up and stopped the installation within a fraction of a second , created
a rule and now when I try to double click on the .exe , nothing happens.
My point to this letter long post is , if your AntiSpyware or AntiMalware does what it was intended to do, you should experience the same
results as I have. I have tried this test in both XP and Vista .I must admit that I did not expect such quick responce from A-Squared.
I will continue to evaluate my copy of
A-Squared and make a full report when the time for the auto-updates come to an end.
So, if you are brave enough to test your security , why not have a go at this test Trojan and see for yourself if you are well Protected.
FLASHORN. !http://forums.pcworld.com/legacyimages/
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#6
Posted 19 November 2008 - 03:57 AM
Thanks for taking the test. Now, I have a few serious questions for you.
First of all, is Webroot , the Spy Sweeper or is it the Suite?
Second , I believe that you have Avast on you PC for AntiVirus protection?
Now , answer me this. The test file Eicar is a VIRUS file. Shouldn't Avast
have caught this file. This is what I got when I tested with Avira:
!http://forums.pcworld.com/legacyimages/
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I think that you should have another look at the Settings for Avast.
Maybe Spirit could answer this because I don't understand.
Also , you said that when you ran the Trojan test file, XP stopped the process.
Are you referring to D.E.P. ( Data Execution Prevention ) ? It is good to know
that you have it turned on but, IF Webroot is your Real Time AntiSpyaware
then IT should have stopped this process from starting and NOT D.E.P.
This Trojan test file will inject malicious code in the memory which is why
D.E.P. was developed to counteract but, it is up to your Real Time Shields
to do this work. This is only a test file. Should you encounter a Real nastie,
how would your AntiSpyware react? A real one would overrun the memory
buffers and I don't think D.E.P. would save your bacon ( PC ).I would look into this as well.
I would show you what A-Squared does but, it won't even let me start it
now that it has written a rule to stop this process from ever starting again.
IF you have the Webroot suite , you know that it has a AntiVirus built in.
This would mean that you are running two AntiVirus applications and you
know that a set-up like that does not work. But, I don't think you are, I'm just
speculating and trying to understand what you said about the test results you got.
OK coastie, shed some light on this for me please. It's been bugging me since I
read your post but, as you know I was away last night on family business.
FLASHORN. !http://forums.pcworld.com/legacyimages/
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#7
Posted 19 November 2008 - 07:22 AM
#8
Posted 19 November 2008 - 09:58 AM
The Subject of "Eicar" ( and sometimes "Spycar" ) occasionally appears on the Avast
Support Forums '; perhaps Avast "detection" of this is "explained" by One of the Avast
Developers at forum.avast.com/index.php?topic=36532.msg306273;topicseen#msg306273 !?
In researching this, I found fascinating the Info in the Thread at
[http://forum.avast.com/index.php?topic=38116.0] .
#10
Posted 19 November 2008 - 10:49 AM
McAfee SiteAdvisor green-lighted the Eicar website (Cybersoft.com), but red-lighted the Trojan Simulator site (Mischel Internet Security).
I also have Webroot Spy Sweeper, but it didn't get a chance to respond.
#14
Posted 20 November 2008 - 05:33 AM
Thanks for the links. I came away with some understanding of what is happening but,
as I said to coastie, his settings in Avast could use some tweaking. From what I could
see, you can adjust the settings to be more aggressive if you like but, it would mean
opening up the .ini file and going through a long process. I don't know if coastie
would be up for that.
Also , Avast will not stop the download of this file but, will detect it when scanned. A different
way of doing things I guess. As long as it gets the job done, I don't mind that. One should Always
scan Any files downloaded from the internet even though you know the source to be of good
reputation . It's too bad not enough take this advice seriously which usually brings them either
here or at specific Malware Removal sites.
Thanks for the links , it was interesting reading.
FLASHORN. !http://forums.pcworld.com/legacyimages/
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#15
Posted 20 November 2008 - 05:58 AM
Thanks for taking the test. I would hope that Nod32 would stop this file.
As for Webroot , I have problems with this AntiSpyware. Seems for scanning
but, your not the first one I have heard of saying it was a little slow on take off.
McAfee did red light my page but, did you check the comments on the site?
If you would install WOT along side McAfee SiteAdvisor you would get a better
view of what is a bad site : Web Of Trust .
FLASHORN. !http://forums.pcworld.com/legacyimages/
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#16
Posted 20 November 2008 - 06:03 AM
You can stop scratching your head now. If you really want to know what is happening
just turn off D.E.P. , re-boot your machine and download the files again to see if any
of your security apps. react. If not, then you have problems LOL!
FLASHORN. !http://forums.pcworld.com/legacyimages/
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#17
Posted 20 November 2008 - 06:07 AM
As I can see , you didn't wait for me to respond to your query.
But, you were right to start a new thread as this is just for the
test files. We are not discussing security application but,
want to see if the ones you have are really protecting your PC.
I already commented on your thread and will see if you need
anymore info. latter on.
FLASHORN. !http://forums.pcworld.com/legacyimages/
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#18
Posted 20 November 2008 - 06:13 AM
Did you try the test at school because you were afraid that your PC
could not handle it LOL!
I thought that the school PCs were for learning and not for downloading.
If I were your IT , I would have restricted ANY downloads from the school's PCs.
I guess your lucky not to have me as your IT EH!
Thanks for trying the test though.
FLASHORN. !http://forums.pcworld.com/legacyimages/
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#19
Posted 20 November 2008 - 06:42 AM
Flashorn said:
You can stop scratching your head now. If you really want to know what is happening
just turn off D.E.P. , re-boot your machine and download the files again to see if any
of your security apps. react. If not, then you have problems LOL!
FLASHORN. !http://forums.pcworld.com/legacyimages/
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>
[/quote]
Yeah, the DEP setting is maxed in here. At least I know that works. :D Spysweeper did nail the first thing though, so I guess it is doing it's job. I have SUPERantispyware in here as a redundant scan to Spysweeper.
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