Threatfire Test with MSE and Avast 5
Having recently covered Threatfire I thought it was time to put it to the test with Microsoft Security Essentials and Avast 5 running.
Using layered security gives greater protection and each program works differently. No program offers 100% protection and Avast will block many malicious sites, MSE also finds threats that Avast misses.
Threatfire uses a different approach and what both Avast and MSE missed was downloaded but on execution Threatfire warned of the dangers which gives users the opportunity to stop malware from installing.
Many say that you cannot use an antivirus alongside MSE, but I have this installed on three computers that are all setup differently and therefore all react differently but there are many viruses that MSE does not block, whereas Avast and Avira do.
The same applies with antivirus programs, there are many forms of malware that they do not block or pick up and MSE does, but as shown in the video, there are also items that Avast and MSE both missed, but Threatfire caught on execution.
One could spend all day running various programs alongside each other to see how they react, but the most important factor has to be what the user is comfortable using and that it does what it is supposed to do.
Users can make informed choices as to what works for them and it may mean trying various programs until the user finds what they are comfortable with, has low resources and secures their computer.
Many programs can be installed, setup and left to run in the background, requiring very little input from the user once setup.
One interesting point though: there is no mention of MSE on the Avast site, but the team from Alwil did go to the Microsoft campus in Redmond to work alongside MS to ensure compatibility between Avast and MSE - Quote: "we made sure avast! works flawlessly with the upcoming Microsoft Security Essentials (MSE)"
I get a bit of flak using what many perceive to be 'two antivirus' products which is NOT recommended. But, I have used both MSE and Avast 5 from the first beta releases through to the final releases and updates. Through the beta phases there were glitches as expected, but on final release I have experienced no false positives and no conflicts. As an antivirus, MSE does not pick up much at all, although malware it is very good at stopping, whereas Avast stops many viruses and Threatfire fills the gap in between.
Related posts:
Threatfire
Avast 5
Microsoft Security Essentials
Basic Computer Security
Layered Security
Surf Safer, Surf with WOT - Click Here or the links below
Web of Trust for Internet Explorer
Web of Trust for Firefox
Web of Trust for Google Chrome
Free PC Security, Malicious Sites, Layered Security, Realtime Protection, Free Programs
Reader Comments
Hi Colin.I am using Avast 5 with Geswall and K9 set to cutom blocking malware,spyware and suspicious content and system seem to be running clean after numerous scans.
Never tried Threatfire,but it is something I would consider.I have heard good things about it.
But for now while my combination seems to be strong I will stick with what I have.I also have Winpatrol and Windows defender running in the background.
Plus on 1 gig of Ram there is only so much I can run without coming to a stop LOL.
Enjoyed the article and Video as I always do.
CodHead
CodHead - Threatfire is pretty good but you have a good setup and it works so I would leave it as it is
When RAM is limited then resources need to be kept low and programs should have minimal impact on system resources.
Geswall I will get around to posting about sometime and immunet lol, so many things and so little time
All the best my friend, hope all is well with you
Colin
I installed Threatfire a few months ago, and it appeared to slow down internet explorer, I say appeared. It disinstalled it. I recently tried to install it again, having become a fan of Firefox. My attempts failed many times, a box said I have threatfire installed. I checked my control pannel and there's nothing there by Threatfire. I tried going to the the Threatfire site but got a message saying my email address is blacklisted. I am amazed by this, but not overly bothered. 20 million people are unaware of threatfires existence, and live happily. I will just have to be another one. A shame but, thank god for spybot and adaware. Best wishes Simon. PS love the maths question, so superior to those blurry letters others use!
Simon - Threatfire can in some cases have an adverse effect on browsers. This is mainly due to the computer configuration and it also applies to other apps as well. Some play well and some don't so it is a case of try it and see.
It would appear that the problem is not your email address but your ISP which appears on six blacklists.
Spybot is a good program that offers passive defense and AdAware offers some realtime protection but is not as effective as it used to be, BUT if you are happy with what you have and it works for you then stick with it
Maths question is a simple anti-bot measure and I'm not that keen with captcha's which put many people off.
Regards
Colin
Some play well and some don't so it is a case of try it and see.