Gary S. Terhune, your security website article fails to load

Thanks, Robear. Can I buy AVG 7.5 and upgrade from my free version to the
paid version for Windows 98 Second Edition and have support from AVG until 31
December 2008?

"PA Bear [MS MVP]" wrote:

Support for AVG Free v7.5 for all Windows versions ends 31 Aug-08; cf.
http://aumha.net/viewtopic.php?f=27&t=29379 (AVG Pro v7.5 in Win5.x and
higher will be supported until 31 Dec-08.)

AVG 8 is crap because it finds too many false positives.

AVG v8.x, at least in its default configuration, is fairly incompatible with
both SpywareBlaster and SpyBot. See http://free.avg.com/ww.faq.num-1319 and
the numerous related discussions in AVG Free Forums.

In any event, AVG v8.x isn't supported in Win9x (AKA Win4.x) anyway.


Dan wrote:
I am replying to myself just to let all users know that I am still using
AVG
7.5 with Windows 98 Second Edition because although the writing is on the
wall, it just works well and so far has not been plagued with false
positives like Avast has had to deal with. For example, the mistake about
yahoo.com having malware in it -- please and the Avast writers need to
learn from the AVG 7.5 writers. I am currently working to get AVG 7.5
extended past August but remember there is no guarantee and if not then I
will upgrade to the paid version of AVG 7.5 which lasts until the end of
the year. AVG 8 is crap because it finds too many false positives.

No, I certainly won't bad mouth McAfee and I do use their free site advisor.
I remember how you told all of us that you got McAfee antivirus free for a
while for some reason on your machine. Can you elaborate that again for me
due to my slow memory? grin

"PCR" wrote:

Dan wrote:
| Thank PCR.

You are welcome. Despite a list of six/so peccadilloes, I remain very
pleased with avast! Home Edition! It hasn't abandoned me yet like McAfee
finally did! But I must say McAfee somehow remained free for me long
past its expiration for some reason & worked fairly well-enough until
near the end when the driver engines got persnicketty. Don't go
mean-mouthing McAfee either!

| "PCR" wrote:
|
| Dan wrote:
| | Apparently, AVG is still supporting version 7.5 of its anti-virus
| | program which works well. Avast works well as well but in my
| | opinion is almost too concerned about security which can be good
| | and bad. It can help keep users safer but also raise false alarms
| | like the one about Yahoo.com being infected, a false positive
| | about a file on my dad's computer, prevent certain Microsoft tools
| | like the client that Microsoft provided me from working to
|
| It is easy & painless to go to avast!'s Settings, Exclusion, screen &
| enter the name of the false positive. I have "C:\Program
| Files\RioPort\Audio Manager\SetupMDM.exe" in there, myself!
|
| (To know whether a file is a false positive, send it to a site such
| as...
| http://virusscan.jotti.org/
| ...., & it will be scanned by a ton of scanners.)
|
| | Please steer clear of AVG version 8 for any computer because at
| | least the free version has known issues and will of course not run
| | on 98. In regards, to firewalls you want a multi-layered safety
| | and security approach to keeping 98 Second Edition safe on the
| | Internet these days. I would suggest a router that has built in
| | firewall capabilities and please don't use the default settings
| | and change the authentication password to a complex password.
| | Microsoft has a tool to help users make strong passwords. It is
| | located at
| |
| | http://www.microsoft.com/protect/you...d/checker.mspx
| |
| | In addition, a wired connection is always more secure than a
| | wireless connection. Remember, that Microsoft will no longer
| | provide security updates for Windows 98 Second Edition so users
| | must use other software to make 98 and 98 SE more secure on the
| | Internet. I like Mozilla Firefox and version 2.0.x is still
| | supported with 98. Eventually, Mozilla will retire version 2 of
| | Firefox and version 3 of Firefox does not support Windows 98.
| | Opera has its fans but I do not care much for it and its user base
| | is too small currently to have too many hackers working on
| | breaking into the Opera web browser. The Opera web browser is an
| | alternative especially if Mozilla discontinues support of Mozilla
| | Firefox 2.0.x and in doing so no longer provides support for
| | Windows 98. As far as software firewalls are concerned I do not
| | have a good suggestion of which one is best with Windows 98 and/or
| | 98SE Edition.
| |
| | I like the XP Professional firewall but there you do have to watch
| | if you allow any exceptions. I am giving Windows Live Care a trial
| | period on the XP Professional side of my machine to see how I like
| | it.
| |
| |
| | "Ingeborg" wrote:
| |
| | Gary S. Terhune wrote:
| |
| | Might as well include firewalls in the discussion. So far I have
| | Sygate, ZA, Tiny (the old version), Kerio (old version)...
| | Anything else?
| |
| |
| | Agnitum Outpost Free
| | http://www.agnitum.com/products/outpostfree/index.php
|
| --
| Thanks or Good Luck,
| There may be humor in this post, and,
| Naturally, you will not sue,
| Should things get worse after this,
| PCR
|

--
Thanks or Good Luck,
There may be humor in this post, and,
Naturally, you will not sue,
Should things get worse after this,
PCR

I'm finding that Avast and SuperAntiSpyware are finding a few false
positives lately, more than I recall in the past, but they both have decent
enough methods for excluding files or folders from scanning.

AVG has no such ability? After all, if the scanner isn't digging deep enough
to pop up a few false positives every month or two in this era of the
rapidly developing blur between individual computers and other
network/internet devices, it's probably not doing a decent enough job to be
worth having it installed.

--
Gary S. Terhune
MS-MVP Shell/User
http://grystmill.com

"PA Bear [MS MVP]" wrote in message
...
Support for AVG Free v7.5 for all Windows versions ends 31 Aug-08; cf.
http://aumha.net/viewtopic.php?f=27&t=29379 (AVG Pro v7.5 in Win5.x and
higher will be supported until 31 Dec-08.)

AVG 8 is crap because it finds too many false positives.

AVG v8.x, at least in its default configuration, is fairly incompatible
with both SpywareBlaster and SpyBot. See
http://free.avg.com/ww.faq.num-1319 and the numerous related discussions
in AVG Free Forums.

In any event, AVG v8.x isn't supported in Win9x (AKA Win4.x) anyway.


Dan wrote:
I am replying to myself just to let all users know that I am still using
AVG
7.5 with Windows 98 Second Edition because although the writing is on the
wall, it just works well and so far has not been plagued with false
positives like Avast has had to deal with. For example, the mistake
about
yahoo.com having malware in it -- please and the Avast writers need to
learn from the AVG 7.5 writers. I am currently working to get AVG 7.5
extended past August but remember there is no guarantee and if not then I
will upgrade to the paid version of AVG 7.5 which lasts until the end of
the year. AVG 8 is crap because it finds too many false positives.

I like grc.com and the shields up utility as well. However, since Gary had a
bad experience with crap cleaner I can see why he does not suggest using it.
I do not plan on subjecting my machine in 98 Second Edition to it if there is
even a slight chance that it will mess everything up.

I really think users including myself need to fully learn about the
registry, then back it up and then slowly but surely they can test their
theories and ideas with editing and manipulating the registry manually.

It seems to be the only way to truly learn about the registry and it is not
worth the risk of an automated process messing around with the brains of your
PC. For example, ask yourself if you would let a general surgeon perform
brain surgery on you as an individual or would you prefer to have a
specialist?

" wrote:

On Jul 3, 4:28 pm, "Gary S. Terhune" none wrote:
The article has been revised. I invite proof-readers and comments.http://grystmill.com/articles/security.htm

--
Gary S. Terhune
MS-MVP Shell/Userhttp://grystmill.com

"PA Bear [MS MVP]" wrote in . ..

Ditto.

Dan wrote:
I was just looking over your website and the security article fails to
load.
Did you temporarily remove it?

http://www.grystmill.com/articles/security.htm

Mozilla Firefox and Internet Explorer give me the message that this page
cannot be found.

Gary, with reference to your final paragraph, I have written to the
support forums of both Avast + Super AntiSpyware Free. For the time
being Avast will continue to support Win98SE, the following quote from
the forum spokesperson "As far we know, support to Windows 98 will
continue in avast 4. New features aren't being added to old OS but
just for the new ones." From Super AntiSpyware Free the following
exchange, SAS says "Version 4.0 supports Windows 98SE and definitions
in the future always work with previous versions of the software so
there always will be definition updates. Windows 98 is approaching 11
years old. At some point Windows 98SE won't makes senses to support as
the new technologies only apply to the NTFS file system, Vista, etc.",
I say "So what you are saying is that even if you stop formally
supporting Win98SE, the definitions will still be available even for
version 4 that I am currently using, so SAS will continue to function
as it now functions on my Win98SE computer?", SAS says "Yes, it will
continue to function as-is and receive definition updates." Those
replies ought to be comforting to 98SE users. Spyware Blaster
continues to support 98SE even with their newest version. Sygate
Personal Firewall version 5.5 build 2710, the version specifically for
98SE, continues to work superbly on my computer requiring no specific
updates. So I am quite happy that these 4 programs will continue to
protect my computer. I have put myself through the security testing
regimen on the highly thought of "grc.com" site, specifically the
"file sharing", + "common ports" tests. My results have been a perfect
protection score to the point where hackers think that my computer is
non-existent on the internet, neither initiating or replying to any
requests for information. Just my experience.

No, all support for Win9x (any AVG version) ends in August.

Dan wrote:
Thanks, Robear. Can I buy AVG 7.5 and upgrade from my free version to the
paid version for Windows 98 Second Edition and have support from AVG until
31 December 2008?

"PA Bear [MS MVP]" wrote:

Support for AVG Free v7.5 for all Windows versions ends 31 Aug-08; cf.
http://aumha.net/viewtopic.php?f=27&t=29379 (AVG Pro v7.5 in Win5.x and
higher will be supported until 31 Dec-08.)

AVG 8 is crap because it finds too many false positives.

AVG v8.x, at least in its default configuration, is fairly incompatible
with both SpywareBlaster and SpyBot. See
http://free.avg.com/ww.faq.num-1319 and the numerous related discussions
in AVG Free Forums.

In any event, AVG v8.x isn't supported in Win9x (AKA Win4.x) anyway.


Dan wrote:
I am replying to myself just to let all users know that I am still using
AVG
7.5 with Windows 98 Second Edition because although the writing is on
the
wall, it just works well and so far has not been plagued with false
positives like Avast has had to deal with. For example, the mistake
about
yahoo.com having malware in it -- please and the Avast writers need to
learn from the AVG 7.5 writers. I am currently working to get AVG 7.5
extended past August but remember there is no guarantee and if not then
I
will upgrade to the paid version of AVG 7.5 which lasts until the end of
the year. AVG 8 is crap because it finds too many false positives.

I think he's referring to different F/Ps, Gary.

Gary S. Terhune wrote:
I'm finding that Avast and SuperAntiSpyware are finding a few false
positives lately, more than I recall in the past, but they both have
decent
enough methods for excluding files or folders from scanning.

AVG has no such ability? After all, if the scanner isn't digging deep
enough
to pop up a few false positives every month or two in this era of the
rapidly developing blur between individual computers and other
network/internet devices, it's probably not doing a decent enough job to
be
worth having it installed.


"PA Bear [MS MVP]" wrote in message
...
Support for AVG Free v7.5 for all Windows versions ends 31 Aug-08; cf.
http://aumha.net/viewtopic.php?f=27&t=29379 (AVG Pro v7.5 in Win5.x and
higher will be supported until 31 Dec-08.)

AVG 8 is crap because it finds too many false positives.

AVG v8.x, at least in its default configuration, is fairly incompatible
with both SpywareBlaster and SpyBot. See
http://free.avg.com/ww.faq.num-1319 and the numerous related discussions
in AVG Free Forums.

In any event, AVG v8.x isn't supported in Win9x (AKA Win4.x) anyway.


Dan wrote:
I am replying to myself just to let all users know that I am still using
AVG
7.5 with Windows 98 Second Edition because although the writing is on
the
wall, it just works well and so far has not been plagued with false
positives like Avast has had to deal with. For example, the mistake
about
yahoo.com having malware in it -- please and the Avast writers need to
learn from the AVG 7.5 writers. I am currently working to get AVG 7.5
extended past August but remember there is no guarantee and if not then
I
will upgrade to the paid version of AVG 7.5 which lasts until the end of
the year. AVG 8 is crap because it finds too many false positives.

I understand, and I still say that if AVG is at all the decent app that
everyone says it is, it should be a simple matter to ignore those files,
Registry Keys, whatever. I see that the FREE version is singled out as the
one having the problem, which implies that if you pay you can tell AVG to
ignore those Registry keys.

Plus, I'm also seeing a lot more false positives from the usual panoply of
protection apps lately, more than in less recent times. Just thought that
was worth mentioning. I've reported two to Avast just in the last week.

--
Gary S. Terhune
MS-MVP Shell/User
http://grystmill.com

"PA Bear [MS MVP]" wrote in message
...
I think he's referring to different F/Ps, Gary.

Gary S. Terhune wrote:
I'm finding that Avast and SuperAntiSpyware are finding a few false
positives lately, more than I recall in the past, but they both have
decent
enough methods for excluding files or folders from scanning.

AVG has no such ability? After all, if the scanner isn't digging deep
enough
to pop up a few false positives every month or two in this era of the
rapidly developing blur between individual computers and other
network/internet devices, it's probably not doing a decent enough job to
be
worth having it installed.


"PA Bear [MS MVP]" wrote in message
...
Support for AVG Free v7.5 for all Windows versions ends 31 Aug-08; cf.
http://aumha.net/viewtopic.php?f=27&t=29379 (AVG Pro v7.5 in Win5.x and
higher will be supported until 31 Dec-08.)

AVG 8 is crap because it finds too many false positives.

AVG v8.x, at least in its default configuration, is fairly incompatible
with both SpywareBlaster and SpyBot. See
http://free.avg.com/ww.faq.num-1319 and the numerous related discussions
in AVG Free Forums.

In any event, AVG v8.x isn't supported in Win9x (AKA Win4.x) anyway.


Dan wrote:
I am replying to myself just to let all users know that I am still
using
AVG
7.5 with Windows 98 Second Edition because although the writing is on
the
wall, it just works well and so far has not been plagued with false
positives like Avast has had to deal with. For example, the mistake
about
yahoo.com having malware in it -- please and the Avast writers need to
learn from the AVG 7.5 writers. I am currently working to get AVG 7.5
extended past August but remember there is no guarantee and if not then
I
will upgrade to the paid version of AVG 7.5 which lasts until the end
of
the year. AVG 8 is crap because it finds too many false positives.

Dan wrote:
| No, I certainly won't bad mouth McAfee and I do use their free site
| advisor. I remember how you told all of us that you got McAfee
| antivirus free for a while for some reason on your machine. Can you
| elaborate that again for me due to my slow memory? grin

I don't know how it happened, but suspect a restore of a full system
backup did it. I did get a few e-mail from McAfee saying my subscription
was about to expire, but those stopped coming & it still worked. But
slowly it died. I had to shut off the auto-scan because it caused
sluggishness & NET connection failure. I discovered one specific scan
engine that allowed me to turn it back on. Eventually, though, McAfee
would refuse to auto-update virus definitions & I had to take them
manually. Finally, it would not even work manually for Win98. That's
about the whole story. Now I am very pleased with avast! Home Edition
which is legitimately free.

| "PCR" wrote:
|
| Dan wrote:
| | Thank PCR.
|
| You are welcome. Despite a list of six/so peccadilloes, I remain very
| pleased with avast! Home Edition! It hasn't abandoned me yet like
| McAfee finally did! But I must say McAfee somehow remained free for
| me long past its expiration for some reason & worked fairly
| well-enough until near the end when the driver engines got
| persnicketty. Don't go mean-mouthing McAfee either!
|
| | "PCR" wrote:
| |
| | Dan wrote:
| | | Apparently, AVG is still supporting version 7.5 of its
| | | anti-virus program which works well. Avast works well as well
| | | but in my opinion is almost too concerned about security which
| | | can be good and bad. It can help keep users safer but also
| | | raise false alarms like the one about Yahoo.com being infected,
| | | a false positive about a file on my dad's computer, prevent
| | | certain Microsoft tools like the client that Microsoft provided
| | | me from working to
| |
| | It is easy & painless to go to avast!'s Settings, Exclusion,
| | screen & enter the name of the false positive. I have "C:\Program
| | Files\RioPort\Audio Manager\SetupMDM.exe" in there, myself!
| |
| | (To know whether a file is a false positive, send it to a site
| | such as...
| | http://virusscan.jotti.org/
| | ...., & it will be scanned by a ton of scanners.)
| |
| | | Please steer clear of AVG version 8 for any computer because at
| | | least the free version has known issues and will of course not
| | | run on 98. In regards, to firewalls you want a multi-layered
| | | safety and security approach to keeping 98 Second Edition safe
| | | on the Internet these days. I would suggest a router that has
| | | built in firewall capabilities and please don't use the default
| | | settings and change the authentication password to a complex
| | | password. Microsoft has a tool to help users make strong
| | | passwords. It is located at
| | |
| | | http://www.microsoft.com/protect/you...d/checker.mspx
| | |
| | | In addition, a wired connection is always more secure than a
| | | wireless connection. Remember, that Microsoft will no longer
| | | provide security updates for Windows 98 Second Edition so users
| | | must use other software to make 98 and 98 SE more secure on the
| | | Internet. I like Mozilla Firefox and version 2.0.x is still
| | | supported with 98. Eventually, Mozilla will retire version 2 of
| | | Firefox and version 3 of Firefox does not support Windows 98.
| | | Opera has its fans but I do not care much for it and its user
| | | base is too small currently to have too many hackers working on
| | | breaking into the Opera web browser. The Opera web browser is
| | | an alternative especially if Mozilla discontinues support of
| | | Mozilla Firefox 2.0.x and in doing so no longer provides
| | | support for Windows 98. As far as software firewalls are
| | | concerned I do not have a good suggestion of which one is best
| | | with Windows 98 and/or 98SE Edition.
| | |
| | | I like the XP Professional firewall but there you do have to
| | | watch if you allow any exceptions. I am giving Windows Live
| | | Care a trial period on the XP Professional side of my machine
| | | to see how I like it.
| | |
| | |
| | | "Ingeborg" wrote:
| | |
| | | Gary S. Terhune wrote:
| | |
| | | Might as well include firewalls in the discussion. So far I
| | | have Sygate, ZA, Tiny (the old version), Kerio (old
| | | version)... Anything else?
| | |
| | |
| | | Agnitum Outpost Free
| | | http://www.agnitum.com/products/outpostfree/index.php
| |
| | --
| | Thanks or Good Luck,
| | There may be humor in this post, and,
| | Naturally, you will not sue,
| | Should things get worse after this,
| | PCR
| |
|
| --
| Thanks or Good Luck,
| There may be humor in this post, and,
| Naturally, you will not sue,
| Should things get worse after this,
| PCR
|

--
Thanks or Good Luck,
There may be humor in this post, and,
Naturally, you will not sue,
Should things get worse after this,
PCR

glass wrote:


"Ingeborg" Agnitum Outpost Free
http://www.agnitum.com/products/outpostfree/index.php


is it any good ingeborg? does it do a good job?
never heard of it til you posted.


I'm very content with it. AFAIK it does a good job, never noticed
'something slipped through'. You can create your own rules for any program,
or use some predefined settings like 'browser' or 'email client'. It will
warn you when any onknown program or any program with the same name tries
to connect.

Main reason why I like it is that you can live see which program is talking
to which ip address/domain, how many bytes are send/received for each
connection, bytes/second, ...

Thanks Robear and Gary. Please keep me informed.