This program is so new to me, and I quite frankly don’t know what I should be doing to be protected. Should I occasionally do a boot scan like it did after I installed it? If so how do I get to it, I am not even sure how to get that skin to come up with the buttons? I have the two icons in the tray one with the i and the other with the a. I see the a turn occasionally and I did have it generate a VRBD once. Can someone give me some very basic help here?
You don’t have to do a periodic scan the avast resident shields will still be doing their job. However, new malware is added every day and the avast signatures are constantly updated so a periodic scan could catch these new additions to the signatures.
I do a weekly Standard scan without archives as a part of my regular system maintenance and this should be adequate.
You can merge the two icons using a command into the ‘a’ blue icon context menu VRDB.
Both icons have movement when are working. The VRDB is generated each 21 days by default (and you can let it this way).
Thank you to both of you, it gives an idea of how to use the program, I was a bit lost. I have Malwarebytes anti malware installed to do periodic scans also. I use Spybot, Spyware blaster and was using Adaware but I am not sure where that one stands, I had some problems with it.
You’re welcome.
I’ve also had problems with AdAware, following the 2008 release. It seemed a bit buggy to me, particularly the updater, and tried to quaratine some reg entries that were needed by the system. Add to that reports that it’s not especially effective, I reckon you should uninstall it.
MBAM has an excellent rep; has already proven itself capable with a current rogue application, it’s a keeper.
How often you run a scan should depend to some degree on how important it is you remain malware free. If you’re using a credit card online, for example, it’s very important.
I’d suggest a full scan once a week with each application (Avast/MBAM) and if nothing is ever found, maybe cut it back a bit.
Or any time the computer behaves strangely or is slow, and can’t be explained by other factors, a scan should be performed straight away. Don’t forget to update MBAM before scanning.
Thanks for this additional advice. I was wondering if it was even worth while to keep it on, Spybot keeps saying there is some conflict with the scans Adaware does.
good questions!
I’d certainly loose ad-aware over spybot if it is causing any problems- if not keep it if you have the disk space
Tomorrow is update Wednesday for Spybot, then re immunize-- Every Wednesday is update Wednesday
“we don’t need no stinking autoupdate” (Treasure of Sierra Madre)
If you have IE on your system turn on Spybot SD-Helper- post back if you do not know how
also your choice of spywareblaster is right on- update today BTW
If you are running MVPS hosts update it first and then spybot-
I do think a hosts file is essential
MVPS or HPHosts
MBAM also a keeper
I just run a full avast scan once a month with an online scan in between
I have the shields set to Max but some set their standard shield to standard
What I do not see is any real time anti spyware/malware protection
unless
Do you have Spybot t-timer active?
Might as well ask the housekeeping questions
#1
Current Spybot version? and Did you EVER have spybot 1.3 or 1.4 installed
housekeeping #2
Did you ever have another antivirus or one preinstalled or a suite- which one?
housekeeping
have you run -secunia software inspector- all up to date
if it turns out your Java is older run “javara” and remove all old versions
What’s your Firewall?
welcome to the forums