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Devastate

By Devastate
in The Tailgate

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Devastate

Devastate

Posted
Posted

There is a thread about AVG going on now so I thought it might be a good idea for all the techy types to share with the common folk what's in their Toolboxes so to speak. Being in the industry for 15 years, I've come across a lot, and it's forever changing. But as of this week here are the programs that I keep on a thumb drive and carry with me to every job.

Malwarebytes - http://www.malwarebytes.org/

Good for one time scanning of machines already infected. No need to pay for this as the full version's protection is subpar.

Hitman Pro - http://www.surfright.nl/en

I always use this in conjunction with Malwarebytes.. It's a very quick second opinion scanner.

Ccleaner - http://www.piriform.com/ccleaner

Excellent at cleaning out browser cache's and temp files.. However it's strength is in it's registry cleaning.. I've ran it over 1000 times I'm sure, with never an issue.. But be sure to back up your reg (it gives you the option before it changes anything) before you do anything. Free and paid versions are exactly the same.. They operate off donations.

Combofix - http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/download/anti-virus/combofix

This little tool has gotten me out of more jams than I can count.. Warning though download this ONLY from bleepingcomputer as there are many infected fakes out there. Used for severe infections.. Usually bad rootkits or other things that screw with the master boot record and damages windows system files

Hiren's Boot CD - http://www.hiren.info/pages/bootcd

This tool is great.. Put it in and boot the machine to CD.. tons of nice tools, but the feature I use the most is cracking Windows passwords (for users who set a password and then forgot it). Kind of for advanced users.

ESET Online Virus Scanner - http://www.eset.com/us/online-scanner

Just started using this about a month ago.. It's good for certain types of virus's that won't allow you to install an app like Malwarebytes and for people who don't know how to access Safemode heh. I generally use this in remote situations

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Homercles82

Homercles82

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I know everyone is on the AVG bandwagon for a while now but I have used Microsoft Security Essentials since it came out with absolutely 0 issues. If you have Windows 7 I recommend using Internet Explorer 9. It is fast, clean and being able to pin bookmarks to the task bar is amazing. It is even better when websites create jump list specific functions for the website. I love pinning the bookmark to the taskbar and eliminating the need to manage tabs within one browser window.

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Devastate

Devastate

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I know everyone is on the AVG bandwagon for a while now but I have used Microsoft Security Essentials since it came out with absolutely 0 issues. If you have Windows 7 I recommend using Internet Explorer 9. It is fast, clean and being able to pin bookmarks to the task bar is amazing. It is even better when websites create jump list specific functions for the website. I love pinning the bookmark to the taskbar and eliminating the need to manage tabs within one browser window.

Yeah agree with the MSE for home users but not IE9.. I'm still having a ton of issues with it, with flash, java.. Some pages links don't work.. I know there is no compatibility for Real for saving videos yet. I just wouldn't suggest the move right now. It will be awesome once they fix the bugs, but it is still in Beta so it's expected.

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Sticksboi05

Sticksboi05

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I know everyone is on the AVG bandwagon for a while now but I have used Microsoft Security Essentials since it came out with absolutely 0 issues. If you have Windows 7 I recommend using Internet Explorer 9. It is fast, clean and being able to pin bookmarks to the task bar is amazing. It is even better when websites create jump list specific functions for the website. I love pinning the bookmark to the taskbar and eliminating the need to manage tabs within one browser window.

Internet Explorer should never be recommended.

It is slow, still comparatively insecure and doesn't have the features of Firefox which is just the superior browser all the way around.

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Homercles82

Homercles82

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Yeah agree with the MSE for home users but not IE9.. I'm still having a ton of issues with it, with flash, java.. Some pages links don't work.. I know there is no compatibility for Real for saving videos yet. I just wouldn't suggest the move right now. It will be awesome once they fix the bugs, but it is still in Beta so it's expected.

Are you still using the BETA when the RC has been out for a month?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Internet_Explorer_9#Reception

---------- Post added March-11th-2011 at 10:49 AM ----------

Internet Explorer should never be recommended.

It is slow, still comparatively insecure and doesn't have the features of Firefox which is just the superior browser all the way around.

"Computing (Magazine) observed that "the feature set has piled up" since development began, with recent changes including "a completely rejigged JavaScript engine, and far better web standards support." It reported that Internet Explorer 9 RC ranked above Firefox, slightly above Safari, and below Chrome and Opera on Futuremark's Peacekeeper browser benchmark. Internet Explorer 9 scored 95% on the unofficial Acid3 standards test.[60]"

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Devastate

Devastate

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Are you still using the BETA when the RC has been out for a month?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Internet_Explorer_9#Reception

---------- Post added March-11th-2011 at 10:49 AM ----------

"Computing (Magazine) observed that "the feature set has piled up" since development began, with recent changes including "a completely rejigged JavaScript engine, and far better web standards support." It reported that Internet Explorer 9 RC ranked above Firefox, slightly above Safari, and below Chrome and Opera on Futuremark's Peacekeeper browser benchmark. Internet Explorer 9 scored 95% on the unofficial Acid3 standards test.[60]"

Cool didn't realize the RC had been out.. My father just installed this on his machine Sunday, and I had to take it off for him Monday as he was having a ton of trouble with it.. Things like I described in my prev post..

So it's at RC and still having the issues? Then I agree with the other poster.. Firefox.

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Homercles82

Homercles82

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Cool didn't realize the RC had been out.. My father just installed this on his machine Sunday, and I had to take it off for him Monday as he was having a ton of trouble with it.. Things like I described in my prev post..

So it's at RC and still having the issues? Then I agree with the other poster.. Firefox.

I am using Windows 7 64-Bit with the IE9 RC a minimum of 6 hours a day and don't have any of the issues you are describing. To each their own. I used Firefox for a long time previous to IE9 and until Firefox has some of the features I like, and described above, I won't go back.

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The 12th Commandment

The 12th Commandment

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Open Office, I'll never need MS Office again I hope. Don't use it that much anymore anyway but still it's nice having a free option for most of things Office did.

CPUID and HW Monitor. Ensure your parts are running up to snuff and that fan speeds/temps are within a good range.

LastPass for password remembrance as my melon is not capable of remembrances anymore. (I used to have dozens that I remembered but those days are gone) I'd take recommendations on this catagory I found LP reading an article in Maximum PC but there may be better or more secure.

HDTune for verifying your smoking SSD is operating at full on smoke speed.

Prime95 (while watching temps in HW Monitor) for stressing the snot out of your CPU/Cooling system and making sure you put enough thermal paste in (or more likely not too much!) and that your cooler is properly attached with a good seat.

SiSSandra decent free benchmarking/reporting tool.

I guess my comment about LastPass would really apply to all of them, anyone know of better alternatives I'd be happy to hear about them.

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PokerPacker

PokerPacker

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I'm intrigued by it though I've never used any unix based software. Honest opinion, what are the down sides? Does it run everything game wise and so forth just the same as windows?

The downside is compatibility. Windows programs don't run on Unix machines. Well, they aren't supposed to. There is something called WINE that is a windows compatibility layer that will run many windows programs to varying degrees. Curious how well a windows program works, refer to their website: http://appdb.winehq.org/

There are quite a number of windows games that will run through WINE, but chances are newer games will not work. Some companies do release linux versions of games (iD, for example, almost always supports linux), and Valve has been known to try to make sure their games run well in WINE. Looks like Call of Duty: Black Ops, for example, is actually pretty well supported: http://appdb.winehq.org/objectManager.php?sClass=application&iId=12342

I would suggest installing Ubuntu alongside windows (dual boot) so that you can give it a try and build some familiarity while still being able to use Windows when necessary. I personally started using Ubuntu about 3 years ago. Started slowly with the dual-boot just doing simple stuff like surfing the web. Nowadays, I try to avoid Windows whenever possible. Granted, I haven't tried Windows 7 yet, but I'm so satisfied with linux that I don't care to bother with it (and now I'm branching off into more other distributions of linux to try out).

Only other "downside" I can think of other than compatibility with Windows programs will be familiarity. You've used Windows so long that you're ingrained with a windows-oriented thought-process. Given time with linux (and a drive to learn), you'll gain familiarity with it and it'll be natural.

Something you may love about Ubuntu: Repositories. So many useful applications, updates, and games are so easy to find and install through the Ubuntu repositories. Much better than scouring the Internet every time you want to find a program.

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SoulSkin

SoulSkin

Posted
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There is a thread about AVG going on now so I thought it might be a good idea for all the techy types to share with the common folk what's in their Toolboxes so to speak. Being in the industry for 15 years, I've come across a lot, and it's forever changing. But as of this week here are the programs that I keep on a thumb drive and carry with me to every job.

Malwarebytes - http://www.malwarebytes.org/

Good for one time scanning of machines already infected. No need to pay for this as the full version's protection is subpar.

Hitman Pro - http://www.surfright.nl/en

I always use this in conjunction with Malwarebytes.. It's a very quick second opinion scanner.

Ccleaner - http://www.piriform.com/ccleaner

Excellent at cleaning out browser cache's and temp files.. However it's strength is in it's registry cleaning.. I've ran it over 1000 times I'm sure, with never an issue.. But be sure to back up your reg (it gives you the option before it changes anything) before you do anything. Free and paid versions are exactly the same.. They operate off donations.

Combofix - http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/download/anti-virus/combofix

This little tool has gotten me out of more jams than I can count.. Warning though download this ONLY from bleepingcomputer as there are many infected fakes out there. Used for severe infections.. Usually bad rootkits or other things that screw with the master boot record and damages windows system files

Hiren's Boot CD - http://www.hiren.info/pages/bootcd

This tool is great.. Put it in and boot the machine to CD.. tons of nice tools, but the feature I use the most is cracking Windows passwords (for users who set a password and then forgot it). Kind of for advanced users.

ESET Online Virus Scanner - http://www.eset.com/us/online-scanner

Just started using this about a month ago.. It's good for certain types of virus's that won't allow you to install an app like Malwarebytes and for people who don't know how to access Safemode heh. I generally use this in remote situations

Good post idea and good list. I haven't used Hitman Pro or Hiram's Boot Disk, but I will definitely check them out.

I've had luck with Kaspersky TDSSkiller when MBAM, ESET online, and SuperAntispyware have done what they could do but still get browser redirections occurring.

http://support.kaspersky.com/viruses/solutions?qid=208280684

Avira's rescue CD has helped me a few times when computers are beyond functioning from viruses. I mean you can log in, but beyond that you're screwed. I think the last thing I saw like this was something called Palladium. It was a fake security suite but hijacked the desktop and all I could do, even in safe mode with everything possible stopped at startup, was just look at the Palladium Security warning bouncing around taunting me. Most of the AV companies make the Linux based preboot scanners. I just use Avira because it's worked for me a couple of times. I had AVG's recue CD render a PC unbootable once, but that was my fault probably by not paying attention to what I was allowing it to remove.

http://www.avira.com/en/support-download-avira-antivir-rescue-system

Also, when a virus blocks you from installing or running software, I've had good luck using SuperAntiSpyware portable.

http://www.superantispyware.com/portablescanner.html?tag=SAS_HOMEPAGE

I'll try to post some other stuff if I think of anything.

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sean_e_b

sean_e_b

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I have a little home studio for music, so I'll recommend some Music/Audio software.

Audacity - (Free)

http://audacity.sourceforge.net/

The best free software for recording and editing sounds. Lots of free plugins to help add effects to the staples already provided. I record all my vocals and live instruments here.

RealGuitar2

http://www.musiclab.com/products/realgtr_info.htm

Whether you use an actual guitar or a MIDI keyboard as your input, this will give you a nice, clear sounding guitar. 8 acoustic guitars to choose from (Steel string, Nylon String, etc.) You can easily apply an amp to turn them into electric guitars.

EZ Drummer

http://www.toontrack.com/products.asp?item=7

When you have nobody to play drums, this is a Godsend. Accurate and crisp sound with options to decide what makes up your drum kit, as well volume and environment settings. Comes with hundreds of grooves that you can set the tempo to. The program is made with humanization in mind, so people will never realize the drums are programmed.

Camel Studio's Alchemy

http://www.camelaudio.com/Alchemy.php

The most innovative VST I've ever used. In essence, you take a combination of sounds and make them into one multi-layered sound. The options are endless. I never knew mixing the sound of a squeeky gate and a vacuum cleaner could create such an awesome synth sound.

FL Studio 8

http://flstudio.image-line.com/

It's much cheaper than other music sequencers, but has more functionality due to the option of pattern-basing songs. While most other software is about dragging and dropping samples, this program allows you to compose every bit of each song note by note. It has a reputation for being amateur (likely due to the origins of its name, Fruity Loops, as well as the low price making crappy dubstep/rap producers the main customers). Just so you know, I've also used Reason, Cubase, and Pro Tools, and this is by far the best I've used.

Others:

GIMP (free) - Photo Manipulation

Blender (free) - 3d Modeling/Rendering

Celtx (free) - Script Writing

VLC Media Player (free) - plays any video/audio file you can find.

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