AVG Labels iTunes Malware

Smiththers2 said:
seriously if you notice your computer going slow from itunes... it has issues.
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It's iTunes that has the problems and runs slow, not the computer itself. MS had a press release a while back explaining why it was....basically Apple refused to code it a certain way despite MS's insistence otherwise hence the instability and pathetic performance. Maybe someone can clarify that. iTunes is a horrific program on PCs and the only reason I use it is because Apple forces you to use it for the iPhone. Imagine if MS did something like that, they'd be in court quicker than you can blink. It's amazing what Apple gets away with.
 
Smiththers2 said:
well if i must be labeled a fanboi, let it be for itunes itself, cuz its not for apple :-P
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id like to add the fact that i cant stand the whole "think different" attitude. wouldnt be AS bad if it didnt cost so much TO BE DIFFERENT haha.
 
Think different...by buying a computer that is exactly the same as the one next to you.
 
Serpico said:
And back on topic...



A good free alternative doesn't exist. NOD32 or bust: http://www.eset.com/products/nod32.php

It is excellent software, well worth the cost of subscription over other free AV packages IMO, and it blows away crapware from McAfee and Symantic.
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Do you have proof to bake up these claims? av-comparatives has proven that there are free AV's that can in fact compete, and compete well.

Avira Anti-Vir is MORE then capable of competing.

Please, get your facts straight.
 
criccio said:
Do you have proof to bake up these claims? av-comparatives has proven that there are free AV's that can in fact compete, and compete well.

Avira Anti-Vir is MORE then capable of competing.

Please, get your facts straight.
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QFT

Avira competes quite well. And if Eset continues along their downslide, it'll even top NOD32. Granted they've just slid from "Top Notch" to "Very Good", hasn't been enough to make me switch yet.

MSE is also looking to be a very valid competitor in the market, too. Might top everything by the time it's final.
 
criccio said:
Do you have proof to bake up these claims? av-comparatives has proven that there are free AV's that can in fact compete, and compete well.

Avira Anti-Vir is MORE then capable of competing.

Please, get your facts straight.
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We agree to disagree. I have yet to find another AV package that is as light, unobtrusive, and as effective as NOD32. That said, you generally get what you pay for (Norton AV is an obvious exception to the rule). I'm fine paying the subscription fee for NOD32, but if cash was tight I'd be fine going with Avira instead, and I'd recommend anyone go with Avira instead of wasting their money on AV by Symantic or McAfee.
 
TechieSooner said:
That's what Amazon MP3 is for... 1 click download is pretty easy.
Plus it's 256kbps... Not the best but alot better than the 128 crap you can find elsewhere.
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Thanks guys, I went with Amazon and canceled my Itunes, took all that crap off my computer and my monitors will finally go into standby after 15 min's. When ever I fired up Itunes and even shut it down, my monitors would stay on ignoring my power settings until I restarted. Well anyway the Amazon thing is just too easy, downloads 256KBPS right to your desktop with out any additional software at all. There is a Amazon dloader thingy but I didn't download it - not sure what it's for.:confused:
 
Unit44 said:
Thanks guys, I went with Amazon and canceled my Itunes, took all that crap off my computer and my monitors will finally go into standby after 15 min's. When ever I fired up Itunes and even shut it down, my monitors would stay on ignoring my power settings until I restarted. Well anyway the Amazon thing is just too easy, downloads 256KBPS right to your desktop with out any additional software at all. There is a Amazon dloader thingy but I didn't download it - not sure what it's for.:confused:
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I thought you HAD to use their download tool.... Hmmm....
News to me.

The downloader thing is similar to a torrent client I think... Can restore your connection if it's broken or whatnot (I'd think).
 
TechieSooner said:
I thought you HAD to use their download tool.... Hmmm....
News to me.

The downloader thing is similar to a torrent client I think... Can restore your connection if it's broken or whatnot (I'd think).
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If you download individual songs you don't need it. If you want to download a whole album and save a little money you need the Amazon downloader. Buying a whole album (the few that are worth buying) at times savse you a bit of money too. :)
 
Vermillion said:
If you download individual songs you don't need it. If you want to download a whole album and save a little money you need the Amazon downloader. Buying a whole album (the few that are worth buying) at times savse you a bit of money too. :)
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Yea, I've only ever downloaded whole albums. Usually if they go on sale and are like $3 or something... And only if it's a band that I like most all their stuff.
 
Vermillion said:
If you download individual songs you don't need it. If you want to download a whole album and save a little money you need the Amazon downloader. Buying a whole album (the few that are worth buying) at times savse you a bit of money too. :)
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;)
Well thanks for clearing that up, I guess I will put that on here then - it didn't look too big of a file....
 
TechieSooner said:
Nah, it's nothing like downloading the monstrosities of iTunes or Zune.
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I guess the fact that it is just so much bigger than other media managers/players warrants calling it huge, but it cracks me up to hear it hahaha. I am just too stubborn to change?
 
Smiththers2 said:
I guess the fact that it is just so much bigger than other media managers/players warrants calling it huge, but it cracks me up to hear it hahaha. I am just too stubborn to change?
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iTunes is a freaking 75MB download...

Windows Media Player 11 isn't but 11MB or so.
 
75.. shit I just got the notice from Apple Software update.. 88ish MB for the newest iTunes+Quicktime.. I quit bothering with updating them.. get's too fucking annoying to have to download the newest update and go through every three months.
 
Serpico said:
We agree to disagree. I have yet to find another AV package that is as light, unobtrusive, and as effective as NOD32. That said, you generally get what you pay for (Norton AV is an obvious exception to the rule). I'm fine paying the subscription fee for NOD32, but if cash was tight I'd be fine going with Avira instead, and I'd recommend anyone go with Avira instead of wasting their money on AV by Symantic or McAfee.
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You have yet to find something that we've shown you? I run NOD32 at work - have run 3.0 and 4.0 - and I run Avira at home. Avira is just as light, if not lighter. I have to strip down NOD32 - turning all filters except the filesystem filter off - or it makes our slower computers at work all but unable to browse through email in Outlook.
 
It is Apples best interest for PCs to run like shit. what better way than to give away free software for PCs that make them run like shit.
 
Unit44 said:
Gonna give it a go, thanks!:D
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Do it. Amazon is so much better. I haven't used itunes in almost six months and I don't regret it one bit. I couldn't stand Itunes. It took forever to load, and once they wanted me to spend 30 cents per song to ugprade my library to "Plus" to get 256kbps songs, I told them to go fuck themselves. Also, the no DRM is AWESOME and I don't have to convert those stupid Itunes files anymore.
 
bboynitrous said:
Do it. Amazon is so much better. I haven't used itunes in almost six months and I don't regret it one bit. I couldn't stand Itunes. It took forever to load, and once they wanted me to spend 30 cents per song to ugprade my library to "Plus" to get 256kbps songs, I told them to go fuck themselves. Also, the no DRM is AWESOME and I don't have to convert those stupid Itunes files anymore.
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I did it last week man and I haven't looked back! Amazon is just too easy compared to Itunes! ;)
 
TechieSooner said:
iTunes is a freaking 75MB download...

Windows Media Player 11 isn't but 11MB or so.
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Ah, well, I downloaded the Zune software for a couple of my systems... it came to 133MB + whatever it downloaded during the install. What are you worried about?
 
rflcptr said:
Ah, well, I downloaded the Zune software for a couple of my systems... it came to 133MB + whatever it downloaded during the install. What are you worried about?
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I don't like either one, personally... Windows Explorer + Drag and Drop > ______

The biggest advantage Zune has that actually makes it worth installing (also it doesn't install 5 different programs and services unlike iTunes) is the Zune Pass.
 
TechieSooner said:
I don't like either one, personally... Windows Explorer + Drag and Drop > ______

The biggest advantage Zune has that actually makes it worth installing (also it doesn't install 5 different programs and services unlike iTunes) is the Zune Pass.
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Uh, ok. :confused: I didn't ask for a comparison, but just wanted to point out that comparing iTunes to Windows Media Player isn't the best thing to do.
 
rflcptr said:
Uh, ok. :confused: I didn't ask for a comparison, but just wanted to point out that comparing iTunes to Windows Media Player isn't the best thing to do.
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Why not? WMP can hook up to an online library. It can sync your devices.
 
CaptainRAVE said:
What is a good alternative to AVG? I still use it :(
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1. http://housecall.trendmicro.com/
2. http://www.eset.com/onlinescan/

I am however assuming that you are intelligent enough not to randomly download malicious files left and right, etcetera. I used to have NOD32 installed. At first there is no noticeable performance change in the machine, but over time you'll find that your bootup time will dramatically increase. I have experienced this with all antivirus software I have encountered; I give up, seriously. I can take care of myself well enough that I can go virus and malware free for 6+ months. Every few months I just follow these instructions: http://www.joyunbound.com/?p=601

Probably the best fix-it solution for most virii problems (the ones it doesn't fix are probably more targeted, user-specific [at a personal level] attacks). Furthermore, it helps to use opendns.org as your DNS, and a router.
 
Cerulean said:
1. http://housecall.trendmicro.com/
2. http://www.eset.com/onlinescan/

I am however assuming that you are intelligent enough not to randomly download malicious files left and right, etcetera. I used to have NOD32 installed. At first there is no noticeable performance change in the machine, but over time you'll find that your bootup time will dramatically increase. I have experienced this with all antivirus software I have encountered; I give up, seriously. I can take care of myself well enough that I can go virus and malware free for 6+ months. Every few months I just follow these instructions: http://www.joyunbound.com/?p=601

Probably the best fix-it solution for most virii problems (the ones it doesn't fix are probably more targeted, user-specific [at a personal level] attacks). Furthermore, it helps to use opendns.org as your DNS, and a router.
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Intelligent people are the ones who realizes virus and malware will try to get into your computer one way or another - not just by letting it in. They are, after all, malware and viruses.

Rule #1 to giving computer advices - never recommend going without a scanner. Ever.
 
malware, maybe not. Bloatware, for sure. I can't stand when I go over to a friends house and they open up itunes to show me something.... and I stand there for 45 seconds for it to just load (on a newer dual core computer).
 
Rule #1 to giving computer advices - never recommend going without a scanner. Ever.
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I wouldn't recommend to your average user to NOT go without a scanner, because a scanner at the best at least tries to warn or keep the user from unconsciously/unintelligently installing unwanted material.

It's just as a 'power user' (correct term?) that I personally think that I would be fine to go without an antivirus program. I have a pretty good idea of what kind of websites not to visit, what kind of material not to download/execute, and so far my experience hasn't proved me wrong (not trying to be arrogant or anything). Your typical user, like my mom and youngest brothers, would be unable to distinguish between materials they are ok to visit/see/download versus materials that they shouldn't.
 
Cerulean said:
I wouldn't recommend to your average user to NOT go without a scanner, because a scanner at the best at least tries to warn or keep the user from unconsciously/unintelligently installing unwanted material.

It's just as a 'power user' (correct term?) that I personally think that I would be fine to go without an antivirus program. I have a pretty good idea of what kind of websites not to visit, what kind of material not to download/execute, and so far my experience hasn't proved me wrong (not trying to be arrogant or anything). Your typical user, like my mom and youngest brothers, would be unable to distinguish between materials they are ok to visit/see/download versus materials that they shouldn't.
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Viruses propagate through ad servers, and web sites served by major organizations that should be "safe". How many times over the last year have sites that should be "safe" been reported as compromised? Numerous.

Power users != arrogant fools

Enthusiasts are familiar enough with the internet and technology to know that there are countless ways malware/viruses propagate and the only way to be safe is to have a real-time anti-virus and at a minimum weekly scheduled sweep of their system.
 
Here is what I know/think about virii:

Truth is, if you get attacked by virii, a smart and intelligent one will nuke/melt your antivirus software. It's just so common and typical. It would be more uncommon for a virus to nuke a Java-based and temporary antivirus scanner, as not many people take advantage of such methods.

When a virus nukes your antivirus software, your antivirus software is rendered useless against that virus. So you need something on the outside, a third-party, to come in and cleanup the mess. Reinstalling your antivirus software probably won't solve your problem, because smart virii are set to check for running antivirus processes often. I do not know how other virii may work, but a SubSeven-based trojan has a list of process names to check for every x seconds, and if one of them appear, the trojan will nuke the process permanently.

This is all already to say that this is a more targeted attack than your common malware/spyware/etc. Someone with you specifically and personally in mind is more likely the case.

It is even more unlikely, although my logic may be a bit off, for a trojan to seek out a java application that coincidentally performs similar functions of your typical antivirus program, except on a temporary basis. Java only runs as one process, and Java itself isn't an antivirus program but rather a language base. It would be more complicated and comprehensive for a virus/trojan to seek out a Java-based antivirus scanner than a directly running antivirus-program process.

A real hacker will program the right tools and virii for their job. They are unlikely to include unnecessary crap, but I can't say this absolutely.

Nevertheless, my point is that most people do not use online Java/flash-based antivirus scanners; it isn't common or typical. Two, because they are temporary, browser-based and Java-based, it makes it more difficult for a trojan (which is already a more-than-usual targeted attack) to seek it out, IF its creator even had these kind of temporary antivirus scanners in mind (which is even more unlikely). Three, because it is browser and Java-based, it will exist through a single process (java.exe) and in memory. Four, the practical idea of online antivirus scanners could potentially (if not already) be more capable than your installed software antivirus because they could incorporate scrambling methods for each version, or every day, or every hour, etcetera -- which would require your attacker to make an even more focused and targeted virus.

It isn't "cost effective" or "efficient" for an attacker to cover counter-attacks for EVERYTHING. You have to place yourself in their position and ask yourself who your target is. Are you trying to target your average no-brains computer user that will click on almost anything? Super easy target. Are you trying to target your average gamer (who usually knows a little more than your average no-brains computer user)? Are you trying to target your average HardForums IT power user? It's getting more difficult.

It has all to do with who your target is. Based on this, that is also how you determine some of the functionality of your virus/trojan.



Anyway, apologies that I went on rambling in this post. :p If you disagree with any or all parts, that's ok because I bet you have opinions too. :) Perfectly fine to disagree. The contents of this post are what >I< think. Not trying to be arrogant, ignorant, or force anyone to go my way.
 
I forgot that one could simply end java.exe. But that would be more targeted and focused than any of your other attacks. What does the attacker want to achieve? An end to your computer usage? Collect information from your computer? Use you in a botnet? It would be more obvious to end java.exe, since Java is almost as common as flash.

Apologies for double post.
 
I didn't even read it. You're reaching way too far to ever justify not running AV.

Flash used on Banking websites. It's a legitimate source. When that gets compromised (it's happened before), you're hosed.

Legit source, you had no idea, you're infected. End of story.
 
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