Security Package Recommendation

E

Eoraptor1

SOH-CM-2022
I'm not sure if this is the correct forum in which to ask this question, but it is relevant to flight simulation. I've been having computer issues for some weeks now, and among other things, CFS2 has been unusable due to a drop off in frames, sometimes down to the single digits. I suspect it may be because of my bitDefender 2010 Internet Security Package. One of it's core programs, vsserv.exe, has been hogging resources, which is a common complaint on their forums. I switched from McAfee to bitDefender largely because the former was a CPU hog, but now I may have to consider switching yet again. Can you, SOH members, recommend a security package that won't play havoc with all my graphics intesive applications?

Thanks in advance.


JAMES
 
What I Have Been Using

Hi Eoraptor1,

http://www.malwarebytes.org/

I have been giving this one a try for the past year or so. Purchased the module for I think $25.00. It has a very small footprint. You have to do your updates manually, but it's what keeps things low on the resources.
There are many ways one can set it up according to how your system performs ie all the bells and whistles or where you take care of certain chores. A kiss type of program.

For me, I like having the control over certain items. :ernae:
Dave
 
I have used freeware AVG for 4 years or more and never had an issue. However, recently I switched to AVAST freeware, love it ... hassle free ... load it and forget it. It takes care of business.
 
Euro, I agree with dvslats, Malwarebytes is first class. I am also going to check out what Milton uses, AVAST. AVG has performed well for me except the Netsky worm that got through last December got right by AVG.

Tony
 
Reply...

Eoraptor1,

I have BitDefender Internet Security 2010 and have never been happier. CFS2 runs very well on my rig, and framerates are not affected at all...so long as you place Bit Defender in "gaming mode" before lighting up CFS2. Right-click on the red ball and enable gaming mode. This might be what's causing you problems.

(Just make sure to take it off gaming mode for surfing the net)

I have a three-year package for it, and run it on both my laptop (Vista 64-bit) and my home PC. (XP SP 3 - 32bit)

I tried AVG and Avast, and I am happy with my current choice, but I keep Spybot and Malware-Bytes as backups in case anything slips by the first line of defense.
 
I have been using AVG for a number of years with little issues. It does slow down ops when scannign. I use Game Booser to diasble background running items when in the gaming mode. But be sure and return to normal mode before getting on the internet!
 
More info please:

Yo James;

There are many reasons why a PC runs slower than normal.
Without knowing some specs and doing a bit of investigation first, we are just guessing as to the cause - this is a HUGE waste of time. So lets have a look around and deal with any obvious problems first.

STEP 1: .... could you provide some info first?


PC make & model (HP, Dell) -single/dual/quad core?
harddrive size (xxxGB)
RAM size & type (xxxGB)
o/s (Win98, XP, Vista)

- this info will indicate what kind of performance can be expected from your PC
- once I know the make & model I can find manual with the internal specs. I'll give you a copy for future reference.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------

Could you post a screenshot of your: Task Manager - Processes list.
Please use "full screen" for the screenshot.

- this will indicate what programs are running on your PC. Some do not need to load with Windows (at start-up) and can be safely shut down & removed from the start-up list. This frees the CPU of the burden of running unneeded programs - which slows it down.

To access Task Manager:
- right-click on the taskbar
- left click: "Task Manager"
- left click: "Processes" tab

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

For now I can say that it is perfectly normal for any PC to run slower with age. Over time they tend to get cluttered up with crap. I helped alpha_1 (and another friend) earlier this week to do some cleaning and tweaking; both PC showed significant speed increases afterward.


I always start with a good cleaning.
Do you use: CCleaner?

Get it here: http://www.filehippo.com/download_ccleaner/

This is a great freeware app to ERASE (not delete) all temporary internet files & Recycle bin contents.
- it has a registry cleaner
- it can be used to edit the programs that load at "start-up"
- it can selectively delete old "System Restore" points that are no longer needed.


General Info:

- Windows sets a restore point about twice every 3 days. They vary in size based upon how many programs & how much data is on the PC. Over 6 months to a year this can amount to a GB or more of restore points that takes up space on the HD. Restore points older than 30 days can be deleted as they are no longer needed.

- harddrives - "C" should be defragged DAILY to ensure maximum performance.
- doing this daily will reduce defrag times to a few minutes.

- Windows Update: You should install ALMOST all of the monthly updates. This keeps your machine safe & running properly. These modify Windows components to either work more efficiently or patch a security vulnerability. For the most part, these updates are VITAL.

- I swear I'm gonna smack the living crap outta the next person that says: "I don't use/need them" .... YES YOU DO!!!

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I will be looking for your info. Then we'll move on to STEP 2; fixing the obvious problems, do some cleaning / reconfiguring and see what we other, less obvious problems that we uncover.


......... View attachment 11841

 
Dirty-man thanks for the info on CCleaner I did not know about Erase virus Delete which is really a good thing :wavey:

Skipsan :kilroy:
 
Re: BitDefender / AVAST vs AVG

Rami & I have identical PC's. (almost as old as CFS2)

- 1st generation P4, 478 socket, 3GHz "Prescott" cpu (the first cpu with "hyper-threading")
- 2GB PC3200 RAM - 120GB HD
- 512MB BFG/NVIDIA 7300 GT


Rami currently uses BitDefender Suite (payware) & says it runs GREAT.

I have been using AVAST Free & the OutPost Free firewall for the past 4 months.

For over a year we both ran AVG 9.0 Internet Suite (payware).
AVG is VERY resource hungry; but ran perfectly on both PC's. It used 8 separate processes (including the AVG firewall)

AVAST Free runs 1 process & Outpost Free uses 1. The speed difference is like night & day.
Programs open and run significantly faster now. a BIG DIFFERENCE.

The OutPost firewall tested exactly equal to the AVG payware firewall.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

NOTE: When uninstalling AVG, it is wise to run the "AVG Remover tool" & then a registry cleaner to remove all traces of AVG.

get the tool here: http://www.avg.com/ca-en/download-tools

For external HD's - enable "show hidden files & folders" and erase/delete the AVG folders now found there. (if the drives were not active when you ran the AVG Removal tool)

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The AVAST/OutPost combo is extremely well suited to older PC's (including P3's) and on very small & limited capacity PC's like Netbooks as they use very little of the system resources.

.
.
 
Skipsan said:
Dirty-man thanks for the info on CCleaner I did not know about Erase virus Delete which is really a good thing :wavey:

Skipsan :kilroy:
Click to expand...

Yo Skipsan

This is a very common and dangerous misconception - I will elaborate:

Delete: means telling the o/s to just forget about the file(s). They remain, in tact on the HD until overwritten by new data.

Erase: means overwriting the data with random characters until the data no longer exists.

Secure Erasure: means overwriting the file(s) 3 or more times.

Complete Erasure: means overwriting 3 or more times PLUS overwriting the "cluster tips" and "alternate data streams"

----------------------------------------------------------

So what's the big difference ... right?

99% of all bugs enter your system through "temporary internet files" (TIF's). This is the normal communication between your PC & any site on the internet.

If you were to pick up a bug ... and just delete the TIF's .... now you've let the bug loose inside your system. Most infections occur this way.

Erasing the TIP's (overwrite a minimum 3 times) is a simple way to avoid this potential for disaster.

This is not rocket science .... just common sense.


- Dirty-san

View attachment 11842
 
Rami said:
Eoraptor1,

I have BitDefender Internet Security 2010 and have never been happier. CFS2 runs very well on my rig, and framerates are not affected at all...so long as you place Bit Defender in "gaming mode" before lighting up CFS2. Right-click on the red ball and enable gaming mode. This might be what's causing you problems.

(Just make sure to take it off gaming mode for surfing the net)

I have a three-year package for it, and run it on both my laptop (Vista 64-bit) and my home PC. (XP SP 3 - 32bit)

I tried AVG and Avast, and I am happy with my current choice, but I keep Spybot and Malware-Bytes as backups in case anything slips by the first line of defense.
Click to expand...

Thanks to everyone who responded. I'm typing from my mother's laptop while watching the World Cup. My own machine has slowed down to a crawl. My computer tech is on vacation this weekend, but next week my main rig is going to her shop to get a professional tune up. My main intention (at this point) is to get some options as to a new security suite should that become necessary.

I really do like BitDefender's features, and in the 2008 version I had no issues. I know all about game mode. I'm running 2010 now and it's become fractious, but that may not be the software's fault. There are three or four other things that might be wrong, and I'm at the point where "remedies" might do more harm than good, which is why ASAP I'll be consulting a professional. BTW: I've been using computers since 1981. I was in the very first computer programming class at my school, so while not exactly unwashed, I do know when I'm in over my head. On the BD forums, however, a lot of people do have the problem with vvserv.exe hogging huge chunks of memory. One fellow is at a company with 170 machines, all of which have this very same issue. The BD tech people are aware of the problem, but IMO don't know quite what to do about it. It doesn't happen on every machine. I suspect nothing went wrong on any of their test rigs when the software was in development, so they weren't prepared for this particular issue. To get help you have to send a "snapshot" of your system (which makes sense, really) and then they'll look it over, try to ecreate the software environment, and then suggest a fix. They also recommend uninstalling ALL anti-spyware/malware software on a maching where BD is running. I ran Super Anti-Spyware for years with no trouble, but BD really didn't get along with Ad-Aware, at least not on my rig.

ALSO: I do use CCleaner regularly and stay defragged. I run Smart Defragger, so that whenever I'm not doing anything resource intensive the system is automatically defragging. I'm also anal about my registry settings, which also makes me think it's time to bring in a professional.

Still, any recommendations about a security suite that gets along with flight sim are welcome. I hope to keep BitDefender; I have 211 days left on my current contract with them, but we'll see...

Many Thanks,

JAMES


PS Everyone have a happy, and safe, 4th.
 
Milton Shupe said:
I have used freeware AVG for 4 years or more and never had an issue. However, recently I switched to AVAST freeware, love it ... hassle free ... load it and forget it. It takes care of business.
Click to expand...
Likewise on the AVG, but I notice they're getting a tad, uh . . . "pushy" lately, so I'm very glad to see your recommendation, Milton. Many thanks, Sir.
 
P51FAN said:
If you don't mind my asking what you mean by almost all of the monthly updates?
Click to expand...

Yo P51fan:

Good question, allow me to be more specific.

For the most part, all the "High Priority" updates should be installed.
MS updates are released on the second Tuesday of every month.
It's mostly in the "Optional" & "Hardware" updates that you should - pick & choose from.



OPTIONAL Updates:

Not everyone will use or benefit from these. But there are a few that are very useful.
Here are the ones that I have chosen not to install.

View attachment 11995

- before you ask; I don't have Media Player 11. I don't use Media player & don't want it.
Every time you open a file in there ... it calls home to Microsoft to inform them of what you are watching on it. I use the Classic Media Player which is included in the "K-Lite Codec Packs" because it plays ALL video & audio formats.

I personally don't like "Big Brother" looking over my shoulder .... do you?



HARDWARE Updates:

Usually these are video card drivers updates. I'm not saying that they are all bad, but I've seen too many problems with them in the past. These drivers are simply: "approved by Microsoft" but seem to be somewhat altered when compared to the original ones from the card manufacturer.

View attachment 11996




Did you know that every time you open CFS2 that it too calls home to Microsoft? This includes every separate install you have on your PC.

Most people don't know about this "calling home to Microsoft" stuff .... that's because most use the stock XP firewall. The aftermarket firewalls will allow you to block this "snooping".
 
Ain't Dr. Dusty Butt great? My whole computing life changed when he introduced me to CCleaner. If you are afraid to use it, don't be. I've used it hundreds of times and it never screwed me up. See, that's what I was afraid my friendship with Dirt would do - screw me up. But after 2-3 years I ain't no more screwed up than I was to begin with. But then my avatar speaks for itself.
 
I used to use the "authorized" Symantec Endpoint suite from Jagd's and my employer. It was/is a resources HOG! I talked to our IT guys at work and they said the Microsoft's Security Essentials suite is a very effective software suite to use and NOT use up resources.

I have been using it for several months now and never once had any problems with it. I have several other anti-spyware programs that I use every so often to make sure MS SE is working. They have yet to find anything on my machine that is not supposed to be there.

I am currently building some rather robust missions over New Guniea, spring-summer 1944. My frame rates are hanging tough with me, though one mission I may have to ask Rami for assistance on because my FPS get down to below 20 a couple of times in the dogfights. As we all know, he is the magician of CFS2........he can cut mega FPS down to manageable numbers and still protect the historic aspects of the missions involved.

In any case, Dirtman is spot-on with his recommendations. I use CCleaner my-own-self. There are several excellent programs out there for free. No need to invest money in anti-virus-spyware-malware, firewall programs.

Give the MS Security Essentials a try. It has been working great for me.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top