ThreatFire - the Anti-Virus "helper"

[Paolo]

If you've read about this one, I have some advice to offer:

DO NOT install this sucker if you run AVG Free 8.0.x!

However, I must thank IE for turning me onto it and wrecking my machine, as a complete reload and update of Windows was very much in order. It's been 2 years of almost steady running without a problem; it was due.

In short, what happens is when you install it, you hit FINISH, you will auto-reboot. And you'll do this about 500 times...the computer will never get past the Windows splash screen.

A repair of the OS in boot from CD will not repair the issue, either. All of the tips found online later, which IE supplied me over the phone, didn't work either.

My way out was to install XP onto a slave drive, booting from the XP CD, and then dragging things off the C Drive to a Temp folder on the slave. Then I zapped the C drive and reinstalled, and dragged everything back in, kicking and screaming all the way.

By the way, don't bother with that backup utility in Windows that creates a huge file that is supposed to be accessed via its own restore function; it doesn't work. You backup C: and then try to restore C:, you can't - because C: is in use...go figure...

I do have to confess - XP Pro SP3 was installed on a blank drive and up and running in 32 minutes. 2000-SP2 took 4 hours to install, and then all night long of updates and reboots. I have never been a fan of XP, but this ... ahhh ... 'home-brewed version' that I 'borrowed' seems to be a goodie! Of course, with over 10k 'borrowers' at any given time, it must be!

So, there you have it - Threatfire may be a nice idea, may work for some, but there's a huge issue with using it in concert with AVG 8.0!

[bobover3 (imported)]

Sorry for your troubles! I couldn't have taken it.

Never heard of Threatfire, but I'll check it out.

AVG Free updated to version 8.5 about a week ago.

[bobover3 (imported)]

Take a look at AVG FAQ 1214. It has this about ThreatFire -

"ThreatFire AntiVirus

Problem:

Computer freezes or crashes repeatedly.

Solution:

The problem occured after a recent update of the ThreatFire AntiVirus. Possible solution is available in the manufacturers knowledge base, search for 'AVG'. In case the provided solution does not resolve the issue, it may be necessary to uninstall the program."

Here's what the knowledge base has to say -

"I have AVG Internet Security 8 installed and I’m experiencing system instability such as applications not loading, programs becoming unresponsive, or systems failing to load and operate beyond the basic desktop.

This problem is due to an issue with the ThreatFire updater if you were running ThreatFire v. 3.0.14.16 and you upgraded to ThreatFire v. 3.5.0.21 automatically (or without fully uninstalling and reinstalling first).

If you have this issue with AVG 8, boot to safe mode and then uninstall ThreatFire.

You can get into safe mode by pressing F8 after your POST screen and before Windows boots up.

Once this is finished, you can now update to the latest version of ThreatFire by download from the ThreatFire website or by clicking this link: http://www.threatfire.com/files/tfinstall.exe

If you have ThreatFire v. 3.0.14.16 installed and you have NOT YET upgraded to the latest version, please follow these steps to add ThreatFire as an exception in AVG:

1. In AVG’s main window, Go to Heading "Tools" and select "Advanced Tools."

2. In the "Resident Shield" option, there is a subheading listed as "exceptions."

3. In here, there button named "Add Path." Click this and point it to your ThreatFire install directory (Typically "C:\Program Files\ThreatFire").

4. Click Ok, and let AVG's window make the change (If you have User Access Controls in Vista enabled).

5. In the main window, double-click the "Resident Shield" box. Uncheck the box that says "Resident Shield Active.?

6. Click "Save changes" and allow it to continue (again only if you have Vista UAC enabled).

Only now are you ready to update to ThreatFire 3.5.0.21!

7. After ThreatFire has updated and you have rebooted, You can go back into AVG's main window and re-enable Resident Shield. The Exception list must remain in its settings for ThreatFire to function properly, however.

8. You can do this by double-clicking "Resident Shield" again and rechecking the "Resident Shield Active" box. Then saving and allowing it to continue (with Vista)"

Hope this helps.

[Cilantro (imported)]

I used AVG 7.5 free edition,Windows XP and ThreadFire without any problems.

However AVG is ending their support of the free version in the middle of April.

That means AVG users will have to start paying for the new version or can follow my "Red Duck" path.

Dump AVG and then use another Czech anti-virus company. Avast.

http://www.avast.com/eng/download-avast-home.html

I had used this program for about 6 moths with ThreatFire and with both XP and Vista and so far so good. I am not even sure why I need Threatfire. Avast seems to take care of it all and its free program. Good luck.

[bobover3 (imported)]

I use AVG Free 8.5. I haven't heard of any plans to end support or to charge. Version 8.5 was released just a couple of weeks ago.

I checked for anti-malware recommendations on the internet. The best expert recommendations for free anti-malware are what I use now: Malwarebytes, ClamWin, and Comodo BOClean, plus Spybot Search & Destroy, AVG Free 8.5, and also Windows Defender (wouldn't buy this, but it came with my computer). Nothing's perfect, but with all of these, I haven't had trouble.

[Paolo]

From what I read, support for AVG 7.x is being down away with, and only V7.x.

They are on V8.x now, I think 8.5 the latest.

[Paolo]

Oh, and on another note - there's a "copy" of Mal*Ware*Bytes running around on a famous torrent site, complete with a cr*ck - don't use it.

While it's legit, the cr*ck has been discovered and it will phone home and rat you out...

ooops!

[bobover3 (imported)]

Thanks for the warning, Paolo! I don't know what a cr*ck is, but it sounds like I don't want one. My Malwarebytes came from the home site, so I think it's OK. I don't know why someone would use a torrent when the original software is free.

[Paolo]

C

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So that all features work.

[Visionary (imported)]

Yeah, a lot of the cr*cks are starting to be discovered, and are starting to phone home if you're connected to the net at install. A lot of the cr*cks now tell you to disconnet from the net and then reconnect after installation is complete.