How can I check if my computer security suite is working - I keep getting nothing whenever I run a scan?

Question

I presently use Firefox exclusively as my browser, Sunbelt Personal Firewall (paid registered version) is always running, Webroot Spy Sweeper is my main anti-spyware with Ad-Aware as secondary backup, and AVG Free edition is my anti-virus. In addition to that, I always run CCleaner after every internet session. I'm running on a Windows 2000 professional OS. Now the thing is that I run a scan with Spy Sweeper and AVG about once a week, but not once in about a year have I gotten anything at the end of any of the scans but "congratulations! no spyware/virus found" at the end of the scans. So what I need to know is whether my security suite is really working that well, or could there be something that it might be overlooking.
Any knowledgeable opinions out there?

Answer 1

It boils down to this: You can trust your defenses, or you can get paranoid. Why would finding problems make you feel they were working better than not finding problems? If they found two, would you worry there were three?



But if you want to go to the next level, there's a ritual called the Security Tango. Go here to find out about it:



http://securitytango.com/



Be warned, it's not a ten-minute procedure.

Answer 2

First of all i recommend you to switch to the Active Virus Shield, or Avast! Home Edition (both are free) they have better virus detection rates than AVG. Now to answer your question, go to start, programs, accessories, notepad. Now in the notepad, copy and paste this into it. X5O!P%@AP[4\PZX54(P^)7CC)7}$EICAR-STANDARD-ANTIVIRUS-TEST-FILE!$H+H*

Now save it as Eicar.com somewhere you can remember and close it. This is a fake virus so it won't do any damage. If AVG has realtime protection, it will detect it automatically, if not then scan the file, if it says its not a virus, then your anti virus isn't working well. I hope this helps!



EDIT: Sorry, Yahoo answers won't show all of the the code. Go to this site:

http://antivirus.about.com/library/bleicar.htm

Answer 3

Check to see if Spysweeper works with Firefox, it might only be able to check Internet Explorer, I don't know. Viruses you got to be clean since the program on a deep scan checks all the files.

Answer 4

2 easy options) browse to one of those web-based security scanners, (i know MS has one.) and use it. This scanner has not been corrupted by any potential malware on your system.



Or:

Hook your HD up to another machine as an External, and internal, or with a USB adapter, and use that machine to do a thorough scan of the HD.



THat should also be an untainted scan.