How Do You Establish Trust With A Protection/Clean-Up Utility?

by Jason Faulkner on Jul 24, 2009 | 18 comments

With today’s tip I am going to do something a bit different. I am going to pose a question and see what you think. By protection / clean-up utility, I am referring to software such as anti-virus programs, registry cleaners, defraggers, etc.

Personally, I tend to avoid these types of applications. I don’t use anti-virus programs, don’t mess with my registry and perform simple clean-up tasks either manually or with a simple script.

So I am deferring this to you readers. How do you know if an application is trustworthy or provides the protection/performance you are expecting? Do you base it on reviews, message board posts, personal experience or something else?

Like what you read?

If so, please join over 28,000 people who receive our exclusive weekly newsletter and computer tips, and get FREE COPIES of 5 eBooks we created, as our gift to you for subscribing. Just enter your name and email below:

If you enjoyed this article, you might also like...

Post A Comment Using Facebook

goldeneagle
First, I make sure I never become so elite that I can’ t get a virus or don’ t care about the internet my pc is connected to.
Secondly, the most important software issue is that _I maintain authority. If a program says “click here and we’ ll fix everything” -I’ m not interested. Wether by written review, word-of-geek, or a screenshot, I need to know ahead of time that it will give me a list of suggestions- “Yes or No” options and “Continue”. While considering the program if the company’ s description contains enough (spelling) errors that they obviously don’ t care, then how good can their product be ?
Markmed
You learn by trial and error by using applications suggested by geeks. AVG, Ad-Aware, and C Cleaner have never let me down. I check the virus vault daily in AVG. Been using it for over 8 years.
Richard
I leave it to guys like you to check out programs and recommend those that are safe.
Floyd Bufkin
When working on my customers machines, I usually run AVG, Malwarebytes, Superantispyware, CCleaner, Hijack This and the Norton and AOL removal tools. Then scannow and chksdsk and defrag. I usually do this by removing the hard drive and mounting it to my known clean computer which has all of these programs installed via USB. Sometimes I run scripts I find from trusted places for specific issues. I also check the services for issues. Had one recently that some malware had actually turned off Security Center in services. I also search the hard drive for any remnants of any removed programs, and the registry. I make sure all of the latest MS updates are installed. I consider Norton, Mcafee, and AOL as malware. Beginning to feel that way about Windows Live, which has caused problems for some of my customers. The use of these programs was usually suggested to me by trusted forums, such as the PCMech forum.
I use Linux on my own computer, so no problems there.
http://www.frugalwine.com Richard Best
I downloaded a copy of Ace Utilities 4-5 years ago to see if it would revive a very troublesome XP system. I purchased the program 4 days later and now use it all the time. I have managed to out off a reformat and reinstall XP as a result. I’m often amazed to see clearner round-ups that don’t mention this utility. I used to be in in PC tech support and this is the program I’d use. I also use CClelaner on occasion as well as Revo uninstall and Spybot.
Bob
This recommendation is a bit strange considering ALL the programs I use for this type of thing were RECOMMENDED by you over time which I’m sure had something to do with the advertising on this site and the revenue they generate. That refers to Registry Booster. Others have also been mentioned over time including CCleaner and AVG and Avast.

Jason Faulkner
I cannot speak for all the authors on this site, but I have never written a paid endorsement for a product (of course, other than the amount I get paid to post tips). All the tips I post are written entirely by me and the subject matter / content are not influenced by advertisers at all.
That said, I do not use all the programs I post about. I simply point people to resources they might find interesting. I do my best to make sure they are credible, but I certainly am not swayed by advertising on this site.

CJ
Hey, so, I guess you are running Linux then??? Maybe a Mac?? I have never heard anyone in the tech world say something such as you have.
“Personally, I tend to avoid these types of applications. I don’t use anti-virus programs, don’t mess with my registry and perform simple clean-up tasks either manually or with a simple script.”
Why do you avoid them? Is it as Golden Eagle said, you are too elite to worry about them.
DO YOU or have you ever worked on any customers computers????? I doubt it.
Why should I trust your daily tech tip?? Aren’t you writing your tips about windows??
Have you ever used a Windows product for longer then 20 minutes??

Jason Faulkner
I run Windows XP at home and Vista Business at work.
Please note the keyword: “Personally” which means it is my preference to run this way. Read my Anti-Virus article and you will understand why I feel this way. I do not service PC’s for people (other than close friends and family) and I don’t recommend anyone who is not comfortable doing so imitate my setup.
I don’t really care what other people in the ‘tech world’ do as, this setup has served me well (no infections on my machines… well ever), so why change it?
As for whether or not you choose to read or trust what I write, that’s totally up to you.

Samuel
At the recommendation of my PC support firm I use the Kaspersky antivirus, and am pretty satisfied with it.
I also use Uniblue’s RegistryBooster, which is pretty good, with one exception – DON’T allow it to touch system drivers (uncheck that option on the “Registry scan” screen).
I also would not recommend Uniblue’s Driver Update – I have had unpleasant experience with that one. “If it ain’t broken, don’t fix it” and if a driver works satisfactorily don’t update it.
Jim Taylor
I’m surprised that Sandboxie very rarely gets a mention. If you run your browser in a sandbox, then you’re pretty well protected.
scorp
Yep trusting 3rd party Apps you basically take your life in your own hands,the more bloated the software is the bigger the risk of fallout will be when the crap hits the fan & the more you add the more chances you have of issues or exploits,every software has holes or break a comp ..lol..
Ok some software is recommended by many , other software thru email newsletters , i just go ahead & install to see what it’s like,it’s not a prob i dumped “system no restore” years ago for ghost & acronis so this affords me the luxury of trying new freebies without fear.
I use cleaner for registry or symantec win doc,tho mostly it’s cc
Anti virus-Yep i agree it isn’t necessary if your careful ,i’ve even surfed with no firewall for a month everything checked out fine when the apps were put back then again i didn’t go looking to get infected,mind you xp was fully updated.
ANTIVIRUS-i’ve tried AVG,Avast,Avira,Clamwin,Symantec,i settled on clamwin since it’s nice n lite.
FIREWALLS-Windows,symantec,zonealarm,comodo,i ended up back with xp’s own firewall as nothing outbound happens without me knowing about it,my eyes are glancing at the network data light every so often well when i’m home that is..lol..
DEFRAGGERS-Well i dunno i’ve tried a couple maybe more i can’t see the point so i ended up back with xp’s defragger it works,besides don’t all the utilities make use of windows own built in utilities or engine anyway & all you pay for is a fancy interface when the stuff was already there just hidden,registry cleaners are a perfect example.
SANDBOXES or VPC’s-For me they’re more of a gimmick than anything & fun to freak friends out with ,however even they aren’t that secure it seems & you can still get infected,still better than nothing ? or is it..lol..
GRAPHIC DRIVERS-Well it seems i can’t upgrade one of my comps or is that two now coz the dam thing won’t let vlc,powerdvd or mpc show the movie all i get is a black screen untill i revert back to the supplied cd,great going there Nvidia..then again the older drivers work fine..lol..
SPYWARE APPS-Well do they do more harm than good,yep too many false positives how many posts have you seen where people did a sweep & deleted windows components & broke it so it won’t boot n such like,that said i use spywaterminator in basic mode with HIPS disabled & i never do a deep scan,except just for a quicklook now & again,for the most part it normasly picks up the usual login cookies,i’ve used adaware,spybot,spyware blaster in the past,termy does it for me
SUMMARY-Lets be honest don’t all utilities already make use of tweaks etc that windows already has but just hidden & what you pay for is a fancy user interface…lol..OK Anitvirus n such like not included,One of my fav apps is ms tweakui ,as for protection NOTHING beats a fully patched OS ,Yes even xp as it’s core is relatively safe if it wasn’t i would’ve been infected,to be honest i’m more concerned with holes in all the other 3rd party software i’ve installed than xp,So in essence i’ll try new stuff based on recommended or if a trusted site like this one says give it a go
Bob
Kasperky Internet Security and Malwarebytes does it for me,, I keep all the speed for my machine and security is excellent, I would never mention to anyone if I decided not to run any protection just in case they emulated me. One more thing, what do you recommend we do about the Problem with Adobe, that is until next Wednesday or Thursday when we are assured they will have patched the product.
Ted Tomasz
I use a suite of free and paid software facilities to protect and keep my PC in tune.
Norton is my AVG, etc., product. Periodically, I’ll use Ad Aware and SpyBot
My other products are: CCleaner, Defraggler, HDTune (not auto start), Real CPU Temp (not auto start), Disk Checkup (not auto start), Revo Uninstaller and Recuva
RAY SMITH
in place of adobe try foxit reader. i have been using it with no problems, it is free. i too have been using a lot of the same programs every one else has mentioned. i beleave in using at least two anti-spyware,adware. that is along with AVG. i use ccleaner and glary utilities at least once a week. i use quite a few programs to keep things running smoothly, how ever, i run vista on my main system ond have never had a problem with it[ nock on wood]. i love trying new programs. some work and some dont. if they dont, they go.

Bob
Thanks Ray, yes I use Foxit and have to agree with you, it leaves Adobe standing still, it was a rhetorical question to PCMECH as I actually think he is being irresponsible in suggesting people do not need protection.
Bob

Jason Faulkner
Please let me know where I suggested people do not need any protection so I can correct this.

Bob
No of course you don’t say do not do this or that, but a lot of people listen to you and when you say you don’t do something then they tend to do the same.
We axtually look up to you and try to emulate you.