Suspicious Behavior Detection Program
Install the FREE version ONLY of Threatfire from PC Tools. Download "Threatfire Free" from here, AND install it AFTER you install the remainder of the items in this article. Be sure to operate it in default mode. (If you use the version with virus signatures, it may interfere with your virus detection program, Avira.) You do not need to do anything with it. It works in the background. It is a powerful behavior-based malware detection program in that it will analyze the behavior of the programs running on your machine. When it sees suspicious behavior, it will report to you and let you make a decision whether or not to stop the process. (It can detect around 80% of the world's known viruses without even using a signature file. It is especially good for detecting malware for which no virus or malware signatures yet exist in the databases of other conventional virus and malware detection software.) Functionally, it has some of the characteristics of a software firewall and an anti-virus/anti-malware scanner at the same time. When it produces a pop-up report on the screen with a suspicious behavior report, you can then look up the reported file on the Internet to help you make your decision. It is very simple to use, however, it operates differently than most other programs because it is very different.
Note: Avira Premium may say that it is incompatible with Threatfire. I think that the problem is with the non-free version of Threatfire, NOT the free version.
This Is How to Operate It
After installation, be sure to right click on the fire icon on the lower right-hand corner of your screen and "suspend" it (each time) before installing any other programs or major program updates. You must remember this or else you may have to reinstall your program or major program update. (It will automatically reactivate itself after you reboot the computer---if you forget to reactivate it.) It may also help prevent the installation of certain malware. There will also be a pop-up screen periodically (maybe once every few weeks) to report the statistics for your computer, and don't confuse this with any possible detection of malware.
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