Comodo BOC Clean

[hssstevens]

Hi,

Just came across a program called Comodo BOClean - Anti Malware
link: http://www.comodo.com/boclean/boclean.html

Not sure if it is considered an "Anti-Virus" program, is anyone familiar with this? would you recommend installing it?
I already have an anti-virus program (AVG), and Spyware blaster and Spyware guard installed

Description says it works with windows 98- - although the requirements on download page is "2000" okay to try installing it to 98?

Thanks very much

PS- is Comodo free personal firewall okay to use esp. for newbies?

[TurcoLoco]

It states the it was designed for Windows 2K and XP only so I wouldn't think it would install or work with Windows 9x, ME or NT.

Comodo Firewall is a very cool utility that I have briefly tested couple of months or so back. It looked effective yet user-friendly for even novice users so if you need a firewall utility, give it a shot!

[hssstevens]

Thanks very much.

Is BOClean an okay utility? Will it provide additional protection, any conflict with existing anti-virus program (AVG). Do you recommend installing it.

Thanks again

[TurcoLoco]

I downloaded it and installed it on my system last night and it did a bootup scan which seemed fast but I am not sure how effective it is just yet.

I have a DUMMY PC that I infect like crazy to test the so called "Spyware Remover" utilities. It's from the makers of Comodo Firewall so it should be decent but it is too new to make a fair judgement just yet.

There are other, better known alternatives such as AVG Anti-Spyware and AVG Anti-Rootkit that you could try.

What I don't like to do or like to recommend is people installing a whole bunch of different scanners just to fell safer. Make sure your surfing habits are in check to begin with, then install 1 or 2 preventative type utilties (SpywareBlaster & Arovax Shield) even better if it didn't even have to run in the background. Then One Spyware and one virus scanner should be adequate if the system is not currently infected.
Take a look at my friend PP's sticky about this topic: http://forum.networktechs.com/showthread.php?t=50

Good Luck,

~TL

[hssstevens]

Thanks for the tip

[zbd]

I would not use it based on the review I have read about BOclean.
Have a look for yourself.

2.1 Review: Comodo BOClean V4.23
When I read that Comodo had acquired the commercial security product BoClean and were making it available for free [1] I was excited. BOClean is a malware memory monitor with a good reputation and a strong following. The possibility of combining this with a good freeware scanner like AVG Anti-spyware sounded like an attractive possibility. The name BOClean derives from the fact that BOClean originated as a specialist cleaner for the original Back Orifice trojan. Over time its capabilities were extended to other trojans and then to malware more generally. This history is not irrelevant. BOClean is by design an anti-trojan monitor with some other capabilities added on. Despite my high expectations BOClean performed poorly on testing. Naturally I couldn't run any of my normal scanning tests as BOClean is only a memory monitor and has no file scanner but on the other tests it performed terribly; arguably the worst performance of any product I have tested. You can read my lab notes here [1] but it suffices to say that BOClean missed too much and protected too little. Perhaps the worst aspect of its performance is its total lack of self protection. It can even be terminated by Windows Task Manger. If that's not bad enough BOClean is on the hit list of many of the security software termination programs that form an integral part of modern malware. Its lack of protection and slow response make it a sitting duck. More accurately, a dead duck. I hate to disillusion BOClean's many ardent fans but BOClean, like SpyBot Search and Destroy was a once great product whose time has passed. I simply can't recommend it for general use against modern malware. Hopefully the new owners of BOClean will develop and enhance the product; it really needs it. Freeware, all Windows versions, 1.34MB.
[1] http://www.comodo.com/boclean/boclean.html
[2] http://techsupportalert.com/Security...ean%204.23.htm

[hssstevens]

Hi, thanks for the additional info. on BOClean.