AVG didn't stop virus, would other programs?

[StarGehzer]

My laptop started acting up the other day. Fn/F4 should make it hibernate. The Preparing to Hibernate popup would appear, then disappear, and windows would continue to run. When I was navigating the web my browser would be redirected. Not all the time, just enough to let me know there is something wrong.
My good friend Google took me to pages that suggest the problem was something often simply called the "*tssd*.* virus", a Rogue Security Application associated with a program called Antivirus Suite.
Now that I know it's there, I'll slowly get it cleaned up, so that's not the reason for this post.
What I'd like to know about is this....
I run AVG Free, and keep it updated. But what's the point? I can't recall the last time it found something befoe it got into my system. I've had a few infections over the last couple of years, and each time it's not found until a full computer scan is done.
I thought these antivirus programs were supposed to stop the nastys from getting in in the first place. The virus described above is apparently loaded via a Trojan. Isn't AVG, and all the other AV programs supposed to stop these things?
Perhaps there is already a webpage / site that is devoted to explaining all this. I honestly didn't look (yet).
Any information is welcome. I'm considering running one of my systems without protection to see if it does indeed get infected more often than the others or if the whole antivirus thing is hype.

[Bogie]

There is not any 'perfect' anti-virus system. Personally I use AVAST and have never been infected with anything, ever. In years past, before virus writers became more intense, I used McAfee. When McAfee became bloated and bogging down the system sometimes, I switched to AVAST.

There have been virus/trojans/malwares known to detect specific AV programs on entry and sneak in and infect like a stealth fighter, and then make it so they are not detected by the AV program (usually target Norton and McAfee as they are the most popular). If that becomes suspect then a boot scan using AVAST will seek out and destroy.

If infected, any utility running within Windows itself may not detect or be able to fully remove because it has infected Windows itself and a process that is running and cannot be accessed for cleaning. This is why a good boot scan is best or an AV program that can run from boot.

1st line of defence is a secured router firewall (closing down access ports not used).
2nd line of defence is an auto-updating AV program (I use AVAST)
3rd line of defence is watching out for "the enemy within" .... that's you.

Also, only use one anti-virus program ... some conflict with each other. You can have other 3rd party apps installed (such as Advanced SystemCare) that are used "on demand".

[uncle hammy]

IMHO, if you want to pay, NOD32 can't be beat. Since I don't want to pay, I use MS Security Essentials. Bottom line though, browsing practices are almost as important as the security software you run.

As for you original "what's the point" query. The analogy I always use for people is this. Let's say they came out with an injection that cures / vaccinates against AIDS, and even had the technology in place to pretty much instantly produce AND distribute enough vaccinations for the entire world. You and I both know that people would still die from AIDS before everyone could be made "safe".

[StarGehzer]

As you both pointed out, browsing practices or user error is the weak link.
Not knowing what to say OK to, allowing activex & java to make our lives better, seems to leave us open to attack.
Visiting sites that offer anything Free can get us uninvited files.

I'm surprised I haven't heard from the Mac team yet. :-)

Sheesh, I just ran a program (Dr. Web) that was supposed to be the magic program. It took 8 hours to scan my computer, and I'm still infected.

[linuxguru]

You mentioned having spare systems to test. Why not use Linux on a spare system and browse any site you want to. Cheaper than buying a Mac.

[StarGehzer]

You mentioned having spare systems to test. Why not use Linux on a spare system and browse any site you want to. Cheaper than buying a Mac.

I've thought of playing with linux, but I'm the guy that most of my family & friends turn to for computer help. And since they all use Windows, it's easier for me if I'm 'fluent' in windows. Just staying familiar with XP, Vista, 7 & a bit of DOS uses up all the brain matter I can afford. :-) I find as I get older, it's harder to learn new systems.
For now I'm installing Avast on a couple of machines, (& have AVG on others) so I'll see if that makes a difference.

thanks for the suggestions, & ideas... the problem, BackDoor.Tdss.565, has been cleaned.

[winemaster]

I found NOD 32 to be the best but you gotta pay. Leo Laporte recommends the Microsoft anti virus if you' re going to use a free one. You could also install Ubuntu thru WUBI and use it for websurfing and windows for applications only.