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Best Resource For Identifying Legit Applications?

bjb writes "While helping a somewhat computer illiterate person figure out a problem recently, they mentioned that PDF files had recently stopped working. Upon investigation I found something installed called 'PDF Suite.' Never having heard of it, I Googled it with 'malware' and other key words, but nothing turned up, though my suspicion remained (and was somewhat confirmed by WOT.) So my question is, where can you go to find out if something is legitimate? Because the person I'm helping is on a dial-up connection, downloading malware detection applications (and updates) is too heavy consider. And I don't maintain a USB stick with such apps, since I don't do this kind of thing very often. Where can you quickly find information?"

11 of 255 comments (clear)

  1. Feel free to use my method by yttrstein · · Score: 2, Funny

    find /usr/ports/* >> notmalware.txt

  2. Re:What is your OS? by Kitkoan · · Score: 5, Funny

    Seen as "somewhat computer illiterate," read as "Windows."

    I know a lot of OSX users that fit that description.

    --
    Attention... all grammer nazi"s! Is they're anything; wrong with: my post,
  3. Look at it this way by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 4, Funny

    If it is malware, it's probably more secure against attack than Adobe Reader is.

  4. Re:Does the vendor make md5 or sha1 hashes availab by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    Ho ho ho, allow me a moment, my monocle has fallen into my snifter of brandy. Ho ho!

    I, being a LINUX USER, you see, do not have such mundane Mico$$$$$$$$$oft problems, ho ho!

    Did I mention I use LINUX! Ho ho. I bet you are impressed with my LINUX USING ABILITY. We USERS OF LINUX have SOFTWARE REPOSITORIES, ho ho ho. By USING LINUX you too can have a SOFTWARE REPOSITORY.

    What is that I hear? You use Mico$$$$$oft products?! Ho ho! My dear friend, you must cease at once and switch to LINUX. LINUX has SOFTWARE REPOSITORIES, did I mention this? Ho ho ho...

    oh dear, it appears my monocle has come off again! Ho ho!

  5. Re:What is your OS? by e2d2 · · Score: 3, Funny

    Macs are dumbed down. So you gotta be smart to use them. Or something like that.

  6. Re:Why are you doing this? by oodaloop · · Score: 2, Funny

    Yeah, I feel the same way with any service I provide. Want me to hold the door for you? Pay up. Want me to help you move? Pay. Pick up a coke while I'm up? Pay. Jumpstart your car? Fix your collar? Point out your shoe's untied? That's right, PAY.

    Who needs friends as long as you have money?

    --
    Tic-Tac-Toe, Global Thermonuclear War, and relationships all have the same winning move.
  7. Obligitory XKCD link... by Stick32 · · Score: 2, Funny

    because someone has to [xkcd.com]

    1. Re:Obligitory XKCD link... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Funny

      There needs to be some sort of 'Fail' mod...

  8. Great tool for identifying legit applications by MobyDisk · · Score: 4, Funny

    Just download http:///www.amilegit.com.ru/legit_app_detector__win32_trojanfree!!!!.exe and it will scan the app and tell you if it is legitimate.

  9. Re:Why are you doing this? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny

    WILL FIX YOUR COMPz FOR SEX

  10. Re:Assume malware by ekhben · · Score: 3, Funny

    If only I'd learned that rule before I first heard of MS Office...