Anti-virus software

[KarlMarx]

I think I got hit by a virus last week... I'm still not sure. This virus looked exactly like a McAfee pop-up telling me that my real time scanning was not working...

I'm still not sure... I also have spyware doctor running on my machine.

After rebuilding my machine, I just upgraded Spyware Doctor to include its antivirus engine and uninstalled McAfee.

It seems that McAfee isn't what it used to be. Or, perhaps, the viruses are becoming more and more clever.

Does anyone have any views on what a good anti-virus software package is? I've already tried MS security essentials, and that didn't seem to work well, either.

[revelarts]

Sorry to hear that. Our secretary got something the other day, they wiped her drive clean to get rid of it, reloaded the OS and the bug popped up again.

Buy a Mac

[Thunderknuckles]

I have despised McAfee. The software overly bloated, has a noticeable impact on PC performance, and is barely adequate for the job it is supposed to perform. Same goes for Norton.

My personal preference for the last couple of years has been ESET NOD32.
Great protection with a light foot print. Hell, you'll hardly even know its there. Give it a shot if you don't mind spending the money for a license.

ESET pricing options (http://www.eset.com/search-brand?CMP=KNC-g-ag&gclid=CMHJ9-b60KUCFR9NgwodwQ_0iw)

[NightTrain]

McAfee and Norton are useless.

AVG is the only way to fly, and it's free.

http://free.avg.com/us-en/download-free-antivirus

You also may want to download Spybot Search & Destroy, it's also free.

AVG will try to get you to upgrade to their paid version, don't bother. Just stick with the free one, I have yet to be compromised.

Another good way to go for computer security is using something other than Internet Explorer. I use Google Chrome which is a lot more secure and it's faster.

[SassyLady]

McAfee and Norton are useless.

AVG is the only way to fly, and it's free.

http://free.avg.com/us-en/download-free-antivirus

You also may want to download Spybot Search & Destroy, it's also free.

AVG will try to get you to upgrade to their paid version, don't bother. Just stick with the free one, I have yet to be compromised.

Another good way to go for computer security is using something other than Internet Explorer. I use Google Chrome which is a lot more secure and it's faster.

I have the Spybot, AVG, Malwares and CC Cleaner and haven't had any problems so far. McAfee and Norton always made things harder.

Will have to try the Google Chrome ... Using Internet Explorer 8 (I think).

[BoogyMan]

Take care running the AVG Free product if you are using a 64 bit OS. They have had multiple issues that have bricked 64 bit Windows based PCs. A detail of the latest bricking problem is behind this link. (http://isc.sans.edu/diary.html?storyid=10030)

If you must run Windows I would recommend that you consider using the Kaspersky AV suite and also do a weekly scan with the MalwareBytes AntiMalware product.

Malwarebytes is free, Kaspersky is not.

Ubuntu (http://www.ubuntu.com/) or Linux MINT (http://www.linuxmint.com/) are your friends. :)


McAfee and Norton are useless.

AVG is the only way to fly, and it's free.

http://free.avg.com/us-en/download-free-antivirus

You also may want to download Spybot Search & Destroy, it's also free.

AVG will try to get you to upgrade to their paid version, don't bother. Just stick with the free one, I have yet to be compromised.

Another good way to go for computer security is using something other than Internet Explorer. I use Google Chrome which is a lot more secure and it's faster.

[Mr. P]

Take care running the AVG Free product if you are using a 64 bit OS. They have had multiple issues that have bricked 64 bit Windows based PCs. A detail of the latest bricking problem is behind this link. (http://isc.sans.edu/diary.html?storyid=10030)

If you must run Windows I would recommend that you consider using the Kaspersky AV suite and also do a weekly scan with the MalwareBytes AntiMalware product.

Malwarebytes is free, Kaspersky is not.

Ubuntu (http://www.ubuntu.com/) or Linux MINT (http://www.linuxmint.com/) are your friends. :)
What is "Bricked" ?

[SassyLady]

Yeah...I was wondering what "bricked" meant also.

[NightTrain]

When used in reference to consumer electronics, "brick" describes a device that cannot function in any capacity (such as a device with damaged firmware). This usage derives from the fact that some electronic devices (and their detachable power supplies) are vaguely brick-shaped, and so those which do not function are useful only as actual bricks. The term can also be used as a verb. For example, "I bricked my MP3 player when I tried to modify its firmware."[1]
In the strictest sense of the term, bricking must imply that software error has rendered the device completely unrecoverable without some hardware replacement. However, it is common to use the term for a problem which can be rectified but only by a complex and difficult procedure, often requiring additional software.


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bricked

[NightTrain]

Take care running the AVG Free product if you are using a 64 bit OS. They have had multiple issues that have bricked 64 bit Windows based PCs. A detail of the latest bricking problem is behind this link. (http://isc.sans.edu/diary.html?storyid=10030)

If you must run Windows I would recommend that you consider using the Kaspersky AV suite and also do a weekly scan with the MalwareBytes AntiMalware product.

Malwarebytes is free, Kaspersky is not.

Ubuntu (http://www.ubuntu.com/) or Linux MINT (http://www.linuxmint.com/) are your friends. :)

I'm not running 64 bit, 32 bit here.

I've run AVG on XP, Vista and now Win7... no issues at all except when ZoneAlarm was thrown into the mix.

Between Win7, AVG and Spybot, you'd have to do something pretty stupid to get yourself into trouble.

[SassyLady]

how do I know what I'm running ... 32 or 64? And, I have Vista.

[Kathianne]

McAfee and Norton are useless.

AVG is the only way to fly, and it's free.

http://free.avg.com/us-en/download-free-antivirus

You also may want to download Spybot Search & Destroy, it's also free.

AVG will try to get you to upgrade to their paid version, don't bother. Just stick with the free one, I have yet to be compromised.

Another good way to go for computer security is using something other than Internet Explorer. I use Google Chrome which is a lot more secure and it's faster.

AVG has a mac version, I trust you so I'm downloading.

[NightTrain]

how do I know what I'm running ... 32 or 64? And, I have Vista.

Hit your Start button and in your search dialogue type in : dxdiag

Run dxdiag and it'll tell you what you're running, odds are it's 32 bit.

As soon as you can, get upgraded to Win7. By far, this is the best version of windows yet... I hated Vista, it was a true dog. Win7 sped up my laptop by about 40%.

I upgraded from XP to Win7 on my other machines and it sped everything up about 30%... it was dramatic. Rock solid, it hasn't crashed yet on any of my machines.

[Kathianne]

AVG has a mac version, I trust you so I'm downloading.

Seems it's not supported, as my 10X isn't IE supported. :(

[Gaffer]

AVG is one of the best. I also have spybot, CCleaner, and Advanced System Care which is also a free one. I use firefox for a browser. Had problems with zone alarm years ago and don't use it any more. Another good one is Tizer Rootkit Razor. It checks ports for intruders.

[NightTrain]

Seems it's not supported, as my 10X isn't IE supported. :(

I can't help you with a Mac, Kathi... I was forced to use those damn things years ago when I was working for a freight company and it was hellish. They crashed and corrupted databases continually and I haven't touched one since.

Sorry!

[Mr. P]

Hit your Start button and in your search dialogue type in : dxdiag

Run dxdiag and it'll tell you what you're running, odds are it's 32 bit.

As soon as you can, get upgraded to Win7. By far, this is the best version of windows yet... I hated Vista, it was a true dog. Win7 sped up my laptop by about 40%.

I upgraded from XP to Win7 on my other machines and it sped everything up about 30%... it was dramatic. Rock solid, it hasn't crashed yet on any of my machines.
Well no wonder I've seen a slow down in this puter...it looks like some memory has failed. Never had that happen before. Question is, which stick is it??

[Kathianne]

I can't help you with a Mac, Kathi... I was forced to use those damn things years ago when I was working for a freight company and it was hellish. They crashed and corrupted databases continually and I haven't touched one since.

Sorry!

thank you for that. I got to say I've yet to pick up virus, which was normal for my PC before going Mac. I wouldn't change.

I love mac.

[NightTrain]

Well no wonder I've seen a slow down in this puter...it looks like some memory has failed. Never had that happen before. Question is, which stick is it??

RAM is cheap, Mr. P. Get yourself a couple of 2 Gig sticks of the latest and greatest and slap them in. It's the cheapest upgrade you can do to your machine.

[NightTrain]

Well no wonder I've seen a slow down in this puter...it looks like some memory has failed. Never had that happen before. Question is, which stick is it??

Another thought... it's possible (I personally haven't seen it but others I've talked to have) that one of your sticks wasn't properly seated in your motherboard. All you have to do is take your case off, unplug the power, ground yourself (or just be sure to keep one hand gripping your computer frame) and gently but firmly push on each one. If one snaps in, that was your problem.

Apparently after a time, with temperature fluxuations heating and cooling, they can work themselves out of their slot and sometimes you can't see it but you'll feel it and hear it when they snap in where they're supposed to be seated. Might want to give that a shot first before buying more RAM.

[Mr. P]

RAM is cheap, Mr. P. Get yourself a couple of 2 Gig sticks of the latest and greatest and slap them in. It's the cheapest upgrade you can do to your machine.
I may just go for a new machine..this one is 10 yrs old..heck I may not be able to find mem for this thing anymore.:laugh:

And Vista is history. :thumb:

[SassyLady]

Hit your Start button and in your search dialogue type in : dxdiag

Run dxdiag and it'll tell you what you're running, odds are it's 32 bit.

As soon as you can, get upgraded to Win7. By far, this is the best version of windows yet... I hated Vista, it was a true dog. Win7 sped up my laptop by about 40%.

I upgraded from XP to Win7 on my other machines and it sped everything up about 30%... it was dramatic. Rock solid, it hasn't crashed yet on any of my machines.

So I went to the dxdiag ... and the button at the bottom said to run the 64 whatever ... I did that and it said no problems in the sound, display or input areas .... so I guess I have a 64 bit???

[NightTrain]

It should all be there on the first tab (System) in dxdiag.

Your 3rd line should tell you what your Operating System is, MKP. Should say either 32 bit or 64 bit, if not then something like what build of Vista you have.

[SassyLady]

It should all be there on the first tab (System) in dxdiag.

Your 3rd line should tell you what your Operating System is, MKP. Should say either 32 bit or 64 bit, if not then something like what build of Vista you have.

You mean this:



System Information
------------------
Time of this report: 12/3/2010, 19:52:43

Operating System: Windows Vista™ Home Premium (6.0, Build 6002) Service Pack 2 (6002.vistasp2_gdr.100608-0458)
Language: English (Regional Setting: English)
System Manufacturer: Sony Corporation
System Model: VGN-CS320J
BIOS: Default System BIOS
Processor: Intel(R) Core(TM)2 Duo CPU T6500 @ 2.10GHz (2 CPUs), ~2.1GHz
Memory: 3962MB RAM
Page File: 2262MB used, 5863MB available
Windows Dir: C:\Windows
DirectX Version: DirectX 11
DX Setup Parameters: Not found
DxDiag Version: 7.00.6002.18107 64bit Unicode
------------
DxDiag Notes
------------
Display Tab 1: No problems found.
Sound Tab 1: No problems found.
Input Tab: No problems found.

[NightTrain]

Looks like 64 bit, MKP.

[SassyLady]

Looks like 64 bit, MKP.

Is that good or bad?

[NightTrain]

It's good.

I looked at BM's link, it seems the issue with 64 bit systems not playing nicely with AVG are in Win7 applications, and since you're still using Vista you should be fine.

Be sure to stop using Internet Explorer, that baby is just a time bomb waiting to go off. All the little bastards the world over that write the nasty worms / trojans / viruses target IE users.

[SassyLady]

It's good.

I looked at BM's link, it seems the issue with 64 bit systems not playing nicely with AVG are in Win7 applications, and since you're still using Vista you should be fine.

Be sure to stop using Internet Explorer, that baby is just a time bomb waiting to go off. All the little bastards the world over that write the nasty worms / trojans / viruses target IE users.

What should I be using....and how do I change.

[NightTrain]

http://www.google.com/chrome/intl/en/landing_chrome.html?hl=en

Hit the download button and it'll pretty much set itself up.

[SassyLady]

http://www.google.com/chrome/intl/en/landing_chrome.html?hl=en

Hit the download button and it'll pretty much set itself up.

OK...did it ... boy, this will take some getting used to. Have been using Explorer since the internet was invented!!! :laugh:

Now ... everything seems so tiny ... tried to use my magnify button (F10) but it doesn't make anything bigger....help!

Never mind....I found out how to fix it!

I just want to say ... Thank you so much NT for walking me through all this!!!

[NightTrain]

OK...did it ... boy, this will take some getting used to. Have been using Explorer since the internet was invented!!! :laugh:

Now ... everything seems so tiny ... tried to use my magnify button (F10) but it doesn't make anything bigger....help!

Never mind....I found out how to fix it!

I just want to say ... Thank you so much NT for walking me through all this!!!

Anytime! It was my pleasure.

You're not bulletproof, but you're a lot safer now. Notice how much faster Chrome loads pages & graphics?

[SassyLady]

Anytime! It was my pleasure.

You're not bulletproof, but you're a lot safer now. Notice how much faster Chrome loads pages & graphics?

Yes ... scrolling down on a page is so fast that it scares me. Now, I need to go do the same thing on my other computer!

It will take some getting used to ... example, my favorites are now listed on the right side of the screen and my open internet pages are listed across the top with tabs.....guess I'm not too old to learn new tricks if I have a good teacher!!!

If there's anything else I need to do, just let me know!!!

[NightTrain]

There's all sorts of nifty features to Chrome. If you accidently close your browser, you can right click on the tab on top and click "Reopen closed tab" and it'll bring back all the pages you had open.

To add quick bookmarks, right click below the URL bar and hit "Add page", it'll put a permanent button (like for DP) at the top.

When you open another tab by clicking the + beside the tab, it'll give you a screen of the most visited sites for a quick click.

It also auto-fills the URL tab for you, so if I were to start typing in "debatepolicy.com", it will already have it filled out for me after typing DE. I really like it, it's clean, fast & safe.

[SassyLady]

There's all sorts of nifty features to Chrome. If you accidently close your browser, you can right click on the tab on top and click "Reopen closed tab" and it'll bring back all the pages you had open.

To add quick bookmarks, right click below the URL bar and hit "Add page", it'll put a permanent button (like for DP) at the top.

When you open another tab by clicking the + beside the tab, it'll give you a screen of the most visited sites for a quick click.

It also auto-fills the URL tab for you, so if I were to start typing in "debatepolicy.com", it will already have it filled out for me after typing DE. I really like it, it's clean, fast & safe.

Yeah ... I'm looking under the hood right now. Working on the tabs up top ... already set my iGoogle page to open at start up ... need that familiarity for now ... also noting that spell check is working when I post here. Lots of new stuff to check out...

[NightTrain]

Yeah ... I'm looking under the hood right now. Working on the tabs up top ... already set my iGoogle page to open at start up ... need that familiarity for now ... also noting that spell check is working when I post here. Lots of new stuff to check out...

LOL

And here I thought the spell check was something Jim had integrated into the board here. I didn't know it was Chrome keeping me on the straight & narrow the last few months :coffee:

[jimnyc]

Just tossing in my 2 cents as well and certainly defer to others experience and knowledge, just laying out what I know from my years in the business.

First off, virus protection. I've literally tried every one of them over the years. Eset is very good, AVG is fantastic for a free option - but all are secondary IMO to Avast - which has a free option and a spectacular paid option - but I NEVER had anything get by Avast on me. Small footprint nad protects you from surfing, email, documents, processes... If anyoine is interested, you can go to AVAST's PAGE RIGHT HERE (http://www.avast.com/free-antivirus-download) - (and make sure you click on the FREE option as there are a few other choices as they obviously want to sell upwards.

Now the rest I am going to list I put down as "maintenance tools". If you run these at least 1x per week you will keep your machine not only free of tha bad shit, but also keep it clean and running smoothly. And again, there are MANY similar programs for each of these I'll list, but these are tops IMO from years of testing so many programs. I will link them as close to the actual download as possible so no one has top search websites for the free options.

Spybot Search and Destroy (http://www.safer-networking.org/en/download/index.html)
Piriform Crap Cleaner (http://www.filehippo.com/download_ccleaner)
Lavasoft AdAware (http://download.cnet.com/Ad-Aware-Free-Internet-Security/3000-8022_4-10045910.html?part=dl-ad-aware&subj=dl&tag=top5)
Tune Up Utilities (http://www.tune-up.com/products/tuneup-utilities/) (best program I ever used! It's not free, but WELL worth the money. If truly "indigent", shoot me a PM and I can help!)

Now, even with all of that protection, we can all literally lose everything with a catastrophic failure. In preparation for something like that, I recommend using an "image" program, which will allow you to restore your computer to exactly the way it was since your last "image". The best I have found for that is:

Acronis True Image (http://www.acronis.com/homecomputing/products/trueimage/)

Again, a paid program but a lifesaver! You make entire backups - in my case I store it on a secondary drive. You make an emergency boot disk. If your system croaks, you boot on emergency disk - point to backup - and Voila! it restores your backup!

[BoogyMan]

What is "Bricked" ?

Bricked refers to usage. When a device is bricked it no longer functions, won't boot.

AVG has been known to "brick" 64 bit windows systems.

[Mr. P]

Bricked refers to usage. When a device is bricked it no longer functions, won't boot.

AVG has been known to "brick" 64 bit windows systems.
Maybe that's the prob with my daughters puter. One day it just wouldn't boot..starts with brief "Dell" window then goes blank. AVG is on it w/ win7.

[jimnyc]

I first heard that term with cable modems. If you abused the service they would remotely hit the config on your modem making it so that your download speed was 0. In effect, it made your modem nothing more than a "brick". Not sure if it originated in that manner or not, but probably something like that but before cable modems.

[SassyLady]

OK NightTrain .... you helped me change my browser and then you complained about the smilies .... you jinxed me because now none of the smilies are working for me. Need some more of your expertise!!

Oh .... and I cannot insert images like I used to. It only gives me the option of posting a URL address....used to get an option to upload from computer.

[NightTrain]

hmmm... no smilies?

:D :) ;) :P :eek: :cool: :coffee:

See any of those?

[SassyLady]

hmmm... no smilies?

:D :) ;) :P :eek: :cool: :coffee:

See any of those?

Yes... can you see these?
:laugh:
:beer:
:clap:
:coffee:

[SassyLady]

Wow...they showed up ... but in my post it was only the word and not the action....odd.

[NightTrain]

Appears to be working fine, then.

As far as uploading pictures... I've always used Photobucket or another hosting site to save Jim the bandwidth. I'm not sure of how to upload directly to DP.

[SassyLady]

Appears to be working fine, then.

As far as uploading pictures... I've always used Photobucket or another hosting site to save Jim the bandwidth. I'm not sure of how to upload directly to DP.

Oh....I've always just clicked on the insert image button and it allowed me to browse my computer and upload the file. Now it doesn't. Never thought about using photobucket. Thanks for the tip. You're a great mentor NT.....I've learned a lot in the last couple of nights....:2up:

[NightTrain]

Anytime! I've been screwing around on computers since '88 or so and the cool thing to these damn things is they're always changing with new technology, threats, problems, solutions.

Chrome is definitely different, but I really like it. It'll just take you a few days to get used to.

[SassyLady]

Anytime! I've been screwing around on computers since '88 or so and the cool thing to these damn things is they're always changing with new technology, threats, problems, solutions.

Chrome is definitely different, but I really like it. It'll just take you a few days to get used to.

I'm liking it more .... have you ever used Firefox ... Jim and someone else recommended it. What's your take?

[NightTrain]

I'm liking it more .... have you ever used Firefox ... Jim and someone else recommended it. What's your take?

Firefox is good. It used to be called Netscape back in the day, and it's all I ever used to use.

Chrome seems to be faster, and it has less users and so won't be the target of as many nasty critters out in the wild. If Firefox ever gains as many users as IE, then they'll be targeted the same as IE is now. That's why Macs are "safer" than PCs - they don't have nearly the market share that PCs do, so they've not had nearly the attention from malicious software authors.

[abso]

i just use Kaspersky Ineternet Security 2010 and soon i will change to Kaspersky Pure, and i recommend everyone to use Kaspersky Pure or internet security, i have never had any problems with viruses while using it, and i use IE not chrome or firefox, i know chrome is faster, but i just like IE and dont want to use chrome, i only use chrome in my virtual machines because i need more speed there while i am testing anything or using macro programs to play an online game for me ;)

[namvet]

one big threat is those old out dated programs or the one's that are at end of life. I use a simple free scanner called Secunia that has eliminated these threats. it not an AV program.


The Secunia PSI is aFREE security tool designed to detectvulnerable andout-dated programs and plug-ins which expose your PC to attacks. Attacks exploiting vulnerable programs and plug-ins are rarely blocked by traditional anti-virus and are therefore increasingly "popular" among criminals.

The only solution to block these kind of attacks is to apply security updates, commonly referred to as patches. Patches are offered free-of-charge by most software vendors, however, finding all these patches is a tedious and time consuming task. Secunia PSI automates this and alerts you when your programs and plug-ins require updating to stay secure.

and its found a lot of headaches for me. I run it once a week.
http://secunia.com/vulnerability_scanning/personal/

[PostmodernProphet]

I may just go for a new machine..this one is 10 yrs old..heck I may not be able to find mem for this thing anymore.:laugh:

And Vista is history. :thumb:

ah, ten years old....I believe the memory on those were two mice in recliner chairs with beer and popcorn......if things have slowed down perhaps one of them died......