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Stan in Oly, WA 11-03-2009 19:02:56 208.64.241.151 251541 Report to Moderator	What are the best anti-virus programs? I have Norton 360 and something called SUPER ANTI SPYWARE, free edition. I'm not sure either of them actually does anything besides deleting cookies. How frequently should a security program be run? Thanks, Stan [Reply]   [Send Email]
Rollie NE PA 11-04-2009 18:46:00 71.181.178.223 251576 Report to Moderator	Re: Computer anti-virus programs in reply to plh_in, 11-03-2009 19:02:56   I had a rouge anti-virus called Security Tool infect my computer last week. I run Vista. Have Windows Defender and AVG. Security Tool would not let me do anything other than shut my computer off. It placed an icon on my desk top also. I started the computer in safe mode, got to the internet and downloaded the free version of Malwarebytes. I ran it and it removed the rouge anti-virus in no time. The only thing I lost was my desk top back ground.   [Reply]   [No Email]
old bc 11-04-2009 20:56:34 72.161.94.20 251584 Report to Moderator	Re: Computer anti-virus programs in reply to Rollie NE PA, 11-04-2009 18:46:00   Some of those rogues "embed" themselves in your desktop folder. I have had to set up an new user on a computer and transfer all the docs and pictures and delete the original user to get rid of them.   [Reply]   [Send Email]
Bob - MI 11-04-2009 12:28:56 24.231.245.134 251567 Report to Moderator	Re: Computer anti-virus programs in reply to Stan in Oly, WA, 11-03-2009 19:02:56   Everyone has their favorite but I run AVG Free version on all the computers that I use. It's pretty good and I have never had a problem. I am running XP on these. I also run spybot as well and between these 2 I have had great luck. Both are free and they don't suck up your capacity. Try them both for free. If you aren't happy you can always get something else. Create a restore point before you download them and/or wipe out any other programs so you can go back if you want. I also get the security updates from Microsoft on a regular basis. Just like your car, you have to maintain it to keep it running well. AVG will run every day. Spybot will run in the background.   [Reply]   [No Email]
TimV 11-04-2009 10:33:18 24.39.241.218 251566 Report to Moderator	Re: Computer anti-virus programs in reply to Stan in Oly, WA, 11-03-2009 19:02:56   Stan: "best" is a hard term to pin down--are you talking fastest, most thorough, cheapest, easiest to use, most features, least overhead, etc. etc. etc? Obviously there's no one program that provides all of these, or there would be no others on the market! With that said, typically today you need two different types of programs--an antivirus program and an anti-spyware/malware program, as most programs (including most that claim to be both at once) DO NOT do a good job at both, and many don't do a good job at either. While I've heard that the newest versions of Norton and McAffee are better than previous ones, I am still VERY leery of using them from numerous bad experiences with degraded system performance and NO added protection. My personal computer has AGV Free and Malwarebytes on it--both are free programs. There is NOTHING sneaky about a company offering a free program in the hopes that you will buy an upgraded version, though I tend to steer clear of "nagware"--programs that constantly bombard you with "informational messages" warning of doom and gloom if you don't upgrade. Neither of the two I mentioned do this, and there are millions of satisfied people using them. Others in this category include Avast for anti-virus and Spybot Search&Destroy, Superantispyware, and Ad-Aware for spyware/malware. All of these do much more than get rid of cookies, and the best ones can significantly improve system performance by removing (at best) resource drains and (at worst) illegal siphoning off of sensitive information. With that said, there are indeed plenty of programs that offer a "free trial version" only to use their installation (often without your consent) to bombard you with ads, threaten you with system meltdown if you don't buy their "paid" version (which typically will not remove anything other than money from your wallet), monitor your surfing habits and report them to another computer, surreptitiously install even more spyware on your computer, etc. etc. etc. Therefore, it's best to limit yourself to known, proven programs and not succumb to advertising. Also, in general, if ANY program installs itself without your knowledge or consent, it should be removed immediately as it's almost certainly a "bad actor". Safe surfing habits will go a long way toward avoiding infections, but they're by no means foolproof, and having an up-to-date program like Malwarebytes on your computer and running it once a week or when you notice issues like unexplained installations or system slowdowns can go a long ways toward trouble-free surfing.   [Reply]   [No Email]
Scott.id 11-04-2009 10:25:37 71.213.245.3 251565 Report to Moderator	Re: Computer anti-virus programs in reply to Stan in Oly, WA, 11-03-2009 19:02:56   Windows Defender does a good job, and it's free also. I run Spybot and Defender, and I haven't had a problem in 5 years. Norton anti-virus (2009) is still a resource hog, so I deleted it after one day of tweeking. google both Spybot and Windows defender. I think you'll be pleased. Scott   [Reply]   [No Email]
rockyhawaii 11-04-2009 09:05:00 66.91.202.94 251562 Report to Moderator	Re: Computer anti-virus programs in reply to Stan in Oly, WA, 11-03-2009 19:02:56   I don't know about running a "FREE" anything. What would be the point of working hard on a program and then giving it away? Unless you're hiding your own stuff inside the program, which is what I suspect.   [Reply]   [No Email]
Howard H. 11-04-2009 09:43:23 164.58.210.23 251563 Report to Moderator	Re: Computer anti-virus programs in reply to rockyhawaii, 11-04-2009 09:05:00   I agree, Rocky... I tell most of my users that "if it is free, it is probably bait!". Unless you can see some valid business model behind the "freebie", be very cautious. For example, Adobe PDF reader is free, but that is because Adobe makes a lot of money on the PDF writer software that it sells. A few AV vendors use "loss/leader" versions of their system as freebies in hopes you'll upgrade. HH   [Reply]   [No Email]
Butch(OH) 11-04-2009 07:14:11 70.62.13.146 251561 Report to Moderator	Re: Computer anti-virus programs in reply to Stan in Oly, WA, 11-03-2009 19:02:56   ----WARNING----- All computer advise from me is coming from a computer idiot!!! I am running VISTA pro and also have several anti virus programs that have never caught one thing besides cookies. I let the subscriptions run out on my Norton a year ago and am thinking seriously about removing it so it doesnt hog resources. There are several freeware progams that remove bots and stuff. In my opinion (see warning above) if you keep your programing updated from Microsoft, run a bit of freeware and stay off p*** sites and dont open email from people you dont know that you dont need antivirus anymore.   [Reply]   [No Email]
T_Bone 11-03-2009 22:15:56 64.57.205.153 251553 Report to Moderator	Re: Computer anti-virus programs in reply to Stan in Oly, WA, 11-03-2009 19:02:56   Hi Stan, I've had the latest anti-virus from both Norton and McAfee and both sent a blow off virus just right before they expired (free copies) when in 6mths before that I never seen a problem one. I deleted both of them and have been running naked 5yrs without any problems. I noticed that both puters had a speed increase after deleting the software. This is both on XP and Vista systems. T_Bone   [Reply]   [No Email]
Spook 11-04-2009 16:15:38 75.45.92.190 251570 Report to Moderator	Re: Computer anti-virus programs in reply to T_Bone, 11-03-2009 22:15:56   I have been running my systems naked for years. We have 5 computers in 2 locations, never had any problems. When I was using Norton, I had nothing but problems. I used to work with a guy who constantly had virus problems, but he was a porrn freak.   [Reply]   [No Email]
Howard H. 11-03-2009 22:46:34 156.110.78.2 251554 Report to Moderator	Re: Computer anti-virus programs in reply to T_Bone, 11-03-2009 22:15:56   Thats funny, T_bone! I'm an IT director responsible for hundreds of PCs with a centralized antivirus solution for my users, but I did the same thing for my office PC!! I'm not sure I'd recommend it for everyone, but I got tired of the hassle and just removed my AV, too... I've been without it for 4 years now with now problems. BUT, I'm pretty careful of any attachments, malicious websites, etc... But, also, I've got a full public IP address on my office PC so it is directly accessible straight from the Internet. Even with that fairly dangerous arrangement - being careful and keeping my machine fully patched has kept me out of any trouble for a long time... Howard   [Reply]   [No Email]
old bc 11-03-2009 21:12:40 72.161.94.20 251550 Report to Moderator	Re: Computer anti-virus programs in reply to Stan in Oly, WA, 11-03-2009 19:02:56   The 2009 and 2010 versions of Norton Antivirus are good. They don't slow your computer like earlier versions. They do all the scanning in the background. I don't like Norton 360 or Norton Internet Security. I also run the paid version of Malwarebytes on my computer. The free version of Malwarebytes is good but it doesn't scan automatically. I am running the free version of Avast antivirus on my laptop but I don't use it much on the Internet. old bc Malwarebytes   [Reply]   [Send Email]
My Name Isn't Earl 11-03-2009 19:51:15 65.163.152.114 251547 Report to Moderator	Re: Computer anti-virus programs in reply to Stan in Oly, WA, 11-03-2009 19:02:56   Anything BUT Norton or McAfee, it is a toss up as to which is worse, but despite what Consumer Reports would have you believe, CA works great, as does the free version of AVG.   [Reply]   [No Email]
Coloken 11-03-2009 19:49:57 216.17.240.52 251546 Report to Moderator	Re: Computer anti-virus programs in reply to Stan in Oly, WA, 11-03-2009 19:02:56   Avast or AVG. Both free. When down loading be care full to get the right/free program. Both are large downloads but work good.   [Reply]   [No Email]
rockyhawaii 11-03-2009 19:44:35 66.91.202.94 251545 Report to Moderator	Re: Computer anti-virus programs in reply to Stan in Oly, WA, 11-03-2009 19:02:56   I've used the pay version of AVG for about three years now and it's been ok by me.   [Reply]   [No Email]
jack-iowa 11-03-2009 19:29:17 173.20.27.54 251544 Report to Moderator	Re: Computer anti-virus programs in reply to Stan in Oly, WA, 11-03-2009 19:02:56   anti virus should run continuously. spyware is fine on demand or when things do not seem right. I run avast anti virus and have for years and it is good. and it is free.   [Reply]   [No Email]
Whizkidkyus 11-03-2009 19:27:12 64.130.131.20 251543 Report to Moderator	Re: Computer anti-virus programs in reply to Stan in Oly, WA, 11-03-2009 19:02:56   I use Avast and I've had pretty good luck with it . While I don't run it once a week ,it should be ran at least once a week to every other week . It should also be set to update automatically every time you get on the internet. Keeping your windows updated also helps ,because every so often the will put out security updates, etc. Whizkidkyus   [Reply]   [No Email]
Jeff B. 11-03-2009 20:43:27 69.20.162.151 251548 Report to Moderator	Re: Computer anti-virus programs in reply to Whizkidkyus, 11-03-2009 19:27:12   I've been going without any kind of anti-virus program for three years now without a problem. Of course, I don't keep any kind of confidential information on my system, and I frequent very few questionable websites. If you ask me, those anti virus companies probably have one room full of people creating viruses for another room full of people to block them and sell you the software. What could be better than job security like that?   [Reply]   [No Email]
old bc 11-03-2009 21:16:07 72.161.94.20 251551 Report to Moderator	Re: Computer anti-virus programs in reply to Jeff B., 11-03-2009 20:43:27   Without any protection you would probably be amazed how much bad stuff is on your computer. Download the free Malwarebytes and run it to see. old bc Malwarebytes   [Reply]   [Send Email]
Jeff B. 11-03-2009 22:02:40 69.20.162.151 251552 Report to Moderator	Re: Computer anti-virus programs in reply to old bc, 11-03-2009 21:16:07   I assure you, I have little if any malware on my computer. I've been doing computer stuff since nearly the beginning, and I'm savvy enough to look at files on my hard drive and manually delete anything questionable. All most of those programs do is delete cookies, anyway. While I wouldn't recommend others doing what I am, I'm not too scared of "catching something".   [Reply]   [No Email]