View Full Version : Virus Protection and YOU!
SamsoniteDelilah
10-10-05, 11:23 PM
My year of protection has ended with McAffee, and I'm wondering what other people use to avoid the cyber-clap.
What do you use?
Is it pricey?
Are you happy with it?
Caitlyn
10-11-05, 12:36 AM
My year of protection has ended with McAffee, and I'm wondering what other people use to avoid the cyber-clap.
What do you use?
Is it pricey?
Are you happy with it?
I always used Norton... mainly because that was the one loaded on the 1st pc I bought and I got used to it... When my year is up, I normally just buy a new from Best Buy or Wal-mart... which isn't too expensive at all... :nope:
Piddzilla
10-11-05, 05:20 AM
What about my cold? :(
What about my cold? :(
Here http://bestsmileys.com/medical/2.gif poor Piddy :D
Piddzilla
10-11-05, 05:40 AM
Here http://bestsmileys.com/medical/2.gif poor Piddy :D
Is that a knife and a fork in your hand?!? :eek: Nurse Nebbit, I knew I shouldn't have let you watch von Trier's "The Kingdom"!!!
Tacitus
10-11-05, 07:38 AM
I've tried all the 'fancy' (ie, non-free) packages and find that AVG (http://free.grisoft.com/doc/1) and Avast! (http://www.avast.com/eng/down_home.html) do the job just as well and don't cost a bean. ;)
I don't know what i use but i have never had a virus. :nope: maybe thats because i use a mac :blush:
Tacitus
10-11-05, 07:56 AM
I don't know what i use but i have never had a virus. :nope: maybe thats because i use a mac :blush:
I haven't had for ages either nebbs, I think a good firewall is equally (if not more) important thesedays. ;)
I haven't had for ages either nebbs, I think a good firewall is equally (if not more) important thesedays. ;)
Ummmmm thats what i have :dizzy:
Tacitus
10-11-05, 08:34 AM
Ummmmm thats what i have :dizzy:
Belt and braces? :D
I just flick V signs at the screen...
blibblobblib
10-11-05, 10:09 AM
My computer is the veritable slut of the internet. She is riddled with viruses. No matter what i use nothing seems to work. Once a ho always a ho :(
SamsoniteDelilah
10-11-05, 04:26 PM
Belt and braces? :D
I just flick V signs at the screen...
I'll give that a try, sounds effective! ;)
I don't run ice on my machines, never have. Just what does an annoying virus do, anyway? To me, it's something that interupts my work, interjecting windows, causing crashes etc... Sort of like...Norton! I HATE Norton, hate it. It should be called Norton Virus in a Box. It IS a virus, as it constantly interupts work, fires out pop-ups telling me "Gee, someone is trying to use your computer, do you want to let them?"..No ****, it's me, I know I am using my computer. "Do you really want to click in this file?" Yes, that is why I CLICKED ON THE FILE. I don;t need some ham-handed program second guessing my every click, thanks.
I am constantly online, playing games, downloading files, etc. and have never had virus on any of my machines, ever. As long as the usuer knows what they are doing, the danger of getting a virus is quite low. Some helpful hints to avoid viruses....
Run a Firewall - The most important of the hints, get a router, even if you are only running one machine, it gives you solid security, the ability to control port access, and most zombie programs/spiders are programmed to move on to the next machine if they run into a wall. Software walls are not as reliable, and can cause other problems on your machine as far as integration is concerned...
Don't use Outlook/Outlook Express - Many viruses are geared towards security holes in these mail clients, get Thunderbird or Eudora running.
Disable message pane in email - make sure your inbox has a disabled message pane. The pane previews an email when it is highlighted in the message list, and a virus might be able to propagate through this access. Simpply disable the pane under VIEW and then make sure you really want to click on the mail before you double click it in the inbox. You can highlight the message no problem, just make sure the mail is legit before opening it, otherwise delete and empty recycle bin/trash. Take extra care with any and all emails with an attachment. unless you know the sender is valid, delete it immediately.
Check out your executables - Any time you are going to initialize an executable file, make sure it is a valid file from a trusted publisher.
Now, these rules apply to my home machines. At work, where I manage a network with lots of important data residing, I run Norton... yeah, yeah, BUT.... but.... It's a business level, server-side version, that is very expensive, and runs completely on the server, running in stealth mode on the clients. It just doesn't operate anything like the consumer level stuff, which just seems terrible to me. Thje price point on the business level stuff isn't really something a home user can consider...might as well just buy a brand new machine!
Viruses are cute little programs, written by malicious hackers, to take advantage of a certain type of user. A little knowledge about viruses and how they get around will turn you into a different type of user, a type of user that neither virus authors or Anti-Virus authors have a need to deal with....
Also, Anti-virus takes up resources running in the background, and I just can't have that....
adidasss
10-11-05, 05:22 PM
em...you people pay for software?
i don't use antivirus programs, i just do a checkup on the free trend micro page, delete all the viruses and trojans, and them i'm set for another year or so...
if i get a virus, i reinstall windows..isn't that much simpler than buying and running antivirus software?[/sarcasm]
Tacitus
10-11-05, 05:25 PM
Check out your executables
I usually wait 'til I'm in the bath before doing that...
Sound advice though - since I got my router I've never had any problems and probably only run an anti-virus program on this PC out of habit. The 2nd computer has ever had one and it's fine. :)
SamsoniteDelilah
10-11-05, 06:37 PM
I don't run ice on my machines, never have. Just what does an annoying virus do, anyway? To me, it's something that interupts my work, interjecting windows, causing crashes etc... Sort of like...Norton! I HATE Norton, hate it. It should be called Norton Virus in a Box. It IS a virus, as it constantly interupts work, fires out pop-ups telling me "Gee, someone is trying to use your computer, do you want to let them?"..No ****, it's me, I know I am using my computer. "Do you really want to click in this file?" Yes, that is why I CLICKED ON THE FILE. I don;t need some ham-handed program second guessing my every click, thanks.
I am constantly online, playing games, downloading files, etc. and have never had virus on any of my machines, ever. As long as the usuer knows what they are doing, the danger of getting a virus is quite low. Some helpful hints to avoid viruses....
Run a Firewall - The most important of the hints, get a router, even if you are only running one machine, it gives you solid security, the ability to control port access, and most zombie programs/spiders are programmed to move on to the next machine if they run into a wall. Software walls are not as reliable, and can cause other problems on your machine as far as integration is concerned...
Don't use Outlook/Outlook Express - Many viruses are geared towards security holes in these mail clients, get Thunderbird or Eudora running.
Disable message pane in email - make sure your inbox has a disabled message pane. The pane previews an email when it is highlighted in the message list, and a virus might be able to propagate through this access. Simpply disable the pane under VIEW and then make sure you really want to click on the mail before you double click it in the inbox. You can highlight the message no problem, just make sure the mail is legit before opening it, otherwise delete and empty recycle bin/trash. Take extra care with any and all emails with an attachment. unless you know the sender is valid, delete it immediately.
Check out your executables - Any time you are going to initialize an executable file, make sure it is a valid file from a trusted publisher.
Now, these rules apply to my home machines. At work, where I manage a network with lots of important data residing, I run Norton... yeah, yeah, BUT.... but.... It's a business level, server-side version, that is very expensive, and runs completely on the server, running in stealth mode on the clients. It just doesn't operate anything like the consumer level stuff, which just seems terrible to me. Thje price point on the business level stuff isn't really something a home user can consider...might as well just buy a brand new machine!
Viruses are cute little programs, written by malicious hackers, to take advantage of a certain type of user. A little knowledge about viruses and how they get around will turn you into a different type of user, a type of user that neither virus authors or Anti-Virus authors have a need to deal with....
Also, Anti-virus takes up resources running in the background, and I just can't have that....
Whoa. :D
Thanks for the advice, Sedai. I will look into getting a firewall and router - have neither, right now.
Thanks for all the ideas, folks. I knew this was the place to ask. :)
adidasss
10-11-05, 08:24 PM
so you're not down with the whole reinstalling windows idea?...:(
SamsoniteDelilah
10-11-05, 08:26 PM
Not so much. :p
m0dern_pr0phet
10-11-05, 08:36 PM
I used to use NOD32 but now I don't use anything.
NOD32 updates by itself without having to pay for an updated version so all you have to make is one payment for the software and use it for however long.
adidasss
10-11-05, 08:41 PM
Not so much. :p
not even formatting?....no? i am sad now....:(....<--see?....sad....
SamsoniteDelilah
10-11-05, 08:44 PM
I used to use NOD32 but now I don't use anything.
NOD32 updates by itself without having to pay for an updated version so all you have to make is one payment for the software and use it for however long.
Cool. Question though: if it was free to upgrade and all, why don't you still use it?
adidasss sorry you're sad. Have a cookie.
http://www.blueribbonbakery.com/Pictures/Chocolate_Chip_Cookies_On_Plate.jpg
Sedai has hit the highlights so far.
The easiest route is to shell out for either of the big name software companies, but they're practically useless if you just take the small steps to begin with.
adidasss
10-11-05, 08:51 PM
adidasss sorry you're sad. Have a cookie.
http://www.blueribbonbakery.com/Pictures/Chocolate_Chip_Cookies_On_Plate.jpg
*grabs a cookie unwillingly and mopes*
Ok I know now, :dizzy: I asked my Robert, he said that I don't have any virus protection because people don't make them for Macs :yup:
I don't run ice on my machines, never have. Just what does an annoying virus do, anyway? To me, it's something that interupts my work, interjecting windows, causing crashes etc... Sort of like...Norton! I HATE Norton, hate it. It should be called Norton Virus in a Box. It IS a virus, as it constantly interupts work, fires out pop-ups telling me "Gee, someone is trying to use your computer, do you want to let them?"..No ****, it's me, I know I am using my computer. "Do you really want to click in this file?" Yes, that is why I CLICKED ON THE FILE. I don;t need some ham-handed program second guessing my every click, thanks.
(you can turn that off....)
I use Norton. Love it. Sometimes it can be kindof annoying, but hey, it protects better than McAfee. Everyone in our home network got a virus(spread through the network) except for me cause I'm the only one using Norton instead of McAfee. So it does have it's strong points. Besides. McAfee has the same feature you complained about from Norton, it's just not on as the default. Don't worry though, if you use FF it'll do the same thing as well. Is clicking one extra button really that hard? I'd rather have it pop up when installing things than not. It's stops alot of "toolbars" and random crap like that from installing.
(you can turn that off....)
I use Norton. Love it. Sometimes it can be kindof annoying, but hey, it protects better than McAfee. Everyone in our home network got a virus(spread through the network) except for me cause I'm the only one using Norton instead of McAfee. So it does have it's strong points. Besides. McAfee has the same feature you complained about from Norton, it's just not on as the default. Don't worry though, if you use FF it'll do the same thing as well. Is clicking one extra button really that hard? I'd rather have it pop up when installing things than not. It's stops alot of "toolbars" and random crap like that from installing.
Who uses McAfee? Not I. My point was, I have never had a virus on my network, ever, and I haven't run any virus protection for years. I have no toolbars, no ads, nothing. As long as the user knows what they are doing, they are in little or no danger of getting a virus/adware. But...On a network where some users may accidentally initiate a virus, I do agree that some sort of protection is required. Hence my comments about the server-side ICE I run at work. At home, I just don't think it is something that is an absolute must, and it only ends up taking up valuable resources. I have never used or tried McAffe.
I do understand that some homes may have some users that might not understand how these things get on machines (moms/little brothers etc...), and will click away at random pop-ups (which shouldn't be coming up anyway if the person is running a tight browser) if presented with them. These homes should definitely take some precautions, as small kids/casual users can get into trouble easily with just one misclick, leaving the admin with an ass-ache.
Also, if a virus is suspected, I would follow Adidasss' advice and hit up trend micro for a free scan. I hear that works pretty well and is updated regularly. I haven't used it myself, though.
Sinny McGuffins
10-30-05, 02:41 PM
HERE (http://www.bbc.co.uk/science/hottopics/computerviruses/)'s a good page from the BBC.
Dazed&Confused
11-04-05, 12:18 AM
The best virus software is NOD32 by a long, long way. Norton takes up far too much system resources and causes more trouble than it's worth.
I agree with Sedai get a decent router. A NAT firewall is the next best thing to a Linux box acting as a firewall. Eudora is easily the best mail program. I recommend people use browsers other than Internet Explorer. Firefox is OK but Opera is even better.
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