What virus protection do you recomend?

[pampam]

I need virus, spyware, and addware protection. I don't mind paying for it if it's good and easy to use.

 

[clovergirl5]

I need virus, spyware, and addware protection. I don't mind paying for it if it's good and easy to use.

We use the free version of AVG. It works pretty well. Alot of people recommend it. There is also an upgraded AVG that you pay for.

 

[photobob]

I use Macs.

 

[jel0511]

I use Macs.

Yep, best virus protection there is!!!!!

 

[S. C.]

We use the free version of AVG. It works pretty well. Alot of people recommend it. Their is also an upgraded AVG that you pay for.

AVG free

 

[FireDancer]

AVG free or Avast free are the ones I would recommend. If you have your computer attached directly to the Internet get a router. Hiding your computer behind a NAT router is the even more important than running an AV program. The most important factor in computer security is you, the user. It is user behaviour that causes problems on most machines. Don't allow scripts to run unchecked, don't go to sites that contain malware, don't open attachments to emails you don't know.

The belief that OSX or Linux is not just as vulnerable to a virus as Windows is also a myth. The attack surface for Windows is much greater and the applications much more conducive to attack. The vast majority of Windows attacks are no longer really Windows vulnerabilities but vulnerabilities in the way software is written. I work in the I.T. field and while it is fun to poke fun at big bad Microsoft and their buggy code starting with Vista and now with Windows 7 they are very security conscious. If only the developers coding the software used all the things Microsoft provides them with many of the exploits would be eliminated.

 

[cdepauli]

Avast free are the ones I would recommend.

I had Avast for a bit and didn't like it. It came highly recommended from several review sites. Maybe I didn't use it properly? Usually I agree with all of your posts, and find them super informative, so it was funny that I had just gotten rid of Avast. I now have Spyware Doctor and so far I like it better than Avast. But what do I know; my knowledge of tech is somewhat limited. I'd love to redo my OS and programs, but I'd probably completely mess it up.

 

[Meriweather]

another avg free user here (recommended by DS, my computer expert )

Caught a trojan horse attempt while I was on vacation last week.

 

[1957]

I'm really techno-stupid, so I pay for McAfee. No adult kids to help me out, and don't know anyone locally, either. My best friends are at Geek Squad...I pay to play. Never any problems with McAfee. I know, I know.....

DD has a $2500.00 MAC, and I have a $600.00 VAIO. So glad I paid all those thousands for her college education so she could get a good job and afford a MAC!

 

[FireDancer]

I had Avast for a bit and didn't like it. It came highly recommended from several review sites. Maybe I didn't use it properly? Usually I agree with all of your posts, and find them super informative, so it was funny that I had just gotten rid of Avast. I now have Spyware Doctor and so far I like it better than Avast. But what do I know; my knowledge of tech is somewhat limited. I'd love to redo my OS and programs, but I'd probably completely mess it up.

I like AVG more than Avast but of the free ones those work really well. I haven't used Spyware Doctor but I have heard good things about it. The new free AV from Microsoft called Security Essentials is a really good AV also. They aren't really promoting it to try and stay away from any Anti-Turst issues in the EU but it has gotten really good reviews from the security researchers out there.

There are a couple more things I recommend to keep yourself secure online so take this as my PSA for anyone out there interested. If you are running Windows make sure to stay patched. Every month you will get an updated version of the Malicious Software Removal Tool. When you do click on Start -> Run -> Type MRT and do a full scan. It will get deep into the OS and look for malware.

If you are using the Adobe PDR reader please uninstall it and use FoxIt instead. If you have or want to use the Adobe reader turn off Javascript. So many exploits come in through the Javascript engine in the reader and it really isn't needed.

Instead of doing your normal browsing with IE use Firefox. Regardless of what browser you use go in and make sure you are blocking 3rd party cookies. With Firefox you can set it to erase all cookies when you close the browser. There are also a lot of really good plug ins for Firefox that will help with security. I love NoScript but turn off notifications. I only temporarily allow scripts to most sites I visit and only allow the needed scripts. It the site is running 5 3rd party scripts I don't need I don't allow them. I realize this last part might be advanced so if you aren't comfortable with it that is fine. Running a lot of plugins will slow down the browser so be a bit selective

Good luck and safe browsing. It isn't really all doom and gloom out there but there are a couple of easy things that will make you a little safer in the Wild West that is the Internet.

 

[1957]

I like AVG more than Avast but of the free ones those work really well. I haven't used Spyware Doctor but I have heard good things about it. The new free AV from Microsoft called Security Essentials is a really good AV also. They aren't really promoting it to try and stay away from any Anti-Turst issues in the EU but it has gotten really good reviews from the security researchers out there.

There are a couple more things I recommend to keep yourself secure online so take this as my PSA for anyone out there interested. If you are running Windows make sure to stay patched. Every month you will get an updated version of the Malicious Software Removal Tool. When you do click on Start -> Run -> Type MRT and do a full scan. It will get deep into the OS and look for malware.

If you are using the Adobe PDR reader please uninstall it and use FoxIt instead. If you have or want to use the Adobe reader turn off Javascript. So many exploits come in through the Javascript engine in the reader and it really isn't needed.

Instead of doing your normal browsing with IE use Firefox. Regardless of what browser you use go in and make sure you are blocking 3rd party cookies. With Firefox you can set it to erase all cookies when you close the browser. There are also a lot of really good plug ins for Firefox that will help with security. I love NoScript but turn off notifications. I only temporarily allow scripts to most sites I visit and only allow the needed scripts. It the site is running 5 3rd party scripts I don't need I don't allow them. I realize this last part might be advanced so if you aren't comfortable with it that is fine. Running a lot of plugins will slow down the browser so be a bit selective

Good luck and safe browsing. It isn't really all doom and gloom out there but there are a couple of easy things that will make you a little safer in the Wild West that is the Internet.

Could I please adopt you? I have no money, but make a heckuva _________________(fill in favorite food dish). I have DVR, and expanded cable, which includes________________________(fill in your favorite programs). I also drive a _________________________(fill in favorite car, as long as it's a 2005 Accord). I have/do not have pets. (Check one). I can do______________________(list hated chores) with ease and perfection. I most resemble_________________(fill in favorite older but still glamorous female star). Upon adoption, you will only be asked to keep my laptop up and running. Also, bring money.

 

[cdepauli]

If you are running Windows make sure to stay patched. Every month you will get an updated version of the Malicious Software Removal Tool. When you do click on Start -> Run -> Type MRT and do a full scan. It will get deep into the OS and look for malware.

I do stay patched and receive updates. How can I be sure I'm getting this update? I have Vista and it's so not user friendly. I'm usually able to figure things out on my own, but find this OS isn't helpful. I honestly don't even know how to find Run on here unless it is automatically prompted.

If you are using the Adobe PDR reader please uninstall it and use FoxIt instead. If you have or want to use the Adobe reader turn off Javascript. So many exploits come in through the Javascript engine in the reader and it really isn't needed.

I'll keep Adobe for now, but did just uncheck Java. Will I notice any difference with browsing? Thanks! If I do uninstall Adobe and use FoxIt, will I notice a difference?

Instead of doing your normal browsing with IE use Firefox. Regardless of what browser you use go in and make sure you are blocking 3rd party cookies. With Firefox you can set it to erase all cookies when you close the browser. There are also a lot of really good plug ins for Firefox that will help with security. I love NoScript but turn off notifications. I only temporarily allow scripts to most sites I visit and only allow the needed scripts.

I use Firefox. How do I block 3rd party cookies. I see under Tools > Options that I can clear the cookies and history, but don't see where this other option is. Thanks!

 

[FireDancer]

Could I please adopt you? I have no money, but make a heckuva _________________(fill in favorite food dish). I have DVR, and expanded cable, which includes________________________(fill in your favorite programs). I also drive a _________________________(fill in favorite car, as long as it's a 2005 Accord). I have/do not have pets. (Check one). I can do______________________(list hated chores) with ease and perfection. I most resemble_________________(fill in favorite older but still glamorous female star). Upon adoption, you will only be asked to keep my laptop up and running. Also, bring money.

Now, if you were still in Germany I could find a way to trade room and board for computer skills. Part of my job does include being tech support for everyone I know and most of their family. It pays off in Starbucks gift cards so it's ok.

 

[1957]

Now, if you were still in Germany I could find a way to trade room and board for computer skills. Part of my job does include being tech support for everyone I know and most of their family. It pays off in Starbucks gift cards so it's ok.

Well, I still have friends there, but guess that doesn't count. I DO have some coined Deutschmarks circa 1952 or so and a couple of pre-East/West German Hummels. If you ever do get to Germany, it is truly a beautiful country! In the 50's, we first lived in Stuttgart in Army apartments, then moved into a private home, with pillars and fountains. Then moved to Rottach, and lived in a typical Bavarian alpine house. (I was mad because we couldn't go trick-or-treating...we lived among Germans, not Americans, so no such thing.) In 1995, we did the "Romantic Road" drive through Bavaria (Rotenberg ob du Tauber, Neuschwanstein Castle, the Wagner palace, and other beautiful places. We rented an Opel, and definitely stayed in the right lane on the Autobahn while Audis, Porsches, and BMWs sped by in a blur to our left. Scary! However, in Bonn, the speed limit was about 35 mph and strictly enforced! Learned to love rahmschnitzel and hate white sausages and liver soup. Have a couple of the grey clay Dinkelaker beer mugs from Dad....brother still has the stuffed and mounted auerhahn. Sorry about the spelling. Great memories! Anyway, wish I had a local friend as intelligent and computer savvy as you! Starbucks gift cards would be no problem!

 

[Dan Murphy]

Eset

 

[Kirby]

What does "patched" mean?

 

[kendall]

What does "patched" mean?

Keeping your software updated with the latest updates. The updates "patch" the existing problems.

I'm another AVG free user here.

And, if you have a friend whose machine is taken over by spyware, between AVG and MalwareBytes, you can clean up machines pretty easily (though not necessarily quickly).

 

[FireDancer]

What does "patched" mean?

PP is correct. It means doing Windows updates or having your computer set to auto update. Along with Windows some other important software to keep updated is whatever web browser you are using (IE will be updated along with Windows), any Adobe product like Acrobat Reader and Flash, and your virus or spyware software updates.

Basically any software that has a "check for updates" option should be run weekly just to check to see if something was patched.

The conficker worm that made the news last year takes advantage of a security flaw that Microsoft fixed in October 2008. Any machine that was patched since then is immune from the exploit. It is very common that there is a fix for the problem that just hasn't been installed. It would be analogous to driving a car that has had a recall and not taking it back to the dealer.

 

[airhead]

My computer just had a visit to the PC Wizard and it works great now! No more Norton.I have AVG now

 

[Kirby]

Thanks! Then I'm "patched". I also use AVG Free and it scans and updates daily. And I get Windows updates so I guess I'm as good as I can be. Though I did have a particularly nasty Malware removed this week.