Computer Viruses

[Saw11_2000]

Any people out there get any of these wonderful things ever? What did it do? How did you get it out? What do you use now to protect yourself? I've had a couple, they really didn't do much (couldn't notice them). Used to use McAffe (sp), which was alright...Norton which sucked...and this new one...I LOVE soo much Trend Micro. It is a small brand, but it scores great in reviews and such. Which ones do you recommend?

I know we're talking about computer viruses, but let's make this fun!

 

[Stormygale]

Norton is sssooo widely used because it is loaded in most pc's right from the box. But, yea, my friend is a computer analysist and he sent me a few programs that I installed. Not sure what they were or what they are called, but, trojans run from my pc, and spyware, well, lets, just say, it cringes in fear...lol

 

[meogi]

In the odd case that I do indeed get a virus, Norton cleans it right up. (I have it disabled except for a monthly scan...)

Virii are not the problem usually, but rather, spyware and browser hijackers. And I have taken the necessary precautions to fix that... if anything gets by, I use HijackThis to get rid of it.

That's me though... I'm quite the nerd. (CS Major, currently doing network IT)

 

[Saw11_2000]

Certain viruses can disable antivirus apps I believe, and since Norton is so popular, it doesn't help.

 

[Saw11_2000]

In the odd case that I do indeed get a virus, Norton cleans it right up. (I have it disabled except for a monthly scan...)

Virii are not the problem usually, but rather, spyware and browser hijackers. And I have taken the necessary precautions to fix that... if anything gets by, I use HijackThis to get rid of it.

That's me though... I'm quite the nerd. (CS Major, currently doing network IT)

Ohh, spyware is everyone. Way more spyware than viruses on computers. I used to use Ad-Aware, but I am pleasantly surprised with Microsoft AntiSpyware.

 

[Neo-Logic]

I use Norton AV because my uncle works with them so he gets them for me although if I had a choice, I would go with TrendMicro/Pc-Cillin because they're much more well-rounded than Norton AV in my opinion. As far as McAffe goes, it was thought to generate its own virus and stop their own virus to make sure the client thinks they're being protected from constant threats.

I would recommend either Norton or TrendMicro/Pc-Cillin. They're two of the big guys if not the biggest guys in AV softwares. Both are reliable, trust-worthy, and user-friendly.

As far as my computer is concerend, it used to be one hell of a virus-magnet because I previously shared this computer with my brother and sister who would use it without much sense of internet security. A while back, I upgraded this computer, reformatted everything, and got it all to myself. It's been beefed up, maybe a little more than needed. If you're wondering, I got - Norton AV, Zonealarm Firewall-Pro, Zero-Spy-Ware, Ad-Aware, and last but not least, SpyBot Search & Destroy for protection against internet threats.

 

[Hirohito18200]

I use Avast anti virus, it's real time, but my comp can handle it (it can handle ANYTHING *rocks out*)

 

[Neo-Logic]

I use Avast anti virus, it's real time, but my comp can handle it (it can handle ANYTHING *rocks out*)

Hah. What are your computer specs, Hiro?

 

[Saw11_2000]

I use Norton AV because my uncle works with them so he gets them for me although if I had a choice, I would go with TrendMicro/Pc-Cillin because they're much more well-rounded than Norton AV in my opinion. As far as McAffe goes, it was thought to generate its own virus and stop their own virus to make sure the client thinks they're being protected from constant threats.

I would recommend either Norton or TrendMicro/Pc-Cillin. They're two of the big guys if not the biggest guys in AV softwares. Both are reliable, trust-worthy, and user-friendly.

As far as my computer is concerend, it used to be one hell of a virus-magnet because I previously shared this computer with my brother and sister who would use it without much sense of internet security. A while back, I upgraded this computer, reformatted everything, and got it all to myself. It's been beefed up, maybe a little more than needed. If you're wondering, I got - Norton AV, Zonealarm Firewall-Pro, Zero-Spy-Ware, Ad-Aware, and last but not least, SpyBot Search & Destroy for protection against internet threats.

Trend Micro is so good! The only problem I had with Norton was that it took a really long time to scan, PC-Cillin takes about half the time of that. Plus, they have "Turbo Scan" which remembers which files were scanned and not altered since the previous scan, and it scans just the ones that were altered.

 

[Neo-Logic]

Well, Pc-Cillin is good, but the fast scans aren't neccessarily a good thing when it comes to total protection. I perfer Norton's long scans because it's more through.

For your computer's health, try this, as I do -

Everyone once in a while (depending on how much you use your computer and download things), say every 3 weeks for regular computer users and 1-2 weeks for heavy computer users -

1. Right before you go to sleep, start up your Anti-virus program.
2. Close any unneccessary programs running in the background, such as messengers.
3. Start a full/complete AV scan
4. Start any other anti-spyware/adware programs you have and scan using them as well.
5. Run the Disk Defragment for your computer. This makes your computer run faster if you recently un-installed any softwares. You can do this by going to start-programs-accessories-system tools-disk defragment.
6. Turn off your monitor but leave your computer on for the night.
7. The next morning, delete any viruses/bugs/trojans found and presto, you're computer is safe.

This is fairly routine for me. As far as electricity goes, don't worry. Your monitor uses the majority of the electricty used by your computer usage time, your computer itself actually uses very little electricity, so leaving it on for the night with monitor off would be like as if you were using your computer with the monitor on for a couple of hours. This way, your computer is self-protecting while you sleep and when you wake up, you just delete all the crap found, and shut down. Hassle free.

 

[Malus 12:9]

What about BitDefender.

Meogi said this before, those that are worried about viruses:

STOP LOOKING AT ALL THE PORN:tsk:

And don't fall for fake antivirus software.

I laugh at names like "Removespywareforever" or "NoAdware" or "Adware-free-stopper"

 

[Sava]

I use McAfee only because Norton 2005 messes up my office 2003.

 

[michel]

I personally use Norton's - plus a couple of spyware programs - Microsoft have a Beta spyware program that is free -
http://www.go-dorset.co.uk/ (Bournemouth University computing department head)

Four programs you must have if you intend to be on-line at all!
Luckily - only one of them requires you pay for it.
​

ANTI-VIRUS - obviously - and if you pay for nothing else PAY for ANNUAL VIRUS DEFINITION updates; then every two years renew the entire program.
There are a lot to choose from Norton is still excellent, AVG is very good and FREE. Any Anti-Virus is useless unless up-to-date, update DAILY or use the on-board scheduler.
​

FIREWALL Software (anti-hacker) Zonealarm is excellent & FREE.
​

ANTI SPY & 'ADWARE'
(searches and removes unwanted privacy invasions, advertising and tracking nasties) Spybot search & destroy - excellent & FREE.
​

ANTI BROWSER HIJACK
(removes stuff that alters your browser (homepage and search) settings) "HiJack-this"
excellent FREE hijacker removal software.
Spyware Blaster​

Keeping your version of Windows® up-to-date is an often missed first defence against all sorts of nasties out there.
Windows update
​

On the subject of Windows® updates & patches ...Meryl Evans (no relation) at Lockergnome - reviewed 'patchdayreview' in one of Lockergnome's free emails:- "When checking on the latest patches from Microsoft, I sometimes feel like I spend too much time translating the gibberish to see if I need the patch or not. Yes, even I have trouble understanding some of its contents. Bad, eh? PatchDayReview aims to explain Microsoft's patches in English. Plus, it has a thermometer next to each patch identifying the urgency (critical, important, moderate, or low) needed to implement the patch. The site uses mild bad language. Refer to the category list to find patches for specific software programs. With patches coming out far too regularly, rely on the Patch Guy instead of the updater." [Meryl]

http://www.patchdayreview.com/

​

 

[Terrywoodenpic]

I use AGV antivirus from Grisoft
Ad-aware antispywre
spybot search and destroy anti spyware
Zonealarm firewall

They are all free and all come out near the top in test for effectiveness and resource usage.

My computer is a Shuttle pentium 4 3.40Ghz 1 GB ram
Terry
_________________________________

Blessed are the gentle, they shall inherit the land

 

[michel]

I use AGV antivirus from Grisoft
Ad-aware antispywre
spybot search and destroy anti spyware
Zonealarm firewall

They are all free and all come out near the top in test for effectiveness and resource usage.

My computer is a Shuttle pentium 4 3.40Ghz 1 GB ram
Terry
_________________________________

Blessed are the gentle, they shall inherit the land

A guy in one local shop says that he uses as many anti spyware progranms simultaniously as he can - he also frightened me silly about using a wireless network!

 

[Malus 12:9]

I gave up on Ad-Aware, it's not all that cracked up to be. Both Spubot S&D and
Microsoft (Giant?) Antispy are ok.

As for updates, I found it hilarious that hackers corrupted one of the updates. That'll teach
MS to act all smarty-pants.

The problem is hackers will always target Microsoft? Why? Because it is most commonly
used. What REALLY annoys me is when people say "Oh I have never had a problem blah blah.."
and hidden in their system folders or registries are loggers that record their passwords and who knows what else.

Let's go SP2. Oh goody it turns on Windows Firewall, something you can do yourself in 3 seconds. Oh it stops that Windows Messenger popups? Same thing. WAY too many people
confuse MSN messenger with Windows Messenger *sigh*. Oh it fixes Blaster/Sasser?
So does Windows firewall..Puts up a popup blocker? Ahh firefox, built in popup blocker and
less IE exploits.

When I repaired PCs (only do it hobbywise now) so many teenagers would say "Oh my
MSn doesn't work" or "oh I get too many popups..." POPUPS are the symptom guys, NOT
the cause. My favorite was when they brought in a pc that had just been hit by a DoS
(Denial of Service) attack

But, they won't learn. As soon as they see something "Free" or "cool" or "cool free and new"
*click*...

PS. MSN 7 BITES. It has been hacked SOOOO many times that it isn't funnny. Oh but of course, it's the latest version, I have to get it don't I? NO. I am using 6.2 and never told to install a newer one.

 

[Malus 12:9]

Oh and one more thing, I hated that "Your MSN buddy has a fun new icon - check it out at
(insert site here)". They wouldn't see it, but you would. When you told them about it, they
were like "What? Huh?" Sneaky Adware.

 

[michel]

Renaldo - just the person to ask - Is there any value in copying and pasting passwords (as opposed to keying them in) ? - I keep all my sensitive data on usb flash drives, and always copy & paste.:help:

 

[fromthe heart]

I use Norton only because I crashed my computer to clean it up and forgot to save the file to reinstall it. My computer came with Macafee which was great but I had to use Norton after that. I also have pop-up stopper, winclearup utilities,spyware doctor, spysweeper...and I'm pretty sure I have more pop-up blockers but I can't find them to turn them off...they are messing with my giving Karma to posts and I just don't know what to do about it and Renaldo was going to try to help but must have fell asleep on the job cuz he never got back to me on it.:149:


I have way too much on my computer right now and I'm going to take it to be redone sometime later this month...$55.00 an hour but it's cheaper than buying a new one

 

[Malus 12:9]

$55.00 an hour but it's cheaper than buying a new one

You reckon?