Anti-Virus Protection

[Jim Fulmer]

Maybe someone can enlighten on this topic. I have two different systems on my computer that I can run. Stop-Sign, get's rid of virus and popup's ect then I downloaded for free (DOD version) McAfee. What I can't figure out is why neither one will clean the computer out! When you call the local computer shop they say, sounds like it's eaten up with viruses (slow running... mind of it's own ect) and they can clean them out..... not erase the hard drive! What gives here, why do we have these protectors when they don't work.



Thanks, Jim

 

[RT66DOC]

Do you have/run AdAware and SpyBot?

 

[RT66DOC]

http://www.lavasoftusa.com/software/adaware/



http://www.safer-networking.org/en/



I use both once every couple weeks. You wouldn't believe the crap they find and clear out.



Here's another one I use: http://www.answersthatwork.com/TUT_pages/TUT_information.htm



All the above plus McAfee Virus Scan and Firewall plus hardware firewall (router).

 

[Bob Wagner]

I would also run a free house call.



http://www.trendmicro.com

 

[Jim Fulmer]

Thanks, I check those out when I get back home!



Jim

 

[CMNS PWR]

PC Cillin. Nothing better! Its software you need to purchase ~$50.

 

[R-N-R]

Spyware is more prevalent and bothersome than viruses are these days. The rule of thumb is if you are not protected, you are infected... .

 

[Jim Fulmer]

I only had time to run the program Bob suggested, there was one virus on the puter but it still run slow, it seems to be mostly in the back ground. I'll try some of the other links when I get time.



What about Zone alarm!



Jim

 

[Ram4Sam]

Jim, for virus protection try Avast www.avast.com it's free and works great. For spyware I use Adware and the free spyware program from Microsoft. I run both of them as sometimes one will find one that the other one misses. I have used the free Zonealarm for years, it works great but is for hacker intrusion, not really for spyware. One of the best ways to prevent spyware issues is to keep teenagers from using your computer!!



Sam

 

[Jetpilot]

Another vote fo PC-Cillin.

 

[Jim Fulmer]

One of the best ways to prevent spyware issues is to keep teenagers from using your computer!!



That's sick, I'm 40 and single



Seriously, I'll check those out guy!



Jim

 

[Jim Fulmer]

I've ran most of those programs and cleaned some stuff out but the issue is still there, guess I'll move some stuff off the hard drive, slick it and start over from scratch.



Jim

 

[Ram4Sam]

Jim, if you aren't already, use the Firefox browser instead of IE, it stops quite a bit of spyware.



Sam

 

[JApol]

Very lengthly effort but well worth it. It also comes from a very reliable souce. Guaranteed to clean our your computer without loosing any information. http://www.broadbandreports.com/faq/8428 If you still have problems go to this forum http://www.broadbandreports.com/forum/security and say that you have done that FAQ. I had a severly infected computer and they were able to clean me up with no data loss



Ditto on firefox

 

[Bloomy]

Jim,



Throwin another one out there. Bit Defender Pro is one of the best anti-virus/spyware/firewall out there. I will also throw a vote for PC Cillin. It was a tough decision between the two. Reading reviews one or the other was always on top. Infinitely better than norton or mcafee. I don't have spyware anymore. I have not had any virus' get through. I will run one of the spyware killers every now and then and nothing shows up anymore. Thanks to Firefox and Bit Defender. The yearly fees aren't that much more for the Bit Defender or PC Cillin than norton. Two system license for $75. 00. Relatively user friendly as well.



Thomas

 

[Jim Fulmer]

I think I figured it out, all you have to do is format the hard drive! I finally gave in and mailed most of the cool stuff to hotmail and cleaned it off, yea it took all afternoon to reload everything but it works much better now. Seems that the trend.com is the way to go so that is the next step. Thanks for all the info and maybe I'll buy a(up to date computer) now instead of truck parts



Jim

 

[rkressg]

Do your self a favor. Use Mozilla Firefox for your internet browser:

www.mozilla.org



Get Spybot 1. 4 and Lavasoft Ad-Aware SE



Also, install CCleaner

www.ccleaner.com

You will be suprised how many dead registry links there are in Windows after a clean install of the OS, let alone after operating the computer for any extended period of time.



Never use Microsoft IE 6 for anything but Windows Updates and your computer will opreate fine for a very long time.

-Rich

 

[ACoyle]

One that does not seem to have been mentioned is ZoneAlarm. www.zonelabs.com I have had it some some time. The new version will give you a lot of input, that you can eventually calm down, but, you will be well protected.



If the subject(s) interest you go to www.grc.com and you will find lots of education. Including, a revies of anti spyware tools.



I heartily agree with whomever said that Spy ware / Adware / Mailware is an even bigger threat than viruses lately. Backdoor rumer is that those people are hireing the hackers to write for them. Marriage made in heaven. Hackers get to invade and destroy and commerical groups get to snoop and advertise. (Gets down from soapbox)



AC

 

[jwilliams3]

Download.com has Avast for free along with Lavasoft's anti spyware se program.



Good stuff and totally free.

 

[Steve St.Laurent]

One that does not seem to have been mentioned is ZoneAlarm. www.zonelabs.com

Keep in mind if you use zonealarm that it can cause a LOT of problems with web pages. ZA is a webmasters worst nightmare. Many users that contact us with problems (such as ability to log in, menus not appearing or working, etc) once they turn ZA off it works fine. I'm not saying don't use it just keep in mind that any layers you put between your PC and the net can cause issues with web pages and if you have problems try turning that off first and see if that solves the problem.