Computer geeks... watcha got?
 

My Dell Laptop finally caught something bad, so I took it to the computer doc and he put some military grade wipe program on it and reloaded XP. I just spent the last hour or so updating all my shit, Adobe, Powertoys, Skype, etc... It's essentially back to brand new.

It still had the 6yrold original never-updated McAfee program running on it and it just couldn't keep up with the latest virus's and shit. I'm looking for your recommendations on Anti-Everything protection. Even some simple free program I can download would be fine. Those $100 packages at BB are a rip-off as far as I'm concerned.

The geek at the store mentioned Avast?

Whatchyall use?

Let me start off by saying Network Administration and Security is my major, and I am a COMP TIA A+ Certified I.T. Professional. As for advice for your laptop, there are 2 programs that you need and you will never have to reformat or worry about viruses again. Symantec Corporate Anti-Virus and Faronics Deep Freeze Professional. In order to install Deep Freeze I would have to walk you through it over the phone, because if you install it wrong you're screwed. But for an hour of your time you wouldn't have anymore headaches :)

Let me know if you're interested.

I am.
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Bullguard, www.bullguard.com last I knew they had a 90 or 60 day free trial where its 100% the only thing it does offer is the backup, after using it free for like 3 years I finally paid for it. It works amazing!

Also on a semi-related side note, view the lousy picture I just took!

I use AVG as my anti-virus on all my desktops and laptops. Hasn't failed me yet.

http://free.avg.com/

+1 for AVG Free.

Use one bare-bones computer for internet and email and a separate one for important shit. When you need to move something, transfer it on a floppy disc or cd.

Associate of Occupational Studies?? That must be Latin for "something I can wipe my ass with."

No its english for ITT tech is a scam and a shithole.

"The Associate in Occupational Studies degree is for students who intend to enter the work force upon graduation. There are generally no liberal arts requirements for this degree."

The way deepfreeze works is if you have a virus, and restart, or something God awful happens to your computer when you have it on, the change is only temporary and when you restart its back to normal. You have your computer in what is known as "frozen" mode when you want to be safe, I.E. going to sites you shouldn't be, then restart and your computer is fine, and when you want stuff to save or make changes to the computer, you restart into what is known as "thawed" mode and it's just like normal. You can setup a virtual drive for saving stuff when you are in frozen mode so you don't have to restart, and it's called your "thawspace." There is another program too called Anti-Executables, which will stop any program not recognized and approved by the computer from running, say, you got a keylogger while you were online, well, Anti-Executables would stop it from running, and you would restart your computer and deepfreeze would have the keylogger gone when your computer turns on again. AVG and any other anti-virus is a complete waste of time, Symantec Corporate Autoprotects your computer from anything you can think of, and finds anything. That's what it's used on servers for major corporations.

Here's my 2 cents:

I've used a bunch of anti-virus software in my time. Anti-virus software tends to have a god-awful footprint (norton/symantec). For HOME use I recommend AVG for a cost/benefit ratio if you really feel the need. For corporate use, sure use Symantec Corporate, hell everyone does.
I can't justify a 50/year subscription AV solution on a home PC. It just doesn't make sense.

That being said, I run NO anti-virus software on my laptops. None. Why? Well for one, I use the Common Sense anti-virus solution. I do not download random possibly infected files (if I do I run them in Virtual Machine). What I DO run, however is Hijack This, and SpyBot (both free), as malware is not something you can particularly protect against.

Keep backups -Western Digital (WDsync) comes with every external drive, can sync quickly and if anything happens, a quick XP wipe is easy enough. I've never had to it come to this in about 5 years though.

Again just my thoughts.

Been using AVG free version for years. No probs so far. I also use Spybot S&D for spyware.

I never likes AVG. Try AVAST (FREE), much better and smaller.

Also Superantispyware (FREE)can't be beat.

Stop watching so much porn :jerkit: and you'll have less virus problems. If you're dead set on running anti-virus, use AVG Free. If you want a "safe mode" of sorts, you could try running a virtual machine (http://www.vmware.com), but it sounds like your hardware may not up to the task and the setup is a bit involved. If you're interested I can direct you to/send you some info on this.

I use McAfee VirusScan Enterprise + AntiSpyware Enterprise 8.5.0i that work allows me to use on my home machines. It's been great. I also use Windows Defender, but jury is still out on that one. With that combo, I've been trouble-free. I do use other things to help get rid of pesky problems on other people's machines when they ask, though.

avg free ftw! I have used it for years. I also agree with brads approach as well, use common sense when opening attachment, go to porn sites you know are virus free, etc..

I don't understand what you mean. You're going to have to speak english if you want to contribute to this thread.

So, it looks like if I want to spend some money, then Symantic is the way to go... or Avast and AGV for the equally recommended free solutions. I'll do homework on all 3 of those and get back to you on my decision.

Adware and Spyware however require different programs I take it?
http://www.superantispyware.com/ This sounds like it should come on the back of a box of Fruity Pebbles... how can they give something that seems so awesome away for free? Who makes money on it?

Also, why do all the reviews I've read about pretty much all of these programs make such a big deal about how "little" the newest version will slow down your computer. I thought the purpose of these things was to make sure you don't get shit that will slow things down.

How exactly do the majority of these things work that they take up so much memory that there is a noticeable slowdown when they're active?

put norton "insecurity" on your pc and you'll see first hand what the hub bub is all about.

Sam,

If you use common sense, a home computer is as secure as you make it. Aka, unless your downloading crazy porn, or email attachments promising to enlarge your penis, you should be fine. Use a free scanner, or if you don't want to use one just keep important files backed up somewhere.

Adware and Spyware are grouped into a class called "Malware". Basically you can use the same programs to remove both. Spybot, as well as hijack these, both do this on the free.

Anti-viruses operate within your memory "footprint" within your OS. Most of them are a collection of services running which add up quickly. Take a look:

[Symantec Antivirus Corporate 10.1.7.7000]
Rtvscan.exe 64,748 K
VPTray.exe 5,172 K
ccApp.exe 3,608 K
DefWatch.exe 1,632 K
ccSetMgr.exe 3,808 K
ccEvtMgr.exe 3,984 K
Total 82,952 K

[McAfee VirusScan Enterprise 8.5.0i]
FrameworkService.exe 5,708 K
mcshield.exe 76,144 K
mctray.exe 948 K
shstat.exe 2,144 K
UdaterUI.exe 3,256 K
vstskmgr.exe 7,360 K
naPrdMgr.exe 3,020 K
Total 98,580 K

[Avast Antivirus 4.8.1201]
ashServ.exe 23,544 K
ashdisp.exe 4,204 K
ashMaisv.exe 3,196 K
ashWebsv.exe 20,556 K
aswupdsv.exe 484 K
Total 51,984 K

[Norton Internet Security 2007 10.2.0.30]
AluSchedulerSvc.exe 2,520 K
AppSvc32.exe 13,144 K
ccApp.exe 22,640 K
ccSvcHst.exe 37,428 K
Total 75,732 K

i use avast because I've also heard that avg is a memory hog. As far as spyware I always use a couple programs becuase each seems to find something another has missed. Superantispyware and Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware.