Computer help
 

Hey does anyone know any good anti-virus software that is free or really cheap? Also, if there is one that will clean my hard drive?

Re: Computer help
 

[url]http://www.bitdefender.com[/url]

You can get either a free version or a full evaluation version.

bitdefender is THE best AND the least intrusive (and there's a free version on their site that's fully functional). When i say the best i mean in objective tests of which virus types it can recognize even without a specific definition for it compared to mcaffee or norton (ie finding new crap and fixing it before it makes the news).

AVG is totally free, but its not as good.

Re: Computer help
 

free.grisoft.com

AVG Antivirus Free Edition - I haven't had any problems.

Re: Computer help
 

[QUOTE=BrudLee]free.grisoft.com

AVG Antivirus Free Edition - I haven't had any problems.[/QUOTE]

Ditto - that's what I use.

Re: Computer help
 

[QUOTE=BrudLee]free.grisoft.com

AVG Antivirus Free Edition - I haven't had any problems.[/QUOTE]


Thats the only way to go.

As for Spyware, I use three four programs to scan, only the Microsoft runs in the tool tray. SpywareBlaster will permanately block known virus/spyware sites from your browser.

[URL=http://www.download.com/Ad-Aware-SE-Personal-Edition/3000-8022_4-10045910.html?part=dl-ad-aware&subj=dl&tag=top5]Lavasoft Ad-aware[/URL]
[URL=http://www.download.com/Spybot-Search-Destroy/3000-8022_4-10122137.html]Spybot Search and Destroy[/URL]
[URL=http://www.microsoft.com/athome/security/spyware/software/default.mspx]Microsoft Anti-Spyware[/URL]
[URL=http://www.download.com/SpywareBlaster/3000-8022-10196637.html?part=dl-SpywareBl&subj=dl&tag=button]Spyware Blaster[/URL]

There are some other things you can use to protect yourself such as turning on your Microsoft automatic updates to insure Windows has the latest protection built in.

Give those a try and see what you find.

Re: Computer help
 

And, don't forget [url=http://www.zonelabs.com/store/content/catalog/products/sku_list_za.jsp?dc=12bms&ctry=US&lang=en&lid=dbtopnav_zass]Zone Labs ZoneAlarm[/url]. After a while, it runs transparently until something unauthorized tries to get in or out of your computer.

Re: Computer help
 

AVG doesn't find every virus, it only finds have of what bitdefender does... its nice that its free and all, but its not that good at the one job its supposed to be good at (its #4 or 5 behind bd, mcaffee and norton).

lavaoft and Spybot search and destroy are great for spyware.

Re: Computer help
 

If you want a perfectly clean, quick-as-hell system, here is what I do before I prepare a computer for a client.

Do a complete reformat. I'm talking to delete all partitions, format using the NTFS file system and install preferably from a Windows XP Professional CD with Service Pack 2 included. As an aside, Service Pack 2 is about the best spyware protection you can have (in addition to just having knowledge of sites and pop-ups that CAN harm your computer).

After Windows comes up, and asks you to "Take the Tour", just do one part of the tour and quit so the icon will go away. Turn off Desktop Cleanup and "Highlight any New Programs Installed". Right click on "My Computer" and go to properties. Next go to Advanced and then Performance, turn off the first six options (this will increase your menu/minimizing/maximizing performance) and click OK. Next under Advanced, turn off Error Reporting because this feature is only really helpful to extremely advanced computer users and you can find the same information under "Manage" and "Performance Logs and Alerts".

Everyone who stated above about their antivirus/spyware solutions are dead-on. I also prefer AVG however because it is a completely free alternative, and if you're a "good" computer user, you won't get a virus anyway. Spybot and Spywareblaster are two great programs to leave installed, but I'll preface it by saying that as long as you know when a website is trying to install bullshit software on your computer, you should never get spyware installed.

Also, make sure you go to Windows Update and get every Windows update available. Go to the manufacturer site for each one of your devices and get the most updated drivers available. Also, I strongly recommend doing a BIOS update for your machine, especially Dells. These updates will fix any lingering hardware problems that were present when your machine was first built. Also, it can enable you to add more advanced hardware (processor, etc.) in the future.

Re: Computer help
 

Malcolm is spot-on - if you are reasonably conciensious, you should not get a virus or Spyware, with one major caveat. If you are on a network and you have publicly shared a drive (i.e., without hiding it by ending it with a "$"), some viruses on OTHER people's computers can reach your computer. To be safe, always hide your shares.

Another thing is that you have to do the Windows Update several time since there are some updates that require other updates to be installed first. To be safe, keep going back till there are no updates to be installed.

As far as AVG v. Bitdefender, I have to disagree with That Guy. I'm not sure where he got his info, but [url="http://www.virusbtn.com/vb100/archive/results?display=summary"]Virus Bulletin gave AVG highest marks[/url] (free registration required), as did an [url="http://www.techsupportalert.com/free-vs-paid-av.htm"]informal study at Tech Support Alert[/url]. Maybe he can shed some light on the basis for why he thinks AVG doesn't catch most viruses. After all, I'm always looking for something better!

Re: Computer help
 

I do agree that BitDefender has way better features than AVG, I prefer AVG mainly because during my benchmark testing, when my machine was loaded with AVG, the computer was much faster. It's really the typical technology question of performance vs. security. I pick performance because I feel that if I get a virus on my personal computer, it's because I was being a dumb ass and doing things I shouldn't be doing.

Re: Computer help
 

The best protection is still yourself.

Dont open suspicious links, visit porn sites, or open Email's from anyone you dont know, or any email that is from some businesses selling things.

As for Norton and ZoneAlarm, I hate these broducts. They are bloated if you ask me. I like running programs that dont hog system resources. Even though I have 768MB of RAM, the average user has 128-256 and these resouce hogs can really slow a machine down.

As for AVG, I have seen it find Viruses on Norton and McAfee protected machines that did have the most recent update. I see no reason to pay for any kind of protection software.

Save your money!

Re: Computer help
 

Another sure fire way to protect yourself is by using a Host file full of known bad sites.

[URL=http://www.mvps.org/winhelp2002/hosts.htm]Hosts File[/URL]

Basically what this file does is when you try to visit any website that is sending out viruses it blocks it by telling your computer to look back at your own computer for the web site. Since your computer is not the host of the site, it will cause a Page Not Displayed error.

My favourite thing about using this is it will block 90% of known ad services so when your visit a site, it washes the ads out of the page. This reminds me of how the internet used to be about 10 years ago when there wasnt pop-ups and constant ads flashing on a web site.

Re: Computer help
 

No porn sites!? :(

Re: Computer help
 

Actually, when you install Spywareblaster and Spybot, they fill up your hosts file with sites that should be blocked. They also add a buttload of sites to your "Blocked List" in IE.

Re: Computer help
 

All these guys are spot on. I've used AVG combined with AdAware and ZoneAlarm and Spybot Search & Destroy, and have never had any problems. Comcast is giving away free McAfee stuff to their customers (Anti-Virus, Firewall, Parental Controls), so if you are a customer of Comcast, check into that.

All these programs have their pluses and minuses, so try a bunch and go from there. Plus it helps to have a router, even if you are the only computer accessing the internet, just for the added firewall protection it gives you.

Re: Computer help
 

[QUOTE=onlydarksets]
As far as AVG v. Bitdefender, I have to disagree with That Guy. I'm not sure where he got his info, but [url="http://www.virusbtn.com/vb100/archive/results?display=summary"]Virus Bulletin gave AVG highest marks[/url] (free registration required), as did an [url="http://www.techsupportalert.com/free-vs-paid-av.htm"]informal study at Tech Support Alert[/url]. Maybe he can shed some light on the basis for why he thinks AVG doesn't catch most viruses. After all, I'm always looking for something better![/QUOTE]


stats that some pc mag did on heuristic testing (finding virus variants that had no definitions just based on what it tries to do).

lots of links:
real testing of zoo samples (AVG TOTALLY tanks as usual):
[url]http://www.av-comparatives.org/seiten/ergebnisse_2005_11.php[/url]

comparision (bitdefender, 92/100 2-4 hour response time):
[url]http://www.pcworld.com/reviews/chart_test_report/0,chid,6214,prodid,27537,00.asp[/url]

AVG (73/100, slower new threat response time - 8-10 hours):
[url]http://www.pcworld.com/reviews/article/0,aid,124491,00.asp#[/url]

consumer report type overview:
[url]http://anti-virus-software-review.toptenreviews.com/[/url]

Re: Computer help
 

use a good hosts file, there are websites dedicated to that... use firefox not IE and don't use outlook for e-mail and you've lowered your chances of infection by over 90%.

Also scan any files you get from the intarweb that could possibly have viruses and don't download attachments from e-mails.

Re: Computer help
 

slow internet, i think the new virus is making its rounds right now... stay safe :P

Re: Computer help
 

Yup, I've been updating the University all morning. Don't open any porn emails!

Re: Computer help
 

Not sure if these will find and clear "surfsidekick" ???????? Real pain in the ass! Any thoughts???? Thanx for the help!

Re: Computer help
 

[QUOTE=Hog1]Not sure if these will find and clear "surfsidekick" ???????? Real pain in the ass! Any thoughts???? Thanx for the help![/QUOTE]

ad-aware should ( [url]http://www.lavasoft.de[/url] ).

Re: Computer help
 

If you can "find" Spyware Doctor, it's the best one I've used so far.

Re: Computer help
 

Appreciate the information men! I will check it out. I currently use "Adaware" which does a good job. For some reason, I cannot get rid of this particular pest (surfsidekick).

Re: Computer help
 

Enjoy...

[url]http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/forums/topic9549.html[/url]

Re: Computer help
 

thanx for all the help men. I purchased the download version of "spywaredoctor" and it kicked surfsides ASS!

Re: Computer help
 

Another good way to prevent Spyware is to use FireFox. There is a huge debate as why it is more secure than Internet Explorer, but I mainly feel that people are not writing viruses and spyware to be able to execute through it.

I love the tab browsing feature and it works at 99% of the web sites I visit.

Check it out at [url]http://www.mozilla.com/firefox/[/url]

Re: Computer help
 

You can also get a plugin for Firefox that allows you to view IE websites that don't open correctly in it.

Re: Computer help
 

I saved Bl#@$#@#@computer, and the firefox site as well. Thanx for the input!

Re: Computer help
 

Hey, I need help again, whenever I go on the internet I get this add that just becomes my background. It says warning there has ben spyware dected on my computer and I where it tells me but all it is, is just an add for spyware removers. I currently use AVG and ad-aware...

How do I fix this???

Re: Computer help
 

:doh:

that means you have a LOT of spyware on your computer. what exactly does it say word for word?

Re: Computer help
 

[QUOTE=Redskins8588]Hey, I need help again, whenever I go on the internet I get this add that just becomes my background. It says warning there has ben spyware dected on my computer and I where it tells me but all it is, is just an add for spyware removers. I currently use AVG and ad-aware...

How do I fix this???[/QUOTE]

have you updated your computer to sp2?

Re: Computer help
 

"Warning! Spyware detected on your computer. Install an antivirius or spyware remover to clean your computer. View the list of top spyware removers here."

What is sp2? And when I click on the link it takes me to this site
[url]http://www.teslaplus.com/search.php?wmid=174&sub=0&q=Removers[/url]

Re: Computer help
 

[url]http://forums.spywareinfo.com/lofiversion/index.php/t68904.html[/url]

Check this out. It'll work better than what that kid is telling you.

Re: Computer help
 

And SP2 means Service Pack 2. If you have Windows XP, you should go to their update site and download it as soon as you can. It blocks a lot of crap from coming into your computer.

As I suggested above, I'd get Spyware Doctor and run it. Do you have AIM? I can send it to you.

Re: Computer help
 

no i dont have aim, but it is called spyware docter and is it free???

Re: Computer help
 

It's called Spyware Doctor and I DO have a copy of it when it used to be free. If you have some kind of messaging program I can send you the older version that still gets updates.