Virus Scan Software

[just strum]

The virus scan software on two of the computers over here expired and before I order or update, I was wondering if you people have any opinions. Right now they are loaded with Norton System Works.

Some others I've heard about, but have little details

ZoneAlarm: http://www.zonealarm.com/store/content/home.jsp

The Shield Deluxe 2008: http://www.pcsecurityshield.com/lp/shield-deluxe-4.aspx?trk=WTK&affid=650

I run eTrust on my work laptop: http://www.winferno.com/c/002/etrust/etrust-antivirus.asp?gclid=CNCq-rmFppECFShsGgodUAIEfw

Anyone have opinions or recommendations regarding antivirus software?

 

[Robert]

AVG Anti-virus is great. They have a free version for personal use at http://free.grisoft.com/doc/downloads?prd=aff

 

[stingx]

AVG Free and Spybot Search and Destroy are all you need to keep your PC happy. Both are free and are not resource hogs.

 

[just strum]

Robert/stingx,

Thanks for the tips - Free is good.:AOK:

Loading now.

 

[luvmyshiner]

Ditto on AVG, Spybot, and also Ad-Aware. All free, all great programs. Ad-Aware catches a few things Spybot doesn't and Spybot catches a few things Ad-Aware doesnt.

 

[Tone2TheBone]

My only gripe with AVG is that damn automatic scan it does every fuggin' time I turn the 'puter on. While in process it DOES rip me off on valuable web time...although not nearly as horrendous as [bleepin'] Norton.

 

[Kazz]

shiner....the paid for version of Adaware kicks the free versions butt.

I personally use the pro version of AVG and Adaware on all my computers and we have 5 in the house now....the free AVG is sufficient for most.

Strum....one thing you have to know....since your av expired.....I am going to guess that you had Norton.....because I know you are too smart to have any Mcafee products......

You cannot just install another antivirus if you have norton on your system....it will cause problems.

You will want to do a full removal of the software from add/remove programs and then there are a few registry keys that need to be removed as well. If you want I can go over that here...or we can discuss offline your call.

Oh yeah....thanks for finally asking a computer question.....I cannot play guitar for crap....but I.T. is my thang. I can finally contribute round here

 

[Kazz]

My only gripe with AVG is that damn automatic scan it does every fuggin' time I turn the 'puter on. While in process it DOES rip me off on valuable web time...although not nearly as horrendous as [bleepin'] Norton.

Tone....that is nothing to gripe about....it is a good thing....I usually leave at least 3 of our computers on all the time and then I schedule the AV to run in the middle of the night so it does not interfere....however if you are noticing any performance hit at all....you probably need to consider adding another stick of ram. My main machine is an Athlon 2600+ with 2 gigs of ram and nothing will slow this monster down even tho I built her some 4 years ago now.

 

[just strum]

shiner....the paid for version of Adaware kicks the free versions butt.

I personally use the pro version of AVG and Adaware on all my computers and we have 5 in the house now....the free AVG is sufficient for most.

Strum....one thing you have to know....since your av expired.....I am going to guess that you had Norton.....because I know you are too smart to have any Mcafee products......

You cannot just install another antivirus if you have norton on your system....it will cause problems.

You will want to do a full removal of the software from add/remove programs and then there are a few registry keys that need to be removed as well. If you want I can go over that here...or we can discuss offline your call.

Oh yeah....thanks for finally asking a computer question.....I cannot play guitar for crap....but I.T. is my thang. I can finally contribute round here

Kazz,

Yep, it was Norton and I did uninstall it completely before loading AVG.

I also agree with you about Adaware Pro - great piece of software. I go tired of running multiple spyware software and had it on what at the time was our main computer.

I also found out by accident that you can get free one year extensions on Norton if you format your harddrive. I only found that out because due to the kids screwing up the computer a few years ago I had to reformat the HD. Eventually it won't let you reload anymore, but I must have four versions 2003, 2004..., so it took awhile before they were no longer useful. I grew tired of the cost, but it is cheaper than a new computer.

The AVG complete scan is lengthy and I think you have the right approach.

 

[luvmyshiner]

shiner....the paid for version of Adaware kicks the free versions butt.

Thanks for the heads up Kazz. I'll check it out. I agree Tone, it does get a little annoying when AVG is scanning. What I usually do is pause it, and then let it scan while I'm at lunch or Court.

 

[just strum]

Has anyone used a Registry clean and repair software, like RegistryFix?

I am reluctant to try one due to the possible errors it can make, although I could do a back-up.

 

[Jipes]

I have a Mac so no antivirus software needed

 

[markb]

I have a Mac so no antivirus software needed

Me too but dagnabit there's no "smug" smiley! Oh well, :bravo: :AOK: No spyware, adware, viruses etc. [Apple fanboy mode on]Not so expensive in either time or money to run, so completely justifying the purchase price when you figure in the extended useful life of a Mac not to mention the processor (and RAM and storage) overhead of running all this junk. Windows is not the cheap option in the long run [Apple fanboy mode off/].

The registry is the biggest reason not to use Windows. I've had to hack it manually to fix a small problem countless times but, hey, that was my job.

 

[Kazz]

Strummer...

As the resident computer guru...I would say no I have never used a registry fix program....I delve into the unknown waters with nothing more than a cup of tea and shot of courage....I prefer to be able to see each key that I need to modify and not rely on something to tell me what to fix...what sort of issue are you having?

also I would not consider a registry fixer an antivirus software really.

just semantics I guess.

 

[Kazz]

Kazz,

Yep, it was Norton and I did uninstall it completely before loading AVG.

I also agree with you about Adaware Pro - great piece of software. I go tired of running multiple spyware software and had it on what at the time was our main computer.

I also found out by accident that you can get free one year extensions on Norton if you format your harddrive. I only found that out because due to the kids screwing up the computer a few years ago I had to reformat the HD. Eventually it won't let you reload anymore, but I must have four versions 2003, 2004..., so it took awhile before they were no longer useful. I grew tired of the cost, but it is cheaper than a new computer.

The AVG complete scan is lengthy and I think you have the right approach.

Shiner...I found out that same thing and it was not by accident LOL.

I also found that since I do alot of repairs and reformats for other folks...that there are 2 files that you can grab out of the fresh norton installation and put them in place on your computer and get another year each time....personally I have never found a limit on how many times I could reuse a norton product but once I found AVG I decided not to mess with Norton any more....

I also recommend a complete format and reinstallation about every 2 years even if you stay virus and spyware free...it will make the computer like new again.

My regimen is this...I format the computer reload windows and all my programs download all updates and then run my magic.....this tool I have called Acronis True Image....I make a complete clone of my hard drive and tuck it away.....that way when I am google searching something innocuous and land on some porn site by accident and get nailed with either a virus or malware...I can restore from my clone and be back up and running in 7 minutes....

Now when I am being a good boy I will make clones every month or so or before installing any major update or new software that way if there is a problem I can roll back really easily.

I also turn off windows built in system restore as with Acronis is just is not necessary and Acronis does a full restore vs the registry key restore of the system restore process.

 

[player]

Thanks for the heads up Kazz. I'll check it out. I agree Tone, it does get a little annoying when AVG is scanning. What I usually do is pause it, and then let it scan while I'm at lunch or Court.

anyone consider minimize to tray - sign then just carry on while it does its thing?just curious but something an IT would know to do.I'm not but do maintain a few as their in house tech lol

 

[Tim]

Has anyone used a Registry clean and repair software, like RegistryFix?

I am reluctant to try one due to the possible errors it can make, although I could do a back-up.

Sorry I am a little late answering this question. I was told by a professional computer geek to stay away from any register cleaning program. They can really mess up a computer by removing program files shared by other programs.

 

[just strum]

Sorry I am a little late answering this question. I was told by a professional computer geek to stay away from any register cleaning program. They can really mess up a computer by removing program files shared by other programs.

Yep, after I posted the question I did about register cleaners, I dod a little reading. I also noticed that some have a warning and if that doesn't discourage you from use, nothing will.