Where do I go to get good reliable advice that you don't have to be a tech to
understand?

I read one place that "xxx" antivirus is the best, then someplace else it
says that particular software is not very good. Same for Spyware software.
I am running Windows Live One Care on a Dell Dim 2350, Pentium 4, 220 GHz,
512 MB RAM, with XP, SP2 OS. I have run scans at various times by other
programs and come up with things that do not show up in the WLOC scans.
Thankfully, I have never had a real "virus" and the things that do show up
are mostly low level threats, but some of them are listed as high level and
some things are necessary for programs or services that I use. How does one
sort all of this out???

Magsmom wrote:
> Where do I go to get good reliable advice that you don't have to be a tech to
> understand?
>
> I read one place that "xxx" antivirus is the best, then someplace else it
> says that particular software is not very good. Same for Spyware software.
> I am running Windows Live One Care on a Dell Dim 2350, Pentium 4, 220 GHz,
> 512 MB RAM, with XP, SP2 OS. I have run scans at various times by other
> programs and come up with things that do not show up in the WLOC scans.
> Thankfully, I have never had a real "virus" and the things that do show up
> are mostly low level threats, but some of them are listed as high level and
> some things are necessary for programs or services that I use. How does one
> sort all of this out???
You aren't going to like this answer, but it's the only fair one I can
give you. Self education is the only solution. Read information from
different sites, blogs, and other sources. If you have a question about
a particular virus or threat, google it. Read several opinions. Like
anything different people have different views on any topic. Some of us
have different views over time as we get more information or different
experiences. If you still have questions, bring them up. I'm sure we
can give you at least three different opinions an a couple of hours.

HTH

Dennis

Magsmom wrote:

> Where do I go to get good reliable advice that you don't have to be a tech
> to understand?
>
> I read one place that "xxx" antivirus is the best, then someplace else
> it
> says that particular software is not very good. Same for Spyware
> software. I am running Windows Live One Care on a Dell Dim 2350, Pentium
> 4, 220 GHz,
> 512 MB RAM, with XP, SP2 OS. I have run scans at various times by other
> programs and come up with things that do not show up in the WLOC scans.
> Thankfully, I have never had a real "virus" and the things that do show up
> are mostly low level threats, but some of them are listed as high level
> and
> some things are necessary for programs or services that I use. How does
> one sort all of this out???

Safe Hex:
http://www.wilderssecurity.com/showthread.php?t=27971 - So How Did I Get
Infected Anyway?
http://www.getsafeonline.org/
https://www.mysecurecyberspace.com/
http://www.getnetwise.org/
http://wiki.castlecops.com/Malware_R...:_Introduction
http://www.claymania.com/safe-hex.html
http://www.aumha.org/a/parasite.htm - The Parasite Fight
http://msmvps.com/blogs/harrywaldron.../05/82584.aspx - MVP
Harry Waldron - The Family PC - How to stay safe on the Internet
http://www.spywarewarrior.com/rogue_anti-spyware.htm - Eric Howes on Rogue
Antispyware Programs

Scam & Hoax-Fighting Sites:

http://www.antiphishing.org/
http://www.castlecops.com/f122-Phish...dly_Deeds.html
http://www.hoax-slayer.com/
http://fraud.org/welcome.htm
http://www.quatloos.com/
http://www.scambusters.com/
http://www.scamorama.com/
http://www.symantec.com/business/sec...sks/hoaxes.jsp
http://www.419eater.com/index.htm

Malke
--
MS-MVP
Elephant Boy Computers
www.elephantboycomputers.com
Don't Panic!

I notice that you listed www.aumha.org as a source to check on. I have
already been there and they have a lot of material, but I could not find
anything relating to my Windows Live One Care security software. They only
refer to Windows Defender. This is true on many of the sources I have looked
at. Isn't Windows Live One Care considered to be a widely used, major,
security package???

"Malke" wrote:

> Magsmom wrote:
>
> > Where do I go to get good reliable advice that you don't have to be a tech
> > to understand?
> >
> > I read one place that "xxx" antivirus is the best, then someplace else
> > it
> > says that particular software is not very good. Same for Spyware
> > software. I am running Windows Live One Care on a Dell Dim 2350, Pentium
> > 4, 220 GHz,
> > 512 MB RAM, with XP, SP2 OS. I have run scans at various times by other
> > programs and come up with things that do not show up in the WLOC scans.
> > Thankfully, I have never had a real "virus" and the things that do show up
> > are mostly low level threats, but some of them are listed as high level
> > and
> > some things are necessary for programs or services that I use. How does
> > one sort all of this out???
>
> Safe Hex:
> http://www.wilderssecurity.com/showthread.php?t=27971 - So How Did I Get
> Infected Anyway?
> http://www.getsafeonline.org/
> https://www.mysecurecyberspace.com/
> http://www.getnetwise.org/
> http://wiki.castlecops.com/Malware_R...:_Introduction
> http://www.claymania.com/safe-hex.html
> http://www.aumha.org/a/parasite.htm - The Parasite Fight
> http://msmvps.com/blogs/harrywaldron.../05/82584.aspx - MVP
> Harry Waldron - The Family PC - How to stay safe on the Internet
> http://www.spywarewarrior.com/rogue_anti-spyware.htm - Eric Howes on Rogue
> Antispyware Programs
>
> Scam & Hoax-Fighting Sites:
>
> http://www.antiphishing.org/
> http://www.castlecops.com/f122-Phish...dly_Deeds.html
> http://www.hoax-slayer.com/
> http://fraud.org/welcome.htm
> http://www.quatloos.com/
> http://www.scambusters.com/
> http://www.scamorama.com/
> http://www.symantec.com/business/sec...sks/hoaxes.jsp
> http://www.419eater.com/index.htm
>
> Malke
> --
> MS-MVP
> Elephant Boy Computers
> www.elephantboycomputers.com
> Don't Panic!
>

Magsmom wrote:
> I notice that you listed www.aumha.org as a source to check on. I have
> already been there and they have a lot of material, but I could not find
> anything relating to my Windows Live One Care security software. They only
> refer to Windows Defender. This is true on many of the sources I have looked
> at. Isn't Windows Live One Care considered to be a widely used, major,
> security package???
>


No, it's not; just the opposite. It's very new, and not particularly
trusted by many, myself included.


--

Bruce Chambers

Help us help you:
http://www.catb.org/~esr/faqs/smart-questions.html

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx/kb/555375

They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary
safety deserve neither liberty nor safety. ~Benjamin Franklin

Many people would rather die than think; in fact, most do. ~Bertrand Russell

The philosopher has never killed any priests, whereas the priest has
killed a great many philosophers.
~ Denis Diderot

"Bruce Chambers" wrote:

> Magsmom wrote:
> > I notice that you listed www.aumha.org as a source to check on. I have
> > already been there and they have a lot of material, but I could not find
> > anything relating to my Windows Live One Care security software. They only
> > refer to Windows Defender. This is true on many of the sources I have looked
> > at. Isn't Windows Live One Care considered to be a widely used, major,
> > security package???
> >
>
>
> No, it's not; just the opposite. It's very new, and not particularly
> trusted by many, myself included.
>
>
> --
>
> Bruce Chambers
>
> Help us help you:
> http://www.catb.org/~esr/faqs/smart-questions.html
>
> http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx/kb/555375

Bruce: Why do you NOT trust Windows Live One Care? After all, Microsoft
is, and has been a leader in software development for decades. Funny you
should say this, since I just read articles about both Norton and McAfee
antivirus software having some vunerabilities. I have tried several other
antivirus programs and found them either too complicated or cumbersome to
use, or not comprehensive enough. WLOC is user friendly and covers not only
antivirus, but spyware, tune up, back up and automatic updates on antivirus
and spyware definitions.
>
>

Magsmom wrote:


> Bruce: Why do you NOT trust Windows Live One Care? After all, Microsoft
> is, and has been a leader in software development for decades. Funny you
> should say this, since I just read articles about both Norton and McAfee
> antivirus software having some vunerabilities. I have tried several other
> antivirus programs and found them either too complicated or cumbersome to
> use, or not comprehensive enough. WLOC is user friendly and covers not
> only antivirus, but spyware, tune up, back up and automatic updates on
> antivirus and spyware definitions.

I'm not Bruce but I agree with him 100%. Microsoft has not been "a leader in
software development for decades". Microsoft is well known in the tech
industry for purchasing companies who are leaders in software development,
or who have a technology/program that Microsoft wants. It is no different
with Microsoft antivirus/antispyware products. They purchased the companies
who originally developed those products and then tinkered with them
somewhat after purchase.

Although it is getting better, the Microsoft consumer-level antivirus in
Live OneCare is one of the lowest-rated in the industry. Their antispyware
program (Windows Defender) is just so-so. This is why Bruce, I, and other
techs don't recommend Windows Live OneCare.

Norton and McAfee are garbage.

I - and other techs whom I respect - recommend either NOD32 (my favorite),
Kaspersky, or even Avast if you want a free antivirus. I don't usually like
all-in-one "suite" solutions but Eset (NOD32) makes a total security suite
that is good and surprisingly very light on system resources. One of my
clients really wanted a suite solution so I put Eset's on her machine and
was extremely pleased with the results.

I hope that has answered your question about why Bruce, I, and other techs
don't recommend Live OneCare. I took your original question to be asking
for links to sites with "easy to understand security advice" which is why I
gave you all those links in my first reply. Out of all those links, for
general security advice aimed at regular end users, try these:

ttp://www.getsafeonline.org/
https://www.mysecurecyberspace.com/
http://www.getnetwise.org/

Malke
--
MS-MVP
Elephant Boy Computers
www.elephantboycomputers.com
Don't Panic!

Thanks for your explanation. I had read several negative comments about WLOC
and I was curious to find out the reasons behind them. I guess I was just
raised to trust "Microsoft" and I like the simplicity of One Care and I have
not had any problems (that I am aware of) with it. I am a little above the
average user, but am far from being an advanced user, and I am certainly not
a tech. I have other things that I would rather do with my time than try to
configure and coordinate seperate complex and/or multiple anti-virus,
spyware, malware, firewall etc. programs. My regular tune up of Windows Live
One Care was scheduled to run during the night last night, and this morning
my computer was kicking #$$ and I didn't have to do a thing. However, I will
take a look at the sites you listed.

"Malke" wrote:

> Magsmom wrote:
>
>
> > Bruce: Why do you NOT trust Windows Live One Care? After all, Microsoft
> > is, and has been a leader in software development for decades. Funny you
> > should say this, since I just read articles about both Norton and McAfee
> > antivirus software having some vunerabilities. I have tried several other
> > antivirus programs and found them either too complicated or cumbersome to
> > use, or not comprehensive enough. WLOC is user friendly and covers not
> > only antivirus, but spyware, tune up, back up and automatic updates on
> > antivirus and spyware definitions.
>
> I'm not Bruce but I agree with him 100%. Microsoft has not been "a leader in
> software development for decades". Microsoft is well known in the tech
> industry for purchasing companies who are leaders in software development,
> or who have a technology/program that Microsoft wants. It is no different
> with Microsoft antivirus/antispyware products. They purchased the companies
> who originally developed those products and then tinkered with them
> somewhat after purchase.
>
> Although it is getting better, the Microsoft consumer-level antivirus in
> Live OneCare is one of the lowest-rated in the industry. Their antispyware
> program (Windows Defender) is just so-so. This is why Bruce, I, and other
> techs don't recommend Windows Live OneCare.
>
> Norton and McAfee are garbage.
>
> I - and other techs whom I respect - recommend either NOD32 (my favorite),
> Kaspersky, or even Avast if you want a free antivirus. I don't usually like
> all-in-one "suite" solutions but Eset (NOD32) makes a total security suite
> that is good and surprisingly very light on system resources. One of my
> clients really wanted a suite solution so I put Eset's on her machine and
> was extremely pleased with the results.
>
> I hope that has answered your question about why Bruce, I, and other techs
> don't recommend Live OneCare. I took your original question to be asking
> for links to sites with "easy to understand security advice" which is why I
> gave you all those links in my first reply. Out of all those links, for
> general security advice aimed at regular end users, try these:
>
> ttp://www.getsafeonline.org/
> https://www.mysecurecyberspace.com/
> http://www.getnetwise.org/
>
> Malke
> --
> MS-MVP
> Elephant Boy Computers
> www.elephantboycomputers.com
> Don't Panic!
>

Magsmom wrote:
>
>
>
> Bruce: Why do you NOT trust Windows Live One Care? After all, Microsoft
> is, and has been a leader in software development for decades. Funny you
> should say this, since I just read articles about both Norton and McAfee
> antivirus software having some vunerabilities. I have tried several other
> antivirus programs and found them either too complicated or cumbersome to
> use, or not comprehensive enough. WLOC is user friendly and covers not only
> antivirus, but spyware, tune up, back up and automatic updates on antivirus
> and spyware definitions.
>>

I can see that Malke already answered your question, and did a much
better job of it than I probably could have.

In addition to the "technical" reasons that Malke explained, I have
other reasons for not advocating the use of One Care Live:

1) I don't think it wise to use a "security" product made by the same
company that makes the operating system. It strikes me as too much like
setting the fox to guard the hen house. Can the folks on the One Care
Live development group safely point out weaknesses and vulnerabilities
in the OS without the much better financed and tenured Windows group
raising a stink and getting them "muzzled?" Even if One Care Live does
address a vulnerability, it'll tend to do so quietly (almost
stealthily), so as not to embarrass Microsoft, potentially leaving those
millions of consumers who don't subscribe to Once Care Live out in the cold.

2) I find the idea of any OS maker offering an additional, commercial
security solution extremely distasteful and hypocritical. Granted that
NO OS can be made 100% secure, but to turn out a vulnerable, expensive
OS and then sell protection for that same OS smacks of running a
protection racket. Microsoft should either make their OS more secure,
or offer One Care Live as a free package.

3) One Care Live is an attempt at getting people to buy into the
concept of "Software as a Service." What this means is that consumers
will have to rely upon software and services provided solely via the
Internet rather than installed on their own computers. Many other
companies are pursuing this business model, in part because it'll cut
their costs to the bone: No need to produce and ship installation media,
no need to have a patch/upgrade distribution system, etc. But this
business model places the consumer completely at the mercy of their
Internet provider and the software company. I prefer to remain in
complete control of my own computer, thank you.


--

Bruce Chambers

Help us help you:
http://www.catb.org/~esr/faqs/smart-questions.html

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx/kb/555375

They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary
safety deserve neither liberty nor safety. ~Benjamin Franklin

Many people would rather die than think; in fact, most do. ~Bertrand Russell

The philosopher has never killed any priests, whereas the priest has
killed a great many philosophers.
~ Denis Diderot