Anti Virus

[Frank]

I have been told that Avast, AVG or Antivir are good free anti virus
programmes. Which do members think is the best option. They all happen
to
be free But I am told that they are all very good and compare favourably
with
the brand leaders. By the way I am quite happy to buy a programme and
would
welcome suggestions.

I have been running no AV for 12 or more years.
No viruses, no spyware,
and no malware has entered any of my PCs

 

[Ken Blake, MVP]

I have been running no AV for 12 or more years.
No viruses, no spyware,
and no malware has entered any of my PCs

That's fine for you. But the inference your post makes is that others
should do what you do. That's irresponsible advice.

 

[Unknown]

On the contrary; That is good advice. HOWEVER, anyone not using antivirus
programs
must NOT open unknown mail, click on unknown URLs and download trash.
I too do NOT use ANY virus programs, never had a virus, and most importantly
have not suffered any of the thousands of problems caused by the antivirus
programs.

 

[TH O]

On the contrary; That is good advice. HOWEVER, anyone not using antivirus
programs

Actually, it is irresponsible advice considering that all of the things
you say not to do are things that most unknowledgeable users do. The
majority of users are not computer nerds and are not as knowledgeable as
we are about ways to avoid viruses.

must NOT open unknown mail, click on unknown URLs and download trash.

If you are using a pop/imap mail client, you are susceptible to email
viruses. I had a rootkit installed through an email to Outlook Express
which I *never opened*. I'm using a more secure client now, but the
danger is still there that an exploit will enter my inbox before a
client update.

If you're not clicking on unknown URLs, how are you surfing the web? Do
you just never leave CNN, Microsoft, and all the Fortune 500 sites ...
what is to prevent those companies from having their websites
compromised?

You don't download "trash" but how do you know what programs have
viruses? I've encountered viruses in shareware programs before and they
can arrive in commercial software also. And what about Maxtor shipping a
new hard drive with a virus onboard as happened recently.

I too do NOT use ANY virus programs, never had a virus, and most importantly
have not suffered any of the thousands of problems caused by the antivirus
programs.

You've been lucky. Less knowledgeable people -- and those unlike you who
actually use their PC to its full potential -- need antivirus installed.

 

[Daave]

If you are using a pop/imap mail client, you are susceptible to email
viruses. I had a rootkit installed through an email to Outlook Express
which I *never opened*.

That's interesting. How did this happen? Did you have the Preview Pane
enabled?

 

[TH O]

That's interesting. How did this happen? Did you have the Preview Pane
enabled?

No, the preview pane wasn't enabled. I forgot to run Windows Update
after turning on the computer for the first time in a week. I did update
the antivirus. When I ran Outlook Express it started downloading the
messages. Immediately, the antivirus threw up repeating messages, one on
top of another, that a rootkit was installed. The software firewall also
threw up a message asking me to OK outgoing traffic (and no, I did not
allow it ).

My understanding previously was that Outlook Express was susceptible
only if the message was read, either by opening it or having the preview
pane enabled. That was the last time I ever used Outlook Express.

 

[antioch]

On the contrary; That is good advice. HOWEVER, anyone not using antivirus
programs
must NOT open unknown mail, click on unknown URLs and download trash.
I too do NOT use ANY virus programs, never had a virus, and most
importantly
have not suffered any of the thousands of problems caused by the antivirus
programs.

Luck and a sheltered life

Antioch

 

[Ken Blake, MVP]

On the contrary; That is good advice.

I couldn't disagree more.

HOWEVER, anyone not using antivirus
programs
must NOT open unknown mail, click on unknown URLs and download trash.

*That* however is good advice, *even* if you use an antivirus program.

I too do NOT use ANY virus programs, never had a virus,

Good for you. In my view that's like saying "I never use a seatbelt
and I've never been hurt in an automobile accident." Consider yourself
lucky that you've gotten away with it so far. But your luck may not
last forever.

I have always used an antivirus program, and I too have never had a
virus. Only once in the all the years I've used antivirus programs has
one even warned me about a potential virus threat, but I was glad I
had it installed that day.

and most importantly
have not suffered any of the thousands of problems caused by the antivirus
programs.

That's an *enormous* overstatement. Even the worst antivirus
programs--Norton and McAfee--don't cause "thousands of problems." The
one I use now--Avast!--has never caused me a single problem.

 

[Daave]

No, the preview pane wasn't enabled. I forgot to run Windows Update
after turning on the computer for the first time in a week. I did
update the antivirus. When I ran Outlook Express it started
downloading the messages. Immediately, the antivirus threw up
repeating messages, one on top of another, that a rootkit was
installed. The software firewall also threw up a message asking me to
OK outgoing traffic (and no, I did not allow it ).

My understanding previously was that Outlook Express was susceptible
only if the message was read, either by opening it or having the
preview pane enabled. That was the last time I ever used Outlook
Express.

Are you sure the rootkit was from an e-mail (perhaps it was a
coincidence)? If the e-mail was never opened, I'm curious to know how a
rootkit could be installed. Do you recall its name?

 

[TH O]

Are you sure the rootkit was from an e-mail (perhaps it was a
coincidence)? If the e-mail was never opened, I'm curious to know how a
rootkit could be installed. Do you recall its name?

It's been a couple of years but I might have documentation on the drive
somewhere. I'll take a look.

I was surprised but since it was the only computer on the home network
with hardware and software firewalls, the only attack route seemed to be
via the email client, particularly since the antivirus and firewall
alerts popped up as a ton of emails were being downloaded.

 

[Unknown]

The thousands of problems I refer to are those you read on these newsgroups.
I would guess at least 90% of the problems talked about on these newsgroups
are Virus program related. Many, many more problems are caused by virus
programs than
prevented by them.
Go over to the Outlook Express groups and see the problems there.
Also take note of how many are uninstalling their virus programs.

On the contrary; That is good advice.

I couldn't disagree more.

HOWEVER, anyone not using antivirus
programs
must NOT open unknown mail, click on unknown URLs and download trash.

*That* however is good advice, *even* if you use an antivirus program.

I too do NOT use ANY virus programs, never had a virus,

Good for you. In my view that's like saying "I never use a seatbelt
and I've never been hurt in an automobile accident." Consider yourself
lucky that you've gotten away with it so far. But your luck may not
last forever.

I have always used an antivirus program, and I too have never had a
virus. Only once in the all the years I've used antivirus programs has
one even warned me about a potential virus threat, but I was glad I
had it installed that day.

and most importantly
have not suffered any of the thousands of problems caused by the
antivirus
programs.

That's an *enormous* overstatement. Even the worst antivirus
programs--Norton and McAfee--don't cause "thousands of problems." The
one I use now--Avast!--has never caused me a single problem.

 

[Ken Blake, MVP]

The thousands of problems I refer to are those you read on these newsgroups.
I would guess at least 90% of the problems talked about on these newsgroups
are Virus program related.

That's *your* guess. It certainly isn't mine.

Many, many more problems are caused by virus
programs than
prevented by them.

There *are* problems that are caused by anti-virus programs. However
the enormous majority of those problems are caused by just two
anti-virus programs--Norton and McAfee. Don't paint them all wt the
same brush. It's appropriate to recommend ant Norton and McAfee; it's
*not* appropriate to recommend against *all* anti-virus programs.

Go over to the Outlook Express groups and see the problems there.
Also take note of how many are uninstalling their virus programs.

 

[Unknown]

Yes; my guess. Don't want to spend the time counting.

The thousands of problems I refer to are those you read on these
newsgroups.
I would guess at least 90% of the problems talked about on these
newsgroups
are Virus program related.

That's *your* guess. It certainly isn't mine.

Many, many more problems are caused by virus
programs than
prevented by them.

There *are* problems that are caused by anti-virus programs. However
the enormous majority of those problems are caused by just two
anti-virus programs--Norton and McAfee. Don't paint them all wt the
same brush. It's appropriate to recommend ant Norton and McAfee; it's
*not* appropriate to recommend against *all* anti-virus programs.

 

[Plato]

I have been running no AV for 12 or more years.
No viruses, no spyware,
and no malware has entered any of my PCs

How do you know that for sure unless you ran an anti-virus or an
anti-spyware app?

 

[windmap]

I know that AVG and Avast! have absolutely free versions for
non-business use. You have to hunt a little on their site, scroll all
the way down, etc to find it. I don't recall "shareware" versions,
but there are versions that can be purchased.

http://www.pcworld.com/article/id,125857-page,1-c,antivirus/article.html

http://www.pcworld.com/article/id,130869/article.html

I believe above links would help you decide which one is best.

 

[soon-to-retire-teacher]

Sorry for butting in here...

My computer crashed (had OneCare on it). New computer did not have it so
downloaded it and did a restart. I kept seeing a dialog: "Urgent Connect to
finish installation" with a Retry button. It won't work. (I'm always
connected.) After searching Microsoft's OneCare site I downloaded a fixit
file which didn't work. The program shows as installed because it appears in
my Start>Programs list. I'm w/o antivirus security presently and Microsoft's
help-site is sending me 'round & 'round in circles. If I try to launch Once
by Start>Program>OneCare, it takes me back to the dialog I describe above
("Urgent Connect to finish installation...) Has anyone has similar
experience with this... Oh!, when the previously mention dialog opens, in
the upper LH corner is reads: TVBOX Satus: At Risk Hope you can help &
THANKS!

 

[soon-to-retire-teacher]

I am 'bout ready to try AVG if I can't get OneCare to install on my new
computer.

 

[Robert]

I have been told that Avast, AVG or Antivir are good free anti virus
programmes. Which do members think is the best option. They all happen to
be free But I am told that they are all very good and compare favourably with
the brand leaders. By the way I am quite happy to buy a programme and would
welcome suggestions.

At present I use AVG along with A-squared and Spybot (for malware
removal)with a Comodo firewall all of which are free. I use to have
Norton and glad I got rid of it, it caused nothing but problems and is
a resource hog.

Robert

 

[Daave]

Sorry for butting in here...

My computer crashed (had OneCare on it). New computer did not have
it so downloaded it and did a restart. I kept seeing a dialog:
"Urgent Connect to finish installation" with a Retry button. It
won't work. (I'm always connected.) After searching Microsoft's
OneCare site I downloaded a fixit file which didn't work. The
program shows as installed because it appears in my Start>Programs
list. I'm w/o antivirus security presently and Microsoft's help-site
is sending me 'round & 'round in circles. If I try to launch Once
by Start>Program>OneCare, it takes me back to the dialog I describe
above ("Urgent Connect to finish installation...) Has anyone has
similar
experience with this... Oh!, when the previously mention dialog
opens, in
the upper LH corner is reads: TVBOX Satus: At Risk Hope you can
help & THANKS!

Was this fixit file called FixCompleteInst.exe by any chance?

In addition to running that file, you also need to ensure that IE is
your default browser and remove any changed proxy settings. You may also
need to repair .NET.

See "You cannot complete the installation of Windows Live OneCare":

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/934764