Vista Windows Security Center

[Dan]

The security center in my computer was disabled, firewall, defender and
update. I reset it to active (auto). After I restart the computer those
function were disabled again. Even my Norton antivirus software were disabled
and the system won't allow to install again. Is this cause by a virus? If so
is there a free program in Microsoft web site to remove it. Norton or McAfee
said they can remove the malware for a fee ($100.00) even though I am using
their software. Or I have to format the computer and reinstall everything.
Can someone out there went through the similar problem please share your
exprience and solution?

 

[Mick Murphy]

Uninstall norton; and keep it off your computer!

Below is what I use for Security, and it works!
If you can't remove the problem in Dynamic mode, go into Safe mode to do it!
Instructions below

http://www.avast.com/eng/download-avast-home.html

Avast Anti-Virus is Vista compatible (32bit and 64bit Versions), FREE,
auto-updating, and a low resources user of your computer.
And, only have 1(one) Anti-Virus installed / running on your computer at any
one time..
Conflicts may occur if you have more than 1(one).

http://www.spybot.info/en/index.html

Spybot Search & Destroy 1.5.2 is a very good, FREE Anti-Spyware Program.
Download, install, update, and immunize your System with it.
Then SCAN with it.
Update once a fortnight.

http://www.javacoolsoftware.com/spywareblaster.html

SpywareBlaster 4.0 is a non-intrusive, FREE Anti-Spyware Program that runs
in the background.
Update it once a fortnight, and let it do its work in the background!

If you happen to find a problem that you can’t uninstall / delete, reboot
the computer, and go into Safe Mode.
To get into Safe mode, tap F8 right at Power On/ Startup, and use UP and
DOWN arrow keys to get to Safe Mode, then hit ENTER.
RESCAN your computer with Avast and Spybot S & D while in Safe Mode.

 

[Dan]

Hey Mick, I follow the guide you provided. Install all three programs. Spybot
S&D can not be installed in normal mode. I installed it in Safe mode and run
the scan function. It remove lots of virus ~ more than a dozen. The window
firewall and window defender are working now. The only problem left is that:
I can turn on the windows security center by clicking the ativation button.
This function is not working probably. Is this cause by the virus? How can I
turn on the window security center? Does having all three program intalled in
the computer create any conflicts? Thanks for your help!

 

[Mick Murphy]

Dan, if your Norton is an Internet Security Suite, it can take over from
Vista's security center , as can a virus.
Are you still running Norton? It will want t use its OWN firewall!

The Anti-Virus is the best one to remove Trojans; but you normally do have
to be in Safe mode to do it.
The Trojan must have been stopping the install of Spybot Search & Destroy in
normal mode! Have you updated it? It now scans for about 155,000 different
crap things when up to date!!

On my own computer, I turned off Defender, as it missed too much spyware in
tests.
But, I always had the 3 Programs that I have here running together with no
probs.

Hope it helps!

 

[Quentin Medeiros]

I have Norton Antivirus 2008 with Antispyware. I haven't installed it on my
system yet because I don't know if it would cause a conflict with the windows
vista firewall. Should I install it and stick with the windows vista
firewall? Or should I download the firewall from zone alarm, spybot, and the
antivirus from avast.com?

 

[Robinb]

all third party firewall programs will turn off Vista's firewall
Vista has an excellant firewall program
I personally do not like Norton anything because it is a bloated software
I use AVG 8.0 free version and Vista's firewall and also Superantispyware
Pro
which is an excellant real time antispyware program and doesn't conflict
with any of the ones I listed
Superantispyware Pro you need to purchase but it is well worth it
robin

 

[twhiteadvisor]

iam trying to delete mcafee,i have avast now and the two cause a verious.cant
assist program botton,enternet exolorer not working now,please help,i cant
assist my programs to delete mcafee

 

[Hank Arnold]

First, please don't hijack a thread like this. start your own.

Second, use punctuation and mixed case. It makes reading your posting
easier. I can't make sense of most of what you are saying. Frankly, most
posts like yours get ignored...

Third, try a spell checker. Same reason as # 2

If Add/Remove programs, then uninstall Avast. Then, if internet explorer
works, try going to the McAfee site. They will have a utility (or
instructions) on how to remove it..

--

Regards,
Hank Arnold
Microsoft MVP
Windows Server - Directory Services
http://mypcassistant.blogspot.com/