Windows Security Center - Is it trying to sell me something?

[=?iso-8859-1?Q?JethroUK=A9?=]

Windows Security Center is flagging that i have no virus protection and
shows me where to buy some - Presumably if i buy some of the 'nominated
software' it will satify it - I can of course buy a million more and get a
trillion for free

What qualifies as 'Virus Protection'? - What is it looking for? - Apart from
disabling it, What do I have to do to shut it up?

Is it trying to sell me something?

 

[Cal Bear '66]

Try Avast or AVG -- both FREE and Vista compatible.

 

[Richard G. Harper]

It's looking for any Vista-compatible antivirus program to protect your
system. You may buy any Vista-compatible antivirus program you want, the
"recommended" ones are simply ones that you can either try for free or get
at a discount through a special offer.

--
Richard G. Harper [MVP Shell/User] (e-mail address removed)
* NEW! Catch my blog ... http://msmvps.com/blogs/rgharper/
* PLEASE post all messages and replies in the newsgroups
* The Website - http://rgharper.mvps.org/
* HELP us help YOU ... http://www.dts-l.org/goodpost.htm

 

[Ian Betts]

Windows Security Center is flagging that i have no virus protection and
shows me where to buy some - Presumably if i buy some of the 'nominated
software' it will satify it - I can of course buy a million more and get a
trillion for free

What qualifies as 'Virus Protection'? - What is it looking for? - Apart
from disabling it, What do I have to do to shut it up?

Is it trying to sell me something?

No trying to sell you something just telling you your vulnerable. Thank it
and get a good virus protector real quick.

I suggest Titanium from www.pandasoftware.com or nod32 from www.eset.co.uk

 

[Ken Blake, MVP]

Windows Security Center is flagging that i have no virus protection and
shows me where to buy some - Presumably if i buy some of the 'nominated
software' it will satify it - I can of course buy a million more and get a
trillion for free

What qualifies as 'Virus Protection'?

An anti-virus program.

- What is it looking for?

An anti-virus program.


- Apart from

disabling it, What do I have to do to shut it up?

Is it trying to sell me something?

Running without an anti-virus program is foolhardy. You are at severe
risk. You can buy one, or use one of the excellent free choices, such
as Avast! or AVG. I use Avast! myself.

 

[=?iso-8859-1?Q?JethroUK=A9?=]

AVG works & it was free - Thanks

Try Avast or AVG -- both FREE and Vista compatible.

 

[Dave Turner]

An anti-virus program.




An anti-virus program.


- Apart from



Running without an anti-virus program is foolhardy. You are at severe
risk. You can buy one, or use one of the excellent free choices, such
as Avast! or AVG. I use Avast! myself.

I think what the OP is talking about is the same problem I have. I
dumped Norton and installed Avast, but the system gets heartburn about
it. The protection center claims that there is no AV running, when what
it actually means is that Norton is not running. I wonder if there is a
way to educate the system to the fact that a compatible AV is indeed
running.
Dave

 

[Peter Foldes]

Jethro

Both you and Dave possibly have a variation of the Smithfrad malware\Trojan. One of the characterization of this malware\Trojan is to have pop ups advising the consumer that he has no Anti Virus protection and advises as to where one can obtain one.

Follow the next 2 steps and see if this pop up gets cleared up

Do the first steps here

http://www.elephantboycomputers.com/page2.html#Removing_Malware

Then do this

http://www.elephantboycomputers.com/page2.html#Smitfraud_Trojan

Let us know if it has helped in solving your issue

 

[Dave Turner]

Jethro

Both you and Dave possibly have a variation of the Smithfrad malware\Trojan. One of the characterization of this malware\Trojan is to have pop ups advising the consumer that he has no Anti Virus protection and advises as to where one can obtain one.

Follow the next 2 steps and see if this pop up gets cleared up

Do the first steps here

http://www.elephantboycomputers.com/page2.html#Removing_Malware

Then do this

http://www.elephantboycomputers.com/page2.html#Smitfraud_Trojan

Let us know if it has helped in solving your issue

Peter,
Thanks for the reply, but no trojan here. Let me elaborate about my
situation, not speaking for the OP.

I have an HP computer (new) running Vista home premium. HP has preloaded
a program entitled "Health and Security" which is supposed to keep track
of certain windows functions such as windows defender, broadband
connection, firewall, etc., and works in conjunction with the preloaded
Norton internet security 2007. With norton running, all is fine.
Uninstall norton and this program says "AV is not running", even though
you have installed a different AV. HP apparently wants norton, and
nothing else.
Again, I don't know if the OP has this same situation, I merely
suggested this as something to look at. It is very disconcerting to have
to look at this warning (not a pop-up) within this program at startup.
It forces me to verify that Avast is running, and it always is.
Dave

 

[Ken Blake, MVP]

I think what the OP is talking about is the same problem I have. I
dumped Norton and installed Avast, but the system gets heartburn about
it. The protection center claims that there is no AV running, when what
it actually means is that Norton is not running.

Maybe, but he didn't say anything that suggests that he has an
anti-virus running.

I wonder if there is a
way to educate the system to the fact that a compatible AV is indeed
running.

Like you, I have Avast! running here. But Vista does not tell me no
anti-virus is running.