computer virus protection question

DjPiLL, MCDO15 - HELP!

My computer needs XP reinstalled and I have been procrastinating for months doing this. It's so badly infected and I have tried everything!

Question - What antivirus software is considered the best these days? I have always used Norton but don't know if it's still as good as it used to be and if there are better products out there. Along with my PC I need to dump something on DH's laptop now that I have him hooked up to our wireless network...any suggestions?

I also work in IT an we use Norton Corporate Edition on our Computer system. Just my 2 cents.

Any virus protection program will do the job.

But there are two things you must keep in mind:


1 - A virus program is only as good as the updates it gets. Make sure the program knows how to connect to the internet to download updates. Updates happen weekly on average... and sometimes HOURLY during real bad virus outbreaks! Norton Antivirus will do the job.


2 - You also need good spyware protection! Enough spyware will corrupt your computer almost as bad as a virus will. Many people load up on the anti-virus... but fail to protect from spyware. Microsoft has a free anti-spyware tool that integrates with XP. But it isn't proven. You can buy a program like Pest Control which I hear is pretty decent. You also MUST update your anti-spyware program on a weekly basis. Any good anti-spyware program should be able to do this.


You might even be able to find a 'suite' of programs that will do all this anti-virus and anti-spyware. Norton probably makes a single product that does both... but the name is not coming to my head.

Actually... just checked. If you buy Norton Antivirus... you can download their Norton Anti-Spyware for FREE! Not bad.


Hope this helps!

Linkified

I'm not into computers but my best friend's husband is...he swears by PC Cilin (sp?). He says it's a million times better than Norton and along with some spyware detection it really protects PC's. We have the latest Norton and we got hit by the latest virus (the one that makes your computer shut down) and Norton didn't catch it. We brought it over to my BF's house and her DH diagnosed it immediately.

Good luck!

And finally... DON'T GO TO ANY FUNNY WEBSITES!


I am a bad example. I only just put anti-virus on my PC a few months ago (have had the PC for over a year total). I also have NO Spyware Protection!

I know... bad bad bad me. But you know what? I have no issues! Why? Cause I practice 'safe website computing'.

Don't click on any pop-ups... don't open any suspicious emails... don't visit any funny websites... and DON'T DOWNLOAD ANY PROGRAMS FROM THE INTERNET... unless its something you PAID for. That means no screen savers, web toolbars, smily/emotion add-ons for email, NONE of that garbage!

Most of those programs have viruses hidden in them!


Practice safe computing like I do... and I guarantee you will never have issues.

(But buy the anti-virus and anti-spam software just in case)

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Posted by SomethingBlu

I'm not into computers but my best friend's husband is...he swears by PC Cilin (sp?).

Good luck!

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PC Cilin is still in business?

I used them like YEARS ago. Back then their product was decent. It probably still is.

But I wouldn't just rely on an anti-virus program that has 'some' anti-spyware.

Norton Antivirus Corporate Edition v10 has some anti-spyware. But I wouldn't trust it as far as I could throw it.

If it were me...

I would get the Norton Antivirus in the link I provided... cause that gives you their FREE full-blown anti-spyware product.

Actually... shyt... Norton gives you anti-spam free... not anti-spyware.

Its late and I must have mis-read it. Give me a few minutes and I will find a few products for you.

Ahhhh... THIS is the product you want... the 'suite' that does EVERYTHING you need.

Norton Internet Security 2005


This will do it all... anti-virus, anti-spyware, personal firewall, anti-spam.

If you buy it in the store... just make sure its the ANTI-SPYWARE version... exactly whats printed on the webpage.

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Posted by DjPiLL

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Posted by SomethingBlu

I'm not into computers but my best friend's husband is...he swears by PC Cilin (sp?).

Good luck!

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PC Cilin is still in business?

I used them like YEARS ago. Back then their product was decent. It probably still is.

But I wouldn't just rely on an anti-virus program that has 'some' anti-spyware.

Norton Antivirus Corporate Edition v10 has some anti-spyware. But I wouldn't trust it as far as I could throw it.

If it were me...

I would get the Norton Antivirus in the link I provided... cause that gives you their FREE full-blown anti-spyware product.

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Must not have made sense. He recommends PC Cilin along with a spy ware detection program...not integrated. He's a Network Engineer (which means a lot more experience that a techie) so I definitely trust what he says.

McAfee Anti-Virus Professional

Trend-Micro PC-Cillin Internet Security


Two more products you can look at.

Now I know why I haven't heard of PC-Cillin in years. Because they were aquired by Trend Micro!

I have heard good things about Trend Micro... so I am sure they did well with PC-Cillin.


All of these produts do Anti-Spam and Anti-Virus.

McAfee's product gives you two licences... so you can install it on two PCs legally. Might be beneficial to you. I am not sure if the other two programs allow that.

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Posted by SomethingBlu

He's a Network Engineer

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Thats cool. So am I.

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Posted by DjPiLL

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Posted by SomethingBlu

He's a Network Engineer

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Thats cool. So am I.

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Well, great dorks (hope you don't mind...I only call the super smart that! ) think alike...he's a super dork and soo boring...but you have to trust the boring, no?! Especially if they're so 'passionate' about computers!

Cool jobs you have...computers and DJing...my DH wants to get into both...again, my DH is a dork.

Well I have to admit... I am not passionate about anti-virus as I am about other things.

I am the top network guy for a company of 500 employees. So I mostly work on the really BIG servers and firewalls. I don't deal with desktops anymore... my help desk team does all my dirty work.

So I am not as 'brushed up' on all the latest anti-virus programs out there. All of my appliances and servers usually have their own built-in proprietary anti-virus thats provided by the manufacturer.

But I do know we use Norton Corporate Edition V10 at my job. How do I know? Cause I ordered 500 copies of it!

And ask some people on this website or LIF....

... i am FAR from boring!

what pill said is good

my setup up

anti virus corp 10 set up
spybot s & d
spyware blaster (controls active x -REALLY IMPORTANT)
windows update (all the time)
google toolbar (popups)
no funny websites

reinstall always works and installing the proper measures before hand. trying to repair something badly damange never works out. just make sure you have your stuff backed up on cd or something.

thanks everyone!

i have spybot s & d and adaware along with norton. i have attempted to manually delete files in safe mode as the above are unable to do so automatically. i have never had my pc so badly infected and it's gotten so bad i know i just have to reinstall, however i just want to make sure i'm up to date as far as the procucts go. i have heard that norton is not what it used to be, but i have no way of knowing if it's true or not

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Posted by september2004

thanks everyone!

i have spybot s & d and adaware along with norton. i have attempted to manually delete files in safe mode as the above are unable to do so automatically. i have never had my pc so badly infected and it's gotten so bad i know i just have to reinstall, however i just want to make sure i'm up to date as far as the procucts go. i have heard that norton is not what it used to be, but i have no way of knowing if it's true or not

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pc protection is just like anything else...
Do you drink Coke or Pepsi.... same but different.

just make sure you backup and test those files for viruses etc... then reinstall... this is the safest and 9 times out of 10, the eaist just to reinstall windows. if you need more help, feel free to ask.

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Posted by DjPiLL

And finally... DON'T GO TO ANY FUNNY WEBSITES!

Don't click on any pop-ups... don't open any suspicious emails... don't visit any funny websites... and DON'T DOWNLOAD ANY PROGRAMS FROM THE INTERNET... unless its something you PAID for. That means no screen savers, web toolbars, smily/emotion add-ons for email, NONE of that garbage!

Most of those programs have viruses hidden in them!

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Sooooooo True!!!!

I also run 3 Anti Spyware programs on my computer at home.

Just so everyone knows, Norton is OK but uses up a ton of resources, therefore, your computer will be slower than it needs to be.

Microsoft is currently giving away their Anti-spyware product for free but it is a test version. So far, the best I've ever used. Eventually, when it is out of the testing phase, you will need to buy it but for now it should suffice. Go to their website and click Antispyware beta.

If you use Optimum Online, you can get a copy of Computer Associates' virus program. One of the best in the industry, personally I prefer it greatly to Norton and McAfee (Network Associates) combined. Barely uses any PC resources, updates regularly, and you never know it's there. I don't like CA and would rather not advocate their product, but it is one of the better one and the on I hear the least complaints about. Go to the home page and click on essentials.

Windows update should be used with caution and I recommend using only major update packages from them. All too often, the updates may not apply to you and I've had more than one experience of it messing up my PC to where I'd have ot use System Restore.

Just my 9 cents. Hope it was helpful.

P.S. You should know that the reason so many companies use Norton is that Norton got in the game early and grabbed over 80% of the market share. Not because they are the best. Morton (Symantec) is probably one of the least effective antivirus programs on the market and if oyu ever try to remove it from your system, you will be in for a headache.