Zardon,you were right.......

nitrousoxide52 · Nov 26, 2005, 11:57 PM

I run AVG, which IMO is probably one of the best free AV programs out there, I know it's not going to be anywhere near as effective as a corporate edition AV software, but it gets the job done and has all the features, and it also takes a very little bit of mem (anywhere from 7-15). I've never had a major virus infestation so, I guess it works

Zardon · Nov 26, 2005, 11:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nitrousoxide52

I run AVG, which IMO is probably one of the best free AV programs out there, I know it's not going to be anywhere near as effective as a corporate edition AV software, but it gets the job done and has all the features, and it also takes a very little bit of mem (anywhere from 7-15). I've never had a major virus infestation so, I guess it works

Great program, always my first recommendation to a new user.

Judas · Nov 27, 2005, 12:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zardon

Well I think "mindless" is perhaps a little harsh. the average user (if there is such a thing) needs as much automated protection as possible. If they run into problems they are less skilled in solving them. Rule of thumb. Free antivirus client and a free antispyware client, goes a long way to helping most people.

I really said all I needed to in the last post. I will not recommend anyone on windows XP runs without an AV client, especially on broadband.

i'm finding it quite difficult to explain myself clearly enough. I think i'm confusing to people about my initial thoughts on the matter, my opinion.

Zardon · Nov 27, 2005, 12:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Judas

i'm finding it quite difficult to explain myself clearly enough. I think i'm confusing to people about my initial thoughts on the matter, my opinion.

I dont really think its confusing, you said you dont recommend an antivirus client for windows XP as they hog down rigs and cause system corruption. I and others have said they dont if you use a good client. As I also said I could understand your views if we were talking about linux distro or Macintosh OS x where the market is not large enough to prove interesting to script kiddies, hackers and virus writers.

Its all about opinions and I dont have an issue with that - that is what a forum is for, I however do have an issue that kids coming here could see your post count and feel it was perfectly fine to jump onto broadband and start surfing any website while getting email directly onto their machine without any forum of virus/Trojan protection. It is not good advice. I have stated why in prior posts, I dont really think there is any need for either of us to keep recapping the same views on it as the thread is already somewhat off track already.

Falstaff · Nov 27, 2005, 12:37 AM

Judas...put the dope and the booze away...
you really mean well, your just tire mate....
there is more clean air in Canada than here so breath a little deeper next time...LOL

Kombatant · Nov 27, 2005, 12:48 AM

Use an Anti-Virus kids. Never enter XP without it. I use NOD32 btw, which is extremely lightweight and effective, according to various reviews and studies.

Judas · Nov 27, 2005, 02:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Falstaff

Judas...put the dope and the booze away...
you really mean well, your just tire mate....
there is more clean air in Canada than here so breath a little deeper next time...LOL

i don't smoke?

HawgsHead · Nov 27, 2005, 03:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by daedal

Hmm.. I need to get some canned air.

I go through 2-3 cans per week.

Necrosis · Nov 27, 2005, 03:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zardon

Great program, always my first recommendation to a new user.

Avast is pretty good too.

Necrosis · Nov 27, 2005, 03:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HawgsHead

I go through 2-3 cans per week.

Criminy...you really need an air compressor.

PangingJr · Nov 27, 2005, 04:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Judas

panging, by no means was i saying that you don't do anything as i do, if i have any questions related to windows i still come to you. I'm refering to the Typical John Doe out there, the everyday mindless computer user.

believe me JD i knew you didn't mean that and you're my friend.
the only part of my message that i tried to point out the obvious to you (meaning you JD and other or anyone who reads...) is/was "even that, my AV program still catching some of virus-like attacks from time to times.".

even me who have been keeping my system so well (just about like yours) still getting some virus-like attacks. your basic assumptions are not always right. you must use an automated AV program so it can warn you.

anyway, we're all really coming at this AV things from a different angle. what i really like to point out (for the last time) is you should also use an automated AV program, it's the right tool for the job, and is just like you should use a screwdriver, not a pocket knife, whenever you want to drive screws. as everyone know it'll help getting your job done a lot easier and better.

to everyone, sorry that i started this AV things by quoting JD's words and made some of off topic posts as you've seen in here. i can't stop you if you want to continue on this off topic, but i really like to see you all go back to the original conversations that you were having. thank you.

Zardon · Nov 27, 2005, 11:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Necrosis

Avast is pretty good too.

yeah I used that on X64 when I was testing it. seemed decent.

riles9262 · Nov 27, 2005, 09:12 PM

Out of the free ones, I like antivir the best. It's got quite the options, the scanner is a little slower unfortunately, but it has a decent heuristics engine and good detection rate, and gives many options for detected files. I also believe that all computers, especially those on a broadband connection need some sort of antivirus btw...

swimtech · Nov 28, 2005, 04:20 AM

Missed this whole deal over the past couple days, found the read interesting though - although maybe in a different forum... This discussion has as much to do now about the technology behind software as the software advice HawgsHead expressed his appreciation for at the start, so I'll leave it...

To bring on back on topic a bit, the original problem was a slow running system - relative to what it should have been.

I know from experience, some users might not be infected by a virus per se which destroys software or alters personal information and documents - but I strongly believe that most average users do commonly have spyware, adware, and more tracking cookies that you would want to count cluttering their hard drive and busy within the registry. If you have never used software like Adaware (as an example) you will LIKELY find a hundred or more of those pesky cookies alone, to say nothing of the tiny bot programs for ads and spyware that send out your personal information or just clutter your screen, if you have been using the net for a few hours daily for six months to a year unprotected.

These data miners take time (and CPU cycles and hard drive activity) to update themselves, search your hard drive, send their data, and so forth - thereby slowing down your system - making your machine take longer to boot, run applications, etc... These kinds of things, to say nothing of actual viruses which alter files, suck the life out a machine especially while online - which makes it even more important to keep these things controlled while using a broadband connection, which is active the entire time the computer is turned on. Wiping the system clean kills the 'bacteria' that accumulate over time - but that is drastic for most, and requires some expertise and/or organization that most just don't have or do. Shoot, most folks now just have a restore disk set or partition, and no backup (costs too much, time consuming, don't know how...) so they'd lose everything since the day they turned on their computer for the first time.

The viruses too are out there, they can and will corrupt your software - often Windows itself which means nothing else will run - requiring a reinstallation (now, what happened to the checkbook I did with Quicken? My taxes from the last two years are gone!!! What did I do with that Civilization 3 disk???). A decent antivirus program along with a good spyware/adware reduces the risk of experiencing those kinds of slowdowns or catastophic data loss. The 'baddies' never get in to start with and/or can be killed with the stroke of a mouse pointer. I strongly believe that with the technology in the software over the net today (and for some time now...), it just isn't worth the risk not to run protective software - and to tolerate the slight performance hit

I've personally never gotten a virus - modem or broadband - you do have to be careful - I am - very. My wife did once, and I had to kill it - used AntiVir (Overclockers did a review lately - was the most effective at detection of viruses and the best of the freebie programs - almost as effective as Kapersky). A lot of times, the antivirus/adware/spyware software slows a machine down considerably by itself. I quit using Spybot for that reason. AntiVir gives me no noticeable slowdowns while in 'Guard' mode and saved my wife once in the last month from an infection (this was behind a router too folks!), and MS Antispyware doesn't seem to slow things down either, but has given me a couple notices lately (thankfully benign) that it was working. Finally, Adaware run once a week keeps the tracking cookies cleaned out. Theoretically speaking, the antivirus and antispyware software must slow down the machine because they take up memory and CPU cycles - but not enough for me to care about considering the alternative.

The main reasons you will want to use the software is to keep your machine secure, running as lean and fast as possible (in a world where access to the outside world - in and out of your machine - is necessary for most), and to prevent catastrophic data loss requiring reinstallation of the OS, data, or applications.

Last paragraph, promise. The technology of viruses and spyware has changed over the past several years. Instead of someone wanting to alter or destroy data on your computer to prove what a great programmer they are, now they want to keep your computer running and suck you for information they can use to manipulate your life, steal your money, or both (and prove what a great programmer they are). I don't think the change has been for the better...

Tril · Nov 28, 2005, 09:05 AM

I used avast in the past. You can get virus easily if your computer is not up to date.

I have an Win2k SP2 install cd. You have to be very careful when using it. If you install it on a computer connected to the internet, it only takes a few minutes to get a virus/worm that takes advantage of vulnerabilities in that windows version. It happened to me. I had to download the updates on another computer that had the updates installed, write them to a cd, do another fresh install and install the updates from the cd without the network connected.

I also don't have an antivirus installed. I install avast once every one or two months to verify that I don't have any viruses then I uininstall it. It slows down the computer too much to my liking.

I also have SpywareGuard and SpywareBlaster installed. They both increase protection a little without taking much cpu. I also run Ad-Aware and Spybot once in a while.

I don't have an antivirus working in the background but it's a risk I'm ready to take. I usually install one for some time when I reinstall windows because I run a higher risk of becoming infected before all the Windows Updates from Microsoft are installed.

Falstaff · Nov 29, 2005, 08:44 AM

norton av corporate....best AV on the commerical market

GutterPunk · Nov 30, 2005, 04:27 PM

Ive never had a problem w/ norton anti virus. And to say they are completely useless... meh thats bs because once it detects something and i find i have a virus I just reformat. With out it I wouldnt be able to so I agree w/ panging throughout

Nov 26, 2005, 11:57 PM	#31
nitrousoxide52 Driverheaven.com err .net Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 1,719 Rep Power: 0	I run AVG, which IMO is probably one of the best free AV programs out there, I know it's not going to be anywhere near as effective as a corporate edition AV software, but it gets the job done and has all the features, and it also takes a very little bit of mem (anywhere from 7-15). I've never had a major virus infestation so, I guess it works __________________ AMD Athlon64 X2 3800+ XFX Geforce 7800GT ABIT AN8-SLI BFG Tech 650w

Nov 27, 2005, 12:37 AM	#35
Falstaff Old Codger Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: USAFA Posts: 19,048 Rep Power: 207	Judas...put the dope and the booze away... you really mean well, your just tire mate.... there is more clean air in Canada than here so breath a little deeper next time...LOL __________________ "Inspiration is always a surprising visitor."

Nov 27, 2005, 12:48 AM	#36
Kombatant DriverHeaven Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Athens, Hellas Posts: 644 Rep Power: 62	Use an Anti-Virus kids. Never enter XP without it. I use NOD32 btw, which is extremely lightweight and effective, according to various reviews and studies. __________________ There is no spoon... Kombatant's Lair

Nov 27, 2005, 09:12 PM	#43
riles9262 Driverheaven brewmaster Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: British Columbia, Canada Posts: 4,842 Rep Power: 72 System Specs	Out of the free ones, I like antivir the best. It's got quite the options, the scanner is a little slower unfortunately, but it has a decent heuristics engine and good detection rate, and gives many options for detected files. I also believe that all computers, especially those on a broadband connection need some sort of antivirus btw... __________________ A beer a day keeps the doctor away.

Nov 28, 2005, 04:20 AM	#44
swimtech HardwareHeaven Extreme Member Join Date: May 2002 Location: North Carolina Posts: 4,040 Rep Power: 124 System Specs	Missed this whole deal over the past couple days, found the read interesting though - although maybe in a different forum... This discussion has as much to do now about the technology behind software as the software advice HawgsHead expressed his appreciation for at the start, so I'll leave it... To bring on back on topic a bit, the original problem was a slow running system - relative to what it should have been. I know from experience, some users might not be infected by a virus per se which destroys software or alters personal information and documents - but I strongly believe that most average users do commonly have spyware, adware, and more tracking cookies that you would want to count cluttering their hard drive and busy within the registry. If you have never used software like Adaware (as an example) you will LIKELY find a hundred or more of those pesky cookies alone, to say nothing of the tiny bot programs for ads and spyware that send out your personal information or just clutter your screen, if you have been using the net for a few hours daily for six months to a year unprotected. These data miners take time (and CPU cycles and hard drive activity) to update themselves, search your hard drive, send their data, and so forth - thereby slowing down your system - making your machine take longer to boot, run applications, etc... These kinds of things, to say nothing of actual viruses which alter files, suck the life out a machine especially while online - which makes it even more important to keep these things controlled while using a broadband connection, which is active the entire time the computer is turned on. Wiping the system clean kills the 'bacteria' that accumulate over time - but that is drastic for most, and requires some expertise and/or organization that most just don't have or do. Shoot, most folks now just have a restore disk set or partition, and no backup (costs too much, time consuming, don't know how...) so they'd lose everything since the day they turned on their computer for the first time. The viruses too are out there, they can and will corrupt your software - often Windows itself which means nothing else will run - requiring a reinstallation (now, what happened to the checkbook I did with Quicken? My taxes from the last two years are gone!!! What did I do with that Civilization 3 disk???). A decent antivirus program along with a good spyware/adware reduces the risk of experiencing those kinds of slowdowns or catastophic data loss. The 'baddies' never get in to start with and/or can be killed with the stroke of a mouse pointer. I strongly believe that with the technology in the software over the net today (and for some time now...), it just isn't worth the risk not to run protective software - and to tolerate the slight performance hit I've personally never gotten a virus - modem or broadband - you do have to be careful - I am - very. My wife did once, and I had to kill it - used AntiVir (Overclockers did a review lately - was the most effective at detection of viruses and the best of the freebie programs - almost as effective as Kapersky). A lot of times, the antivirus/adware/spyware software slows a machine down considerably by itself. I quit using Spybot for that reason. AntiVir gives me no noticeable slowdowns while in 'Guard' mode and saved my wife once in the last month from an infection (this was behind a router too folks!), and MS Antispyware doesn't seem to slow things down either, but has given me a couple notices lately (thankfully benign) that it was working. Finally, Adaware run once a week keeps the tracking cookies cleaned out. Theoretically speaking, the antivirus and antispyware software must slow down the machine because they take up memory and CPU cycles - but not enough for me to care about considering the alternative. The main reasons you will want to use the software is to keep your machine secure, running as lean and fast as possible (in a world where access to the outside world - in and out of your machine - is necessary for most), and to prevent catastrophic data loss requiring reinstallation of the OS, data, or applications. Last paragraph, promise. The technology of viruses and spyware has changed over the past several years. Instead of someone wanting to alter or destroy data on your computer to prove what a great programmer they are, now they want to keep your computer running and suck you for information they can use to manipulate your life, steal your money, or both (and prove what a great programmer they are). I don't think the change has been for the better... __________________ It's not so much getting your way that matters or not - what matters is how you go about getting it.

Nov 28, 2005, 09:05 AM	#45
Tril S-3D enthusiast Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Canada Posts: 1,676 Rep Power: 64 System Specs	I used avast in the past. You can get virus easily if your computer is not up to date. I have an Win2k SP2 install cd. You have to be very careful when using it. If you install it on a computer connected to the internet, it only takes a few minutes to get a virus/worm that takes advantage of vulnerabilities in that windows version. It happened to me. I had to download the updates on another computer that had the updates installed, write them to a cd, do another fresh install and install the updates from the cd without the network connected. I also don't have an antivirus installed. I install avast once every one or two months to verify that I don't have any viruses then I uininstall it. It slows down the computer too much to my liking. I also have SpywareGuard and SpywareBlaster installed. They both increase protection a little without taking much cpu. I also run Ad-Aware and Spybot once in a while. I don't have an antivirus working in the background but it's a risk I'm ready to take. I usually install one for some time when I reinstall windows because I run a higher risk of becoming infected before all the Windows Updates from Microsoft are installed.

Nov 29, 2005, 08:44 AM	#46
Falstaff Old Codger Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: USAFA Posts: 19,048 Rep Power: 207	norton av corporate....best AV on the commerical market __________________ "Inspiration is always a surprising visitor."

Nov 30, 2005, 04:27 PM	#47
GutterPunk I = Greatest Dood Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Nebraska Posts: 5,949 Rep Power: 71	Ive never had a problem w/ norton anti virus. And to say they are completely useless... meh thats bs because once it detects something and i find i have a virus I just reformat. With out it I wouldnt be able to so I agree w/ panging throughout __________________ Rock On \m/ Thank you Mousey for the Sig! --------------- Intel Core2Duo E6660 (3.4GHZ) ~ Tuniq Tower 120 ~ Enermax Galaxy 1000W ~ Corsair Dominator @ 1090MHZ 5-5-5-15 (OCZ XTC Modded Cooler)~ EVGA 8800GTX W/ HR-03 Plus 120MM ~ Asus DVD-RW LiteScribe ~ LG DVD-RW ~ Corsair Voyager 2GB ReadyBoost Drive ~ Vantec Nexus Fan Controller ~ ThermalTake Armor 25CM fan ~ Personal Finance Blog: Dent Your Debt