Anit Virus and On-line Backup?

Post by **PeteC** » Sun Jul 01, 2007 3:14 pm

Two questions:

1) Any recommendations for a good, free anti-virus program?

2) Any recommendations for an on-line file/HD backup storage company?

Pete

Post by **Big Boy** » Sun Jul 01, 2007 3:51 pm

Pete,

Don't use it myself, but in answer to question 1, I have dozens of friends/colleagues that swear by AVG - just type 'AVG anti virus' into Google, and you get plenty of hits.

Post by **webmaster** » Sun Jul 01, 2007 5:41 pm

AVG is the best anti-virus I have used so far, I have been using it since 2003 and never had a problem, small compact, not as intrusive or resource-demanding as the Norton or McAfee.

For online backup the best way to go is get a reliable hosting company package, won't be free but you will have more control and security.

Or flash/memory sticks, with encryption will serve a better use, since you won't need to be online to access your data.

Post by **buksida** » Sun Jul 01, 2007 5:45 pm

Agree with the above - been using AVG for a number of years and never had a problem. Must also state that anti virus alone is not enough these days, you'll need a good 3rd party firewall, anti-malware and anti-spyware programs too, I find A-squared and Spybot good for these.

Good hosting will serve your online backup needs as said above and hardware backups can be easily done with a portable hard disk.

Post by **PeteC** » Sun Jul 01, 2007 7:17 pm

Thanks to all, and to Guess on the Apple issue. Pete

Post by **redzonerocker** » Sun Jul 01, 2007 7:56 pm

i prefer norton myself. the 2007 version has it all, firewall, intrusion detection, spyware detection, phishing filter & fraud monitor. all for Â£16 (1 year subscription) bought from ebay!
i have had avg & mcafee & although both were good i find norton more protective. for those that don't have pc security, hope you don't get a trojan virus. i have had one in the past & they are an absolute nightmare.
has anyone tried the shields up test? it's a test facility to see how secure your system is.

Post by **PeteC** » Sun Jul 01, 2007 8:11 pm

We're rolling around now to one of the reasons I'm considering Apple.

Yes, I have used Norton for years and when in the USA, I had high speed cable with Road Runner. I didn't have a Norton Firewall then, but Black Ice which always scored the highest concerning ports being 'stealth' i.e. an intruder couldn't even see if your computer was there. I still think this is the best firewall available.

Alas, I bought a new computer with a Windows firewall, then I bought Norton System Works 2005 with another firewall and all they want to do is fight each other, even when one or the other is turned off. I wanted to keep my Black Ice but they wouldn't let me, they treated it like a farang in a Thai karoke bar.

Now, I just renewed my next years Norton anti virus subscription for $29.99 and guess what, there is no way on God's earth that they allow you to enter the new key code to activate it, regardless of the on-line, printed instructions they publish. Went to customer service twice as the key code expires within 7 days of issue. So far, no response from the buggers. I've noticed this a lot with Symantec over the years, they make it extremely user unfriendly to renew a subscription. They make it extremely user friendly to update and upgrade your system if you agree to buy one of their newer packages rather than renewing an existing subscription.

Add to this the constant Microsoft patch downloads and maybe...just maybe I can be at peace with an Apple at least for a few years before the bad guys decide to focus on them?

Pete

Post by **want2bethere** » Sun Jul 01, 2007 8:16 pm

I use Mcafee and have a trouble free system, on PC

you can get an ftp site quite cheap now

and use it for storage

Post by **redzonerocker** » Sun Jul 01, 2007 8:38 pm

i agree with you pete on the subscription subject. i just buy a new disc every year & install it again as a new program. same as every company, once they have you on board, the customer service deteriorates.
it seems to me that all of the security systems work differently with different computers. i have had no problems with norton but know people that have.you hear the same story with mcafee & avg. its all really down to personal preference & experiences.

Post by **buksida** » Sun Jul 01, 2007 9:27 pm

I have used Norton before and found it pretty good at catching nasties but gave up on it as I got fed up with all the bloatware. The program, including system works, took up so much memory the computer was noticeably slower with it running, not a problem with AVG.

Pete, agree with you on all the patching and upgrades to PC software its a pain in the @ss ... there are four things that put me off converting to a Mac:

1) Astronomical prices for what is pretty much the same hardware.
2) New learning process for OS.
3) Applications I like to use are not compatible.
4) I'm a bit of a gamer too - something else thats limited on a Mac.

But those that know me know I'm a die hard PC buff so I don't want to start the whole Mac vs PC debate again because we already did it here.

So I'll moderate myself now and get

Post by **webmaster** » Sun Jul 01, 2007 11:37 pm

Just a few more additions/updates,

AVG is completely FREE. Installation and removal is relatively painless.

As some of the techies on this board will confirm, it's easier and better to reinstall XP rather than un-installing Norton. Even if you use JV16 there are still lots of file entries left behind

A few more additions to Buksida's post,

you will also need a good spyware/adware programs like:
Spybot - Find and destroy (FREE)
http://www.safer-networking.org/en/

Lavasoft Adaware - (Free)
http://www.lavasoftusa.com/

Also a root Rootkit Cleaner
AVG Rootkit does a good job (FREE)
http://www.grisoft.com/doc/download-fre ... t/us/crp/0

The ZoneAlarm Firewall does a decent job with a very small resource usage and the Home version is FREE.

http://www.zonealarm.com/store/content/home.jsp

If you are using an ADSL router, then I would suggest to activate the Firewall on the router itself, hardware beats the software in this situation.

Additionaly, use Firefox browser and Thunderbird for emails, you will have less security holes to cover while online and also after a crash or backing up your bookmarks or emails or passwords/form entries/history will be just a copy and paste job.

elem · Post by **elem** » Mon Jul 16, 2007 7:43 pm

..agree, Norton was OK in the past, but if you need to travel with your laptop, forget it, blocking you everywhere if you travel to certain countries/hotels/venues.
AVG is free and really the best so far-IMHO

..you can also bring laptop to HH and hook it up to whatever line available, and the ants around will bring plenty of viruses...

Post by **barrys** » Mon Jul 16, 2007 8:12 pm

Webmaster

Thanks for all the info - I'll start downloading tomorrow.

BTW, could you please tell me how to activate the firewall on my ADSL router (D-Link DSL-504T)

Post by **Norseman** » Mon Jul 16, 2007 9:08 pm

If you don't have a users manual, you'll find it here Barry.
ftp://files.dlink.com.au/products/DSL-5 ... Manual.pdf

Post by **barrys** » Mon Jul 16, 2007 10:02 pm

Thanks Norseman - much appreciated

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Anit Virus and On-line Backup?

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