I need protection!

[rapunzel]

Any advice from our AW.org computer experts is deeply appreciated.

I bought my DELL PC, running Vista, early last year and with it came Norton Anti Virus software. The software expired yesterday and I keep getting renewal requests, which require the spending of $$$$.

I don't really like Norton very much and don't really want to spend money if there are downloadable programs for free. I always hear other people saying that they never buy any anti-viral and phishing software and get everything off the internet for nix.

If that is true, where do I look and what do I look for?

Do I have to uninstall Norton before I download some other program?

Early last year my PC was infected with some virus that Norton didn't even detect. I contacted Norton about that, spoke to someone half way around the world, paid over a hundred bucks to have them fix the problem remotely, which resulted in them crashing my computer and not even calling me back even though they said they would, should we lose contact. When I finally got through to them I just got the standard shoulder-shrug and sorry we can't do anything more for you. Then I contacted DELL, which is what I should have done from the start and they helped me clean up my PC for free. Lesson learnt.

Anyway, any helpful advice is greatly appreciated. I am not the most computer literate person. It takes too much time, to learn the guts of how it all works, which I don't have. I also suffer from selective ADD.

Thanks in advance.

Olav

 

[58limited]

I'm still with Norton although I don't like it - just being lazy about changing. Several of my friends use Kaspersky antivirus. Its not free but is supposed to be one of the best antivirus programs out there.

 

[mixfinder]

Microsoft Essentials

Remove the current antivirus program. Go to the Microsoft.com website and down load Security Essentials. Its free, constantly updated and works flawlessly. Consumer Reports just rated it number 1.

 

[toggleswitch]

I use AVG. The free version works fine!

 

[mattl]

I second Microsoft Security Essentials. Works very well, is free. What is better than something that really works and is free?

 

[rapunzel]

Love the look of AVG, Toggles.

I don't know why, but I always gravitate towards shiny, sparkly and colorful things as well.

Thanks for your suggestions I'll check it out. Of course if any others have knowledge to share, don't be shy, I'd love to learn from you.

P.S. Toggles

Loved your apron pic. Do you wear that with fishnets?

Olav

 

[rapunzel]

Microsoft Essentials

Is that only antiviral or does it also cover mal and spyware?

 

[rapunzel]

I am safe at last

I got rid of Norton, installed Security Essentials and have already done a full system scan. Everything appears to be apples.

Thanks guys

Olav

 

[joeekaitis]

Don't just uninstall your old anti-virus and slap on a new one. Back up your data and, if Dell provided a Windows install DVD instead of a system restore DVD, use it to install a clean Windows environment. Immediately download all current updates from Microsoft Update and then install a good freebie anti-virus followed by your applications.

If the DVD is labeled "system restore," you're up that proverbial creek because it'll return the PC to the original out-of-the-box state, i.e.: with all the bloatware installed as well. Better to borrow a full install DVD and use the key code from the label on the PC to activate it.

 

[rolls_rapide]

Norton

To uninstall Norton you have to download their uninstaller from Symantec.

I previously used AVG 9.0 Free Edition, until one update rendered my XP machine as slow as treacle. I switched to AVAST! and the difference was like comparing chalk to cheese. Apparently Avast! has a better performance on detections.

For a firewall, I use Zone Alarm Free.

 

[whirlcool]

Better to borrow a full install DVD and use the key code from the label on the PC to activate it.

If you do this, sooner than later you'll get a message from Microsoft telling you your PC operating system has been installed on other computers, and you'll need to purchase a new copy. Then they will disable your copy of Vista. Use the original DVD that came with the machine, and if you didn't get one call your computers manufacturer and tell them to send you one. There is normally no charge for this.

I tried Kasperski for awhile, it was good, but it kept warning me of every little thing. You have to be a near computer whiz to understand what the warning messages were. Casual users would be driven nuts by this.
I use Norton AntiVirus 2009 and like it. One thing you have to do is periodically hit the "Liveupdate" button periodically. While Norton Acti-Virus automatically downloads the latest virus definitions for you, you have to manually downloard via Liveupdate the latest program updates. If you don't do this, Norton may very well not be able to find all the viruses.

 

[lordkenmore]

Another point that's been made to death but seems worth repeating is to avoid using Internet Explorer for web browsing. Even with supposedly improved security, I hear about various IE-letting-bad-stuff in incidents.

 

[rapunzel]

Thanks everyone for all the information

I had already uninstalled Norton (Internet Security 2009) before Joe posted his info about the removal tool. I just did what every sensible, logical and computer illiterate person would do and performed the uninstall using my program manager. The only item left is the Norton Internet Security Key, which didn't uninstall. As mentioned above I have also already downloaded Security Essentials and performed a complete system check - so far no problems, the light is green, all seems well and all my data is intact.

Now, not having used the Norton removal tool what bad things are going to happen?

Are you going to tell me that I will have to uninstall Security Essentials (do I need a tool for that too?) and reinstall Norton Internet Security 2009 and then uninstall it again using the tool; and then reinstalling Security Essentials? (Oh how I long for the simple life)

I am also a little confused about using my install DVD - my operating system is fine and I have no viruses, so why do I need to run the install DVD?

All info and advice welcome - thanks again guys.

Olav

 

[panthera]

Olav,

You've gotten some good advice, so I'll just answer a few questions which I am competent to answer.

Microsoft Security Essentials recognizes security threats, including some malware. No single intruder-recognition program can do everything. Whether you go with Microsoft Security Essentials, AVG or Avast, you are going to have to pay attention to what you're doing.

A freshly installed Windows works better than one which has been running for awhile. This also is true for every single operating system, but may the gods help anyone who dares to speak truth to the macfanboys. So, yes, if you can, reinstall Windows. If you can't do it easily, don't sweat it.

Internet Explorer and Microsoft Media Player are two major doorways through which intruders storm the computer's defenses. Stick to Chrome or Firefox, use VLC media player and, sadly, you will have made a dramatic increase in your active and not just passive safety. They're really that dangerous.

Backup regularly.

One tiny note. Do download the Norton removal tool.
Never, ever run two anti-viral programs at the same time. They don't work.

Above all - one of the worst intruders out there right now pretends to be an anti-virus program. Never accept an invitation from a web-site to 'scan' your computer.

Hope this helps.

 

[joeekaitis]

I am also a little confused about using my install DVD

"I am also a little confused about using my install DVD - my operating system is fine and I have no viruses, so why do I need to run the install DVD?"

Viruses and other forms of malware can splatter nasty stuff all over your hard drive. Most uninstallers err on the side of caution and leave behind a lot of digital gunk that accumulates. A once-a-year reinstall of the operating system is the only way to wipe it all out, and if Dell provided a Vista install DVD instead of a system recovery DVD, you get the added advantage of a clean install of Windows, not one bogged down with trialware and other performance-robbing junk.

 

[rapunzel]

I am really greatful for your advice,

but I think I've opened Pandora's box. One question leads to a million others. Anyway, I do have an operating system re-install DVD, including half a dozen application discs. You know, I've never even done a back-up.

I'll get my brother-in-law to help me with this.

Thanks again guys.

Cheers

Olav

 

[lordkenmore]

"Never accept an invitation from a web-site to 'scan' your computer."

This reminds me of an interesting experience I had once. I was merrily browsing away, and one web site had an ad section reporting that they were kindly scanning my system for viruses. And it was finding all sorts of problems with that or that ".exe" file. It was sort of frightening because it was obviously some ploy AT BEST to advertise a legitimate service, and at worst to engineer users into doing something that would harm or destroy their system.

Although, it was amusing in one way. I apparently had dozens of suspect ".exe" files--which was odd since my system has no ".exe" files, which are a Windows thing, and I don't have Windows.

 

[rapunzel]

"Never accept an invitation from a web-site to 'scan

I don't do that kind of stuff anyway. Anything that I don't initiate I don't act on and prompts like that are ignored. The same with emails. If I don't know the source it gets deleted immediately.

Computers are very convenient when they work the way they should, but like cellphones, they can really intrude into ones personal space and take up more time than I am prepared to allow. I own these things to enhance the quality of my life not diminish it.