Beemaster's International Beekeeping Forum
ADMINISTRATION & HELP => COMPUTER TECH HELP FORUM => Topic started by: Intheswamp on December 31, 2011, 01:08:51 pm
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I looked, but it looks like it's been a while since a thread of this type (I probably overlooked it!). Anyhow, I need some help picking an anti-virus program.
My subscription to McAfee just expired. I've used it a few years but I've really not been overly thrilled with it, plus they are very proud of their renewal$ and will put a hook into your payment method and "auto-renew" for you if you aren't careful. I haven't picked up any viruses that it hasn't been able to deal with, though, so I will give it that much credit. It does seem to scan slowly at times during a full system scan.
So's...what is a good anti-virus program out there that you recommend? Free or pay, either way.
TwT...I think you were praising Kaspersky Internet Suit a few years ago...still using it?
Symantec products....I've been down that road and takes an act of congress to get it out of your system and you know how hard it is to get congress to do anything!
Also, anybody got any tips for ridding my system of McAfee?
Thanks for ya'll's help.
Ed
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To remove Mcaffee or Norton products,you need to download the removal tools from their respective websites. They have them and they are free. Uninstalling leaves a bunch of the software behind. I would the use a registry cleaning software widely available.
I have taken a liking to Advanced system Care(free) for this.
Comcast quit including Mcaffee with their internet service and switched to a Norton Suite. The newer Norton seems to work much more quietly in the background than Norton of old. It does idle time scans so as not to use as many resources when performing other tasks.
I don't know if this is anyone elses experience,but the newer Norton products seem much better than the old. But remeber to get the removal tool for your old security no matter what you do.
It will save a lot of installation conflicts with your new software. :)
http://download.mcafee.com/products/licensed/cust_support_patches/MCPR.exe (http://download.mcafee.com/products/licensed/cust_support_patches/MCPR.exe)
https://www-secure.symantec.com/norton-support/jsp/help-solutions.jsp?lg=english&ct=united+states&docid=20080710133834EN&product=home&version=1&pvid=f-home (https://www-secure.symantec.com/norton-support/jsp/help-solutions.jsp?lg=english&ct=united+states&docid=20080710133834EN&product=home&version=1&pvid=f-home)
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Avast has a good rep and I use AVG on the computer that doesn't need higher security. the new Norton, as buzzbee points out is much improved from the old hog that slowed everything to a crawl. Just saw Norton on sale somewhere. maybe Newegg, or Tiger?
if you are running Windows, especially 7, as your OS the newer security on the windows system seems to be much better than the old IF you keep it updated.
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Thanks ya'll for the feedback. BuzzBee, I appreciate the link to the removal software, that will help greatly.
So Norton has attempted to mend it's ways, eh? I'll take a look at it. I used Norton for years but it tended to slow things down...it pretty well kept the wolves at bay, though, so no complaints on its protection abilities. If it isn't such a system hog anymore I would probably feel ok going with it. Has either of you looked at Webroot SecureAnywhere Antivirus, http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2393678,00.asp (http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2393678,00.asp) ??? It appears to get a good rating (up there with Norton) from PC Magazine. It supposedly has a very small footprint but the bulk of it's definition database is "cloud based"...not sure how I like the cloud based apps, though apparently a lot of them are out there (and people using them).
I'm running Windows XP SP3.
Thanks,
Ed
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I like AVG as good as anything I have ever used, it's not overly expen$ive and does a good job for us. Like most folks a have a list of AV software I don't like that is way longer than the one(s) I do.
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I run my own computer repair and support business and come across many different antivirus solutions every day. As said Norton has a tried to make their product a little less rubbish than what it was but I would still recommend staying away from it as its still bloated and will slow any PC that isn't high performance.
Kaspersky used to be a good product but in my opinion it is becoming more and more like Norton. At least once a week I get a customer with problems caused by Kaspersky.
I used to recommend AVG to everyone but I don't anymore. Its becoming as bad as the 2 above slowing computers and being bloated. Just look at the installer size.
I currently recommend 4 different products.
#1 Avast. I install this on every home computer I work on. Its a fantastic product all round. Does well at catching viruses and doesn't use as many resources as those other products. Just remember to disable "Sounds" after you install it ;)
#2 Eset Nod32. This is currently my preferred product for small businesses. Again it works well detecting viruses and doesn't use many resources.
#3 Panda Antivirus Cloud Edition. I have recently started using this for larger businesses. It works well at detecting viruses, being cloud based uses bugger all resources and has a central management console.
#5 Malwarebytes Antimalware. This is not an Antivirus program as such, its just a thorough malware scanner that scans every dark corner of your pc for nasty little bugs. I recommend everyone install this and run a full scan every month. After install it will ask you to trial the pro version. Select NO! The pro version uses a real time scanner that uses a lot of resources.
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I have been using Avast for about 10 years now too. It's free and does a really good job without getting in the way. Just re-register with your email address every 18 months and it auto updates daily.
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They auto renewed a couple of subscriptions on old computers that I no longer even had and I caught them billing me for them. That was the last time I did business with McCafee and I don't plan to ever do business with them again. It is difficult to get them to stop billing you and it is difficult to kill anti-virus software. It seems it is a virus...
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They auto renewed a couple of subscriptions on old computers that I no longer even had and I caught them billing me for them. That was the last time I did business with McCafee and I don't plan to ever do business with them again. It is difficult to get them to stop billing you and it is difficult to kill anti-virus software. It seems it is a virus...
That's basically my story with Kaspersky
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It seems it is a virus...
:lau: :lau: :lau:
BEE HAPPY Jim 134 :)
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AVAST has had a couple of favorable comments here. I'm still skiddish of Norton, they've been in the business a long time, they've poured molasses in the cpu of many computers. I've stayed with McAfee the last few years because of my aversion to Norton so I don't see myself going back there. Now with McAfee, I'm not going back there, either.
If I installed AVAST would it be easy to remove it if I changed my mind and wanted to go with something different?
Thanks,
Ed
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I am surprised no own has mentioned Microsoft security essentials free and seams to do a good job
David
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i don't know about anyone else, but i have a twitch about microsoft products. they tend to put them out and then let the consumer debug them. or at least complain about the bugs until microsoft puts out a "fix".
it might be a great product, but i'd hesitate to use it as my only protection.
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AVAST has had a couple of favorable comments here. I'm still skiddish of Norton, they've been in the business a long time, they've poured molasses in the cpu of many computers. I've stayed with McAfee the last few years because of my aversion to Norton so I don't see myself going back there. Now with McAfee, I'm not going back there, either.
If I installed AVAST would it be easy to remove it if I changed my mind and wanted to go with something different?
Thanks,
Ed
Ed Avast is very easy to uninstall without leaving any left overs. Give it a try.
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+1 for NOD32. I've tried numerous AVs over the years and NOD32 is by far the closest to install and forget it. I have had no performance issues and the only time I realize it is there is when it blocks something (about 3-4 times a year).
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i don't know about anyone else, but i have a twitch about microsoft products. they tend to put them out and then let the consumer debug them. or at least complain about the bugs until microsoft puts out a "fix".
it might be a great product, but i'd hesitate to use it as my only protection.
What?...You've never read on page 248 of most MS EULAs that we agree to be MS beta testers for life?
Ed
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For what its worth, I have used ESET for last few years now with our small business and really recommend it. I dont usually recommend anything, but have found it bulletproof and doesnt slow the systems down.
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Thank you everybody for the input that you've given. I decided last night to try AVAST! and see how it works. I downloaded the free version from CNET. buzzbee, thanks for the link to the McAfee removal tool and for the registry cleanup program, both performed great.
Here's what I did:
I downloaded all three programs...AVAST!, Advanced Systemcare Free (registry cleaner), and MCPR.exe (McAfee removal). I then ran MCPR, followed by Advanced Systecare, and finally installed AVAST!. Everything went smoothly...it was *really* nice to see the McAfee icon disappear. :evil:
I left AVAST! running last night, but not in a deep scan mode. The computer is running this morning better than it has in several years...it has much more "snap" to it. :-D
Tonight when I go to bed I will do a deep scan on it.
buzzbee, I've got a question about Advanced Systemcare. It installed an icon in the system tray..."Active Boost: On". Clicking on it brings up the main program menu. Ok to leave it running, best to turn it off, or...???
I'm happy so far and will see how this works out. Thanks again for the suggestions and help!!!
Ed
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i don't know about anyone else, but i have a twitch about microsoft products.
Well yes. Since nobody else has mentioned it, if you use Linux you don't need any additional security. I know some people must use Windows because of company policies etc. but if you have a choice I would suggest that you at least give Linux a try. I use Ubuntu all the time and it does everything I need.
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I hear you on the Linux. I've got another computer in the back running the kid glove Mint. Pretty easy to go from Windows to Linux using Mint. Problem is having so many document files in windows format and and sharing with others. WINE works pretty good, but there can be issues. I guess I just need to study up on Linux a bit more and, if push comes to shove, my wife can learn a few new programs. :) At least Firefox will be familiar. ;)
I found that I do have a problem, though, and it might be a big(?) one...in looking back at the log file of AVAST! it says that it located a file named MBR:\\.\PHYSICALDRIVE0 and states the status as "ROOTKIT: Hidden boot sector" and says that the action (delete) will be done on the next boot up. Problem is AVAST doesn't take care of it when I reboot. Briefly reading on the internet it sounds like it could be bad or it might be nothing to worry over, but apparently AVAST things it's bad as it lists the "Severity" as HIGH. It sounds like a bugger to get rid of, too. Any suggestions on this one? :?
Thanks,
Ed
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I hear you on the Linux.... Problem is having so many document files in windows format and and sharing with others.
Open Office, which comes with most Linux distributions, is an excellent word processor, spread sheet app, and power point replacement. The Open Office word processor will read and write to the microsoft .doc formats. The spread sheets are totally compatible with microsoft excel. The powerpoint slides work unless you try to get really fancy and use unsupported features. The database program is not compatible with MS Access.
http://www.openoffice.org/ (http://www.openoffice.org/) (http://www.openoffice.org/)
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Hmm, that's interesting FRAMEshift, one of the computers here at work has LInux Mint on it and runs Open Office but we've tried to share an Excel file with it to no success. I'll study over it a bit later when I get some time. I *do* like Linux and the community. ;)
Ed
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Install Malwarebytes and run a full scan Ed. Make sure when running for the first time you don't enable the pro trial.
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Shane, I haven't gotten around to using Malwarebytes but it seems that the rootkit virus(?) hasn't caused an issue. I haven't forgotten about it, though!
What I wanted to mention is that McAfee sent me a notice that my virus protection has expired. Apparently they're really feeling sorry for me because they've decreased the price of their software by $30 from what they were going to renew it at earlier!!! What a deal!!!! And BTW...it's Dell Recommended!!!! :roll:
Just thought I'd pass this very valuable information on to ya'll. ;)
Ed
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Really Really like kaspersky!!! i also use CCleaner to keep things cleaned up.
For your RootKit in the MBR use the utility provided here:
http://support.kaspersky.com/viruses/solutions?qid=208280684 (http://support.kaspersky.com/viruses/solutions?qid=208280684)
Alfred
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Alfred, I took you up on the link to the removal utility and apparently it worked. I ran it a second time and it didn't detect the virus. My strain was the Rootkit.Boot.Wistler.a . I'm about to turn my lights out for the night so I'm going to leave Avast scanning and see if it picks anything up. Thanks for the link!
Here is end of the log from the initial scan:
22:28:09.0546 8844 Scan finished
22:28:09.0546 8844 ============================================================
22:28:09.0562 5500 Detected object count: 2
22:28:09.0562 5500 Actual detected object count: 2
22:28:30.0500 5500 \Device\Harddisk0\DR0 ( Rootkit.Boot.Wistler.a ) - will be cured on reboot
22:28:30.0500 5500 \Device\Harddisk0\DR0 - ok
22:28:30.0500 5500 \Device\Harddisk0\DR0 ( Rootkit.Boot.Wistler.a ) - User select action: Cure
22:28:30.0953 5500 \Device\Harddisk5\DR8 - processing error
22:28:47.0765 5500 \Device\Harddisk5\DR8 - restored
22:28:47.0765 5500 \Device\Harddisk5\DR8 ( Rootkit.Boot.Wistler.a ) - User select action: Cure Restore
22:28:54.0171 4144 Deinitialize success
Does that look right?
Ed
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Looks Good to me.
Honestly though I am not an expert on this.
I just know where to find some of the good utilities because of my own bad experiences.
Alfred
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I hear ya, Alfred. Looks like it worked! Thanks again! Ed
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@ Frameshift Shhhhhhhhhhh! If everybody starts using it we are gonna need all that crap!
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FRAMEshift, just wanted to let you know I've been running Linux Mint (currently Maya) for the last seven or eight months. Windoze finally sucked wind and died on me...I thought about calling Microsoft and finding out how to resurrect my registration/whatever but said....forget it. I was already running Mint on a couple of other computers that other folks primarily use so I figured I'd try it here at home. So far I've had a few windoze programs that didn't work out in Linux, but I've basically had *zero* issues with the system...the programs that didn't work I found a Linux program to replace them. No biggies.
Just thought I'd give a "state of the computer" address. ;)
Ed