Aces High Bulletin Board
General Forums => The O' Club => Topic started by: Dago on December 04, 2011, 07:19:24 PM
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So, for the first time since my original 386, I have ordered a computer. Have been building my own since then. But, with the prices today and the huge choice of parts, I decided to save time and I have ordered a new gamer. Now I have to decide on the best way to protect it. Would love to hear some suggestions for anti-virus/firewall protections. Been running AVG and ZoneAlarm for a long time, wondering whats the top choice now.
So, if you have any suggestions on the latest programs, I would welcome some ideas.
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For the past 10 years or so I been using Norton Antivirus and Webroot Spysweeper. Never had any major problems, and they don't seem to slow down my computer.
P.S. Most people on this forum tend to disagree with me. See this thread: http://bbs.hitechcreations.com/smf/index.php/topic,295648.0.html (http://bbs.hitechcreations.com/smf/index.php/topic,295648.0.html).
P.P.S. McAfee proved to be a pain in the @$*
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I had Norton once, replaced it with a better program, and the new program found a large bunch of virus sitting on my computer that Norton missed. Norton was up to date at the time so no excuses. I will never run Norton again. But thanks for the response.
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I had Norton once, replaced it with a better program, and the new program found a large bunch of virus sitting on my computer that Norton missed. Norton was up to date at the time so no excuses. I will never run Norton again. But thanks for the response.
What did you replace it with?
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I had Norton once, replaced it with a better program, and the new program found a large bunch of virus sitting on my computer that Norton missed. Norton was up to date at the time so no excuses. I will never run Norton again. But thanks for the response.
I had the same problem with Norton and dumped them for Avast. I haven't had any troubles since I installed Avast.
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Avast.
Free, no annoying pop-ups (well it pop up once on startup, but that's it, and then goes away), and never had a virus once with it.
I've had 3 viruses in all the time I used computers. All was when I had Norton. :furious
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I use Microsoft Security Essentials (free) for virus scanning, and Malware Bytes for errrm, well, malware. Also have spybot search and destroy on my machine, but only run that once a week or so.
So far not had any major problems, its picked up a couple of attempts to infect my machine and stopped it dead. Were I you Dago, I'd install everything that you want on your machine, get an imaging program, and take a disk image.
That way, if you do get infected, you can get back up and running somewhat faster than installing the OS, Drivers, Software, Updates etc.
Wurz
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ESET Nod 32...
works great
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ESET Nod 32...
works great
Ugh. The only time I had something really hammer me hard. (I mean re-install OS hard) Was when I ran ESET Nod32. I absolutely loathe that program.
Sorry Dicho, just my opinion.
:salute
Oh, btw I'm running AVG at the moment, but I also liked Avast when I used it.
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Reading some online reviews, Bitdefender gets some good marks.
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If your going to use Avast suppliment it with sybot search and destroy. Spybot covers the registry entries that avast may not,I've been running both for years and have never had an issue.
The same cant be said for norton,ran that for a few years and I had nothing but problems with it.
YMMV.
:salute
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I used norton from 2006-2008ish, switched to macafee (because of internet provider and it was free), then switched back to Noron last year. I have never had a problem with norton all the times i used.
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I used norton from 2006-2008ish, switched to macafee (because of internet provider and it was free), then switched back to Noron last year. I have never had a problem with norton all the times i used.
Ya I thought I was protected to,I used norton for several years,but it turns out that some hackers target norton and other well known software makers and what happened to me was I had a bot on my comp.Every so often things would bog down and my resources were being maximized yet I could find no problems.
So I sought outside help and they found a folder inside of norton,it was clever,it was marked quarantined and was in the quarantine folder so norton just ignored it!
Turns out it was remote mail bot that used my comp and many others to fill everyones emails with spam!
Now dont get me wrong,norton is better than no A/V program but there are certainly much better choices out there. Threatfire is a good free A/V,it may even watch for registry entries,cant remember.... :old:
YMMV.
:salute
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Ugh. The only time I had something really hammer me hard. (I mean re-install OS hard) Was when I ran ESET Nod32. I absolutely loathe that program.
Sorry Dicho, just my opinion.
:salute
Oh, btw I'm running AVG at the moment, but I also liked Avast when I used it.
hmmmm.. never had a problem and I occasionally wander into places that might be suspect but I'll keep my eyes open nonetheless Melvin... I know you usually have your S$@# wired tight in the digi world <S>
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I've been using IOBit Security 360 for about a year now and have been very happy with it.
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dad installs mcafee on all the computers at my house
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On Windows 7 use Microsoft Security Essentials.
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I ran for many years without any virus software after my 1997 enterprise licensed copy of norton finally stopped performing a successful update in 2002.
I did run firewalls but only started back with anti-virus when microsoft security essentials showed up.
In computing since my altair in 1978, I have only gotten 2 malicious software issues that I couldn't weed out manually........and one was installed on my pc during a party with a floppy.
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ESET Smart Security 5
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I use Microsoft Security Essentials (free) for virus scanning, and Malware Bytes for errrm, well, malware. Also have spybot search and destroy on my machine, but only run that once a week or so.
So far not had any major problems, its picked up a couple of attempts to infect my machine and stopped it dead. Were I you Dago, I'd install everything that you want on your machine, get an imaging program, and take a disk image.
That way, if you do get infected, you can get back up and running somewhat faster than installing the OS, Drivers, Software, Updates etc.
Wurz
+1 on the imaging software. I use ghost, but there are others. Acronis, paragon, and other free porgrams like clonezilla. I use Kaspersky, but I don't think any of the antivirus applications are going to be 100 percent.
Imaging not only saves time in case of infections, bad components which may cause corrupted hard drives, hard drive failure, any other problems you could run into and is a excellent backup tool just for backing up data also..
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I use PC Tools Spyware Doctor with antivirus and Browser Guard.
Last month, corporate IT issued me a laptop to be used for field testing. Because I would be using the laptop off site, they gave me admin authority. It was running pretty slow, so I ran a full scan with the latest McAfee and it came up clean. Inasmuch as I don't have much faith in McAfee, that night I took the laptop home, I used my unused licenses to install the PC Tool software, and also installed their Registry Mechanic.
I ran full scans using both, and it turned up 26 threats, 25 minor, and a nasty little Trojan that McAfee missed altogether. Registry Mechanic found 204 registry errors to boot. After the machine was cleaned, it ran much faster...
I've used PC Tools security software for years, with flawless results. Browser Guard, and its stand alone twin, Threat Fire, provide real time protection, and will block known bad sites. It's a bargain, and you get three licenses allowing installation on three machines.
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Microsoft Security Essentials is free, gets the job done, and isn't a resource hog. I've never had an issue while running it.
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ESET Smart Security 5
Mash that is what I am running now and I have to say it works great and the price is compariable with the big boys too.
LawnDart
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ESET Smart Security 5
Eset Smart Security 5 is the system that I install on any computers I work on or trouble shot.
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So, for the first time since my original 386, I have ordered a computer. Have been building my own since then. But, with the prices today and the huge choice of parts, I decided to save time and I have ordered a new gamer. Now I have to decide on the best way to protect it. Would love to hear some suggestions for anti-virus/firewall protections. Been running AVG and ZoneAlarm for a long time, wondering whats the top choice now.
So, if you have any suggestions on the latest programs, I would welcome some ideas.
I am not going to be any help here as I do not run any anti-xxx type of software or software firewalls on my personal computers. For me they are a waste of resources.
I will say this. Do not run the consumer versions of Norton or McAfee. They are worse than the viruses they are supposed to protect your computer from. Just say no.
I would stay away from AVG as well. Seem they are not going to be happy until they are as bad as Norton and McAfee are.
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ESET Smart Security 64 bit (both then Virus scanner and firewall)
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Ugh. The only time I had something really hammer me hard. (I mean re-install OS hard) Was when I ran ESET Nod32. I absolutely loathe that program.
Sorry Dicho, just my opinion.
:salute
Oh, btw I'm running AVG at the moment, but I also liked Avast when I used it.
single data point
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Didn't Norton buy out PC Tools, Widewing?
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Avast :aok
:cheers: Oz
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ESET Smart Security 5
Yep I have used that for a little over a year and I have had no problems. It found the virus I currently had becuase McAfee could not find it. Never had a virus or problem since.
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single data point
True.
However, I was giving my impression of a certain anti-virus software which is what the O.P. asked for.
Did you have anything worthwhile to add?
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Didn't Norton buy out PC Tools, Widewing?
They did, about 3 years ago. Norton gained access to PC Tools patents for real time threat detection, and PC Tools has deeper pockets and sales base to sell their software.
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True.
However, I was giving my impression of a certain anti-virus software which is what the O.P. asked for.
Did you have anything worthwhile to add?
That it's a single data point
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That it's a single data point
Fair enough.
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Yep. No snarkasm
And I use ESET myself, for maybe 5+ years now. No infections (YMMV), it's cheap, and most important for me it has negligible performance footprint.
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I use a layered sort of defense that skuzzy probably thinks is laughable, but it's worked for me so far.
1. "hardware" firewall in the form of a broadband router.
2. Microsoft security essentials, combined with the usual microsoft software firewall built in to windows.
3. Routine additional scans using third party tools. spybot search and destroy or any number of other tools are easy to download and run for a scan. I don't let any of those run all the time though, and if it looks like they install resident or services then I uninstall it after scanning.
4. Safe browsing practices - no porn, no pirate sites, nothing "free" that obviously shouldn't be "free", etc.
5. Keep windows patched and updated
I also use the latest internet explorer. I have had serious security problems with chrome, mostly with it remembering/saving form data including credit card numbers, addresses, logins, etc., even after being told to not do so. Everyone I know who uses firefox seems to have turned "running firefox" into a little hobby, since they are always bragging about how it crashed and they found some plug-in that saved everything and made it so much better until the next time it crashed after the latest update... bah. Sounds like a lot of time consuming nonsense to me, so I use MSIE and it works for pretty much everything with no fuss.
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eagl, I never laugh about what people do to protect thier computer or make themselves feel a bit more secure with thier computer.
I get away, with what I do, by running a configuration most people find laughable.
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eagl, I never laugh about what people do to protect thier computer or make themselves feel a bit more secure with thier computer.
I get away, with what I do, by running a configuration most people find laughable.
What is it that you do Skuzzy?
Just curious.
I don't run any kind of anti virus either. I have locked down Windows 7, I don't run under and admin account, and the only time I got one of those programs that pop up and say you have this many virus's let us clean them up, I logged off and back on and its fine. If it isnt called to run, then it cant run on startup.
Just do some hardening in Windows 7, setup a god mode for installing applications only, and all is well.
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I use a big, effing stick for protection...
Oh, I also practice safe surfing.
Always remember to get your porn from a reliable source...
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What is it that you do Skuzzy?
Just curious.
I don't run any kind of anti virus either. I have locked down Windows 7, I don't run under and admin account, and the only time I got one of those programs that pop up and say you have this many virus's let us clean them up, I logged off and back on and its fine. If it isnt called to run, then it cant run on startup.
Just do some hardening in Windows 7, setup a god mode for installing applications only, and all is well.
Remove everything related to Flash and Java to start with. Kill everything MS installs to run automatically. My computer is behind a hardware firewall, I built. I kill XAML, XPS, anything related to .NET.
Somethings will not work unless they are allowed to dial home, so I add features to my router, which answer the bell for them and make them happy. Those are tricky. Especially the MS ones.
That is just a light list to start with.
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Always remember to get your porn from a reliable source...
:old:
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Skuzzy so you don't even have a quarantined barebones box to use junk like youtube etc?
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Skuzzy so you don't even have a quarantined barebones box to use junk like youtube etc?
Just because I'm paranoid doesn't mean that they AREN"T out to get me...
:noid
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Skuzzy so you don't even have a quarantined barebones box to use junk like youtube etc?
No. I really have no desire to see anything on Youtube. It is just not worth it to me.
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From past threads, we already know that skuzzy uses a blackboard and a teletype printer over 300bps modem to "use" the internet. It's a bit more useable than his previous system, which was a pile of rocks he would either stare at, or throw at neighborhood kids to get them to go find out stuff and report back to him.
The most modern part of skuzzy's system is the firewall he mentioned. It's a 1024 node supercomputer currently rated number 69 on the top 100 supercomputer list. It's sole purpose is to keep the internets out, throttling everything down to the aforementioned 300bps so he doesn't run out of tty printer paper or chalk.
His statement about disabling "flash" isn't 100% true however, since his printer uses specially treated "flash paper" so he can instantly burn anything bad that prints out. It's less manpower intensive than shredding 50,000 sheets of paper every week. And cups of steaming hot java are essential to many sysadmins, so I'm not sure he isn't holding out on us regarding java use either.
Since I learn useful stuff from skuzzy, none of this makes me laugh either.
:noid
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I think it is funny how many people give me grief for not having any use for most of what is available over the Internet.
Funny thing is, I do not feel like I am missing anything at all.
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4. Safe browsing practices - no porn, no pirate sites, nothing "free" that obviously shouldn't be "free", etc.
Quoted for emphasis. Security is for the most part a question of behaviour and habits, and not just gadgets. And this is true not only for the internet... :old:
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Funny thing is, I do not feel like I am missing anything at all.
I remember a time when I would have shaken my head people saying stuff like that.
Now I'm finding myself doing the same more and more ... "don't need that" ... "what's that really good for?" ... "we were fine without that stuff in my youth"...old age, here I come! :uhoh :lol
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I think it is funny how many people give me grief for not having any use for most of what is available over the Internet.
Funny thing is, I do not feel like I am missing anything at all.
Not giving you grief for avoiding internet "content", just razzing you a bit for the lengths you take to ensure it can't possibly get in and somehow contaminate you :)
I have the same basic philosophy really, just implemented at a slightly different tolerance level. The internet and my computer has become a lot more of a simple tool, after getting married and having kids. "surfing" the web is something I now do only when I have a few minutes to kill and nothing to do that could otherwise be done in that time, or when I'm doing stretches in the morning to un-kink my back. Time wasted on my computer has really dropped. I used to install any interesting looking program/game/utility, spent time actually making random pieces of software work whether I really needed them or not, etc. My computer now has maybe 10 programs or software suites installed, because my computer use has become a lot more targeted towards specific requirements.
And that's probably the point... I think most people waste an enormous amount of time on the computer, but that isn't necessarily *more* wasted time, just that we're wasting time in different ways. Instead of going to the pub to drink for a couple of hours after work, it's home to sit on the computer a bit. Some people actually do productive stuff on their computer but I think most just use it to waste time.
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I think it is funny how many people give me grief for not having any use for most of what is available over the Internet.
Funny thing is, I do not feel like I am missing anything at all.
Your Not!
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I do not feel like I am missing anything at all.
Aces High films
Home made hobby building demonstrations/tutorials
Random science demos
Mugshot-framed political and pop culture teenage rants
Find the intruder :P
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Oh now, be honest Skuzzy, you know you don't need to surf the internet at home because it's all you do at work on your HTC supplied computer! :D
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Oh now, be honest Skuzzy, you know you don't need to surf the internet at home because it's all you do at work on your HTC supplied computer! :D
:rofl :rofl :rofl :rofl :rofl :rofl
:salute
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Actually, I use the same settings on my work computer as I do at home. No one in the office likes to use my computer because most WEB pages do not work.
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Actually, I use the same settings on my work computer as I do at home. No one in the office likes to use my computer because most WEB pages do not work.
Reminds me of my first computer, and what it was like to be plugged directly into a major university's high speed link to the net, 1992-1995. Mosaic was cool and webcrawler was replacing... whatever that text-only search engine was. Internet providers that couldn't put up an AOL-style service were simply leasing user accounts on a unix machine somewhere, with dialup/telnet access to the usual internet tools. You could install a limited amount of software, but the only one I installed was a utility to wrap TCP-IP up into ascii packets, sent over telnet to my computer and unwrapped, for "real" tcp-ip connectivity from a dialup telnet account. Of course that was replaced with dialup "direct" connections to the internet, but at the time the choices weren't always obvious or even available in lots of places.
I remember when getting a dialup internet account involved "installing" settings hacks to get windows tcp-ip stack to behave, having to download and install various network dll files since various windows updates would break the connections for entire isp's networks.
It's a lot easier now, but the old stuff still works except where explicitly turned off or firewalled. I tried to use some old usenet hacks and got an email from my isp's sysadmin to knock it off... Bastages had installed a tripwire and the guy figured I was old school and sent me a warning instead of disabling my account. It was disappointing to know that some basic hacks didn't work anymore though, even though they are still technically within the old standards documentation.
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Actually, I use the same settings on my work computer as I do at home. No one in the office likes to use my computer because most WEB pages do not work.
Sounds like you a virtual germophobe.
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Sounds like you a virtual germophobe.
as long as he's not a germanophobe... :noid
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Sounds like you a virtual germophobe.
I think that is funny.