Aces High Bulletin Board
General Forums => Hardware and Software => Topic started by: oboe on January 20, 2015, 12:44:51 PM
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What antivirus do you guys use?
I currently have BitDefender on my laptop, which I switched to some time ago after some problem with Security Essentials - something got by it; I don't recall the details now.
Finishing up my new build, wonder what you guys use...
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Your best free antivirus is to install a second OS, linux, to your computer. That is fairly safe to use in everyday browsing, banking etc. activities. You can leave a clean Windows installation with only games on it as a parallel OS.
You then boot into Windows only to play games and do not even touch the internet browser while you're in Windows. This method has kept me completely virus and malware free for years and I don't need to install any AV to eat my computers resources.
Occasionally you can run the Eset online scanner if you feel paranoid. The best thing is that even if your windows manages to pick up something, the most it can do is harvest your online accounts information. Since you don't use Windows for anything, even registrations, having an infection becomes much less of an issue suddenly.
The best part is that once you abandon Windows for daily tasks, it becomes much easier to simply reinstall the whole OS if you expect foul play.
As for the actual 'free' software, there are plenty. AVG and Avira are probably the two best known and AVG has even had some test success. IIRC these 'free' antiviruses will occasionally spam you with ads of their paid version however. And Avira requires you to register periodically.
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Does linex look and function like windows?
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What MrRipley says about using Windows only for games and using Linux for everyday tasks is probably the safest option. But what if you'd have to download a new patch? Or Alt-Tab to check your squad messages from the BBS because no one of your mates is online? What if a squaddie has linked to some cool video on your squad board, wouldn't you like to watch it immediately instead of rebooting to Linux? Not to mention watching YouTube during the hour long bomb runs...
As you can see, the good advice is for a disciplined mind.
One good and easy way to control what's getting installed is to create one password protected administrator level account and another one with limited rights for normal use. That would allow the normal user to download anything he likes, but any attempt to install anything would pop up a window asking for the administrator's password.
As for free antivirus programs, I've tried them all and seen them in use in the computers of my customers. Somehow I've grown to dislike AVG which I used to like in the past. There was some hassle with false positives in critical Windows files or something like that. Avira has a good reputation but it feels somewhat homespun. As you noticed, MSE may let things through. As a Microsoft spokeswoman said, their goal is not to win reviews, they only want to keep the real nasties out... Currently I'm (again) using Avast but I must agree it has its faults: It tends to find false positives quite aggressively, quarantining even widely known commercial programs. Then again, reverting them from the quarantine and creating and exception is not a big deal.
When installing any program, do a "custom" install instead of the "recommended" "normal" one. Uncheck at least demo features and also those you won't use anyway. Modify the update policy to your likings, manual would interfere online gaming the least. Don't think you'd be safe after installing any anti-xxx program, there's many kinds of malware that do more harm than actual viruses.
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Does linex look and function like windows?
Yes and no. First of all there's all kinds of Linux distributions, starting from a DOS like plain text version up to very sleek GUI desktops. They can look and feel more or less like Windows, with a few exceptions: - The installing system is different. You can't just download and double click a file to install a new program. There's a whole lot of programs to choose from a feature similar to "Programs and features", but outside of that list you'd have to do some coding. Agreed, the instructions are often quite thorough, though.
- After having something installed it will keep itself up-to-date along the regular updates.
- The file system is somewhat different. Inside your "home" folder it's pretty much alike "My Documents", but navigating to it in the Terminal (the Command Prompt equivalent) isn't as straightforward as in Windows.
- Windows programs can't be installed into Linux with the exception of using Wine which is sort of a virtual Windows inside Linux.
- There's programs for almost any task and the files they create are for the most part compatible with their Windows equivalents. Some Linux originated programs have made their way even to Windows, such as Firefox, OpenOffice, VLC player etc.
- There's even equivalents for Microsoft's programs such as Silverlight!
- There's a bunch of programs and drivers that aren't fully licensed to be free, which must be taken into consideration when using Linux for business.
And much more. Many Linux distros can be run from the installation DVD to test for possible hardware incompatibilities or just to get a feel about it before doing anything irreversible. Try it, it's the only way to tell whether you'd like it or not.
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The best part about linux is that anyone can try it and use it for free.
You can download a linux .iso, burn it on a DVD and then boot your computer directly from the DVD to linux. It lets you try it out without changing anything on your current computer (called a live-dvd). Just note that while the OS runs from the DVD it's considerably slower than what the actual installation will be later.
Try it out.
The most popular linux distribution is Mint, the most 'windows like' distribution is probably Zorin linux. Zorin is maybe a 'soft start' for a windows user: http://zorin-os.com/
(http://zorin-os.com/images/screenshots/7.png)
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I use Avira. It updates regularly and is pretty good. It has saved my wifes computer a few times. It use to have a pop up box that asked you to buy it everyday. They have changed that and now you only get one occasionally.
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ESET has a small footprint for gaming and offers good anti-virus protection. No software will ever protect against poor browsing habits.
I've been using ESET for many years and am satisfied with it's protection.
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ESET has a small footprint for gaming and offers good anti-virus protection. No software will ever protect against poor browsing habits.
I've been using ESET for many years and am satisfied with it's protection.
ESET would be the best choice, it has a reputation of being the least negatively affecting antivirus for gamers. But it's not free, thus it doesn't qualify as an answer to the OP's question.
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ESET would be the best choice, it has a reputation of being the least negatively affecting antivirus for gamers. But it's not free, thus it doesn't qualify as an answer to the OP's question.
The ESET online scanner is free however. I sometimes run it just in case even on computers that already use MSE or the likes. Heck I even scan my macs and linux machines periodically just to see if any files contain windows viruses. But I don't run a background AV.
I haven't had an infection on my personal machine for almost a decade now. Other family members have got malware in a couple of instances (or suspected viral activity) which required nuking the OS and start from scratch. And I do run AVs on their computers since they use Windows even for surfing, unfortunately. I've yet to see the AV catch anything though - and then I've seen the computer infected despite having the AV running. So they're pretty much just a burden for the computer IMHO.
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Thanks, I have some familiarity with Linux Mint, so I installed it alongside Win 7. I like the look and feel of Mint, and maybe I'll learn more about Linux, which would be a good thing IMO. I have an old laptop that used to run Vista that I put Mint on a couple of years ago. Still works great, except that I get warnings about Flash being obsolete, and I can't figure out how to upgrade Flash in Linux....
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Thanks, I have some familiarity with Linux Mint, so I installed it alongside Win 7. I like the look and feel of Mint, and maybe I'll learn more about Linux, which would be a good thing IMO. I have an old laptop that used to run Vista that I put Mint on a couple of years ago. Still works great, except that I get warnings about Flash being obsolete, and I can't figure out how to upgrade Flash in Linux....
You have two options to upgrade the flash - either you add a direct software source for the updates (repository) or you update the Mint version on the laptop, that will contain fresh repositories and the flash gets automagically updated in the process.
I just did my biannual service to my mothers Ubuntu laptop because she got nags about the flash as well. Upgraded the Ubuntu to the latest LTS version and nags were gone. The upgrade process was very simple - you open the software updater tool and accept the upgrade to the new version. In Mint it should be pretty much the same.
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mrripley would you mind posting a link to the latest mint update. gonna give it another shot. for some reason cant seem to make it work on my computer.
semp
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mrripley would you mind posting a link to the latest mint update. gonna give it another shot. for some reason cant seem to make it work on my computer.
semp
You may simply have incompatible hardware or you have an UEFI motherboard which requires special settings in order to boot linux. Here are the latest downloads: http://www.linuxmint.com/download.php
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I use Ubuntu for daily web browsing and it has always automatically updated Flash. I can't remember how I installed it however; might have been via the "Additional Drivers" icon. Ubuntu automatically updates itself very often, i.e. several times a week.
The underlying Linux (i.e. command line) is obtuse in the extreme (grep awk cat blorp etc.; the simple Linux Bible I bought is 816 pages and weighs 3 lbs) but if all you want to do is browse, check email, and run software it's pretty much just like Windows, you just click an icon on the desktop (i.e. with Ubuntu the Launcher toolbar on the left) and go. Ubuntu even comes with substitutes for Word, Excel, and Powerpoint that I have found to work just fine with my previous files. Through the repository I also added Gimp (photo and bitmap editing), Inkscape (vector graphics), Blender (3D modeling and rendering), Audacity (sound editing), Qsynth (MIDI), and Stellarium (planetarium software) all for free. Well, not free for me exactly since I donated $120, but then you don't have to donate anything.
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32-bit linux desktop is really good, browsing internet, mail , and office is easy.
Some versions ago 64-bit for some programs had to be installed manually, but I think its better now.
Normally its easier to get all to work with all hardware on desktops, laptops seem to have more specialized hardware.
Getting new containers for some unusual movie-standards is not that easy.
Installing drivers for some rare graphics cards is a nightmare even for those with experience.
Bluetooth worked on my Ubuntu, but I had to resync my mouse now and then.
Updating system using update tools are very easy nowadays.
Firewall can be a hell since its connected to interface cards, both outside and inside of the interface can be used for NAT, get a good graphics interface or get lost forever in IPtables.
Setting up printers are normally easy, the newest printers have to be installed manually via tar-balls, or in best case through manual rpm/apt depending on Linux OS.
Setting up your own website can be easy or very difficult depending on what program you are using.
If you want to try it out I recommend Virtual Box, on a windows host, its free and easy to install without interfering too much with your windows system.
For servers long time use, I use CentOS, since I dont want to upgrade every now and then, but every 2 or 3 years.
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I use Ubuntu for daily web browsing and it has always automatically updated Flash. I can't remember how I installed it however; might have been via the "Additional Drivers" icon. Ubuntu automatically updates itself very often, i.e. several times a week.
The underlying Linux (i.e. command line) is obtuse in the extreme (grep awk cat blorp etc.; the simple Linux Bible I bought is 816 pages and weighs 3 lbs) but if all you want to do is browse, check email, and run software it's pretty much just like Windows, you just click an icon on the desktop (i.e. with Ubuntu the Launcher toolbar on the left) and go. Ubuntu even comes with substitutes for Word, Excel, and Powerpoint that I have found to work just fine with my previous files. Through the repository I also added Gimp (photo and bitmap editing), Inkscape (vector graphics), Blender (3D modeling and rendering), Audacity (sound editing), Qsynth (MIDI), and Stellarium (planetarium software) all for free. Well, not free for me exactly since I donated $120, but then you don't have to donate anything.
My mothers Ubuntu was completely outdated because as I said I didn't touch it for 2 years (which was my prime goal for installing linux to her in the first place, she got malware and viruses every two weeks on Windows). When the OS version drops out of support also the programs stop updating. So I had to use the software updater tool to perform a whole OS version update.
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Yeah, I use the LTS versions (originally 12.04 now 14.04) which are supported long term.
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You may simply have incompatible hardware or you have an UEFI motherboard which requires special settings in order to boot linux. Here are the latest downloads: http://www.linuxmint.com/download.php
What? I'm almost certain every modern motherboard uses UEFI and not a conventional BIOS. While linux may be a really great kernel and frankly it is the problem is all of the various distros are useless for everyday use. For example if you need a program that is windows only (in my case a CAD program for FPGA development) you have to shut down and go back into windows, even with an SSD which I can boot into windows with in less than 15 seconds its a big pain in the ass. Secondly linux will never get proper drivers for certain things, I can't even use my onboard audio on linux because its not a realtek chip but a VIA one, which means I need to buy a sound card (which more than likely won't have linux drivers and if it does, they will be pretty terrible, though this is for windows too) or have no audio. Also any software written for linux well be replaced in less than 6 months. A good audio player, have fun with that because the linux mindset is "oh this media player isn't exactly perfect?, fork it! Lets make a completely NEW media player instead of fixing this one!".
Anytime someone tells me to use linux as a everyday OS I send them this video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5pOxlazS3zs
While the linux kernel is nice and clean and open source which is great, its not a "real" everyday driver type of OS.
On the topic of an anti virus I use avast because it has a "gaming" mode which makes it use very little resources.
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See Rule #4
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See Rule #4
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I'm confused, why don't you play games on your Mac ?
It's not cost effective. You'd need to get an ultra expensive model for gaming and not all games even support OSX. I probably could play games on my 'all options ticked' 2014 model Macbook pro but I use it for work. We have dedicated gaming pcs for the job.
My daughter does play some games on the iMac but it's not actually built for gaming. It's more like a laptop in hardware spec.
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See Rule #4
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It is annoying to boot back and forth between Linux and Windows to be able to use my Windows programs (like MathCAD) that aren't available on Linux. However, the alternative, for me at least, is way worse: I calculated that to upgrade my Windows XP to Windows 7 or 8 would end up costing me over $2360. For example, my copy of MathCAD won't work on Windows 8 and the new version costs $2000. There's that plus the fact that I hate Windows 8, and yes, I've used it, as my wife's new laptop was only available with Windows 8, now 8.1. And I've had all kinds of problems with it, including the complete failure of the upgrade to 8.1 necessitating the re-download of the humongous upgrade "patch".
I know, however, that if I ever want to play a PC game (besides AH) in the future I will be stuck upgrading Windows and I'll just have to give up my old programs like MathCAD or do a dual boot XP and 8 (does 8 even allow dual booting?)
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See Rule #4
See Rule #4
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... (does 8 even allow dual booting?)
Of course it does. You just can't use the secure boot if you dual boot. Also you have to install Windows first, then linux because Microsoft still things arrogantly that a computer can have only one OS and that's a Microsoft OS.
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I use (and have been using for several years) Avast.
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system immunization though spybot search and destroy helped my girlfriend to stay away from trouble for a long time, it is not recommended together with games though, it use up too much resources.
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system immunization though spybot search and destroy helped my girlfriend to stay away from trouble for a long time, it is not recommended together with games though, it use up too much resources.
I would have used a condom instead Save :bolt:
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I don't use anti-virus software as you have to be doing your computing wrong to get viruses anyway.
Malicious software in general is what concerns me and it is probably better to not use Windows as Windows itself is malicious software with Microsoft being able to make changes to your system without your permission using the backdoor known as "Windows Update"(Which Microsoft doesn't deny, they just claim it isn't malicious). Also with the Edward Snowden leaks of the emails that Microsoft were sending to the NSA. Giving the NSA information on security flaws in Microsoft Windows before they were patched some time later. That to me is more concerning than software that might break or slow down your system.
Anytime someone tells me to use linux as a everyday OS I send them this video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5pOxlazS3zs
You send them a video of Bryan Lunduke? You mean the same guy in this video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pSxX8a_TC7I
Or the same guy that wrote the book "Linux is Badass"? And the same guy who writes GNU/Linux software and writes articles about GNU/Linux?
I think you just saw the title "Linux Sucks" and didn't watch the whole video were he arrives at the conclusion that linux does not suck because he himself uses GNU/Linux as an every day OS.
With that said, I don't actually recommend Bryan Lunduke as a source for information about GNU/Linux. Instead you should visit http://www.gnu.org or http://www.fsf.org and read about the GNU operating system and their free software philosophy or http://www.stallman.org which is the personal website of the founder of the operating system.
For example if you need a program that is windows only (in my case a CAD program for FPGA development) you have to shut down and go back into windows, even with an SSD which I can boot into windows with in less than 15 seconds its a big pain in the ass.
Running Windows software really has nothing to do with the goals of GNU or Linux. There is a piece of software called Wine(Wine Is Not an Emulator) that makes it possible for you play games and run software natively on GNU/Linux that were built to run on Windows. If you want an operating system that is free but binary compatible with Windows then try this: http://www.reactos.org
Secondly linux will never get proper drivers for certain things, I can't even use my onboard audio on linux because its not a realtek chip but a VIA one, which means I need to buy a sound card (which more than likely won't have linux drivers and if it does, they will be pretty terrible, though this is for windows too) or have no audio.
Uh certainly Linux has much wider range of driver support than Windows. For example you could never get windows 8 to install on a computer from 2001, where as you could compile Linux strait from git and it will have full support and run just fine on it. Linus Torvalds had recently said this in regards to removing really old EISA support from the kernel: "So if we actually have a user, and it works, then no, we're not removing EISA support. It's not like it hurts us or is in some way fundamentally broken, like the old i386 code was (i386 kernel page fault semantics really were broken, and the lack of some instructions made it more painful to maintain than needed - not like EISA at all, which is just a pure add-on on the side)," I don't think Windows has support for most filesystems either such as ext or btfs which is why Windows has slower read and write speeds and the HD can become fragmented. Linux just sometimes lacks support in newer hardware or odd hardware which most of the time is entirely the hardware manufactures fault. Usually these are wireless drivers and not audio drivers because audio drivers tend to be generic.
One company that offers almost no support for Linux is Nvidia. If you want to use free software drivers for Nvidia you have to use Nouveau which ,until recently, Nvidia provided zero documentation for their hardware, so the nouveau team relies on reverse-engineering Nvidia's proprietary driver for Linux in order to write a free software driver for it. You can see Linus Torvalds frustration about Nvidia in this famous video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IVpOyKCNZYw (http://bbs.hitechcreations.com/smf/Smileys/default/cool.gif)
Also any software written for linux well be replaced in less than 6 months. A good audio player, have fun with that because the linux mindset is "oh this media player isn't exactly perfect?, fork it! Lets make a completely NEW media player instead of fixing this one!".
I really can't understand this argument even if all the information presented was valid. MPlayer(as far as I can tell) is the most popular media player for GNU/Linux and other operating systems. It can play both video and audio from the command line and can be embedded in other applications or can be compiled with a GUI frontend. MPlayer as been in development for 15 years, you can read about it here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MPlayer
There are forks of MPlayer but you don't have to use them. To me having more software choices and freedom is a positive argument for GNU/Linux and free software in general. The reason you do not see as many forks of software using Microsoft Windows is because most software for Windows is nonfree and some use software patents to prevent anyone from writing software that is similar to it. Even people against the free software philosophy agree that software patents are bad. Either way this discussion is about software development and of course has nothing to do with GNU/Linux or operating systems in general.
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One company that offers almost no support for Linux is Nvidia. If you want to use free software drivers for Nvidia you have to use Nouveau which ,until recently, Nvidia provided zero documentation for their hardware, so the nouveau team relies on reverse-engineering Nvidia's proprietary driver for Linux in order to write a free software driver for it. You can see Linus Torvalds frustration about Nvidia in this famous video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IVpOyKCNZYw (http://bbs.hitechcreations.com/smf/Smileys/default/cool.gif)
Which is tragicomical since Nvidia is widely quoted as THE hardware selection for linux if you want problem free operation. The proprietary driver version has legendary fame in linux circuits but to be honest it didn't impress me. I saw basically no difference to the current AMD drivers in speed or support.