Ot Computer Trojan Protection

[🪦 travsall ●]

Most of you in the know, know AVG is not going to be free anylonger, which is crap I think, but what are ya gonna do? So I've been looking for a good replacement, and just wanted to get any ideas, or other suggestions from some of the tech dudes on here first. What's good, what's free etc. Just for trojans, I have spyware, shareware, cookies, cleaners, registry, wraped up nicely LOL

[🪦 Martoch ●]

I've been an Avast Home Edition (free) user for years and in recent testing, it outperformed AVG...hell, it's found many viruses that Norton (I hate Norton, btw) completely missed. Download/install...use the 'free registration' link to have them e-mail you a code to enter into the program when prompted...you simply copy/paste it from the e-mail they send.<a href=\"http://www.avast.com/eng/download-avast-home.html\" target=\"_blank\">http://www.avast.com/eng/download-avast-home.html</a>You will DEFINITELY want to perform a boot-time scan with Avast once you have it installed...I can walk you through that if you decide to try it.Be sure to check out the other tips I have here: <a href=\"http://forums.NIGHTOWLpro.com/index.php?s=&showtopic=26777&view=findpost&p=264736\" target=\"_blank\">http://forums.NIGHTOWLpro.com/index.php?s=...st&p=264736</a> <img src=\"style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/thumbsup.gif\" style=\"vertical-align:middle\" emoid=\":thumbsup:\" border=\"0\" alt=\"thumbsup.gif\" />

[🪦 ZombieTom ●]

I dont use anything and haven't for years. I think its over rated.

[🪦 Martoch ●]

Overrated in what way? To me, that's like saying, "I don't wear a seat belt because I don't plan on getting in an accident."I've had to fix countless infected PCs that either had no antivirus protection or let it expire. Even if you only open e-mails/IMs from people you know, their PCs can be infected without their knowledge and some e-mails/IMs are sent from infected systems without the user's knowledge. Unless you just don't care about your files or don't mind wasting time reloading your entire system, isn't it worth having some peace of mind, especially when it's free?Please explain. <img src=\"style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/wink.gif\" style=\"vertical-align:middle\" emoid=\":wink:\" border=\"0\" alt=\"wink.gif\" />

[🪦 Snoballz ●]

<!--quoteo(post=264741:date=Jun 24 2008, 05:56 PM:name=ZombieTom)<div class=\'quotetop\'>QUOTE(ZombieTom @ Jun 24 2008, 05:56 PM) <a href=\"index.php?act=findpost&pid=264741\"><{POST_SNAPBACK}></a></div><div class=\'quotemain\'><!--quotecI dont use anything and haven't for years. I think its over rated.<!--QuoteEnd</div><!--QuoteEEndSame here. I do run AVG every month or so just to make sure. I also run AVG on downloaded files from questionable sources. If you're careful and follow the rules you shouldn't need Virus protection.<!--quoteo<div class=\'quotetop\'>QUOTE</div><div class=\'quotemain\'><!--quotec<b>Leo Laporte's 6 Rules of Safe Computing:</b>1. Don’t open email attachments; even if it’s from someone you know. If you do get something from someone you know, make sure that they really sent it to you. Email attachments are the number one way viruses and trojan horses get into your email. You might also want to turn off HTML email in Outlook and other programs. HTML emails are just as dangerous as rogue web sites, and can spread infections just by previewing them.2. Don’t click links in email. That link could lead you to a phishing site, or the link may lead you to install malicious software. Copy and paste links into your browser, or type them in by hand instead. Another reason to disable HTML email - the HTML hides the real destination of that seemingly innocuous link.3. Don’t download files from places you aren’t absolutely sure are safe. Stick with the well known sites. Teeneagers who use filesharing software like BitTorrent, Azureus, Kazaa, Morpheus, Grokster, and Limewire, often unwittingly download spyware and trojans. If you must, quarantine all downloads then scan them a few days later with an updated anti-virus.4. Update your OS regularly! Turn on automatic updates in OS X and Windows. Apply all critical updates immediately. Criminals often create hacks within 24 hours of Microsoft’s patches (these are called zero day exploits), so you need to protect yourself the day the patches appear.5. Use a firewall. The best firewall is a hardware router - the kind you use to share an internet connection. Even if they’re not billed as firewalls, they are, and they’re quite effective. I also recommend turning on your operating system’s firewall - even if you have a router - but I don’t recommend third-party software firewalls. They cause more problems than they solve.6. Never run as an administrator in any operating system. Administrators have way too many priveleges that malicious people/code can take advantage of. Run as a limited user as much as possible. Windows Vista, Linux, and Mac OSX allow you to run a majority of features, but with some additional safety, as a limited user.<!--QuoteEnd</div><!--QuoteEEndI'll admit, I don't follow #6, but the other 5 are law. In 14 years of using the net, I have only gotten one worm. I was using dial-up at the time with no router. I discovered the worm on my system days before the virus scanners were even updated with information about the worm. Just know your computer and change your surfing habits, and you should be fine. The last time I tried Avast, it was a resource hog. I'll give it another try once AVG Free is done.

[🪦 ZombieTom ●]

I really think most viruses and spyware is put out by the manufactures of all these anti programs. I have not had a single problem with my computer in two years since in i uninstalled it all.I'm not a heavy downloader anymore and i mostly just do normal internet surfing.(added)Also my computer is about 6 years old, and it was a cheapo from walmart. I think people that have issues with their computer don't know what their doing or going to stupid junk sites like porn and gambling, or love clicking on those stupid banners you see on sites like myspace.

[🪦 Martoch ●]

<!--quoteo(post=264748:date=Jun 24 2008, 07:03 PM:name=ZombieTom)<div class=\'quotetop\'>QUOTE(ZombieTom @ Jun 24 2008, 07:03 PM) <a href=\"index.php?act=findpost&pid=264748\"><{POST_SNAPBACK}></a></div><div class=\'quotemain\'><!--quotecI really think most viruses and spyware is put out by the manufactures of all these anti programs.<!--QuoteEnd</div><!--QuoteEEndHaha! I have to admit that I've had that same thought many times. <img src=\"style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/tongue.gif\" style=\"vertical-align:middle\" emoid=\":tongue:\" border=\"0\" alt=\"tongue.gif\" /> From my experience, it's true that most porn surfers end up with some sort of virus and wonder how it got there. <img src=\"style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/rolleyes.gif\" style=\"vertical-align:middle\" emoid=\"\" border=\"0\" alt=\"rolleyes.gif\" />

[🪦 Loomis ●]

actually all ant virus protectors are over -rated and some even do more harm than good -with slow down -using more resources that it should some even placing bots on your PC ! Your safe bet is to always update your PC and go buy a router -it's the best way to protect from unwanted peers into your system - and be a better browser -be aware with whats out there

[🪦 Martoch ●]

Just a little tidbit for some of you that seem to be a bit misguided about what a router does...although it can surely help protect you from unwanted connections, its purpose is not to protect your system from viruses. <img src=\"style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/wink.gif\" style=\"vertical-align:middle\" emoid=\":wink:\" border=\"0\" alt=\"wink.gif\" /> If having antivirus on your system bogs it down that much, you have other problems...lack of RAM, too many startup apps, etc. Stating that all antivirus programs are overrated is absolutely not true. Some of them are more memory intensive than others (typically the all-in-one security suites), but I've installed Avast on literally hundreds of systems and it only slightly slowed ones that were already in desperate need of an upgrade. It has 7 scanners that you can enable/disable if you don't use that particular software...IMs, Outlook, etc. Norton, however, is another issue...talk about RAM hog. <img src=\"style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/blink.gif\" style=\"vertical-align:middle\" emoid=\":blink:\" border=\"0\" alt=\"blink.gif\" />Your first line of defense is yourself, but trust me when I say this (years of experience talking) that most people <u>need</u> an antivirus program because they're just clickety click click click all over the place and "why is my computer so slow...I just bought it 3 months ago!?!" <img src=\"style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/tongue.gif\" style=\"vertical-align:middle\" emoid=\":tongue:\" border=\"0\" alt=\"tongue.gif\" />

[🪦 travsall ●]

That's perfect, thanks a ton! Avast was one I had looked at, but wanted to get that second opinion, I'm REALLY picky when it comes to protection, and programs. I can't stand Norton, it's garbage, it's like AOL to me I really should have titled the thread ATTN Martoch or Warlock, I knew it'd be one of you 2 to answer LOL Got avast downloaded and scanning now! I would like to do the boot time scan too, if you wouldn't mind layin that out for me that'd be great.As for protection being over rated, I don't buy that at all, if you have an open connection you are suseptable to attack and invasion, granted, if you're going to high risk sites you will invite them in faster, but even if not they still get in there. You are the best defense system for your computer, but you're still human, so ya ain't perfect scanners, cleaners, stopers etc, they're a good backup, think of it like insurance, would you drive without it? Sure some do, then they have that one accident and are screwed. Viruses are the same way, you could be totally free and clear for years, and one finds it's way in and you've got a real nice paper weight