I'm sure some of you all know a lot more about computer security and utilities than I do. So here is goes.
Right now, I have two home computers that run Norton Systemworks- basically a anti-virus + some system utilities program. Well, I'm not all that happy with it- when I run the basic scan, one one of my computers there are some registry errors that are never repaired, and a host of internet tracking things that it tells me are cleared but they always come back.
I've tried Mckafee- or however its spelled- and it just takes WAY to much operating space, and just gums up the works- very frustrating.
So instead of re-subscribing to Norton, I'd thought I'd open up the option to changing programs. Both computers run Windows XP for home- one is a media edition- but that shouldn't matter, and I have no obvious reasons to change the OS. I need something that does decent work to keep viruses out, cleans ones that get in, and does a very good job at fixing problems that slow my computer down.
Any suggestions?
Thanks.
Eric
1st rule... no single anti virus will catch EVERYTHING...
free AVG... is the best and cheapest thing i've run arcross...
dad is the one who turned me onto AVG... he puts it on every computer he builds (for other people and himself)... we also have it on every computer at our call center (400 or so) easy to use, works well and it's free.... hardest part is removing norton from your system...
number of tech buddies (at work) also use malware bytes and run it on occasion for some redundancy....
is AGV just anti-virus? or will it do some registry reparis and whatnot?
I have no problem getting two different sets of software, but I would like some of the "repair" utilities that Norton brags about- not just for virus scans.
I would like to repair all the stupid things that force you to "end now" as you shut down a computer. Broken links, etc.
E-
AVG free or MoonSecure. If your registry's messed up, it's beyond repair to anyone who isn't very good with computers. May I take this opportunity to recommend Ubuntu?
I'd recommend ad-aware and spybot for spyware removal.
For virii, the enterprise McAfee is great; the consumer version stinks. I don't know much more than that.
alfadriver wrote:
GameboyRMH wrote:
AVG free or MoonSecure. If your registry's messed up, it's beyond repair to anyone who isn't very good with computers. May I take this opportunity to recommend Ubuntu?
Ubuntu? What is it?
Linux distro that's at least as easy to use as Windows. You can try it from a boot CD without changing anything on your computer. Just download the image and burn.
http://www.ubuntu.com/
I use it on all my computers except my gaming PC, so it's geek-approved, and it's on my sister's laptop, so it's ID10T-certified and battle-tested.
TrendMicro makes a great product as well.
Ubuntu is a Linux Operating System distribution. Fedora is another. Both have their pluses and negatives, basically both have a bit of a steep learning curve for the average user (well worth it though) Also, if you like Apple's OSx, then you'll like Linux as it is based on FreeBSD which is another version of Linux. Most are available in bootable DVD formats so that you can boot via DVD and play around without damaging anything, pretty handy.
Oh and Symantec and McAfee's products stink for both Enterprise and Consumer. I would use AVG and TrendMicro's products before dealing with those two piles of junk ever again. (I've administered Symantec Enterprise solutions and I've had to try and manage McAfee. Can someone explain why neither product can really be uninstalled/repaired without a lot of work?)
Antivirus: www.avast.com
I have been using this for 7 plus years with no issues at all.
I do not run any kind of registry "fixer". In my experience if your machineis running bad\slow enough to warrent running something like that it is usualy time to do a format and reload.
fiat22turbo wrote:
(I've administered Symantec Enterprise solutions and I've had to try and manage McAfee. Can someone explain why neither product can really be uninstalled/repaired without a lot of work?)
Because they are crap.
(I could go into a long explanation but that's the tl;dr answer)
System works is 5 years old. THe Norton 360 or Internet security is 50 times better.
It has IP stack IDS. Itrustion detection over the network as well as the AV and a plug in for IE or firefox.
Over 1/2 of the attacks are Web based drive bys. So you go to a infected site and get something placed on your pc.
An Antivirus is not enough any more.
But if you are just using your PC for email and web surfing. VS doing online banking then any AV is fine. But since I do Paypal and other purchases so I will pay the $50 a year to make sure I am protected.
fiat22turbo wrote:
TrendMicro makes a great product as well.
Ubuntu is a Linux Operating System distribution. Fedora is another. Both have their pluses and negatives, basically both have a bit of a steep learning curve for the average user (well worth it though) Also, if you like Apple's OSx, then you'll like Linux as it is based on FreeBSD which is another version of Linux. Most are available in bootable DVD formats so that you can boot via DVD and play around without damaging anything, pretty handy.
Oh and Symantec and McAfee's products stink for both Enterprise and Consumer. I would use AVG and TrendMicro's products before dealing with those two piles of junk ever again. (I've administered Symantec Enterprise solutions and I've had to try and manage McAfee. Can someone explain why neither product can really be uninstalled/repaired without a lot of work?)
Yes if a AV product was easy to un-install then a Trojan writer would load a script to remove the AV product and load the trojan. So the AV product has to somewhat imbed itself into the OS to keep from being shut off by an attack.
GameboyRMH wrote:
fiat22turbo wrote:
(I've administered Symantec Enterprise solutions and I've had to try and manage McAfee. Can someone explain why neither product can really be uninstalled/repaired without a lot of work?)
Because they are crap.
- IT Professional
(I could go into a long explanation but that's the tl;dr answer)
Yeah, I know. It was a rhetorical question.
-also an IT Professional
bam2002 wrote:
fiat22turbo wrote:
TrendMicro makes a great product as well.
Ubuntu is a Linux Operating System distribution. Fedora is another. Both have their pluses and negatives, basically both have a bit of a steep learning curve for the average user (well worth it though) Also, if you like Apple's OSx, then you'll like Linux as it is based on FreeBSD which is another version of Linux. Most are available in bootable DVD formats so that you can boot via DVD and play around without damaging anything, pretty handy.
Oh and Symantec and McAfee's products stink for both Enterprise and Consumer. I would use AVG and TrendMicro's products before dealing with those two piles of junk ever again. (I've administered Symantec Enterprise solutions and I've had to try and manage McAfee. Can someone explain why neither product can really be uninstalled/repaired without a lot of work?)
Yes if a AV product was easy to un-install then a Trojan writer would load a script to remove the AV product and load the trojan. So the AV product has to somewhat imbed itself into the OS to keep from being shut off by an attack.
That's why Symantec requires you to have a password to remove the software (makes sense) except it is easily bypassed in the registry. The fact is that if a trojan is that smart, then as the AV admin you should notice when a client uninstalls itself or stops responding for any period of time. Basically they both abuse the MSI standards that I as an SCCM (SMS) admin use to build and manage applications in our enterprise.
For home-fry's then you're not paying attention to the details.
bam2002 wrote:
System works is 5 years old. THe Norton 360 or Internet security is 50 times better.
It has IP stack IDS. Itrustion detection over the network as well as the AV and a plug in for IE or firefox.
Over 1/2 of the attacks are Web based drive bys. So you go to a infected site and get something placed on your pc.
An Antivirus is not enough any more.
But if you are just using your PC for email and web surfing. VS doing online banking then any AV is fine. But since I do Paypal and other purchases so I will pay the $50 a year to make sure I am protected.
Is what you are suggesting that I go to Norton 360? Bear with me- I'm a computer moron anymore- it's an appliance to me 
. IF I did that (and that's a rather big IF at this point), would that correctly un-install System works, since it's the same company?
As for system works- am I reading the above messages right that I need to goto someone like GeekSquad to properly cleanse my machines of that software?
I've read a pretty good blog that goes through steps for spy ware, maleware, and antivirus stuff- seems like a lot of work, but solid work, and easy to do. I'll post that when I get the link again.
Eric
fiat22turbo wrote:
bam2002 wrote:
fiat22turbo wrote:
TrendMicro makes a great product as well.
Ubuntu is a Linux Operating System distribution. Fedora is another. Both have their pluses and negatives, basically both have a bit of a steep learning curve for the average user (well worth it though) Also, if you like Apple's OSx, then you'll like Linux as it is based on FreeBSD which is another version of Linux. Most are available in bootable DVD formats so that you can boot via DVD and play around without damaging anything, pretty handy.
Oh and Symantec and McAfee's products stink for both Enterprise and Consumer. I would use AVG and TrendMicro's products before dealing with those two piles of junk ever again. (I've administered Symantec Enterprise solutions and I've had to try and manage McAfee. Can someone explain why neither product can really be uninstalled/repaired without a lot of work?)
Yes if a AV product was easy to un-install then a Trojan writer would load a script to remove the AV product and load the trojan. So the AV product has to somewhat imbed itself into the OS to keep from being shut off by an attack.
That's why Symantec requires you to have a password to remove the software (makes sense) except it is easily bypassed in the registry. The fact is that if a trojan is that smart, then as the AV admin you should notice when a client uninstalls itself or stops responding for any period of time. Basically they both abuse the MSI standards that I as an SCCM (SMS) admin use to build and manage applications in our enterprise.
For home-fry's then you're not paying attention to the details.
Ah see there's the long explanation.
