Why do I even have virus protection for my pc?

:confused: Somehow I got yet another virus on this thing. I have Trend Micro virus protection right now. I've tried Norton and AVG and still got viruses. I bought this Dell computer two years ago this month and I've had nothing but problems w/it. Plus the Blue Tooth in it keeps causing all sorts of snafus. I have been on the phone w/Dell for up to 4 hours at a time (no exaggeration) and still couldn't get it to run properly. I've had it repaired so many times I've lost count. I lost it for 3 days, got it home and immediately had to send it out again so that means I've been w/out it for nearly a week. The computer guy just left after being here trying to get the Blue Tooth going. My next repair job is going to include a hatchet. I've had it! :mad: Rant over.

I feel your pain. I have McAfee, diligently and automatically updated daily.

When my son was home for Christmas break, he downloaded music from Limewire. Guess what ... I now have a virus, or something, that won't let me use wallpaper, and pops up a Windows Explorer error message, right over the top of whatever I'm trying to work on. If I close it another one pops up.

Grrrr .... :mad: So be careful of Limewire, folks!

So, it's off to the computer dude on Monday for this beastie.

Basically, you can never be fully protected from viruses. Even Linux, the OS I use, has viruses, although they no longer work on modern machines and no one has found one that does. Heh, and Linux was designed around security and reliability (obviously, they didnt do that in windows). Don't beat yourself because of it, just make sure to avoid websites/programs that look like they could have a virus in them.

RUN YOUR UPDATES!

AVG updates automatically - I have version 8.0 and I set it to scan weekly.

If you install it normally, it will run a scan every day.

Here's Malwarebytes:

http://www.malwarebytes.org/

Go to the green Download button on the left. Run a scan with it daily. It does not replace a regular antivirus update/scan, but can nail bad ones quickly.

Use this before you send your computer to the shop next time.

I've been content so far with my virus scanner, but nothing is perfect and no program can keep up with every virus out there.

I use Avast, free, and Desktop Maestro, not free, and have been mostly virus free. I do get viruses but nothing that requires a major fix. Anytime in the past when I did have a major virus crisis I backed up anything I wanted to keep and started from scratch with a fresh OS install.

I also use Avast and have had far fewer problems with that, than any anti virus I have ever used. A deputy sherriff told me he used it and so did everyone in the department and they never had a problem.. None I have ever had came close to doing what Avast does.. That things updates all day long. I strongly urge you to dump what you have and get that.. I use limewire from time to time and it has caught every virus BEFORE it got to my machine. The best part of it is that it is completely FREE! (just my kind of price!)

Trend Micro runs updates every day automatically and it scans for viruses and malware twice a day. I don't open email that I don't know but I do go on the Internet a lot, admittedly, but usually only to sites that I visit regularly. I guess it's all part of being in the technological age but it sure can be frustrating! Reggie, just reading your info on how to contact you gave me brain freeze. I didn't understand a word of it. LOL Thanx for listening. :)

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Originally Posted by Medusa

Trend Micro runs updates every day automatically and it scans for viruses and malware twice a day. I don't open email that I don't know but I do go on the Internet a lot, admittedly, but usually only to sites that I visit regularly. I guess it's all part of being in the technological age but it sure can be frustrating! Reggie, just reading your info on how to contact you gave me brain freeze. I didn't understand a word of it. LOL Thanx for listening. :)

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Heh, I do development work, so I generally let people know how to contact me. There has been reports of malicious software using flash as a entrance path into your computer, or so I have heard. Javascript is something known to be a rather large security hole. So is Java and any other client-side software like that. I am security paranoid, 2 dedicated firewalls and a Intrusion Detection/Prevention System to support them. Then there is the embedded firewalls in my network devices, and the Linux firewall.... nearly nothing gets through all that :).

Get an Apple computer. We have had iMacs for 10 years now, and have never had a virus.

I know, anything is possible, and one of these days . . . . . . . I'm just saying that for 10 years life has been good.

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Originally Posted by Grace

Get an Apple computer. We have had iMacs for 10 years now, and have never had a virus.

I know, anything is possible, and one of these days . . . . . . . I'm just saying that for 10 years life has been good.

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That's what my son says. He plans on getting a Mac as his next computer. The one I have is only 2 years old so I'm reluctant to buy a new one right now w/taxes coming up, etc. However, when I do finally buy another one, it'll more than likely be a Mac. Question: I've heard that transferring everything to a Mac is a hassle. True or false? :)

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Originally Posted by Medusa

That's what my son says. He plans on getting a Mac as his next computer. The one I have is only 2 years old so I'm reluctant to buy a new one right now w/taxes coming up, etc. However, when I do finally buy another one, it'll more than likely be a Mac. Question: I've heard that transferring everything to a Mac is a hassle. True or false? :)

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Sorry, I have no idea. We never had any other kind of computer. So all the transferring we've done is from one iMac to another.

Take it from me, who ruined TWO computers with a virus. :rolleyes: Well actually it wasn't *really* my fault as I never downloaded anything/or went on any bad sites that I know of. My brother has had his Apple for 2 years now virus free. From my experience, DELLS ARE CRAP! :eek: I have one currently, and will never ever ever buy one again. :mad: Macs may be more expensive but in the long run they are better then these pieces of s***. :rolleyes: I have a dell laptop that can't come off the desk, so there's no point in this laptop anymore.

I have had it with Norton & McAfee.. I only use WebRoot now.. It goes deep into the computer for updates & cleanups on viruses..

I never had a virus here at home (knock on wood). Of course I update my virus scanner daily. I think the basic reason is I only go to a handful of websites- like PT, my bank, my e-mail account, some very serious magazines, wikipedia etc.
People who download from non-serious sites are in much bigger danger. Or people who believe it when something pops up telling you you win or can download cute emoticons or whatever.

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Originally Posted by Grace

Get an Apple computer. We have had iMacs for 10 years now, and have never had a virus.

I know, anything is possible, and one of these days . . . . . . . I'm just saying that for 10 years life has been good.

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You beat me to it!!! I've had Macs since 1991, and LOVE THEM!!! I've had Norton Antivirus on them before, but I never got anything virus or worm like, and never used it. I haven't had virus protection on my computers in years. YEARS.

Hope I don't need it anytime soon, either, lol.

LOVE MY MAC!


You may pay more initially for your computer, they are more expensive than PCs, but they are well worth the $$$.

I've had my Dell for almost 5 years and never had a problem. I have Norton which I'm not thrilled with, and Lavasoft which is free, and never had a virus. Knock on wood! I don't go to unknown sites and mainly use it for banking, PT, shopping, email and photos. I don't download anything that I have the slightest doubt about, and if I receive an email with an attachment that has to be downloaded to view, then it just gets deleted - I don't care who sent it to me! :p
My son has NO spyware protection on either of his computers and has never had a virus in the 10 years plus that he has had them.

:rolleyes: Yes I heard this morning on the Today Show that virusess are to get much worse & alot less to be detected.. They say hackers will do anything now with computers for trying to steal personal indenty..

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Originally Posted by Medusa

That's what my son says. He plans on getting a Mac as his next computer. The one I have is only 2 years old so I'm reluctant to buy a new one right now w/taxes coming up, etc. However, when I do finally buy another one, it'll more than likely be a Mac. Question: I've heard that transferring everything to a Mac is a hassle. True or false? :)

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Sort of. Macs are proprietary, which is both good and bad for the end user. The good part is that Apple can design the OS knowing that it will be running on their own hardware only. The bad part is that it is a royal pain to get anything else to work on it/with it.

Reggie, they're a lot less worse than they used to be. You can have almost any application that runs on a PC by Microsoft on a Mac. They have come a long way. Plus, there are so many apps that Mac makes now that rival the PC apps, it's really not an issue.


PS...
Was watching 48hrs mystery the other night on NBC (I think), and saw the case about the guy who invented the Linux system who killed his Russian wife and buried her in a hole a few miles away. I was shocked! I had no idea he had done something like that! He had some real mental issues, wonder if it was one of those where you're so brilliant, and then you just sort of crack.

Mary, it sounds like your son is a bright guy! ;) I don't think you need to worry, I've had Office on my Mac for at least 6 years without a problem. :) I can assure you that it's a lot more pain getting anything to work properly on a PC, AND clumsy too!

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Originally Posted by jenn_librarian

Was watching 48hrs mystery the other night on NBC (I think), and saw the case about the guy who invented the Linux system who killed his Russian wife and buried her in a hole a few miles away. I was shocked! I had no idea he had done something like that! He had some real mental issues, wonder if it was one of those where you're so brilliant, and then you just sort of crack.

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Computers can do that to ya. I nearly cracked and buried mine in a hole a few miles away. LOL

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Originally Posted by jenn_librarian

Was watching 48hrs mystery the other night on NBC (I think), and saw the case about the guy who invented the Linux system who killed his Russian wife and buried her in a hole a few miles away. I was shocked! I had no idea he had done something like that! He had some real mental issues, wonder if it was one of those where you're so brilliant, and then you just sort of crack.

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If you mean Hans Reiser, he was the person that created the ReiserFS, which was critical in the early years of Linux. No, the original creator of Linux was Linus Torvaldes. He whom keeps a nunchuck under his bed and prays to penguins.

If you are an avid downloader of files (especially from non certified places), then alot of times viruses ride in with the download. If you let it in its hardly the Antivirus programs fault *L* That is the risk you take unfortunately

The reason PCs have more viruses is not because Windows is more vulnerable for a design standpoint. Windows is actually the most secure OS out there, if you look at security updates. The problem is they are by far the biggest target. OS-X, etc, all have the same buffer overrun flaws that allow bad code to run, just nobody has taken the time to attack Macs yet. Not enough people to piss off to bother I reckon.

Now, Macs are wonderful for home use or if you are a graphic/web designer. Want to run a real business though? Forget about a Mac.

Macs = Play
PCs = Work

More or less.

PCs can be configured to run well, be safe and do what they are supposed to. Problem is, that means staying off Limewire, Facebook, Myspace, etc...


So Mac people... ;) Pound your chest all you want, but the reason there are no Mac viruses is just because nobody has written one yet. Now, as Mac gains market share..... Lets just say that the first Mac virus is going to be a hoot. LOL Understand I say this knowing my next machine for home is going to be a Mac.


Oh and as for Dell. My company is a Dell partner. My one simple piece of advice... Stay away from Dimension and Inspiron machines. Those are the products targeted at the retail market and they SUCK. Buy Optiplex desktops of Latitude laptops. These are the business line of products, use better hardware and have a MUCH, MUCH cleaner OS install.

Buy from http://outlet.dell.com Save about $400 per PC. Same warranty, same hardware. (NO, my company has zero vested intrest in this site. I nor my company make any money off this site.)

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Originally Posted by Puckstop31

The reason PCs have more viruses is not because Windows is more vulnerable for a design standpoint. Windows is actually the most secure OS out there, if you look at security updates. The problem is they are by far the biggest target. OS-X, etc, all have the same buffer overrun flaws that allow bad code to run, just nobody has taken the time to attack Macs yet. Not enough people to piss off to bother I reckon.

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Microsoft designed their OS so that, by default, the first user on the computer is the administrator. One of the large flaws in Windows. Another one is the fact that their firewall defends against incoming, not outgoing, attacks. Yet another one is proven by the large list of security patches they release weekly, that their OS is full of holes. Mac OS X and Linux/Unix are probably the most secure OSs out there, if only by design. OS X is based off Unix, and Linux is based off Minix which is based off Unix. All of them have the best firewall ever seen on the face of the earth integrated into the Linux/Unix kernel. So far, I have gotten about 2 security updates this week, and one was from firefox, the other being from a small hole in a lib file. The last major security breach in Linux/Unix happened a few months ago, from PGP keys being exploited. They fixed that in about 2 days, and I helped on the Ubuntu side. It is a few years back when something like that has happened in Linux, and that seems to be discovered weekly/monthly in Windows. Linux/Unix is the most popular server platform there is, so it is attacked millions of times daily, and they still have not found anything major or most anything minor wrong. Windows is /not/ the most secure OS :).

Heh, I tend to get way too passionate about these types of things ;).

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Originally Posted by Reggie

Microsoft designed their OS so that, by default, the first user on the computer is the administrator. One of the large flaws in Windows. Another one is the fact that their firewall defends against incoming, not outgoing, attacks. Yet another one is proven by the large list of security patches they release weekly, that their OS is full of holes. Mac OS X and Linux/Unix are probably the most secure OSs out there, if only by design. OS X is based off Unix, and Linux is based off Minix which is based off Unix. All of them have the best firewall ever seen on the face of the earth integrated into the Linux/Unix kernel. So far, I have gotten about 2 security updates this week, and one was from firefox, the other being from a small hole in a lib file. The last major security breach in Linux/Unix happened a few months ago, from PGP keys being exploited. They fixed that in about 2 days, and I helped on the Ubuntu side. It is a few years back when something like that has happened in Linux, and that seems to be discovered weekly/monthly in Windows. Linux/Unix is the most popular server platform there is, so it is attacked millions of times daily, and they still have not found anything major or most anything minor wrong. Windows is /not/ the most secure OS :).

Heh, I tend to get way too passionate about these types of things ;).

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I hear ya... Fair enough I reckon. I do this stuff for a living but am VERY UN-passionate about it. Just counting the days till I can get back to the farm. LOL

So this is the part where curse Bill Gates for being, IMHO, the smartest businessman EVER. He took a product that was not the best and made it the world business standard....

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Originally Posted by Puckstop31

I hear ya... Fair enough I reckon. I do this stuff for a living but am VERY UN-passionate about it. Just counting the days till I can get back to the farm. LOL

So this is the part where curse Bill Gates for being, IMHO, the smartest businessman EVER. He took a product that was not the best and made it the world business standard....

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I semi-develop stuff for Linux mainly. I also run personal Linux servers and my own desktop, which is this (Its also Linux, Arch Linux to be specific). I support macs only because of the fact that they based Leopard off the Unix kernel, otherwise I would be drilling them into the hole along with Windows :).