BS: Need anti-virus program now!!!

Subject: BS: Need anti-virus program now!!!
From: Bobert
Date: 14 Dec 12 - 07:16 PM

With today's shooting's I am embarrassed to be asking this but...

...my computer has been fixed (?) and came home without "Norton" and I was told that I would have to have it re-installed... I tried to do that and was told that I would have have to sign up for some service to "clean" @ $169.00 a year...

I was just billed for Norton and can protest the charges if I tell them that I was unable to re-install it without being robbed so...

...what's out there that is FREE and works???

B~

Subject: RE: BS: Need anti-virus program now!!!
From: GUEST,Bob Ryszkiewicz
Date: 14 Dec 12 - 07:19 PM

This...http://www.avira.com/en/avira-free-antivirus

Subject: RE: BS: Need anti-virus program now!!!
From: JohnInKansas
Date: 14 Dec 12 - 09:31 PM

Bobert -

If you have paid for Norton you should have an account with them. If you go to the Norton Site (Symantec is the real name) and look for support they will be able to provide you with a login - if needed - so that you can download and install whatever product you had, or (my recommendation) - set you up with "chat support" so that the tech there can take hands-on control of your machine and reinstall the Norton you had. Installation shouldn't be all that hard, but they can do it for you quicker than you can make sure you've got it all the way you want it.

I've usually just gone directly to the chat support, but there should be multiple ways to get there. Reinstallations shouldn't cost anything. If you paid for a year, you get a year.

They will likely want your machine scanned to clear any existing infections and/or preinstalled AV programs before reinstalling, but it should be quite painless once you find the connection, and shouldn't cost you anything to get fully checked out and reinstalled.

To be best assured that you're on the right site, you might want to start with Symantec. (Norton is a "brand name" but the parent corp is named Symnantec.)

John

Subject: RE: BS: Need anti-virus program now!!!
From: JohnInKansas
Date: 14 Dec 12 - 09:33 PM

Well, I spelt Slymantlic right at least onse.

(Just came in from shopping, and the digits are a bit dumb numb.)

John

Subject: RE: BS: Need anti-virus program now!!!
From: olddude
Date: 14 Dec 12 - 09:44 PM

Forget it, use only panda cloud. I use the paid version but that just has some extra do dads that the free one doesn't. The free one is outstanding protection

Subject: RE: BS: Need anti-virus program now!!!
From: Bill D
Date: 14 Dec 12 - 09:47 PM

Bobert... call Norton direct! Rita just bought it (against my advice, because I prefer **Avast**)and had to have the Norton rep help and re-install it!

Subject: RE: BS: Need anti-virus program now!!!
From: olddude
Date: 14 Dec 12 - 10:07 PM

I am here to tell ya, Panda Cloud is always up to date since it is cloud computing. Forget Norton, that &^%$ thing lets virus in and I have pulled more viruses off of norton then just about everything else. I hate the program. Slow and needs to download updates.

Subject: RE: BS: Need anti-virus program now!!!
From: Bobert
Date: 14 Dec 12 - 10:09 PM

Thanks, Bill and John... I will call Norton tomorrow seein' as I have just bought it...

B~

Subject: RE: BS: Need anti-virus program now!!!
From: GUEST,999
Date: 14 Dec 12 - 10:16 PM

Dan, I have Avast. Will it conflict with that?

Subject: RE: BS: Need anti-virus program now!!!
From: Jack the Sailor
Date: 14 Dec 12 - 10:42 PM

I use AVG. It is excellent if you can ignore their requests to upgrade.

Subject: RE: BS: Need anti-virus program now!!!
From: olddude
Date: 14 Dec 12 - 11:31 PM

Jack,
AVG is fine if you keep it current again I would say switch to Panda Cloud. Seems like if AVG is always current, something always slips in. I fixed a heck of a lot of them also. Bruce yup will work fine my brother. Panda Cloud, since I been telling people to use that, I no longer have to run over friends houses or the non profits that I help to clear virus crap.

Subject: RE: BS: Need anti-virus program now!!!
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 14 Dec 12 - 11:32 PM

I've used Avast, AVG, and a couple of others I wasn't so impressed with. I use Microsoft Forefront right now because it is an enterprise program I get through work.

There are other programs I run on the computer that have their own helpful aspects, and all are free.

Malwarebytes.org. Keep it up to date and run a scan once a week or so. It can save your ass if you do get a nasty piece of malware in the system.

Spybot Search and Destroy. You need to click on the icon and run it as an administrator. Keep it up to date and scan with it every week or so.

SpywareBlaster. Another one to update manually. You don't scan with it, you just keep it up to date.

WinPatrol. Guards your registry and is going to prevent anything from writing to the registry without your permission. That's how malware embeds itself in your system, is by writing itself into your startup routine in the registry. You don't need to do anything, but you can use it to kick out obnoxious programs that want to start up every time you turn on the computer. If you don't use programs often, there is no reason for them to have a place in the startup routine.

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: Need anti-virus program now!!!
From: Rapparee
Date: 14 Dec 12 - 11:32 PM

We use the free version of AVG -- dropped Norton some years back. We also use Free Windows Registry Repair and Spybot Search & Destroy (also free).

DON'T use that "PC cleaning" program they advertise on TV! I don't know of anyone who hasn't had their computer FUBARed by it.

Subject: RE: BS: Need anti-virus program now!!!
From: GUEST,999
Date: 14 Dec 12 - 11:35 PM

Thanks, Dan.

Subject: RE: BS: Need anti-virus program now!!!
From: Joe Offer
Date: 15 Dec 12 - 01:56 AM

Thew download page for Norton is harder to find than it used to be. Go to http://us.norton.com/downloads/ and download the "free trial" of the product you have been using. Install the product as directed. Somewhere on the program menu is a space that will take a registration number, to change the trial to a purchased copy. Enter the number included with your original disc, and you should be all set until your subscription expired.

Some Internet Service Providers give antivirus programs for free. I get Norton Internet Security for nine computers at work from Comcast. My ATT service at home offers McAfee, which I don't like. I buy a "free" copy of Norton Internet Security at Fry's once a year and do the rebate game, and then use that code on three computers.

-Joe-

Subject: RE: BS: Need anti-virus program now!!!
From: GUEST,Beachcomber
Date: 15 Dec 12 - 07:18 AM

Old Dude, is there a blue link available for this "Panda Cloud" anti virus programme please ? [Or am I merely displaying my woeful lack of Technological no-how ;) ]

Subject: RE: BS: Need anti-virus program now!!!
From: GUEST,Peter Laban
Date: 15 Dec 12 - 09:23 AM

A few months ago a McAfee update disabled my internet access. Had to uninstall it and then found it wouldn't reinstall. Long story short, I went to Avast! and Adaware, both in their free versions, and so far so good. You will need to disable the RealTime protection in Adaware as there's a conflict between the two.

I also run Spybot and Malwarebytes but feel the latter is probably redundant.

Subject: RE: BS: Need anti-virus program now!!!
From: GUEST
Date: 15 Dec 12 - 11:46 AM

You need at least two, neither of which should be Norton. Microsoft Security Essentials is free, easy to use and pretty powerful.

Subject: RE: BS: Need anti-virus program now!!!
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 15 Dec 12 - 12:10 PM

I've been using Microsoft Security Essentials for several years now. It is very user-friendly, trouble-free, and seems to be doing its job well.

Subject: RE: BS: Need anti-virus program now!!!
From: Jack the Sailor
Date: 15 Dec 12 - 10:42 PM

I'll have look at Panda Cloud.

thankd od

Subject: RE: BS: Need anti-virus program now!!!
From: GUEST
Date: 16 Dec 12 - 03:30 AM

Microsoft Security Essentials every time.

It comes free with Windows 7, works well and doesn't conflict with anything.

K/van

Subject: RE: BS: Need anti-virus program now!!!
From: Bert
Date: 16 Dec 12 - 04:21 PM

Now where are all the folks who think that hackers should not be prosecuted?

Subject: RE: BS: Need anti-virus program now!!!
From: olddude
Date: 16 Dec 12 - 04:32 PM

http://www.cloudantivirus.com/en/forHome/

Subject: RE: BS: Need anti-virus program now!!!
From: GUEST,Beachcomber
Date: 17 Dec 12 - 07:09 AM

Thanks Olddude for posting that link , however,I found that a purchase is required of one of a number of products before the Free Download will be granted.
I'm a bit worried that such a purchase may lead to a constant "drain" from the account debited to make it. I have had similar problems before ? Is it a genuine "free" offer do you think ?
Being a pensioner it is important to me to regulate my spending as much as possible, you may understand.

Thanks again,


Beachcomber.

Subject: RE: BS: Need anti-virus program now!!!
From: Geoff the Duck
Date: 17 Dec 12 - 08:02 AM

Beachcomber - they do a FREE version which IS free (LEFT HAND COLUMN ON LINKED PAGE) - download link at bottom of left hand column.

They are also currently offering a FREE TRIAL of their Non-free "Pro" commercial version (RIGHT HAND COLUMN ON LINKED PAGE) which has some other things added - download link at bottom of right hand column.

To get the Free Trial (Pro), you need to buy some other software from a list. The FREE version does not need a purchase.

I have been using the free version for a long time now. It seems to catch things the kids click on.

Quack!
GtD.

Subject: RE: BS: Need anti-virus program now!!!
From: GUEST,olddude
Date: 17 Dec 12 - 03:06 PM

don't buy it, I have the paid version but it just has some tools I can use as a developer .. the free version is outstanding and is the highest rated anti virus software out there. It has stopped everything for every person I put it on.

Subject: RE: BS: Need anti-virus program now!!!
From: GUEST
Date: 17 Dec 12 - 03:15 PM

download the free version
http://www.cloudantivirus.com/en/forHome/

if you go on google and research it you will find it is the best out there

Subject: RE: BS: Need anti-virus program now!!!
From: GUEST,Beachcomber
Date: 18 Dec 12 - 12:01 PM

Yes, thanks, I finally got those two columns ; One Free , one Pro to buy . I've clicked on the Free column but nothing seems to happen . Shouldn't there be a notification that I have suceeded in downloading or not ?

Sorry for being such a nuisance Olddude and Guest but, I suppose that I'm doing something wrong ?

Subject: RE: BS: Need anti-virus program now!!!
From: olddude
Date: 18 Dec 12 - 02:37 PM

There should be a download button right underneath that page. If you click it it will ask you where to save the download. give that a try.

Subject: RE: BS: Need anti-virus program now!!!
From: olddude
Date: 18 Dec 12 - 02:38 PM

try this one, it is at cnet, perfectly safe I installed it many times from cnet. This maybe easier for you

cnet

Subject: RE: BS: Need anti-virus program now!!!
From: JohnInKansas
Date: 18 Dec 12 - 11:08 PM

If you are using Windows (any recent versions) when you click on the download button there should be another popup where you will need to give permission to receive the download, and will be asked whether to "Save" or "Run." In WinXP recollection is that the popup was pretty obvious, but with Win7 it usually appears as a new "box" on the Status bar (at the bottom where the Start button lives), and may be at either end but usually at the right. Sometimes, the permission box may come up behind the browser window where you asked for the download, so that you need to minimize the browser to see it.

It's possible you're missing the "permisson" button(?). If you don't click it, it will sometimes just go a away (although not quickly) and nothing will happen.

John

Subject: RE: BS: Need anti-virus program now!!!
From: GUEST,Beachcomber
Date: 19 Dec 12 - 05:30 AM

You are very kind Olddude (and I believe that I have had reason to thank JohnInKansas for help with a previous problem which you helped resolve) I was able to start the download of the ARCO Antivirus programme but, once again, I have had no indication that I have succeeded. There was no "permission button" as such on the page, anywhere.
However I was informed that 100 errors had been fixed and that I should click on a "purchase button" to have the remaining 1600 odd errors also corrected ? The choice on another "button" was to "retain the remaining errors" ?

Look fellows, I am being a pain in the rear I know so feel free to tell me so, I promise not to hold it against you !

Subject: RE: BS: Need anti-virus program now!!!
From: JohnInKansas
Date: 19 Dec 12 - 06:02 AM

One of the problems of following the latest reviews is that you have to learn a new setup and a new "language" every time you try out a new one. (Every producer describes what they do slightly differently, and calls the settings by different names.) I've found it preferable to pick one I trust and stick with it, but of course there are other opinions.

A quick look for cloudantivirus (or cloud antivirus) shows a half dozen different providers using the name, but it appears you're looking at the Panda version. I don't use cloud storage or applications so I haven't had an interest in looking at these products and can't guess what the results you're seeing might mean.

ONE WAY to see whether "the rest of the problems" that they suggest you get a paid version to fix are really worth worrying over would be to got to almost any one of the major AV suppliers and run a "free check" and see if that checkup either tells you something different, or tells you that you do still have problems you need to take care of.

I haven't used it recently, but one current "System Check" is at Norton Free System Check. Previous versions have given a very good report on what shape your computer is in, and what you should consider fixing. They will, of course, recommend their own products you should use to "get better" but you can ignore the sales pitches.

Nearly all AV product makers have similar free checkup services, so pick any one you like.

And don't worry about annoying anyone. Those of us who look at threads like this one are always ready to learn something from your difficulties, in case we run into something similar someday.

John

Subject: RE: BS: Need anti-virus program now!!!
From: EBarnacle
Date: 19 Dec 12 - 10:09 AM

Lady Hillary and I use Avast free, Glary utilities free and Malware bytes. The reason we use all three is that they each seem to pick up different stuff. That said, we have had no infections in the 3 years we have been using them. We switched from AVG as it seemed to slow down our computers.

Subject: RE: BS: Need anti-virus program now!!!
From: Bill D
Date: 19 Dec 12 - 12:27 PM

AVG was great for several years.... then it got pushy and practically dared you to find the free version. I switched to Avast, and have been satisfied.... will 'look' at PandaCloud, just because I like to know what's available.

Subject: RE: BS: Need anti-virus program now!!!
From: GUEST,Beachcomber
Date: 19 Dec 12 - 06:53 PM

I have a Malwearbytes programme already but thought that a stronger one would fix a problem that I have when trying to edit some Word Documents that I typed last summer (they were chapters of a book)
What happens is that the additions or deletions come up in Red lettering, no matter that I choose black ? When I print it out the red words are still there, and in that colour ?

Subject: RE: BS: Need anti-virus program now!!!
From: JohnInKansas
Date: 19 Dec 12 - 07:27 PM

I'm just guessing, but maybe:

While it might make some difference which version of Word you're using now, the problem you're seeing can show up due to the "Autocheck Grammar and Spelling" settings. The colored type indicates that the program thinks your documents include "errors."

It's also possible, though, to be while you're in "Compare Documents" (Compare versions in some Word versions?) mode, and the different colors are needed to show you which text comes from one document and which is from the other one you're comparing it to. (Word has never been too clear about which document is which.) If you "accept" or "reject" each bit of colored text, the "final" version shouldn't have the colors. There should be an "Accept All" or "Reject All" button but I can't tell you whether the colors are what will be saved or what will be deleted for a general case.

I don't recall where the settings were in older versions of Word, but in Word 2007 you need to check settings on the "Review" tab. Possibly just turning off "Track Changes" will solve the problem. The place to fix it should be easier to find in older Word versions - my memory just isn't quite that good.

If it's coming from the change tracking, it really is a useful "feature" sometimes, but has always been a confusing one for most people who don't use it frequently.

John

Subject: RE: BS: Need anti-virus program now!!!
From: GUEST,Backwoodsman
Date: 20 Dec 12 - 04:01 AM

Does Panda Cloud give other protection as well as simple antivirus - e.g. Identity protection, malware and phishing attacks etc? AVG does have this kind of stuff, although I'm not sure how effective it is.

Subject: RE: BS: Need anti-virus program now!!!
From: JohnInKansas
Date: 20 Dec 12 - 07:28 AM

Panda Cloud

Panda Cloud is a very lightweight piece of software, keeping your system resources free for other processes. While it lacks the ability to create a scheduled scan, it provides the same features you'll find in a more heavy-duty anti-virus program, such as quick scans, custom scans and virus-removal options.

Version Differences

Though the standard version of Panda Cloud is free, there is also the option to upgrade to the Pro version. Both the Free and Pro version include anti-virus/anti-spyware protection, as well as both offline and online protection. The benefits of the Pro version are no advertising windows, behavioral analysis and automatic USB scanning.

It appears that it's just AV, without features such as cookie blocking, antiphishing, site blocking, and other features in full suite AntiMalware products. It does indicate "both offline and online protection" while some "Cloud Products" require connection to a cloud account in order to function. Since it lacks scheduled scan capability, one might wonder about scheduled update ability(?). They may tell you if you poke around a little.

You'd need to dig a little deeper at the site than I did to make much of an evaluation.

John

Subject: RE: BS: Need anti-virus program now!!!
From: bbc
Date: 20 Dec 12 - 06:13 PM

AVG plus Malwarebytes works fine for me. Both are free.

bbc

Subject: RE: BS: Need anti-virus program now!!!
From: GUEST,Beachcomber
Date: 21 Dec 12 - 07:11 AM

Thanks again JohnInKansas, I haven't solved my (small) problems as yet but I think I have learned enough to know that I really have to get the repair man in.
It is great to know that people like you are there, on Mudcat, who are kind enough to share their experience and know-how.
Happy Christmas.

Subject: RE: BS: Need anti-virus program now!!!
From: GUEST,Backwoodsman
Date: 22 Dec 12 - 04:47 AM

Thanks JiK, I think I'll stick with AVG, it works well and I have their tune-up program as well, which seems to have speeded my computer up significantly.