Tech: Anti-Virus Protection for my laptop?

Subject: Tech: Anti-Virus Protection for my laptop?
From: Senoufou
Date: 10 Sep 16 - 03:06 PM

I expect everyone will fall about laughing at my ignorance, but I really am useless where technology is concerned.
I have an Acer Chromebook laptop thing. I've had it for a few years now. My husband's big laptop needs something called McAfee (paid annually) to protect it against viruses and things. I can't understand how my little Chrome doodah doesn't need protection. It never has had anything like Norton or McAfee, and it's always quite fast and never seems to be gunked up with invading viruses. There's a small sticker on the front which says 'Intel inside' and some other stickers saying 'free apps available' and 'ultra thin and light', but no mention of any protection.
My question is, do Chrome laptops not need a McAfee, or am I living on borrowed time??!!

Subject: RE: Tech: Anti-Virus Protection for my laptop?
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 10 Sep 16 - 04:12 PM

I'm guessing "Borrowed time" is the answer. There are free antivirus apps - if I were you I'd download the free version of Malwarebytes and one like AVG antivirus. The difference is that Malwarebytes picks up more stuff.

I pay for a 5-device version of Kaspersky Total Security and have it on the computers in the house and my smartphone. And I have a 3-device Malwarebytes account - also on computers and phone. This way they work in real time; the free versions require that you run regular manual scans.

Subject: RE: Tech: Anti-Virus Protection for my laptop?
From: GUEST,Senoufou
Date: 10 Sep 16 - 04:22 PM

Thank you so much Acme for replying. (And for not scoffing at my ignorance!)

Subject: RE: Tech: Anti-Virus Protection for my laptop?
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 10 Sep 16 - 10:01 PM

I have maintained my next-door-neighbor's computers since I moved here in 2002. We all have different things we are good at. I love it when she feeds me lunch when I'm over working on her computer. Over the years we have pronounced two of them dead (blue screen of death), and now I have her set up saving her files to a cloud account. Next time a computer dies, hopefully she won't lose anything.

She worries about the time I spend, but it is infrequent, and I worry that the computer geeks who work on computers in local stores don't really care about the outcome, and charge a lot for the the privilege to mess up her computer. It's what you do for friends and neighbors. :)

Subject: RE: Tech: Anti-Virus Protection for my laptop?
From: GUEST,.gargoyle
Date: 10 Sep 16 - 10:09 PM

If It WORKS.....
DO NOT "FIX" IT...


Sincerely,
Gargoyle


It was a sorry state when the "salesman " vacumn man stopped knocking at the door, and the telemarketer stopped calling on the phone, and they moved on to "poor-ol-ignorant."

Subject: RE: Tech: Anti-Virus Protection for my laptop?
From: EBarnacle
Date: 10 Sep 16 - 11:40 PM

I would agree with Acme except that we have found that AVG tends to slow computers down. The suite we use [all freeware] is MalwareBytes, Avast and Glary Utilities. We run them regularly and, in several years of operating with this combo have never [knock wood] had an infection.
Regularly means at least once per week.

Subject: RE: Tech: Anti-Virus Protection for my laptop?
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 11 Sep 16 - 12:39 AM

Avast is good also - I've successfully used it one computers in the past. There was a collection of programs called Comodo that had good reviews, but I found it really slowed down the computer. Whatever you choose, do read the reviews at places like ZDNet and CNet.

Subject: RE: Tech: Anti-Virus Protection for my laptop?
From: DaveRo
Date: 11 Sep 16 - 01:08 AM

It's not impossible for a Chromebook to get a viruse or malware, but it would be very unusual, for two reasons. Firstly 99% of malware targets Windows. Chromebooks run a version of Linux called Chrome OS. People who run Linux - I'm one - don't normally bother with antivirus programs. Secondly, Chrome OS is limited by design as to what it will run - essentally only Google apps. So you can't be tricked into loading a rogue app.

Because you use the Chrome browser it is possible to install a malware-infected extension from the Chrome Store. I think there are 'reset' options that will deal with that.

Subject: RE: Tech: Anti-Virus Protection for my laptop?
From: GUEST,Senoufou
Date: 11 Sep 16 - 03:25 AM

Thank you so much to all who have responded. As my laptop has worked for years (so far!) I'll carry on carrying on for now. I don't do anything with it in the way of downloading or installing anything (wouldn't have a clue how) so maybe it'll be alright (famous last words!)
Acme, why don't you live next door to us eh? I'd feed you lunch mate!

Subject: RE: Tech: Anti-Virus Protection for my laptop?
From: punkfolkrocker
Date: 11 Sep 16 - 12:24 PM

Wife & i have recently taken advantage of online deals on the Lenovo N22 11.6 inch chromebook..

It's an excellent choice for casual online surfing on the sofa and in bed...
and fairly durable construction.

We got ours for 99 quid off amazon - similar price in other online shops..

Just mentioned this in case you fancy investigating a more up to date
and slightly more future proofed chromebook at a very affordable price.

We won't be bothering paying for any extortionate anti virus software, but might look at free apps from trusted software brands if necessary..

At the moment all I've installed is Adblock Chrome extension.

Subject: RE: Tech: Anti-Virus Protection for my laptop?
From: GUEST,Senoufou
Date: 11 Sep 16 - 01:17 PM

Thank you punkfolkrocker, I'll certainly bear that in mind for future reference. And Christmas is on the horizon .... (husband please note!)

To be honest though, I'd much prefer to have my usual rose-scented soaps and a wildlife calendar for Christmas!

Subject: RE: Tech: Anti-Virus Protection for my laptop?
From: robomatic
Date: 11 Sep 16 - 08:06 PM

I use MalWarebytes and AVG - both the free versions.
I also have multiple accounts on my computer that allow me to log in as if I were different people. This saved me when I got infected with ransomware. I was locked out of one of my accounts but I successfully logged in to another (as administrator) and was still able to operate.

Subject: RE: Tech: Anti-Virus Protection for my laptop?
From: Gurney
Date: 11 Sep 16 - 08:58 PM

I use AVG Free nowadays. However, years ago when I only had one browser, I was infected with a Internet Explorer-specific virus. This knocked out IE and I couldn't download ANYTHING to help me.
If there is a second Browser for your system, do download it. You don't have to actually USE it.