Advice from the IT people sought

[Ashore]

I know there are computer forums out there but I would rather put my faith in the members of this forum
My Norton Anti Virus 2005 is coming up for renewal , It has had some conflicts with Windows and Bigpong lately after the latest downloads
Has anyone tried the Norton 2006 version running XP pro corperate and Bigpond
Has anyone had success with other anti Virus/ Firewall systems
What do you thing is the best and why

For the Mac Users "I Know but I'm not switching to a Mac":rolleyes:


So just advice on windows please


Rgds

[Cliff Rogers]

I think that Not-ons is a virus in it self.
I also don't have a lot of faith in McCoffee's either.

I like Vet & even AVG scored higher than good old Not-ons in a recent written review.

If I had to buy one, I'd pick Vet.
If I had to use my own money, I'd pick AVG.

[Ashore]

Thanks cliff , moneys not importane if I get less down time ,

[q9]

Problem is, unless you are planning to rebuild your machine...Norton doesn't un-install very nicely. Well it never has in my experience...

But I use Zone Alarm and AVG...after Norton went screwy on me...

[Schtoo]

I use AVG, very happy with it.

It updates itself on a schedule, but the little thing in the corner of the screen loses it's colour if it needs updating for whatever reason. A few weeks ago it updated maybe 5 times in 2-3 days, I rarely saw Norton update more often than once a week even if something nasty was running around.

All that, and for personal use, it's free. I'd pay for it if they asked though, much better than Norton ever was to me.

That and a few other smatterings of anti-xyz software like Ad-aware and Hijack this, this computer never misses a beat.

Can you see a pattern forming here? ;)

[Cliff Rogers]

....Norton doesn't un-install very nicely. .......

That is an under statement.... we make a lot of money getting rid of the Not-on virus.



....But I use Zone Alarm and AVG.....

Add Spybot S&D & you have it all covered. :)

[Cliff Rogers]

I use AVG, very happy with it.

It updates itself on a schedule,....

One of the reasons why it beat Not-on in a recent review.
It has heaps more regular updates than poor silly old Not-on has.

[keith53]

I also use AVG and find it really good. Auto updates and the price is right i.e. free :D

[bennylaird]

AVG is the way to go. pity you ever let Norton near your machine, it's like that other virus? What's it called? Oh yes, Windows..................

Spyware is more the problem lately.

[Gumby]

I've just updated computers and will not be using McAfee again. It's Privacy service program is full of problems.I was told that Nortons is one program they write viruses specifically to get around because it's so popular worldwide. When Norton write an update, they write a better work-around etc.

It was suggested I get PC Cillan, which is about half the price ($49.95) but it's not in stock until next week. In the meantime I'm using a freeware program called Clamwin. Seems OK.

Spyware is a problem but I use Xoftspy.
With reagd to a firewall, you need something better than just the XP standard. I have Bigpond cable and use a D-Link router which has one built in.

[bennylaird]

AVG is free and upgrades automatically each time I log on, finds and fixes before I even know I have a problem.

[craigb]

At work we use Sophos. We also get a "take home" copy for our home PC's.

No idea how much it costs but let's just say that my orginization is VERY security conscious.

Sophos on my home PC updates 2 or 3 times per day.

[bennylaird]

dont get the emails from Sophos though, worse than spam.

[Groggy]

I agree with Cliff. Nortons ceased to be any good when Peter Norton sold to Symantec. I have had more grief from that software than I've ever had from any virus.

PC-Cillin is what I use at the moment, but mainly as it is part of a work deal. AVG or VET would be a more cost effective solution.

[bitingmidge]

I've just updated computers.

The box said "requires windows XP or better", so I bought a Mac.

P (checking his dictionary for the meaning of "update".)

:D :D :D

[knucklehead]

As a lot have people have stated above AVG is currently better than Norton.

One of our corporate IT guys tried to install some software on my laptop. AVG said it was a virus, McAfee (corporate) said it was O.K. Further investigation showed it was a virus and the software has been deployed to hundreds of PCs before my freeware AVG picked it up.

However AVG does let the occasional worm slip through.

As an additional sanity check I use "house call" from Trend Micro.
http://housecall.trendmicro.com/
This has found stuff that no other scanner has. The real beauty is that it is not installed on your PC therefore is harder for the virus to circumvent.
There are others offering this type of scan but I have not used them.

[bitingmidge]

Further to my smarty pants post above, I actually have a bit of a dilemma. With the Mac world so free (not immune) from disease, I have a very basic AV setup, and while I am diligent about not opening suspicious attachments etc, "One Day" someone somewhere is going to launch a "Mac Attack".

When that happens, I don't think we'll be ready, and it will be a case of fixing the thing after the event, which is my interpretation of what happens in the PC world now, it's just that there are so many viruses floating round, that existing ones get fixed... new ones get through the net.

So.. do I buy the best frontline defence, which after all doesn't have to defend itself against anything at the moment, or do I wait for the war to begin??

Cheers,

P
:D

[BJP]

I use Computer Associates "ezAntivirus" it`s been good for me, $20 a year now, used to be free.

[craigb]

dont get the emails from Sophos though, worse than spam.

I've never had an email from Sophos Benny. :confused:

[Cliff Rogers]

Further to my smarty pants post above, I actually have a bit of a dilemma. .....So.. do I buy the best frontline defence, which after all doesn't have to defend itself against anything at the moment, or do I wait for the war to begin??....

Why wait?
Ditch the old Mac & get into Windaze now. :D
You won't have to worry about it any longer.:rolleyes:

[arose62]

Another vote for ZoneAlarm :)

And it's worth a serious look at FireFox for browsing, and it's got a usefull addon called No-Script which allows you to block or selectively allow Java and other scripts on web pages.

I also recently read of VMware releasing a free virtual machine to run your browser in, so any nasties coming in via webpages can only infect the virtual machine, which gets thrown away at the end of the browsing session.

Cheers,
Andrew

[bennylaird]

I've never had an email from Sophos Benny. :confused:
I made the mistake of subscribing lol.

[Barry_White]

My grandson is a systems engineer and has tested them all. He reckons Norton is on the bottom of the pile.

He says that the best one is called Kaspersky which I have been using now for 18 months and nothing gets past it. About $50 year.

Go here and have a look. http://www.kaspersky.com/

[MathewA]

Further to my smarty pants post above, I actually have a bit of a dilemma. With the Mac world so free (not immune) from disease, I have a very basic AV setup, and while I am diligent about not opening suspicious attachments etc, "One Day" someone somewhere is going to launch a "Mac Attack".

When that happens, I don't think we'll be ready, and it will be a case of fixing the thing after the event, which is my interpretation of what happens in the PC world now, it's just that there are so many viruses floating round, that existing ones get fixed... new ones get through the net.

So.. do I buy the best frontline defence, which after all doesn't have to defend itself against anything at the moment, or do I wait for the war to begin??

Cheers,

P
:D

It will never happen excluding ipods) because macs will never be popular. ;) :eek:. Robin Williams summed up being a mac owner. It's like buying , they're in a dark corner somewhere in the back of the store

[RETIRED]

I use QuickHeal and haven't had a virus yet. It automatically updates 2-3 times a day.

[Skew ChiDAMN!!]

To be safe on the 'net, there's three things to look out for:
virii spy-ware security intrusions

Virii, we all know about. They've a variety of effects but the one thing they all have in common is they replicate themselves.

Spy-ware can be considered similar to virii, except they don't replicate.

Intrusions, (port-scans, stack-overflows, etc) on the other hand are usually dedicated to finding security loopholes on your system, to allow unauthorised access.

IMHO, any package that attempts to defend against all three is doomed to failure from conception; you're better served by running seperate SW each dedicated to it's own respective area.

Personally I leave AVG runnning resident, as my "general purpose" anti-viral tool. I'll second Kaspersky, which I run on a weekly rota for system scans just to back up AVG. Norton's has well'n'truly outlived its' use-by date. Many modern virii include sub-routines which cripple NAV as part of the infection process. :p AVG is free, Kaspersky is commercial.

Ad-Aware and Spybot are the basics for anti-spyware. So long as my WAN is open, they're running. And they're freeware.

For deliberate intrusions? Black Ice. Don't bother with XP's inbuilt pretend firewall, you don't need a brick to break Windoze. :( I believe Zone Alarm is freeware, but it doesn't really provide enough feedback or alternative options for me; I want to know the MAC and DNS's of whoever's querying my servers. Then the fun can start. :eek:

[Bulwinkle]

Hi

I'm a Network Administrator who looks after over 400 Servers/PC's for a Local West Aust Govt. We run Trend Antivirus and we have never had a virus get through to any system.(touch wood oops this isn't the wood section forgive me ;0) )

There is a home version (we have licenses for our staff for home use) I have used it for the last 4 years (update program and virus patterns of course)
After having major troubles with VET, No-Trons (nortons) I used McAffee but still had some viruses getting through. Since moving to Trend PC-cillin(Now Trend Internet Security 2006) not a thing has gotten thru and the same goes for all our staff that use it.

No I have no affiliations etc just one helluva impressed customer.

As Yul Bryner said
"Now that I'm gone, I tell you: USE TREND, whatever you do, USE TREND,
- Whatever you do, don't use the others, Et cetera, et cetera, et cetera.”

Well that might be a few quote melded and tinkered but you get the picture, right.

Has anyone seen Rocky?

[bennylaird]

Rocky is at home sleeping, Natasha is probably hiding from the boys and I lost Boris 3 years back. Couldn't bring myself to call the 4th Bullwinkle though so he got Riply and the new one is Cooper so that's it for our dog's names.

[Groggy]

Rocky is at home sleeping, Natasha is probably hiding from the boys and I lost Boris 3 years back. Couldn't bring myself to call the 4th Bullwinkle though so he got Riply and the new one is Cooper so that's it for our dog's names.Wrong thread Benny? :)

[bennylaird]

Wrong thread Benny? :)

Nah just hijacking it to answer the question, "where's Rocky?" :D

[sbranden]

I personally use FreeBSD as my desktop. It is not for everyone though. If I had to use windows, I would make sure:
1. No windows computer directly on the 'net. Instead have it atleast hiding behind an alternative operating system firewall using NAT.
2. Keep the windows box patched and watch security issues
3. Use AVG for anti-virus
4. Use adaware and spybot for spyware and keep them all updated.
5. Use firefox whenever you can
6. Make sure you only share your harddrive with the internal network and only when you have to.

If you are getting sick of doing all this just to browse the 'net, get hold of Mepis or Kubuntu live linux disks and try them out. They just run from your cdrom so do not require installing or changing partitions to have a play.

[Ashore]

Well thanks everyone for the imput, will study it all now and then decide
I already run ad-awear & spybot so that wasn't the problem it was not-on
After reading these posts I may reformat C drive and re-install to make sure I get rid of all the not-on



Thanks Again
Russell

[Auld Bassoon]

I personally use FreeBSD as my desktop. It is not for everyone though. If I had to use windows, I would make sure:
1. No windows computer directly on the 'net. Instead have it atleast hiding behind an alternative operating system firewall using NAT.
2. Keep the windows box patched and watch security issues
3. Use AVG for anti-virus
4. Use adaware and spybot for spyware and keep them all updated.
5. Use firefox whenever you can
6. Make sure you only share your harddrive with the internal network and only when you have to.

If you are getting sick of doing all this just to browse the 'net, get hold of Mepis or Kubuntu live linux disks and try them out. They just run from your cdrom so do not require installing or changing partitions to have a play.
Or Xandros, as it's UI is more like Windon't, so a rather easier learning curve for non techies:D - and there's a free version too, and it can also run from CD (albeit slowly)

[outback]

I know this is getting on a bit, but ikt shows I've been thinking.

I used to use Zone Alarm, but on the new puter with xp & sp2 it didn't like it at all, caused freezes and all nasty stuff, is all I need a newer version, or what?

I am convinced to dump Norton, so what's the trick to clean up the grunge left behind? Is it as simple as trolling and cleaning the registry or something more sinister?

I also use Adaware, should I add Spybot or what?

There that'll do, you've got me all hot and bothered now. Ignorance truly is bliss.

[Termite]

Definitely add Spybot and be sure to use the "Immunise" function.

[craigb]

I know this is getting on a bit, but ikt shows I've been thinking.

I used to use Zone Alarm, but on the new puter with xp & sp2 it didn't like it at all, caused freezes and all nasty stuff, is all I need a newer version, or what?

I am convinced to dump Norton, so what's the trick to clean up the grunge left behind? Is it as simple as trolling and cleaning the registry or something more sinister?

I also use Adaware, should I add Spybot or what?

There that'll do, you've got me all hot and bothered now. Ignorance truly is bliss.

I have Xpwith SP2 and have no problem running ZA.
I just downloaded the latest update the other day, so I'm now running 6.2.737.000.

I just have the freebie part of it.

I vaguely remember after I put SP2 on I had to uninstall/re-install ZA 'cause I couldn't log on to my ISP. AFter I did that everything was ticketyboo thoiugh.

HTH

PS. Definitely get Spybot and a decent anti-virus package.

[outback]

Freebie zone alarm now downloaded and installed. I guess I just needed an update to suit sp2.
Antivirus will be AVG. Spybot also downloaded and installed. Alls well so far.

[Termite]

Just got back from a computer "repair" at one of my nieces place. Now this is a 31 year old who uses a computer all day at work, but knows less than SFA about them.

Her complaint, "Puter won't work Uncle Bill". Now it's a pretty decent computer and when I booted it took 5 minutes to come to life and it took me 7 minutes to log on to the net.:mad: this thing was as slow as you name it.

When I finally got surfing I downloaded Spybot (can't believe she'd never heard of it) and when I ran the 'Bot I removed 297 yes 297 assorted pop ups, spyware, malware, dialers, you name it. (She's been wondering about excess download charges :rolleyes: ) Can you imagine 297 of the buggers fighting over control of the 'puter. :eek:

So now she has a fully funcioning 'puter and all I have to do is get her another 256meg of ram and a slave hard drive, she's an iPod addict and so far has managed to load 27Gig of Mp3 files onto a 40Gig hard drive and is only half way through her CD collection.

The basic point of this whole saga is that the wondrous program "Noton" sic. is about as useless at the proverbial tits on a bull for stopping any of this stuff.