Virus

System
System Posts: 100,537 🤖 Admin 🤖
edited June 8 in Student general
Can anybody reccommend a free virus checker that will last me 12 months and not slow down my laptop, as AVG is making it run at snails pace!

Comments

  • System
    System Posts: 100,537 🤖 Admin 🤖
    Re:Virus

    I've not used this so can't give it my personal OK but I've heard it's pretty good http://www.avast.com/eng/avast_4_home.html
  • System
    System Posts: 100,537 🤖 Admin 🤖
    Re:Virus

    Holy christ - I used Avast a couple of years ago, and if you think AVG was slow, just get a load of Avast!
    I had to uninstall it in the end, it was peeing me off so much.

    Funny though, cos I've been using AVG for over seven years now, have it installed on six computers (including all the - ahem - work ones) and never noticed a problem with it. Sure it's AVG hogging your system resources, Paul?

    Robert
  • System
    System Posts: 100,537 🤖 Admin 🤖
    Re:Virus

    I agree, I've got AVG on the ahem.... work computers and at home and it's never slowed us down.

    However I have noticed that since we installed the latest internet explorer the phishing filter really slows down all the web pages. It doesn't affect us at home because we use firefox.

    Annette
  • System
    System Posts: 100,537 🤖 Admin 🤖
    Re:Virus

    Spybot search and destroy.

    I don't know whether it's free or not though :?
  • System
    System Posts: 100,537 🤖 Admin 🤖
    Re:Virus

    Gem, I use spybot for Spyware, but not as my main anti virus.

    Rob, If i uninstall AVG it runs like a dream. I think its the 'complete test' that slows it down, but I can seem to change it to run once a week, it runs every time i start windows!
  • System
    System Posts: 100,537 🤖 Admin 🤖
    Re:Virus

    If you have Windows XP I'm sure it comes with pre-built Anti Virus....

    Running 2 anti-virus programs simultaeneously seriously reduces available system resources - so try disabling one or the other - this will hopefully free up some extra resources for better performance.

    Since buying my PC over 3 years ago now, I have installed McAffee (never again) AVG, Spyware Doctor, Loads of freebies etc (be careful with free downloads, they tend to install their own adware and spyware) therefore my PC runs pretty poor.
    I now have virginmedia pc guard which is firewall, broadband advisor, anti virus and lots more - it's free to virgin media customers but it too uses valuable system resources- therefore I tend to disable it and use the bog standard windows one.

    I currently have xoftspy (which is the dogs b0lloks) scheduled run once a day at 20:00 and it finds the most up-to-date infections, trojans and viruses and removes them - fantastic!
  • System
    System Posts: 100,537 🤖 Admin 🤖
    Re:Virus

    Ill uninstall AVG and see what windows security says, if it says 'ON' Ill assume I dont need to bother. It came with Norton which I took off because it was shocking. I never knew that though J so thanks!
  • System
    System Posts: 100,537 🤖 Admin 🤖
    Re:Virus

    I run norton anti-virus and spysweeper on my laptop, what are people's opinions on those?
  • System
    System Posts: 100,537 🤖 Admin 🤖
    Re:Virus

    Cant use Norton, slows me down too much.
  • System
    System Posts: 100,537 🤖 Admin 🤖
    Re:Virus

    Norton is pathetic - so so slow - it's good for removing crap but takes things too seriously...
    I need speed on internet connections and will gladly sacrifice that little bit of security.

    Not come across spysweeper so can't comment.

    I also have a Sophos Anti-Virus which I was able to get free from work, I have since left but I still get automatic updates of the latest threats and such but it runs when I want it to run as I use VirginMedia as primary defence.
  • System
    System Posts: 100,537 🤖 Admin 🤖
    Re:Virus

    I too tried McAffee years ago and found it horrendous. Norton let a virus through once which was stopped by AVG; a free programme stopping something a paid for one let through didn't exactly endear me to Symantec products.

    I've also heard techies say you should never run two virus scanners since each scanner needs exclusive use of the system resources; the theory being that two together could cause potential conflicts and let something nasty slip in through the side door.

    The complete test for AVG does slow the computer down I agree, but I still wouldn't uninstall it. Can't you set it to run when you're away from your desk - lunchtime maybe?

    Never heard of XP having bulit in antivirus though - while it does monitor your antivirus software if you have it, I'm not aware of it having one of it's own... unless it redirects you to an 'approved' Microsoft one?

    I use Lavasoft adaware as my spyware scanner...

    Robert
  • System
    System Posts: 100,537 🤖 Admin 🤖
    Re:Virus

    iTS MY HOME COMPUTER SO i WANT TO SET IT RUN ONCE A WEEK, CANT SEEM TO DO IT THOUGH!
  • System
    System Posts: 100,537 🤖 Admin 🤖
    Re:Virus

    I turned windows firewall off, but use Bitdefender instead and Zone Alarm. OH is paranoid about security on the computer so we run a seperate trojan hunter and Spybot once a day and it always finds things and gets rid of them, also go Ad-Aware professional on there too, which does slow down the amount of time it takes for the computer to start up. :?
  • System
    System Posts: 100,537 🤖 Admin 🤖
    Re:Virus

    I just use Norton as the anti-virus and only have that running whilst connected to the net.

    I then turn on spysweeper once disconnected and sweep for any spyware and adware.

    So far, I've not had any problems with either.

    Windows XP does have some sort of firewall/anti-virus thing - windows security center or something. I also run a virus check after Norton has done one whilst offline with this, but deactivate it again after.

    The thing that made my machine run really slow was MSN Messenger!!
  • System
    System Posts: 100,537 🤖 Admin 🤖
    Re:Virus

    Windows Security Centre as far as I can see is just an amalgamation of different options that can be found in the Control Panel and Internet options, such as Firewall and Updates. Windows will happily monitor a third party virus scanner but I don't think it offers one itself. YET!

    If there is a built in virus scanner - and I'm not saying there isn't - I haven't yet found it!

    Paul, if you go to the AVG Test Centre - not the AVG Control Centre - and click on the scheduled tasks, you should be given the option of stating when you want the scans run.

    Regards,

    Robert
  • System
    System Posts: 100,537 🤖 Admin 🤖
    Re:Virus

    I'll have a butchers when I get home tonight and see if i'm thinking right or wrong. I'm sure there is one though, but I could be wrong... there's 3 things in the media centre, ones a firewall and I can't rememebr what the other2 are.

    Microsoft do do one though, I'm sure they do.... or am I thinking of their Microsoft Antispyware (which isn't to be grumbled at)
  • System
    System Posts: 100,537 🤖 Admin 🤖
    Re:Virus

    The three things in the Security Centre are Windows Firewall, Automatic Updates and Virus Protection.

    Microsoft are going to release/have released an anti-spyware programme (which I believe was developed by someone else whom they subsequently bought) but is still in beta testing as far as I know.

    Chris would know more about this than me though...

    If people need to know where their system resources are suddenly disappearing to, they can always press control+alt+delete to bring up the Task Manager, click the processes tab, then click the CPU header twice to arrange the list in numerical order.

    And like Phunky said, Messenger can be a bit of a greedy bugger at times!

    However the best thing in the Control Panel is this; http://www.aat.org.uk/forums/posts/list/15054.page

    Robert
  • System
    System Posts: 100,537 🤖 Admin 🤖
    Re:Virus

    Aye, sounds about right.

    The microsoft antispyware has been in beta for months and months, I d/l when it very first came out and I found it very good at even it's early stage - It's free to use (providing your version of Windows O/S is Legitimate).
  • System
    System Posts: 100,537 🤖 Admin 🤖
    Re:Virus
    19051984 wrote:
    It's free to use (providing your version of Windows O/S is Legitimate).
    Best not run it on our server then! :oops:

    The IT engineer who came a couple of weeks ago wondered why we had disabled Windows Updates until he had a better look!

    :lol:

    Robert
  • System
    System Posts: 100,537 🤖 Admin 🤖
    Re:Virus

    :shock:

  • System
    System Posts: 100,537 🤖 Admin 🤖
    Re:Virus

    The windoze spyware thingie is called Defender - guess it's OK. I use xoftspy for day-to-day scans, gets the odd false positive but seems to pick up any nasties.

    I use macafee on my laptop as it came free with the puter - it's pants tho. I just keep it on for the firewall and use AVG for antivirus. One of these days I'll uninstall completely and get zone alarm or some such.

    My other computers run linux which obviates the need for any of this :)

  • System
    System Posts: 100,537 🤖 Admin 🤖
    Re:Virus


    What do you use Linux for, Chris?

    We use it at work.
  • System
    System Posts: 100,537 🤖 Admin 🤖
    Re:Virus

    I just use it on my work computers as it generally gives less hassle than windoze, especially on my aging machines - and it's better for the geeky stuff I do, most decent open source web software was written for linux in the first place.

    Only real drawback is not being able to run photoshop under linux, the laptop only just about copes with that.
  • System
    System Posts: 100,537 🤖 Admin 🤖
    Re:Virus


    Our retail system runs on it. We have 4 tills, a back-office one and the server.

    We didn't decide to go with Linux, just that the software we chose used it.

    Our main system is on Windows. This was the first time I'd heard of Linux - but since we had it installed, it's popped up on training courses I've seen advertied.
  • System
    System Posts: 100,537 🤖 Admin 🤖
    Re:Virus

    Got into work this morning and my main server printer is up the creek. Called Dell and guess what? It's bank holiday weekend in Ireland (due to St Patricks Day) and there is NO technical support if you encounter a problem like I have.

    I'm staggered and soooooooo angry. I can't believe one of the biggest hardware companies in the world has taken the weekend off in this day and age. Oh, I forget - I could send an e-mail and they'll try to respond within twelve hours from their Indian service centre.

    I'm not impressed with this printer anyway due to the number of breakdowns it's had (only 18 months old) and certainly won't be buying Dell next time. Pathetic...

    Robert
  • System
    System Posts: 100,537 🤖 Admin 🤖
    Re:Virus

    Morning Rob. Nice weekend? :shock:
  • System
    System Posts: 100,537 🤖 Admin 🤖
    Re:Virus


    I haven't ever heard anyone recommend Dell - and yet they must be doing something right.

    Can't you find a local company that covers different makes? I opted out from our main contract to a local firm and saved a fortune.

    Also, they were really keen to get the business and put themselves out to help.
  • System
    System Posts: 100,537 🤖 Admin 🤖
    Re:Virus

    I have no problem with our Dell supplied laptops/desktops and have heard loads of engineer recommendations for them. And also to never, ever use Packard Bell - PC World's own brand - not even if it's free or the last computer on earth!

    I do use a local company for our engineering/upgrade work however this is a known hardware issue with the printer itself that only they - Dell - can really sort out.

    Taking the weekend off. Jesus. I'm still flabbergasted even now... :evil:

    Robert
  • System
    System Posts: 100,537 🤖 Admin 🤖
    Re:Virus

    I have a Packard Bell laptop and it is superb!
  • System
    System Posts: 100,537 🤖 Admin 🤖
    Re:Virus

    Hi All,
    I have used both Norton & McAfee to moderate succes. Then I installed ESET NOD32. This found over 100 viruses/trojans missed by norton. We run it in the practise and it's on all my computers at home. Since installation I've had no problems at all. It's updated 2/3 times a day and only costs about £28 a year. give it try for free for a month.
    Peter

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