I've had Norton Anti-Virus for the longest time. My subscription just ran out. I can't deal with them anymore anyway. It's impossible to get them on the phone, and when you do, they charge $10 for tech support.

What's the best way to go in terms of virus protection? What's all this firewall stuff I hear about?

This has to be easy. I'm dumber than a bag of rocks when it comes to computer issues.

Originally posted by Janice
I've had Norton Anti-Virus for the longest time. My subscription just ran out. I can't deal with them anymore anyway. It's impossible to get them on the phone, and when you do, they charge $10 for tech support.

What's the best way to go in terms of virus protection? What's all this firewall stuff I hear about?

This has to be easy. I'm dumber than a bag of rocks when it comes to computer issues. I like McAfee. you get firewall, virus protection and privacy service and I think they offer spyware service. once they find a virus you are told after it is cleaned. to answer you question about firewall, that will protect your private info when you surf. it also ask you to authorize when certain things try to connect to the net. this will allow you to see if spyware is coming. McAfee is the best way to go for virus protection. Norton is no good, I used it and got rid of it quick.

Originally posted by King Forrester
I like McAfee. you get firewall, virus protection and privacy service and I think they offer spyware service. once they find a virus you are told after it is cleaned. to answer you question about firewall, that will protect your private info when you surf. it also ask you to authorize when certain things try to connect to the net. this will allow you to see if spyware is coming. McAfee is the best way to go for virus protection. Norton is no good, I used it and got rid of it quick.
Thanks. Should I call them or subscribe online?

Originally posted by Janice
Thanks. Should I call them or subscribe online? subscribe online, it is easier.

Originally posted by King Forrester
subscribe online, it is easier.
I should download it online or send away for it?

Me + Downloading = Disaster

Originally posted by Janice
I should download it online or send away for it?

Me + Downloading = Disaster

:rofl:

You still have to download it. ;)

Originally posted by Brent88
:rofl:

You still have to download it. ;)
Funny Brent. :lol:

I can download discs easier than something online. I'm lousy at both, but if it's in my hand, it works better.

Originally posted by Janice
I should download it online or send away for it?

Me + Downloading = Disaster

http://www.grisoft.com/us/us_index.php

I use AVG Anti Virus, IMO it's the best, and it's free. Plus it has a built in firewall.

Just keep it updated weekly and you'll be great(updating it is easy)

:)

Originally posted by Angela Micelli
http://www.grisoft.com/us/us_index.php

I use AVG Anti Virus, IMO it's the best, and it's free. Plus it has a built in firewall.

Just keep it updated weekly and you'll be great(updating it is easy)

:)
Wow, that's great. I wonder how they make a profit.

Thanks. :wave:

Originally posted by Janice
Wow, that's great. I wonder how they make a profit.

Thanks. :wave:

I bet people donate once in a while :)

You're welcome, I've had no problems with it, and if it weren't for AVG I would have had some major Trojan viruses invade my computer :)

Good luck ;)

Originally posted by Brent88
:rofl:

You still have to download it. ;)

:lol: Silly goose, if you send away you don't have to dowload it :lol:

You can do a free online virus scan here:

http://housecall.trendmicro.com/

You do have to use Internet Explorer for it to work properly, or so I've heard.

Originally posted by Angela Micelli
http://www.grisoft.com/us/us_index.php

I use AVG Anti Virus, IMO it's the best, and it's free. Plus it has a built in firewall.

Just keep it updated weekly and you'll be great(updating it is easy)

:)

That's a great one. :D

Originally posted by Angela Micelli
:lol: Silly goose, if you send away you don't have to dowload it :lol:

No... it still has to be downloaded ONTO YOUR COMPUTER unless you mail the computer. :p

Originally posted by Brent88
No... it still has to be downloaded ONTO YOUR COMPUTER unless you mail the computer. :p

:lol: It has to be installed, you're not downloading it unless you're doing that from the website, with a disc you just install it :p

Originally posted by Janice
Wow, that's great. I wonder how they make a profit.
grisoft sells other software, including commercial and corporate versions of their antivirus software.

I personally use Norton Internet Security, it includes AV, firewall, anti-spam, ad-blocking and privacy control - i have used McAffee as well as a few others, and i've had problems with ALL of them at one time or another, but i prefer Norton overall.
Everyone has their preference, Norton can be a little over -complicated, and non user-friendly at times, just make sure you completely uninstall any old antivirus software before installing a new one.

Firewall software does NOT protect your personal information on the internet; what it does is control the ports that give access to your network or the internet, allowing you to control WHICH programs can access the internet over WHAT ports - basically stopping trojans and port-scanners - a firewall is ABSOLUTELY NECESSARY if you connect to the internet.

I had AVG Janice. It was not good. Virus after virus kept coming back all the time. I had to use the stupid AVG thing almost everytime I got online in order to get rid of the same viruses over and over.

I ext out AVG and changed to NOD32. They give you a free trial. They were very easy to download. Just follow their instructions and click 'next' a few times and you're in. They aren't trying to trick you into doing anything you don't want to do so just stay calm while you're downloading it, :). I haven't had any problems at all since I set that up.

Originally posted by Kitt
I had AVG Janice. It was not good. Virus after virus kept coming back all the time. I had to use the stupid AVG thing almost everytime I got online in order to get rid of the same viruses over and over.

I ext out AVG and changed to NOD32. They give you a free trial. They were very easy to download. Just follow their instructions and click 'next' a few times and you're in. They aren't trying to trick you into doing anything you don't want to do so just stay calm while you're downloading it, :). I haven't had any problems at all since I set that up.

Hmmm did you keep AVG updated? Cause if you don't it won't work properly. I've never had any problems with it, and everyone I know who uses it loves it :)

some newer viruses are designed to bypass, disable or fool the AV software - once they get into the system they can be extremely tough to get rid of

Originally posted by Angela Micelli
Hmmm did you keep AVG updated? Cause if you don't it won't work properly. I've never had any problems with it, and everyone I know who uses it loves it :) As far as I know, I did. The NOD32 constantly updates and informs me that they updated and ask me to click an acknolwedgement thing. What I posted was my experience with AVG. I only had it for maybe a month and a half and was always as I posted that it was. As soon as I downloaded NOD32 all of those problems went away. Beats me why you have had better luck AVG than I did.

I went to www.download.com and had a feast of downloads !!

Spy-bot is pretty good, AVG 6.0 sucks (I kept getting a msg to remove a trojan with it, when I ran the program I got a reply' this can't be removed):mad: ..I also use Ad-aware SE(which I highly recomend)!!! My DSL came with EZ trust antivirus which has caught some nasty critters

There are trials on SpySweeper and Zone Alert also. :D which I highly recomend

Originally posted by Unmarried*happy
I went to www.download.com and had a feast of downloads !!

Spy-bot is pretty good, AVG 6.0 sucks (I kept getting a msg to remove a trojan with it, when I ran the program I got a reply' this can't be removed):mad: ..I also use Ad-aware SE(which I highly recomend)!!! My DSL came with EZ trust antivirus which has caught some nasty critters

There are trials on SpySweeper and Zone Alert also. :D which I highly recomend

I never had great success with AVG either. I d/l it because it ran on XP (apparantly ol' Norton Systemworks 2000 isn't compatible). Sadly, I was greeted with random crashing and BSOD's after updates. Plus, I never could get that darn e-mail plug-in to work.

Luckily I finally got a copy of Norton 2004...no more virus woes :). Best program next to McAfee, IMO.