PC technical problems

[Quijote]

The truth is, unless you are doing things you shouldn't be, you don't really need Norton or any other active security process. If you have Windows 7 or even Vista and an up to date version of Firefox or Chrome, you're safe enough.

You never hear that when Norton and others try to sell you their programmes. Without being coy Chris, would you mind specifying what you mean about doing things one shouldn't? Serious question.

[Peter]

Absolutely fine, I have never experienced trouble at all !
I have fibre optic , so I think that makes a difference to the speed as well.
Just to mention again about AVG, it is best to get the full paid version.

The weird thing is that now it's working incredibly fast! However my subscription for Norton is due very soon so you've given me food for thought. Should I upgrade from windows XP to windows 7?

[Chris]

Maybe -but it's useful with Norton to see a red X by a site warning you it is hazardous - sometimes that happens even when I'm looking for a site on shrubs so I'm not sure it has to be something dodgy!?

Chrome will also do that for you.

[Megan]

I have had Windows XP in the past Peter and it works fine with AVG.

[Chris]

I have heard about Photobucket, but not the others. OK, so I have to visit one of these sites, set up an account. From there on, is it simple to post images on the BRS?

Yes, just put the pictures on Photobucket or whatever, and use the "Insert Image" button you see when you are typing in a post. You just have to give it the address of the image.

[Chris]

I use Mozilla Firefox because I was told it is less open to virus attack or whatever (preferable to IE). Is this the case?

Yes, better to use Firefox than Internet Explorer.

[Megan]

Yes, better to use Firefox than Internet Explorer.

I don't use Firefox, and am just as protected from viruses.

[Chris]

You never hear that when Norton and others try to sell you their programmes. Without being coy Chris, would you mind specifying what you mean about doing things one shouldn't? Serious question.

Visiting sketchy websites (porn sites, sites where you can illegally download movies, music, and software for free, and sites that are obvious traps), opening e-mail attachments from people you don't know or suspicious-looking e-mails, and clicking on Internet ads and links that claim to offer you a solution to a technical problem they just found or offer to speed up your computer or Internet connection.

[Chris]

The weird thing is that now it's working incredibly fast! However my subscription for Norton is due very soon so you've given me food for thought. Should I upgrade from windows XP to windows 7?

My policy is to never upgrade unless the upgrade will give you a feature you really want or fix a problem you really need fixed. If your system is working for you, there's probably no point in upgrading Windows until you buy a new computer.

[Preston]

Peter, I recommend sticking with FF, though absolutely changing anti-virus software. While MSE is best for free virus software (do not use AVG, seriously), though, if you want something that is better (less intrusive, not supporting a potential monopoly within something of one, good customer support, and just very good-quality virus software) please try ESET Nod 32.

I use FF and ESET, and have been quite fortunate. Always have virus software, you never know what's out there, .

Here is a link:
http://www.eset.co.uk/
http://www.eset.co.uk/Home/NOD32-Antivirus (product)

And info:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ESET_NOD32



And make sure you have the latest Windows Service Packs.

Also, a defragmenting and running a program like CCleaner would not hurt.

http://www.piriform.com/CCLEANER
http://www.piriform.com/defraggler

Both are free and trustworthy.

1. uninstall norton
2. run ccleaner
3. install eset
4. run in-depth virus scan (takes long time)
5. defragment

Also, remove any junk applications that are installed, taking up RAM and what not.

[Megan]

Peter, I recommend sticking with FF, though absolutely changing anti-virus software. While MSE is best for free virus software (do not use AVG, seriously), though, if you want something that is better (less intrusive, not supporting a potential monopoly within something of one, good customer support, and just very good-quality virus software) please try ESET Nod 32.

I use FF and ESET, and have been quite fortunate. Always have virus software, you never know what's out there, .

Here is a link:
http://www.eset.co.uk/
http://www.eset.co.uk/Home/NOD32-Antivirus (product)

And info:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ESET_NOD32



And make sure you have the latest Windows Service Packs.

Also, a defragmenting and running a program like CCleaner would not hurt.

http://www.piriform.com/CCLEANER
http://www.piriform.com/defraggler

Both are free and trustworthy.

1. uninstall norton
2. run ccleaner
3. install eset
4. run in-depth virus scan (takes long time)
5. defragment

What's wrong with AVG, I swear by it, I have never had any problems!
It it works for me, it should work for others. It has all the features or more than ESET NOD32 Antivirus 4.

http://www.avg.com/gb-en/buyav-ppc_1...G+free&wm_sd=1

[Preston]

To my understanding, from a software point-of-view it is not as well designed - which is a very key thing.

Also, to my understanding Eset is the highest rated virus-software for in-the-wild viruses (viruses while browsing).

As for features I do not know? Though Eset has a good many features.

Though, if there is a better anti-virus software out there than Eset, I would like to know? I know Trend-Micro is supposed to be good, though I have read too many good things about Eset.

Also, Eset seems to be a very organized company.

As a side note about AVG, I have seen it find many viruses, though at the same time I have seen it miss many. For instance, not to long ago I uninstalled AVG from someones system and installed Microsoft Security Essentials. MSE found 7 viruses - like that! Yes, the person who used it was not careful and it was a quite old computer, but that is unacceptable.

I recommend at least trying Eset's online scanner, simple software the online scanner, yet will do a good job.

http://go.eset.com/us/online-scanner

[Chris]

Let me also add that 7-10 years ago, having good antivirus software really was important. These days, not so much. The people who make antivirus software want you to be afraid, but the truth is that if you know what you are doing, having an updated version of windows and a good browser is good enough. Your computer is not going to be taken down by a random attack. If you don't know what you are doing, Microsoft Security Essentials, AVG, or something like that can't hurt. Norton is pretty bad, though, and I DEFINITELY wouldn't pay for anything these days.

[Sorrano]

That's very interesting Sorrano - I need to know if it would give me the same level of protection for Internet banking that I have with Norton? Also would you recommend Google chrome? I liked it and thought it very fast, except it wasn't compatible with Norton. The one thing I do like about Norton is the safe site facility, but I'm sure antivirus slows the PC down ridiculously.

I've used Norton extensively and relied on it; however it has developed into quite the resource hog and if your RAM is on the low side I would not use it. Currently, I use Sophos on some machines and MSE on others. An advantage with MSE is that the updates come with the Windows updates, and as Preston has advised, it is well to keep your Windows updated. Viruses in all their forms can appear just about anywhere and popular sites are often targets for hacks. Going without virus protection is simply not advisable.

[Sorrano]

Let me also add that 7-10 years ago, having good antivirus software really was important. These days, not so much. The people who make antivirus software want you to be afraid, but the truth is that if you know what you are doing, having an updated version of windows and a good browser is good enough. Your computer is not going to be taken down by a random attack. If you don't know what you are doing, Microsoft Security Essentials, AVG, or something like that can't hurt. Norton is pretty bad, though, and I DEFINITELY wouldn't pay for anything these days.

McAfee is about the same as Norton, and I agree that I wouldn't pay for an anti-virus package. It is better, though, in my opinion to have something like MSE than not to have anything at all. Even for being careful, there are issues (see previous post) out there. There is a Firefox extension that is helpful in determining disreputable sites called WOT. I use that at home and have found it most helpful.