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Post by Phantagirow on Sept 2, 2008 12:24:17 GMT -5
Lately my PC seems to reset multiple times upon startup and performance has slowed down considerably. I'm using AVG Free and it doesn't seem to be able to do anything about it. After doing a little bit of research on the internet I found out what the culprit was. Not too long ago I downloaded DivX and it's encoder, only to find that it has spyware installed together unto my PC. And the downloader FlashGet has the same thing too. So, just to let you guys be aware of these freewares.  |
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Post by platinumvanguard on Sept 2, 2008 19:17:10 GMT -5
You really should get a professional AV. I recommend Norton.
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medikate
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Post by medikate on Sept 3, 2008 7:31:39 GMT -5
I personally don't recommend Norton, puts too much of a strain on system resources. AVG was actually one of the best freeware AV solutions out there. They went a little downhill though and especially with the somewhat recent announcement that they were doing away with their free version, there are many other good free options though. I would recommend a more layered security approach personally. For instance, on many of the systems I have been setting up recently, I have been using Comodo's BOClean for real-time Malware protection, Avira AntiVir (just starting testing this but it has a good backing ) for real-time AV, and a host of on-demand scanners such as Dr.Web CureIt, HiJackThis, SuperAntiSpyware, and CCleaner. Then again I can be a little paranoid at times. You definitely hit my area of interest here though.
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Post by platinumvanguard on Sept 3, 2008 9:22:17 GMT -5
Hmm Norton can be a strainer on system resources, but it's possible to maintain a good enough balance, particularly with the newer versions (2008). It also provides pretty decent network security as well if you have multiple computers that are in a network.
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medikate
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Posts: 490
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Post by medikate on Sept 3, 2008 10:51:26 GMT -5
Don't get me wrong, Norton is fairly effective at what it does. I just believe there are free apps that are just as good and don't put near the strain on your system. Also, I'm not a fan of the "including everything and the kitchen sink" approach to things. Many applications nowadays have become so bloated with features that they consume so much of your system's resources. That is another reason I prefer the layered and separate approach.
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Post by xXxLauraxXx(Deunan) on Sept 3, 2008 11:53:29 GMT -5
i totally agree with u medi, i personally hate norton i can do what its job is much more efficiently then it can itself (like Trojans if infecting my pc r normally never found and if they r there just "reviewed") which as u can guess isnt very useful i on the other hand just destroy the trojan from the inside out manually and i find AVG to be better then norton. its more effecient and seems to actually get rid of trojans if found. but yea this is personally my field of expertise seeing as im majoring in network security in college atm. and im always fixing friends computers from stuff like this,of and for the record i prefer windows defender its a pretty decent program and finds and resolves most issues i have.
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medikate
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Posts: 490
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Post by medikate on Sept 3, 2008 12:48:25 GMT -5
Windows Defender isn't bad, I ran it some during beta and just never got back to it after they released it. BOClean though is one hell of a program in my opinion, you may give it a go sometime.  |
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Post by platinumvanguard on Sept 3, 2008 14:16:59 GMT -5
The way I see it softwares target different threats, so Norton may be exceptionally good for one type of virus, but AVG might deal with others better. Probably because there's no single way to deal with all kinds of viruses.
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medikate
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Post by medikate on Sept 3, 2008 14:43:05 GMT -5
/agreed 100%
No single application is 100% effective against all attacks. Probably my number 1 biggest reason for using a layered approach.
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Post by xXxLauraxXx(Deunan) on Sept 3, 2008 15:45:20 GMT -5
lol ok far enough plat.
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Post by swiftstarz on Sept 3, 2008 22:31:47 GMT -5
is this antivirus? we used up the 3-comptuer norton installation (cauz plats an effing noob and cant count) so i have pc-cillin or something on mine. which expired like in march but shhhh xD
but its all prety and blue. norton is like. bam. yellow.
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Post by platinumvanguard on Sept 4, 2008 1:21:46 GMT -5
My favorite color is blue... no YELLOW!
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medikate
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Post by medikate on Sept 4, 2008 7:31:54 GMT -5
My favorite color is blue... no YELLOW! /agreed Although strangely I am wearing a blue and yellow shirt today. 0.0 |
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Post by Phantagirow on Sept 4, 2008 9:15:02 GMT -5
I'm currently using Avira, I liked the red umbrella logo, AND the umbrella closes when you deactivate it, how cool is that lol.
Thanks for all those recommendations, I'm using freewares and the ones that don't consume too much resource because my PC is weak..
And also, reminding you guys that some of the freewares that are very commonly used sometimes comes with bad stuff like trojans.
So Plat, you should be careful if you're still using that free DivX.
Btw, does anyone know what's wrong with my PC, it resets itself multiple times whenever I power it on.
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medikate
Guardians Guild Member
Master Bishop and Birthday Officer
Posts: 490
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Post by medikate on Sept 4, 2008 12:12:50 GMT -5
I've used DivX in the past but not currently, but yeah you should always be careful where you download any files from.
When does it restart? Has Windows began to load? What version of Windows? Have you installed any new software or hardware lately? Does it keep restarting or does it eventually stop? If you know what Safe Mode is have you tried booting into it? Give me as much detail as you can and I can do my best to help.
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