anti-virus ?

[en4cer]

First off, let me say thanks for a great forum. I recently purchased a new computer. I had XP home installed and have been happy with the decision. Its time for some anti-virus software. Reading this forum has made me aware of the myriad of problems associated with this software. AVG seems to be the most recommended freeware. Is it possible to turn AVG on and off manually? I'm concerned about speed over the internet since i'm on a dial-up. Would it really be a noticable slowdown anyway? Just reading this forum has made me concerned with programs that run in the background and i'm trying to avoid this as much as possible. I realize the whole point of anti-virus software is to protect you while on the net but aren't downloads and e-mail where most virus attacks come from? Couldn't I activate the anti-virus when checking e-mail or have it check a
download before installing? I'll try to sum up my questions.

1. Would AVG be the freeware anti-virus you'd recommend.
2. Will it slow my system down?
3. Noticeably?
4. Can it be toggled on/off easily?

Are any of you familiar with Nod32? I've seen it mentioned in other forums but would like the experts here to comment on it. I searched here but couldn't find any references to it.

Again, thanks for a great forum. It is much appreciated. http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/smile.gif

[YODA74]

1.AVG (yes)
2.slow down your sys.(yes)
3.noticably (a little)
4.on/off (yes) and if you don't want it running in back ground Three finger salute will take care of it. And you can get a VIRUS from just surfing so my advice is to leave it running.
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off there web site:
For example : NOD32 was the ONLY antivirus program which detected a genuine 100% of ALL viruses in ALL categories in the November 2000 Virus Bulletin test .. but NOD32 was not awarded the VB100% because it produced a false positive virus identification, and that's all it takes to be disqualified. Unfortunately for the average web surfer looking for comparative virus detection rate information, Virus Bulletin does not post the actual detection figures online ... these are published only in its printed magazine ... so it is impossible to learn by reading Virus Bulletin's website that Symantec's Norton AntiVirus missed 299 viruses and Computer Associates' VET missed 781 viruses in the November 2000 test, yet both programs won the VB100%.

kind of sounds like a marketing for you to by magazines.maybe someone else has used it? And you don't have the option of manual up-dates I don't like auto matic with no control??
------------------
Death has come to our windows.

-- Jeremiah 9:21
(undoubtedly a Biblical reference to a Microsoft product!)

YODA74@carolina.rr.com



[This message has been edited by YODA74 (edited 02-24-2002).]

[en4cer]

YODA74- Thanks for the quick reply. I guess i haven't been paying enough attention during class here!! You can get a virus from just surfing? Would these be java and/or ActiveX based? Now that you said that, I do remember some mention of that. One thing I was going to mention was that because of this forum, I have downloaded Ad-aware and pay regular visits to Housecall.

One thing I dont do anymore is leave my computer on all the time. I shutdown every night. The Bootup is very fast into XP and I would like to keep it that way. I've been afraid an anti-virus program might slow down the windows boot. I see horror story's of 5 minute (or more) boot times with XP.

But I digress...I notice with a few webpages i visit, a popup window
shows that to view the page correctly, I need to download some kind of java thing. Is this a way, theoreticaly, a virus could be acquired by surfing? I always cancel and close the window, and then i'm able to view the page. Am I being to paranoid about this?

[YODA74]

I'm sure one of the others here could be a little more tecknical on this for you. But I have been just surfing click on a page and Wham instant VIRILLI / P-Cillin is another good AV. You do not have to have it on start up you can initialize it after your up and running if you like.Your not paranoid when it comes to a VIRUS you just need to be cautious! They come in all shapes and sizes You need an AV!! You know this could be your computer with Out AV>

http://securityresponse.symantec.com/avcenter/graphics/w32.magistr.24876@mm.2.gif



------------------
Death has come to our windows.

-- Jeremiah 9:21
(undoubtedly a Biblical reference to a Microsoft product!)

YODA74@carolina.rr.com

[en4cer]

Thanks YODA74, i'll take you advice and get something quick. What brought this all about is i was gone from home for a week, and upon return discovered i had audiogalaxy installed on the computer. http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/eek.gif

I ran an uninstall and then used ad-aware to remove it. After a rescan ad-aware detected a gator file and removed it. I think i've got rid of the spyware junk. It got me thinking that someone could download something without my knowledge so i'd better get some kind of a-v software.

Thanks for the advice.