Spyware

[Joel Merrill]

I used to run Spyware Blaster, Ad-Aware and Spybot S&D on my computer to protect against spyware. After a while it seemed like Spybot S&D and Ad-Aware did pretty much the same thing. It seemed like Ad-Aware was a little better so I un-installed Spybot S&D about a year ago. The last few days I've seen evidence of spyware on my computer. I ran a scan with Ad-Aware but it didn't find anything. So just now I re-installed Spybot S&D and ran a scan. It found several copies of about a dozen different kinds of spyware. So I am going to use all three programs again.

Joel

[Cecil Wallace]

.... I am going to use all three programs again.
Joel
I used to use AdAware, but when I installed ZoneAlarm Pro several years ago (with an annual cost), I decided to start using only that program. So far, I have been satisfied with the anti-virus, anti-hacking, and anti-adware features.
I have it set to automatically scan once a week, and it updates regularly.
I like the all-programs-in-one feature.

[Bob Wright]

At the shop we were using Spyware Blaster, Spybot S&D, and AVG. We have moved over to a combination of Windows Defender with Avast (anti-virus). I still run Spybot S&D if there is a problem with spyware, just to be safe. I still would recommend Avast as the best anti-virus out there. It pushes updates from multiple servers. If you install Avast and do have a problem, schedule boot scans (it may take as many as four, until you get a clean scan); then you can believe it is entirely clean and should stay that way. Another thing about viruses; you must turn off restore while you are attempting to clean the machine. Otherwise, they will hide there. Happy Computing and God bless.
(Lots of ice in West Texas today!)

[Joel Merrill]

I used to use AdAware, but when I installed ZoneAlarm Pro several years ago (with an annual cost), I decided to start using only that program. So far, I have been satisfied with the anti-virus, anti-hacking, and anti-adware features.
I have it set to automatically scan once a week, and it updates regularly.
I like the all-programs-in-one feature.
I used to use the free Zone Alarm. Zone Alarm is the best firewall software. Now I have DSL and run through a router so I don't need firewall software. I also use AVG. I was a die hard Norton user for years but Norton has really gone down hill.

Joel

[Rich Hudson]

We have moved over to a combination of Windows Defender with Avast (anti-virus).

I've been running Avast with Vista Beta and then RC1 out of necessity at first, then because it is just an outstanding product. Machine stays clean and the updates are seamless. Best part is it's free.

[Ken Smith]

I have DSL and run through a router so I don't need firewall software. Joel

Joel a router will stop, "drive by shootings", things that you do not click on from entering your computer but it will not stop you from clicking on a hacker link or downloading spyware. It does not stop any flow out from your computer; that is where a software firewall like ZoneAlarm comes into play, with it you can regulate what programs have permission to connect to the internet.

You can have your browser set up with permission to connect to the internet and have spyware using it behind your back and the router will not stop it.

The new ZoneAlarm alerts you when a progam is trying to use another program to connect to the internet.

For instance: Your browser has permission to connect to the internet and spyware or some other program is attemping to use the permission you have given to your browser to go out on the net, the new ZoneAlarm alerts you to this. Some programs are legitimate, some are not. (ie) Internet Explorer browser uses "windows explorer" to connect to the internet, this is legitimate, so you would need to give permission to windows explorer to connect to the internet.

ZoneAlarm is the only software firewall that I've used so I don't know if any other software firewalls does this.
My settings are below.
Ken

[Joel Merrill]

I had Zone Alarm until about a year ago. I never once had anything malicious try to access my computer. Then someone here on Naznet told me that I didn't need Zone Alarm if I were running through a router. At the time, my computer was running slower than it used to and I was trying to eliminate programs I didn't need. Since then I have found that Norton System Works was slowing me down and I no longer use Norton. I also had a program called Pop Up Stopper that seemed to slow me down. I got the Google Toolbar and got rid of Pop Up Stopper. I'm also a believer in Mozilla. I'll get Zone Alarm again.

Thanks, Joel

[Ken Smith]

Joel as a side note, I have ports 68 & 113 stealthed on my router.
You can do a Google search & find out the scoop on these two ports.
On some computers they would need to be left opened on the router but ZoneAlarm would effectively stealth them. I don't use them so I went ahead and stealthed them on my router.

Ken

[Jim Monck]

I put the new Norton Antivirus on and seem to have slowed my computer down and all kinds of problems. If I take Norton off, what should I use?

[Jim Monck]

If I take Microsoft IE off, what should I use?

[Mark Bolerjack]

Many here, including Betty and I, use the free AVG anti virus. It can be found at www.grissoft.com (http://www.grissoft.com). This was discussed earlier in another thread. Here is the link to download the free program.

http://free.grisoft.com/doc/5390/lng/us/tpl/v5#avg-anti-virus-free (http://free.grisoft.com/doc/avg-anti...lng/us/tpl/v5)


there is a box to the left to the avg free edition. If there is a problem, let me know and I can send you the file to load and install.

[Joel Merrill]

If I take Microsoft IE off, what should I use?

Many of us use AVG. I'm extremely happy with it and it's free.

DO NOT take IE off your computer!!!! It is part of Windows and you will really have problems if you try to get rid of it. Just install Mozilla Firefox and ignore IE. There are a few web sites like Amazon.com that won't use Firefox so you will still need IE once in a while.

Joel

[Jim Monck]

Many of us use AVG. I'm extremely happy with it and it's free.

DO NOT take IE off your computer!!!! It is part of Windows and you will really have problems if you try to get rid of it. Just install Mozilla Firefox and ignore IE. There are a few web sites like Amazon.com that won't use Firefox so you will still need IE once in a while.

Joel

Joel: I have downloaded AVG anti-virus and spyware. I have also installed Mozilla Firefox. I just went to Amazon and signed in like I usually do. What did you mean? I have left IE on as you suggested.

[Gina Stevenson]

BTW, if you didn't tell AVG to "automatically" update, you might want to do that. If you're not on-line during the time they do their update, it does it the next time you are on-line. It does this so frequently---sometimes has a new one each day---that the "automatic" mode is really best, otherwise someone might go days without some new virus/guard against it on their computer, if they rely on remembering to manually check for new updates each day. The "automatic" has worked great for a looooong time ... on both the antique computer I had and now this one (Labor Day special in '05). ;)

Joel: I have downloaded AVG anti-virus and spyware. I have also installed Mozilla Firefox. I just went to Amazon and signed in like I usually do. What did you mean? I have left IE on as you suggested.

[Mark Bolerjack]

Joel: I have downloaded AVG anti-virus and spyware. I have also installed Mozilla Firefox. I just went to Amazon and signed in like I usually do. What did you mean? I have left IE on as you suggested.

Amazon.com works ok with my Firefox

BTW, if you didn't tell AVG to "automatically" update, you might want to do that. If you're not on-line during the time they do their update, it does it the next time you are on-line. It does this so frequently---sometimes has a new one each day---that the "automatic" mode is really best, otherwise someone might go days without some new virus/guard against it on their computer, if they rely on remembering to manually check for new updates each day. The "automatic" has worked great for a looooong time ... on both the antique computer I had and now this one (Labor Day special in '05). ;)

I have mine set to update automatically. Each morning when I turn on my computer it will check for updates.

[Jim Monck]

Amazon.com works ok with my Firefox



I have mine set to update automatically. Each morning when I turn on my computer it will check for updates.

I'm sure my wife wished it didn't, Mark. So far this month I have not bought any books yet. I guess I have to read the 45 I bought last month first.

[Joel Merrill]

Joel: I have downloaded AVG anti-virus and spyware. I have also installed Mozilla Firefox. I just went to Amazon and signed in like I usually do. What did you mean? I have left IE on as you suggested.
I hadn't tried Amazon since the last Firefox upgrade. Maybe that is fixed now. You still can't get rid of IE. Of course it's your computer. You can try if you want.

Joel

[Jim Monck]

I ran into a problem using Mosilla on Amazon when I tried to plug in a coupon code. Does work for regular orders but just not adjustments?

[Joel Merrill]

I ran into a problem using Mosilla on Amazon when I tried to plug in a coupon code. Does work for regular orders but just not adjustments?
I haven't tried Amazon with Firefox for a long time. It seems like I remember that I could access the site okay, the problem was when I tried to buy something. I have a similar problem with www.Shutterfly.com (http://www.Shutterfly.com). I can access the site but I need IE to do anything. Mozilla just came out with an upgrade on Firefox not very long ago. Someone might correct me but I thought I read that the new Firefox would automatically switch you to IE for sites that won't work with Firefox. I read through the list of changes rather quickly so I could be wrong about that.

Joel