| Author |
Message |
    
viva
Citizen
Username: Viva
Post Number: 668
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Saturday, February 11, 2006 - 7:44 am: | 
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My PC (6 yrs old) is acting up. I am constantly getting Explorer message "this program has performed an illegal operation and will be shut down..." It is right up on my screen as I type this. If I X out the message, it returns me to my desktop, but I can't proceed and need to reboot, only to start the same cycle once again. I called Gateway tech and they had me go into "run" and something else, and it was immediately concluded that I have lots of worms. They recommended I buy McAfee Anti-Virus (I have a Norton Anti-Virus 2000 in now) I plan to go get a current Anti-Virus today. Any recommendations? What about purchasing a product online to download? What is the best way to go? Is it time for a new PC?
Thanks again. Also, a "findwhatevernow" search box has mysteriously appeared on my toolbar. This caused a problem, I believe, in the past. I think it might have been associated with using myyahoo for my home page, which I just did recently (I had used it in the past.) I appreciate any advice |
Bailey
Citizen
Username: Baileymac
Post Number: 166
Registered: 3-2005
| | Posted on Saturday, February 11, 2006 - 8:07 am: |
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Sounds like you have lots of problems.
You can download Spybot http://www.download.com/Spybot-Search-Destroy/3000-8022_4-10122137.html
and another anti-spyware program called Ad-aware
http://www.download.com/3000-2144-10045910.html
Download and run both, if you can, and make sure your Norton Virus definitions are up to date, and run that too. |
Case
Citizen
Username: Case
Post Number: 1104
Registered: 2-2005
| | Posted on Saturday, February 11, 2006 - 9:36 am: |
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Yeah, you have problems but they're resolvable.
Let me be careful here.... Yes, it MIGHT be time for a new PC, but not because of the malware (worms) on your current system. Six years is a long time for a PC to be around - you might be living with a very slow, kludgy machine and not even know it. If you use the PC a lot, it may be time to invest in some new gear.
Having said THAT, McAfee is OK for virus detection/prevention. Norton is also fine... there's a lot of rabid opinion out there, due in part (I suspect) to the problems people are having with the 'security suites' and the way they can perform.
There are a ton of good articles out there, here's one:
http://www.pcworld.com/resource/printable/article/0,aid,124163,00.asp
So, is it time for a new PC? It depends on how much you use your computer, if you think it might be worth 700-1000 (give or take) for a much faster model... lots of things to consider. But we can absolutely get the malware off your PC.
You can send me an email at divemaster@optonline.net (a 'spam' account I use) if you'd like to discuss this. With the snow coming tonight, I will probably have time on my hands for a phone call! Please use a very distinctive subject line... I get a LOT of junk email in that account. |
Gatica™
Citizen
Username: Katracho
Post Number: 268
Registered: 11-2002
| | Posted on Saturday, February 11, 2006 - 12:02 pm: |
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viva,
What Case said. Looks like you have a lot spyware/adware on your computer. The version of Norton Antivirus on your system is probably no longer supported. It is time to get and updated version. (I believe that there is a free antivirus program that was mentioned on this board a while back, but the name escapes me right now). Also, download Spybot Search and Destroy and LavaSoft's Ad-Aware, free from Download.com.
Anti-virus and anti-spyware software is of no use if do not keep it updated. Try to update them at least once a week, although for the antivirus they can be set to update automatically.
What is your operating system? Windows 98/2000/XP? If you have 98, then THAT I suggest you upgrade. I don’t think that there is much software out there that supports Win98.
Regarding your physical equipment: If your PC is that old, then make sure you are backing up your data files (that includes your pictures if you have) onto CDs or Zip disks, or whatever. My PC is almost as old as yours, but I have replaced the hard disk twice (once right before a failure, other time just to get more space). I also have an external hard disk that I use for backup. My PC is good enough to do what I need to do, so, you don't necessarily have to upgrade it if it meets your needs.
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Case
Citizen
Username: Case
Post Number: 1109
Registered: 2-2005
| | Posted on Saturday, February 11, 2006 - 4:42 pm: |
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One last thought - if you need to buy a new operating system (XP home) for your computer... check out the prices of a brand-new machine at www.dell.com. You may be shocked to learn how inexpensive these systems are today.
Good luck, and don't hesitate to post more questions.
PS - you can run a free virus scan at www.trendmicro.com, among other places. This is (obviously) not as good as AV software since the online scan is reactive-only... but its worth a shot. |
viva
Citizen
Username: Viva
Post Number: 669
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Saturday, February 11, 2006 - 7:25 pm: |
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I have had spybot and adaware installed and run checks often. I have windows 98. This afternoon, I bought Trend Micro PC-cillin Antivirus which was recommended to me at Best Buy for 40 bucks. So far so good, but we'll see how it goes. Next stop, dell.com.
Thanks -- really appreciate the advice. |
Gatica™
Citizen
Username: Katracho
Post Number: 270
Registered: 11-2002
| | Posted on Saturday, February 11, 2006 - 8:32 pm: |
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viva con Dios. |
Politicalmon
Citizen
Username: Politicalmon
Post Number: 87
Registered: 9-2005
| | Posted on Monday, February 13, 2006 - 11:49 pm: |
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The Spybot & Adaware cocktail is the way to go make sure you download the most recent version. Also download AVG software for virus detection - AVG blows away Nortons & McAfee and was written by former virus writers from Eastern Europe who have turned their company into a million dollar enterprise. |
Gatica™
Citizen
Username: Katracho
Post Number: 276
Registered: 11-2002
| | Posted on Tuesday, February 14, 2006 - 10:14 am: |
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I hate to stereotype here, and you can call me paranoid: I personally wouldn't trust something written by former virus writers. What if they're leaving some backdoor open? Something a la "The Net" sans Sandra Bullock. Before you know it, all computers with that software will become aware and will start looking for Sara Connor.
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TarPit Coder
Citizen
Username: Tarpitcoder
Post Number: 26
Registered: 12-2004
| | Posted on Tuesday, February 14, 2006 - 4:18 pm: |
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ClamAV is widely used and recommended by my mates who spend half their waking hours defending infrastructure against threats. It's free and there's a windows port at:
http://www.clamwin.com/
It's only negative is it doesnt do on-demand scanning. The flipside of it is that you can always manually scan files you download before extracting / opening them.
The virus definitions also seem to be updated much more frequently than McAfee or Norton.
Anyway it's free - Using it doesn't preclude using any other anti-virus software and I've seen it detect stuff which some commercial virus scanner software didn't detect for a few days.
For spyware - I run both adaware and microsofts antispyware. I've seen both of them catch malware the other didn't - which is pretty depressing.
--Tarp
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viva
Citizen
Username: Viva
Post Number: 670
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Tuesday, February 14, 2006 - 4:30 pm: |
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Trend Micro PC-cillin Antivirus did the trick for me. It was recommended to me at Best Buy. Thanks all for your input. |
Gatica™
Citizen
Username: Katracho
Post Number: 278
Registered: 11-2002
| | Posted on Tuesday, February 14, 2006 - 11:40 pm: |
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Somehow, I feel cheated... used... cheap... all that advice, and for what, for nutin'  |
Politicalmon
Citizen
Username: Politicalmon
Post Number: 92
Registered: 9-2005
| | Posted on Wednesday, February 15, 2006 - 8:25 am: |
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Gatica;
I had the same thoughts until I checked them out. The company is ICSA certified and has the recommendation of the Virus Bulletin a newsletter widely used by the IT industry. I implement, manage and troubleshoot 400 networks throughout the US for a software development company with over 20 years experience. I've tested Symantec's product line - the code is crap, their tech support is worthless and eventually your OS will be compromised. Five years ago I started looking at the state of virus scanning software and found that our resident hackers were using AVG ~ I had never heard of them was currently recommending McAfee after a couple tests I was shocked at what AVG detected that McAfee & Nortons missed. Just because something comes bundled with your PC when you purchase it doesn't mean it is a quality product - empower yourself - due dilligence - think out of the box - don't be a lemming. These guys now have a multimillion dollar company, I would think the fear of losing their assets thru litagation would put the fear god in them - this is a different situation for them as compared to 20 years ago when they were cyberpunks with nothing to lose.
www.grisoft.com
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Gatica™
Citizen
Username: Katracho
Post Number: 279
Registered: 11-2002
| | Posted on Thursday, February 16, 2006 - 1:06 am: |
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Thanks, mon. I'll look into it.
FWIW, my company uses Symantec AV version 9.x, soon to upgrade to version 10.x. |
TomD
Citizen
Username: Tomd
Post Number: 361
Registered: 5-2005
| | Posted on Thursday, February 16, 2006 - 10:17 am: |
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I've dumped Norton Antivirus in favor of the (free) Avast anti virus. I find it to be very effective and always up to date. |
Mayor McCheese
Supporter
Username: Mayor_mccheese
Post Number: 884
Registered: 7-2004
| | Posted on Saturday, February 18, 2006 - 6:49 pm: |
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I dumped Norton a while back for Avast, but as of a week or two ago it just stopped working right. Uninstalled and reinstalled. Still, I had a big virus problem. So today I actually forked over some cash and got McAfee virus scanner. (I still don't like Norton)
I think this is the first software I have paid for in a very very long time. |
monster
Supporter
Username: Monster
Post Number: 2152
Registered: 7-2002
| | Posted on Saturday, February 18, 2006 - 8:34 pm: |
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If you have Comcast, McAfee is free. |
Just The Aunt
Supporter
Username: Auntof13
Post Number: 4078
Registered: 1-2004
| | Posted on Wednesday, February 22, 2006 - 12:05 am: |
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What is Avast? Where can I download it for a test run? |
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