Antivirus software

Larry (from OSHA)

Panda. But Most Important is a firewall. Download ZoneAlarm. The free version works quite well to prevent unwanted access to OR from your computer. Also get AdAware and SpyBot Search and Destroy. I have had good luck with Norton anti virus, but I remember Dave was very happy with the Panda stuff.

Good luck.

Larry (from OSHA)

S Ebels

Antivirus software ?

Someone, I believe it was Mr Yates, said he had found a good antivirus software a while back. I can't remember the name of it for the life of me. Does anyone remember what it was.

I'm getting high speed DSL in tomorrow and I want to update my protection.

J.C.A._3

Steve,

My brother, the expert, has to deal with what the bosses want. He works I.T. for the hospitals in Boston, and they rely on MacAfee.I've used it and was happy, but....

His home and laptop computer are both running Norton. He finds it a far easier to understand product for just about everyone and they have great support and the live updates are very timely.

I'd have to agree with the BIG firewall and anti-spy and highjacking software. If your around when the guy installs it, ask for his advice. Chances are since he works for the provider, he gets to see what works best for him/her and the other techs. Just a thought. Chris

Dave Yates (PAH)

I had Norton

and my internet provider gives me McAffee for $1.00 a month to scan incoming e-mail before it can be downloaded to my computer. But, when I loaded the Panda, which includes a firewall BTW, it found a ton of spyware, adware and viruses that Norton never saw or found. On top of that, my Norton never seemed to be able to repair infected files - it quaranteened them instead. The Panda software has repaired all but two of them.

Here at home, Norton missed more than 600 viruses. At work - in excess of 1,000!

I purchased the Panda software from Staples - no regrets.

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Robert O'Connor_7

Dave..

Leme guess DSO Exploit ?

Very hard to get rid of ..Robert O'Connor/NJ

Dave Stroman

Here is some info from the Kim Komando web site (www.komando.com)



10 Free Cool & Essential Downloads

Computer prices are so low, just about everyone can afford one. The expensive part is stocking the computer with software. Fortunately, there are many great free programs. They may have fewer features than their paid counterparts, but they often work as well.

Unfortunately, much free software contains adware. These programs track surfing habits and tailor ads to your interests. The publishers of the programs are paid to include the adware. The programs in this column do not include adware, according to their user agreements.

1. So let's start with the Internet. Threats there are serious and growing. But free software can put a wall around your computer. For instance, you simply must have a firewall. This makes your computer invisible to hackers' probes.

ZoneAlarm and Outpost provide basic protection for Internet users. First-time users should go with the default settings. Both are available for Windows 98SE, ME, 2000 and XP. In addition, Outpost is available for Windows 95 and 98.
ZoneAlarm: http://www.zonelabs.com
Outpost: http://www.agnitum.com

2. A firewall cannot protect your computer from viruses or Trojan horses. For them, you need anti-virus software. AVG Anti-Virus by Grisoft scans your hard drive and e-mail. Virus definition updates are free as well. AVG Anti-Virus is available for Windows 95 and higher.
AVG Anti-Virus: http://www.grisoft.com

3. You need software to scan for adware. In addition to tracking your surfing, these programs sometimes hijack your Internet home page.

Ad-aware and Spybot Search & Destroy are adware killers. Both programs work on Windows 98, ME, 2000, NT and XP. Spybot Search & Destroy is also compatible with Windows 95.
Ad-aware: http://www.lavasoftusa.com/
Spybot Search & Destroy: http://www.safer-networking.org

Now that your computer is safe for surfing, here are some programs to make your computing experience more enjoyable.

4. Pop-up ads are often delivered by adware. One of the best pop-up blockers is included on the Google Toolbar. It not only blocks pop-up ads; it also gives you numerous search options. It's available for Windows 95 and higher, for use with Internet Explorer 5.5 and higher.
Google Toolbar: http://toolbar.google.com

5. If you chat with friends, you know how cluttered your desktop can get. It's not uncommon to have two or three instant messaging programs open at the same time.

Trillian Basic allows you to chat with AOL Instant Messenger, ICQ, IRC, MSN and Yahoo! users simultaneously. Trillian is for Windows 95 and higher.
Trillian: http://www.ceruleanstudios.com

6. PowerToys are additional programs that extend the functionality of Windows. One of the most popular PowerToys is Tweak UI. With it, you can clear your Internet tracks, manipulate mouse functions, get rid of arrows on shortcut icons, and more. Tweak UI is available for Windows 95 and higher.
PowerToys: http://www.komando.com/bestshareware.asp#powertoys

7. Microsoft's Outlook Express is a popular e-mail program. Outlook Express doesn't have a built-in spell checker. It relies on the dictionary from Microsoft Word or Works.

If you don't own Word or Works, Spell Checker for OE can help. It's a stand-alone program and works on Windows 95 and higher. It requires Outlook Express 5 and higher.
Spell Checker: http://www.geocities.com/vampirefo

8. Free software sometimes can substitute for expensive software. Office programs fall into the "expensive" category. Word processing and spreadsheet software can cost several hundred dollars.

You can open, create, and save Microsoft Word and Excel documents with 602PC Suite. It also comes with a basic photo editor and organizer. It's compatible with Windows 98 and higher.
602PC Suite: http://www.software602.com

In addition to adware, free programs often have other downsides. Documentation is sometimes sparse, so you may have to experiment to master them. Technical support is limited or non-existent. If there's a problem, you may be on your own.

S Ebels

'Nuther thing

What was Mozilla?

Steamhead

You mean, what \"is\" Mozilla?

This is the open-source project that gave us Netscape, and is now being marketed under its own name. Its current flagship products are the Firefox browser and the Thunderbird e-mail client. Both have gotten some really good reviews, and of course they're free. And they're nowhere near as malware-vulnerable as Microsoft Internet Explorer, Outlook and Outlook Express.

Check them out at www.mozilla.org .

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S Ebels

So how does it work

Anyone you know running it Frank?

Boiler Guy

I put Panda

on my system after it was reworked. Works great. Had Norton for 5 years previously, but like this much better.

Ed Lentz

Just my 2 cents worth. I have used Firefox as a browser for about 2 months. I have not gotten 1 popup since then. It is a great browser. Now there are some (very few) sites that are written for Internet Explorer, then Firefox has a problem. But IMHO that is the website builders problem, he should make his site for all browsers. Anti-Virus -- AVG all the way. They have a free version that I have been running for 2 years with no problems. The Ad aware and Search and destroy are fine products. As sI said just my 2 cents

Steamhead

Not yet

I'm still using Netscape 7.1 and it works fine for me.

Another good anti-spyware program is a2, pronounced a-squared. It is also free. I found out about it here on the Wall but can't remember who posted about it..... the a2 site is:

http://www.emsisoft.com/en/

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Jeff Lawrence_24

Mozilla

I've been running Mozilla 0.9.3 for about 7 months. I love it! There have been a couple of sites that won't let you on through Mozilla and I have to resort to IE. I don't get the pop-up ads except for one site.

It's the best download I've ever done.

Jeff

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Glenn Harrison_2

Just about all programs I use and like.

AdAware, Spybot Search and destroy, Google tool bar with pop-up blocker.

I also use the free scanner at pandasoftware.com based on Dave's recomendation, and it found a bunch of bad stuff that Norton's had missed. I also asked my 18 year old who knows a friend in Scotland that explained that Panda can operate a little differently due to the fact that it is written in Europe where the laws allow a different program writting than here in the states. I since have purchase Panda Platinum. Wish I had it before my Notebook crashed, as I am betting Panda would have caught a virus and stopped it. I know the warning flags popped up quite a bit when I first installed it, including the firewall kept timing out the internet connection due to hacker attempts. I also find Panda much easier than Norton's Internet security to use the firewall settings.

Also, I learned one of the best ways to get rid of pop-up's is to turn off Windows Messenger. This won't get rid of all of them, bet it takes care of any pop-up's that come in a gray window.

I'm also trying out Microsoft AntiSpyware Beta. It desn't catch everything, but seems to have cut way back on spyware cookies, as it monitors constantly, and can run a full scan.

Just for kicks, Norton's, McAfee, and Panda all have free scanners for checking your computer. Run each one and see who catches the most.

S Ebels

Holy Smoke !!!!

I downloaded Mozilla.............. it's wayyyyyy faster than IE. Like 4-5 times as fast! Screens that took about a full minute now take about 15 to 20 seconds. (radar images from NOAA site I'm a closet weather freak.) I could barely navigate the Wall due to all the popups. I haven't seen one in over an hour now. Way Coooolllll!