Switched from AVG to Norton. New problem. Appreciate ideas.

Twice in the last 4 years, I've gotten a virus.

Twice in that 4 years, was when I installed Kaspersky and AVG.

In my eyes, the need for virus software is a damn myth.

Now, I just use Firefox + Web of Trust, and never have any issues.


The way I see it, these companies are all bought out by intelligence gathering interests. I mean, you're online, who's to say they aren't just scanning your computer and internet activity for their own best interests?

To me, virus software is like the TSA. Except, it's optional to be searched. Just don't buy into it.

Originally posted by brommas
reply to post by aboutface

 

I use kaspersky, on my windoze machine, you can buy any version off of ebay for pennies and then upgrade to the latest version free of charge, makes a mockery of paying 50 quid for the latest version, mine costs aroun 6 quid for 3 pc's for a year lol.

¸
I've been hacked a couple of times, so I do not do anything financial on my computer. My brother had his ID stolen and that ongoing nightmare of his brought out my paranoia about what info I put on my computer.

The nastiest thing that ever happened to us online happened at facebook. We clicked on a picture of someone we didn't know and the computer locked up. When I tried to reboot, it failed. I had to hook my primary hard drive up as a slave and run the error check from the (now) master drive. Turns out that one of my system files was corrupted during that process (ntoskernel.sys, I think), and all I had to do to repair it was to replace the file with the uncorrupted one from the other drive. After that, (now master drive again) I had no more problems.
I use Avast myself, but I still find trojans on my system with CCleaner or IObit's malware fighter. All of these programs are free.
The reviews I read say that Avira is probably the best free antivirus, especially for older (slower) computers. I'm ok with Avast for now, but like I said, sometimes trojans do get through. I just check frequently and remove as needed. It seems that I get trojans from "work at home" sites, so if you're not surfing porn, you're still not safe.

I also don't trust the download sites that make you download their branded download/install programs. There are download sites that don't make you do this, and I use them. Paranoia? Who knows?

reply to post by BeyondPerception

The way I see it, these companies are all bought out by intelligence gathering interests. I mean, you're online, who's to say they aren't just scanning your computer and internet activity for their own best interests?

I also have the tendency to believe this, especially with microsoft...

Originally posted by phishyblankwaters
reply to post by aboutface

 

Ok, assume you are running windows Windows 7 ....

go into control panel / add remove programs

Look for any traces of AVG, you'll probably find whatever "secure search" toolbar it has in there, and should be able to remove it.

I use Security Essentials myself. It's not perfect, but it's free, updated constantly, and works well. That with script blocking for browsers (noscript or yesscript for firefox) and a good spyware solution you should be fine.

Essentials is on my computer. I did find AVG program called Visual C++ (file fff300.msi) 2008X64 Redistributables 11.3 Mb Went to remove it, but it wants to upgrade instead.

On another note, I downloaded Firefox and supposedly transferred my bookmarks from Explorer to it, but I can't locate where they are. I cannot function without ATS bookmarks.

reply to post by BeyondPerception


You may have a good point there. I used to think that with McAfee, and I believe Norton bought them out, if I'm correct.

Having used both AVG and Norton over the years, I finally settled on Vipre. Not only is it highly rated, it also avoids the system resource use that Norton is famous for. Here's the site if yer interested.

Originally posted by aboutface

Originally posted by brommas
reply to post by aboutface

 

I use kaspersky, on my windoze machine, you can buy any version off of ebay for pennies and then upgrade to the latest version free of charge, makes a mockery of paying 50 quid for the latest version, mine costs aroun 6 quid for 3 pc's for a year lol.

¸
I've been hacked a couple of times, so I do not do anything financial on my computer. My brother had his ID stolen and that ongoing nightmare of his brought out my paranoia about what info I put on my computer.

You can use a good free firewall like Comodo or Online Armor to help prevent hacker attacks.

Originally posted by aboutface
I had AVG on my computer, but viruses got through. I now have Norton and so far so good, except for one thing. The Norton Safe Search window has suddenly disappeared and in its place it reads AVG Secure Search and lists it as default. I went to Norton's help site, but can't seem to get the problem understood by the help desk.

Another problem is that Norton is on my son's account, and he is currently unavailable so I don't have his PW etc.

Any ideas on what has happened?

What browser are you using? Sounds like you have to remove the AVG Secure Search extension from your browser addons/extensions.

In Firefox click the orange top left button that says Firefox click Add Ons and it will bring up the add on manager so you can uninstall the addon AVG Search. (or it will be under Tools if there is no orange button)

For Chrome click the wrench then tools then extensions, then uninstall the AVG add on.

For Internet Explorer click the cog wheel then select internet options then the Programs tab then click Manage-add ons

That should fix it, if your Norton Safe Search doesn't show up after that try reinstalling Norton.

I had Norton on another computer..that program is a megabyte hog !!!
I had to download a uninstaller from them to delete it
The tool contained a trojan

I wonder..do the antivirus companys create viriuses that only their programs can find or delete ???

reply to post by SigilOfLux


I found it. Norton had been disabled in the add-ons. I tried to disable AVG but it won't let me. It still lists itself as my default add-on.

reply to post by aboutface


Thanks everyone for your help and suggestions. It's very much appreciated.