Omega Owners Forum
Chat Area => General Discussion Area => Topic started by: Tony H on 28 October 2012, 10:16:42
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Mornin' all. I am coming to the end of a free trial from AVG. is it worth subscribing or are there adequate free versions of protection available?
TIA
Tony
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Avast is a good free one, it's installed on my daughters' netbooks and seems to be decent.
I've got NOD32 from ESET, was a bit pricey but it's the best out there IMO.
Avast - http://downloads.cnet.co.uk/view/security-software/avast-free-antivirus-39175504/
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I went from AVG to Avast....to be honest I now use Microsoft Security Essentials....free from Microsoft :y
Had no problems to date :y
http://www.microsoft.com/security/pc-security/mse.aspx
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Remove it and use the free AVG. Or better still, Microsoft Security Essentials, as AVG has got a little bloaty lately.
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Here is a Microsoft Security Essentials review..........
http://www.pcadvisor.co.uk/reviews/security/3376831/microsoft-security-essentials-4-review/
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Here is a Microsoft Security Essentials review..........
http://www.pcadvisor.co.uk/reviews/security/3376831/microsoft-security-essentials-4-review/
I wouldn't pay too much heed to mainstream Computer Mags reviews on anything, as they are lazy and inept.
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Here is a Microsoft Security Essentials review..........
http://www.pcadvisor.co.uk/reviews/security/3376831/microsoft-security-essentials-4-review/
I wouldn't pay too much heed to mainstream Computer Mags reviews on anything, as they are lazy and inept.
Yep, this ^
Also, Windows Defender is about the best malware scanner you can own free. (It'll be pre-installed on your PC)
I used to think Malwarebytes was the best free scanner but it's missed things that Defender has found. But then again I've needed neither since buying NOD32...
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Interesting one. My Norton has expired and my PC is nagging me to cough up for a renewal.
I don't mind buying software but I dislike the annual renewal. I tried Avast and my PC was completely screwed until I uninstalled it, don't know why.
Need to think about this . . . . . .
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Running Avira free on mine and no issues to date :y
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its been long time since I discovered that virus scanner/removal software companies/programmers are always one step behind the virus code.. :( so no matter what you use sooner or later you will have infection.. besides most of those virus protectors are worse than virus itself.. it frequently downloads updates, scans system, eats up memory and cpu resources.. so better dont install every free crap and dont browse "dear" sites.. or if you will do that sacrifice an old hardware for browsing and testing..
imo 2 simple rules always apply.. dont run the system with administrator privilages and dont allow browser to install add ons except the known.. :-\
and do what I say not what I do ;D
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its been long time since I discovered that virus scanner/removal software companies/programmers are always one step behind the virus code.. :( so no matter what you use sooner or later you will have infection.. besides most of those virus protectors are worse than virus itself.. it frequently downloads updates, scans system, eats up memory and cpu resources.. so better dont install every free crap and dont browse "dear" sites.. or if you will do that sacrifice an old hardware for browsing and testing..
imo 2 simple rules always apply.. dont run the system with administrator privilages and dont allow browser to install add ons except the known.. :-\
and do what I say not what I do ;D
I can honestly say I have not had a (unintentional) virus on any of my systems since the later 1980s. :)
But, then, I do mostly practice what I preach.
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its been long time since I discovered that virus scanner/removal software companies/programmers are always one step behind the virus code.. :( so no matter what you use sooner or later you will have infection.. besides most of those virus protectors are worse than virus itself.. it frequently downloads updates, scans system, eats up memory and cpu resources.. so better dont install every free crap and dont browse "dear" sites.. or if you will do that sacrifice an old hardware for browsing and testing..
imo 2 simple rules always apply.. dont run the system with administrator privilages and dont allow browser to install add ons except the known.. :-\
and do what I say not what I do ;D
I can honestly say I have not had a (unintentional) virus on any of my systems since the later 1980s. :)
But, then, I do mostly practice what I preach.
I dont ;D :y
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Have used Avast now for quite a while without issue (less bloated than AVG, Norton or McAfee), together with a decent software firewall (Zonealarm free)
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Have used Avast now for quite a while without issue (less bloated than AVG, Norton or McAfee), together with a decent software firewall (Zonealarm free)
No such thing ;)
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Have used Avast now for quite a while without issue (less bloated than AVG, Norton or McAfee), together with a decent software firewall (Zonealarm free)
No such thing ;)
IYO ;)
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Have used Avast now for quite a while without issue (less bloated than AVG, Norton or McAfee), together with a decent software firewall (Zonealarm free)
No such thing ;)
IYO ;)
fact
you cannot use the same OS you are trying to protect to, err, protect. Well, you can, its just not effective...
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The fact that it monitors two way internet traffic and will block any software not on its +ve list from communicating with the intenet is of no use? Seems there are many experts who think otherwise ::)
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The fact that it monitors two way internet traffic and will block any software not on its +ve list from communicating with the intenet is of no use? Seems there are many experts who think otherwise ::)
Its an extra layer, but its not "a decent software firewall".
You show me any "expert" that says otherwise. The primary firewall should not be on the OS its trying to protect. That is what any expert (which rules out most mainstream mag journalists) will say. The software firewall can be floored quite easily by exploiting unpatched flaws in the OS. Hence, protect the OS with a f/w on a seperate device.
There are scenarios where it is the only option - I know, I support a load of them, mostly Linux servers running IPTABLES. Fortunately, these ones forced to run a software firewall an an absolute minority (probably 80 or 90 max). Guess which ones get hacked, and which ones don't...
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The fact that it monitors two way internet traffic and will block any software not on its +ve list from communicating with the intenet is of no use? Seems there are many experts who think otherwise ::)
Its an extra layer, but its not "a decent software firewall".
You show me any "expert" that says otherwise. The primary firewall should not be on the OS its trying to protect. That is what any expert (which rules out most mainstream mag journalists) will say. The software firewall can be floored quite easily by exploiting unpatched flaws in the OS. Hence, protect the OS with a f/w on a seperate device.
There are scenarios where it is the only option - I know, I support a load of them, mostly Linux servers running IPTABLES. Fortunately, these ones forced to run a software firewall an an absolute minority (probably 80 or 90 max). Guess which ones get hacked, and which ones don't...
so are you saying that the firewall that is built into the anit virus software needs to be better or run from a seperate hard drive or am i just not understanding :)
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The fact that it monitors two way internet traffic and will block any software not on its +ve list from communicating with the intenet is of no use? Seems there are many experts who think otherwise ::)
Its an extra layer, but its not "a decent software firewall".
You show me any "expert" that says otherwise. The primary firewall should not be on the OS its trying to protect. That is what any expert (which rules out most mainstream mag journalists) will say. The software firewall can be floored quite easily by exploiting unpatched flaws in the OS. Hence, protect the OS with a f/w on a seperate device.
There are scenarios where it is the only option - I know, I support a load of them, mostly Linux servers running IPTABLES. Fortunately, these ones forced to run a software firewall an an absolute minority (probably 80 or 90 max). Guess which ones get hacked, and which ones don't...
so are you saying that the firewall that is built into the anit virus software needs to be better or run from a seperate hard drive or am i just not understanding :)
Don't rely on a Windows based firewall to protect your Windows PC (or a OSX based firewall to protect your Mac). Though in a home environment, you are protected (most likely) by the NAT device in your router (NAT is not a firewall), but also investigate any proper firewalling capabilities it has, and use them if available.
If you wish to run a software firewall on your PC, thats an extra layer of security, but should not be relied upon solely if at all possible. There are times when it becomes unavoidable - 3G dongles/MiFi/Tethers are a common one nowadays, so a software firewall can help in these scenarios, as "its better than nothing". Though the built in Windows one is as good as any, due to the way Windows updates itself - a regularly updated one is better than a "better" one which hasn't been updated (I come across loads of PCs running hacked security software, which are obviously quickly out of date). Just don't trust it (any Windows F/W). FWIW, I don't think one particular software firewall is better than another, they all work on the same principles, and configured correctly, allow/block the same stuff, and all are prone to the same failures ;)
Obviously, *ALWAYS* have an On-Access A/V scanner running, and regularly do a A/V On-Demand scan. Same with Malware.
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Thanks for the heads up TB much appreciated :y