Re: Security

On Sun, 21 Dec 2008 09:30:37 -0700, "Cave Man" <fjmflynn@xxxxxxxxxxx>
wrote:

Okay you win! Your *** is bigger. BTW, I have used computers since 1985,
look up Columbia PC.


I'm not interested in comparing our experience, but I've been using
computers (but not personal computers) since *way* before then


Perhaps before responding next time, you might take the time to read all the
posts, since it's painfully clear, that I never once indicated in any way
that I don't use an Antivirus program, so the second point in your latest
response may be inaccurate, but I guess not everybody strives for accuracy,
when they get personal.


I have no interest in getting personal, and I *always* strive for
accuracy. However being a human being, I don't always make it to
everyplace I strive for. This was one example. I mistook you for
someone else who doesn't use antivirus programs in another thread I'm
involved with. So I was wrong about that, and my apologies.

As I said, "I have no interest in getting personal." My intent is
often to rebut points made by someone when I believe that the points
are inaccurate. My targets are the points, not the people who made the
points.


One other MAJOR difference between us is that I respect your opinion and
invite it as well as others. Yes, even if your opinion is narrow-minded and
biased I respect it and you for having it, because I am respectful of
others. I personally read the newsgroups to try and learn. You should value
all comments even if they differ slightly from yours.


I value comments when they are accurate. I even value them when they
put forth *opinions* that may differ from mine. But I don't value them
when they say things that are wrong.

Once again, all of my disagreements in this thread are with some of
the points you have made, not with you as a person. If I've given you
the impression that I've been attacking you personally, in the
interests of harmony, I'll offer you my apologies.


Is this a PUBLIC newsgroup, or just your newsgroup?


"Ken Blake, MVP" <kblake@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote in message
news:q9osk49hcar1sg5ibn8a2kb0mmnrsgo760@xxxxxxxxxx
On Sun, 21 Dec 2008 06:57:49 -0700, "Cave Man" <fjmflynn@xxxxxxxxxxx>
wrote:

Well you folks might be right, but I haven't had a virus for several
years.


Good, glad to hear it. But let me make two points:

1. One difference between you and me is that I have *never* had a
virus. And I've been using personal computers since 1987.

2. A statement like "I don't use an anti-virus program and I haven't
had a virus..." is like one that says "I don't use a seatbelt in my
car, and I've never been hurt in it." You should consider yourself
lucky rather than anything else.


BTW, I thought that Windows Defender (also FREE) was anti-spyware,


Yes it is. My list of antispyware below was prefaced with "I recommend
that, in addition to Defender, you choose at least two others..."


and I
also thought that running any multiple "ANTI" programs, that may not be
compatible was frowned upon.


It's not a matter of being compatible. It's fine to run multiple
anti-spyware programs, as long as you don't run them at the same time.
Running two or more at once can cause problems because they can
conflict with each other.


While you're at it, what does the Malicious Software Removal Tool from
Microsoft update do?


It removes some malicious software, and does it automatically.


IMHO, free Windows Firewall,


That's fine.


free Windows Defender,


That's OK, but it's far from the best, and as I said, one isn't
sufficient, especially when it's one of the weakest, as Defender is.


and
free AVG


AVG is not one of the better freeware anti-virus programs. Avast (my
recommendation) or Avira are both better choices.


is easier to manage and support than products originally designed
for Windows XP, and I only have to download and install 1 program, not
download, install and manually update 2 or 3 programs in addition to the
free ones that are already in Windows. Isn't that better than having
nothing
on my computer?


No. I completely disagree with that concept. What's best is what
offers you the best protection.

And your fears of the difficulties of downloading, installing, and
updating are unwarranted. I use one antivirus and about half a dozen
anti-spyware programs, and have no problems doing any of this. And
keeping them up-to-date takes very little time.


What ever happened to K.I.S.S.?


Nothing. Keeping it simple is still an excellent thing to do. As I
just said, your fears of the difficulties are unwarranted.


"Ken Blake, MVP" <kblake@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote in message
news:qnpqk4h3qhbr9p5ssh11u0ginsd6n0oi0v@xxxxxxxxxx
On Sat, 20 Dec 2008 13:05:58 -0700, "Cave Man" <fjmflynn@xxxxxxxxxxx>
wrote:

I have used Avira, Avast!, OneCare, and AVG.

After installing and patching Vista Service Pack 2 on my Vista
Ultimate,
the
only program that seemed to communicate properly with the Security
Center
in
Vista was AVG.

For "MOST" home usage, AVG Free is sufficient


Your choice. As I said, I think that in the realm of free programs,
Avast is much better, and if you're willing to pay for an anti-virus
program, NOD32 is better still.

Moreover it is certainly *not* sufficient to run an anti-virus
program, and no anti-spyware programs.


as it seems to work well with
Windows Defender, Windows Firewall, and the Malicious Software Removal
tool.
The email scanning utility even seems to work with Windows Live
Essentials.

So if you plan to eventually use Vista with SP2, I would plan on AVG
Free.
Within 6 months, Microsoft will be making available free Anti-Virus
software.

Just my 2 cents.

CaveMan

"Ken Blake, MVP" <kblake@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote in message
news:sthqk4hqi0aq6htdheldkvh6rpd7u3i1n6@xxxxxxxxxx
On Sat, 20 Dec 2008 02:13:25 +0000, doreilley
<doreilley.3kp403@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:


I was using Windows Live One for virus and security and it worked
fine


It may have worked fine, but it was far from being the most
effective
such program around. Microsoft has even announced that they are
discontinuing it.


but trying to save the $60 I let it expire and had been using
Windows
Defender instead.


"Instead" isn't really the correct word, since it doesn't do all the
things Windows Live OneCare did.


It was working ok at least it came on when I turned it
on but now it dosen't want to run at all.


That might be an indication that you have a malware infection.


If I could get it running is
this program good enough for virus and malware etc.


No!

First of all, a word about the terminology: the term "malware" is
short for "malicious software." It refers to *all* types of
malicious
software, so viruses, trojans, spyware, etc. are all types of
malware.
So since viruses *are* malware, the phrase "virus and malware"
doesn't
really make any sense.

Second, Windows Defender is an anti-spyware program, and does not
protect you against viruses.


or could you
recomend something better to use.


A single "something" is not what you need. You need several programs
to protect you against the various types of malware. They come in
essentially three types, and you should have all three:

1. A firewall. If you are running the Windows firewall, that's OK,
but
there are also other choices.

2. An anti-virus program. The two worst ones are unfortunately the
most popular: Norton and McAfee. The best one available is NOD32,
but
it's not free. If you want to save the money, I recommend Avast,
which
is free, not quite as good as NOD32, but still very good.

3. At least two anti-spyware programs. The problem is that no single
such product is good enough to protect you fully, and you should run
two or more of these. I recommend that, in addition to Defender, you
choose at least two others from the following list (there are all
available in free versions):

MalwareBytes
SuperAntiSpyware
Spybot Search & Destroy
Spyware Blaster
Adaware.

--
Ken Blake, Microsoft MVP - Windows Desktop Experience
Please Reply to the Newsgroup

--
Ken Blake, Microsoft MVP - Windows Desktop Experience
Please Reply to the Newsgroup

--
Ken Blake, Microsoft MVP - Windows Desktop Experience
Please Reply to the Newsgroup

--
Ken Blake, Microsoft MVP - Windows Desktop Experience
Please Reply to the Newsgroup
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