I’m no MS fan, I use their products because they are ubiquitous.  Their newly released FREE antivirus program, however, is downright excellent.

Microsoft Security Essentials

I cannot stand the big 3 antivirus programs because they slow down everything you do and take up lots of ram and CPU time.  And they cost $ for anything active.  (there are great free passive scanners out there).  Many people use them because they come pre-installed or they think they HAVE TO because of the big boogie man internet.

I highly recommend this program, though.  Its system resource cost is almost nil for the additional peace of mind.  Its an easy install.  Just uninstall Norton, AVG, (or whatever) before you install this bad boy.  (be sure uninstall each aspect of Norton.  It leaves like 5 sub-progs in your program list.)  Then restart your computer.  Install this.  Set it and forget it.

As a tech junkie, I usually fly with my router firewall, careful browsing (and downloading/executing) habits, and a passive scan once a week.  Active virus protection is simply almost never worth the hassle and can cause crashes and incompatibilities.  This program has changed my opinion of active protection.  Kudos to MS for the small size/footprint on my machine and for me really not noticing it working.

***works with XP, Vista, and Windows 7

While we’re on the topic of helping your computer, we might as well go all the way.

The following program is excellent all-around maintenance.  Its also very small/lightweight.

CCleaner

Be sure to UNCHECK the boxes for installing the yahoo toolbar (if you have any ____toolbar on your system, uninstall immediately as a general rule).

After the simple install, give it a run.  It will clean out all kinds of aging unused old net cache and free up lots of room on your drives.  Also, be sure to run the registry cleaning function in there too.  It also has a well-organized “startup” tool to start/stop the programs that your computer automatically boots up with.

As lame as NIS and Symantec products in general are… this wasn’t yet an option and our subscription had run out. and to be fair, Norton has made HUGE strides in reducing it’s effect on systems. I hated the product they put out in 2008 but the last two have been fairly benign when running.

But, I do like Free better than Not Free so if the Security Warden wife gives it the nod, we may not renew our subs next September.

Yeah, even my most-cynical tech review sites had great things to say about the MS virus program.  Apparently it has memory swapping (cycling and unloading V definitions after using them before grabbing the next, to keep total ram usage next to nothing), CPU throttling (it knows not to work when you start running something that needs your CPU’s attention), and a few other nifty dont-bug-the-user features.

What do you mean by active vs passive AV protection?  Do you mean passive as in on-demand AV scanning and active meaning always scanning for any files that are opened, run, modified or saved?  Can you also explain why you think “Active virus protection is simply almost never worth the hassle”?  I’m curious about all things IT security.  Thanks…

You are correct.  Passive means that you go and open the program (its not running all the time) and tell it to do a scan, then close it when it is done.

And I say that active virus protection is almost never worth the hassle because it often involves very strict antivirus rules for scanning running and accessed processes.  When you open an app, the program steps in and scans the .exe first, and then it opens.  Similar intrusive behavior occurs when your computer is doing something that you told it (and paid all that money for your processor to do quickly) by butting in, checking things out, and also taking up its own processor cycles just to run itself.

I personally like my computers lean and mean.  I definitely notice when my computer is less-than-optimally responsive and it irritates me.  I also run the occasional demanding 3D application and even a 15% performance hit is tantamount to hundreds of dollars in higher-end hardware being wasted.

I also know that I don’t need active protection because I dont surf shady russian warez sites, use file-sharing/bit torrent applications, and never open email attachments that I dont know are coming and that I recognize.

If you live in a house where this kind of less-than-responsible internet behavior takes place, (kids in the house) then maybe you do need the active protection.

MojoJD - 04 November 2009 04:18 PM

If you live in a house where this kind of less-than-responsible internet behavior takes place, (kids in the house) then maybe you do need the active protection.

Why do you hate porn?

MojoJD - 04 November 2009 01:40 PM

Be sure to UNCHECK the boxes for installing the yahoo toolbar (if you have any ____toolbar on your system, uninstall immediately as a general rule).

What are the performance or security reasons for not having a toolbar?

*Has anxiety due to presence of Google toolbar on her system*

Toolbars from the big tech companies are generally benign as far as security risks, but not as far as privacy and system bloat.  Its yet ANOTHER program running on your system that has to be accessed and started up when you start your browser.  It also serves as a persistent (supposedly anonymous) data miner for market research data on your habits.

Why not just use the google search box in the upper right corner (firefox).  Or, if you prefer Internet Explorer, you can set you search box to use google with a few quick clicks.  no need for an extra bar.

MojoJD - 04 November 2009 04:18 PM

You are correct.  Passive means that you go and open the program (its not running all the time) and tell it to do a scan, then close it when it is done.

And I say that active virus protection is almost never worth the hassle because it often involves very strict antivirus rules for scanning running and accessed processes.  When you open an app, the program steps in and scans the .exe first, and then it opens.  Similar intrusive behavior occurs when your computer is doing something that you told it (and paid all that money for your processor to do quickly) by butting in, checking things out, and also taking up its own processor cycles just to run itself.

I personally like my computers lean and mean.  I definitely notice when my computer is less-than-optimally responsive and it irritates me.  I also run the occasional demanding 3D application and even a 15% performance hit is tantamount to hundreds of dollars in higher-end hardware being wasted.

I also know that I don’t need active protection because I dont surf shady russian warez sites, use file-sharing/bit torrent applications, and never open email attachments that I dont know are coming and that I recognize.

If you live in a house where this kind of less-than-responsible internet behavior takes place, (kids in the house) then maybe you do need the active protection.

What about when you visit legit and well known sites that may have been compromised?  Not necessarily the whole site, but just some pages or frames.  These compromises have happened to such sites as Microsoft and the United Nations events page.  Simply visiting these sites can dump a malware payload onto your machine without you knowing.

What about if someone you know unwittingly sends you an infected PDF, media or image file?  I’m probably more paranoid than the normal person regarding these things and am always interested in hearing others’ opinions.

MojoJD - 04 November 2009 11:07 PM

Toolbars from the big tech companies are generally benign as far as security risks, but not as far as privacy and system bloat.  Its yet ANOTHER program running on your system that has to be accessed and started up when you start your browser.  It also serves as a persistent (supposedly anonymous) data miner for market research data on your habits.

Why not just use the google search box in the upper right corner (firefox).  Or, if you prefer Internet Explorer, you can set you search box to use google with a few quick clicks.  no need for an extra bar.

I agree with you here about toolbars.  I’m also very averse to some “updaters” fro some applications that update… and also install some things without you knowing because they are checked off by default.

JVNA - 05 November 2009 12:09 AM

MojoJD - 04 November 2009 04:18 PM

You are correct.  Passive means that you go and open the program (its not running all the time) and tell it to do a scan, then close it when it is done.

And I say that active virus protection is almost never worth the hassle because it often involves very strict antivirus rules for scanning running and accessed processes.  When you open an app, the program steps in and scans the .exe first, and then it opens.  Similar intrusive behavior occurs when your computer is doing something that you told it (and paid all that money for your processor to do quickly) by butting in, checking things out, and also taking up its own processor cycles just to run itself.

I personally like my computers lean and mean.  I definitely notice when my computer is less-than-optimally responsive and it irritates me.  I also run the occasional demanding 3D application and even a 15% performance hit is tantamount to hundreds of dollars in higher-end hardware being wasted.

I also know that I don’t need active protection because I dont surf shady russian warez sites, use file-sharing/bit torrent applications, and never open email attachments that I dont know are coming and that I recognize.

If you live in a house where this kind of less-than-responsible internet behavior takes place, (kids in the house) then maybe you do need the active protection.

What about when you visit legit and well known sites that may have been compromised?  Not necessarily the whole site, but just some pages or frames.  These compromises have happened to such sites as Microsoft and the United Nations events page.  Simply visiting these sites can dump a malware payload onto your machine without you knowing.

What about if someone you know unwittingly sends you an infected PDF, media or image file?  I’m probably more paranoid than the normal person regarding these things and am always interested in hearing others’ opinions.

I’ve never had any problems.  And typically its a replicator (possibly for zombie hording mass attacks in the middle of the night), not a destructive virus/worm, that will be able to be spread unwittingly by files that your contact intends to send.  Even then such an instance is extremely rare.  These types of virus/worms/trojans would, in theory, be picked up on a weekly sweep by a passive scanner.  Its not bullet-proof, but I never had any problems in the past.

This is also why I like the new MS Security Essentials.  Now I do have that covered.

Ok, thanks for your thoughts.  I appreciate it.  While I agree with you that a lot of these “active” security apps have been huge resource hogs, they’ve gotten better.  As Nude mentions, even Norton/Symantec has learned and gotten better in terms of resource usage.  IMO, it’s vital that all machines connected to the internet have an AV app installed.  There’s just too many ways the criminals can infect/compromise a machine, regardless of how diligent you are in being safe.  With that, you run a few on-demand anti-spyware scans routinely.  Of course having a software firewall (not the one that comes with Windows) in place is necessary.  Having a hardware firewall (such as one in a router) is good also.  I don’t always agree with the bundled suites that contain firewall/AV/anti-spyware.  I rather look for best of breed for each type.

Identity theft requires only one instance of key-logging while you’re accessing your online bank.

JVNA - 05 November 2009 09:52 AM

Identity theft requires only one instance of key-logging while you’re accessing your online bank.

You are more likely to get your info swiped on a personal transaction or by someone sifting through your mail/personal records.

green_cactus - 05 November 2009 10:12 AM

JVNA - 05 November 2009 09:52 AM

Identity theft requires only one instance of key-logging while you’re accessing your online bank.

You are more likely to get your info swiped on a personal transaction or by someone sifting through your mail/personal records.

That could very likely be true.  But I’ll still stick to being as secure as possible on my systems.

MojoD wrote:

What about if someone you know unwittingly sends you an infected PDF, media or image file?  I’m probably more paranoid than the normal person regarding these things and am always interested in hearing others’ opinions.

Don’t be paranoid.  My laptop (only one year old) is totally F&$(*^  with viruses to the point it is currently not useable.  I am pretty sure it was from me saving dsome photos off the internet onto my harddrive, even though they were from reputable sites like Vanity Fair.

gypsyuma - 05 November 2009 06:08 PM

MojoD wrote:

What about if someone you know unwittingly sends you an infected PDF, media or image file?  I’m probably more paranoid than the normal person regarding these things and am always interested in hearing others’ opinions.

Don’t be paranoid.  My laptop (only one year old) is totally F&$(*^  with viruses to the point it is currently not useable.  I am pretty sure it was from me saving dsome photos off the internet onto my harddrive, even though they were from reputable sites like Vanity Fair.

Most of this garbage can be cleaned and you should be able to get your Laptop back to normal. You may want to start with Spybot and a virus scan (there are a few free ones out there - some online banking promotions give you McAfee for free). It’s a tedious cycle of rinse and repeat until it’s all gone (make sure you also do it in safe mode).

green_cactus - 05 November 2009 06:29 PM

gypsyuma - 05 November 2009 06:08 PM

MojoD wrote:

What about if someone you know unwittingly sends you an infected PDF, media or image file?  I’m probably more paranoid than the normal person regarding these things and am always interested in hearing others’ opinions.

Don’t be paranoid.  My laptop (only one year old) is totally F&$(*^  with viruses to the point it is currently not useable.  I am pretty sure it was from me saving dsome photos off the internet onto my harddrive, even though they were from reputable sites like Vanity Fair.

Most of this garbage can be cleaned and you should be able to get your Laptop back to normal. You may want to start with Spybot and a virus scan (there are a few free ones out there - some online banking promotions give you McAfee for free). It’s a tedious cycle of rinse and repeat until it’s all gone (make sure you also do it in safe mode).

Lavasoft’s AdAware is good and free too. Then, I’d start deleting any programs you don’t use regularly because many “free” applications load your box up with other software that bogs you down. Same with those extra toolbars that collect anonymous data about your surfing habits.

Wish I had known about this last week.  I was running Webroot with AV and something slipped through and crashed Windows.  Lost some documents and some old e-mails but had everything else on an external drive.  I’m no techie and couldn’t figure out how to load new versions of Norton or McAfee after years of using these programs there were so many remants left over from previous versions that they wouldn’t install properly.  The PC is 8 years old anyway and I’m way overdue for something new.  Thinking about the new iMac.  Seems more secure and some of the apps look very impressive.  I only really use Office anyway so it looks like it will run fine on the mac.  Any thoughts?

I think my problem is a tad more serious.  My screen will just go black.  You can see a slight back light on, so you know the computer is still on.  Or other times it will just freeze.  I cannot even shut it down and have to use the off switch. All these things happen after it has been on 5 - 10 minutes.

I am waiting for my software engineer husband to actually FIX the darn thing.  For some reason, despite who I am married to, I seem to have the WORST computer set-up around.  Why is that?

gypsyuma - 05 November 2009 08:42 PM

I think my problem is a tad more serious.  My screen will just go black.  You can see a slight back light on, so you know the computer is still on.  Or other times it will just freeze.  I cannot even shut it down and have to use the off switch. All these things happen after it has been on 5 - 10 minutes.

I am waiting for my software engineer husband to actually FIX the darn thing.  For some reason, despite who I am married to, I seem to have the WORST computer set-up around.  Why is that?

That sounds like a hardware issue, possibly graphics card/chip overheating. As my software engineer wife says, “I don’t do hardware, I just make stuff that uses it”. If it’s still under warranty, I’d call the manufacturer and file a repair claim.

The anti-spyware apps I like are MalwareBytes Anti-Malware and SuperAntiSpyware.  The free version of both work well.  The free versions are on-demand scanners so that nothing sits in memory until launched.  Some infections, like a lot of fake AV malware (newest variations of Vundo), can burrow deep into your system so that the only way to remove them is to wipe your system clean and reinstall.  I’ve seen this myself.

MojoJD - 04 November 2009 01:03 PM

I’m no MS fan, I use their products because they are ubiquitous.  Their newly released FREE antivirus program, however, is downright excellent.

Microsoft Security Essentials

I cannot stand the big 3 antivirus programs because they slow down everything you do and take up lots of ram and CPU time.  And they cost $ for anything active.  (there are great free passive scanners out there).  Many people use them because they come pre-installed or they think they HAVE TO because of the big boogie man internet.

I highly recommend this program, though.  Its system resource cost is almost nil for the additional peace of mind.  Its an easy install.  Just uninstall Norton, AVG, (or whatever) before you install this bad boy.  (be sure uninstall each aspect of Norton.  It leaves like 5 sub-progs in your program list.)  Then restart your computer.  Install this.  Set it and forget it.

As a tech junkie, I usually fly with my router firewall, careful browsing (and downloading/executing) habits, and a passive scan once a week.  Active virus protection is simply almost never worth the hassle and can cause crashes and incompatibilities.  This program has changed my opinion of active protection.  Kudos to MS for the small size/footprint on my machine and for me really not noticing it working.

***works with XP, Vista, and Windows 7

I just DL’d this last night since my virus and spyware had expired a while ago. Normally I wouldn’t take advice from some yahoo on the intarwebs who knows way more tech shite than me and claims to be a JD, who also rides his bike in the dirt as if he is going to die the next day. But… from what I have read this yahoo knows what he is talking about, at least for tech. 

That being said, totally happy without the bog down in the system. Everything is moving at the same speed as before, and maybe faster since I don’t get the pop up warnings to renew my virus/spyware software. Luckily, it did a full scan and didn’t find anything… so either is sucks or I am just lucky and didn’t catch any intarweb STDs from the pr0n or the fact that I know Nude.

graphrix - 06 November 2009 01:08 AM

... didn’t catch any intarweb STDs from the pr0n or the fact that I know Nude.

I am free of STDs, I just destroy moral character and good judgment

graphrix - 06 November 2009 01:08 AM

I just DL’d this last night since my virus and spyware had expired a while ago. Normally I wouldn’t take advice from some yahoo on the intarwebs who knows way more tech shite than me and claims to be a JD, who also rides his bike in the dirt as if he is going to die the next day. But… from what I have read this yahoo knows what he is talking about, at least for tech. 

That being said, totally happy without the bog down in the system. Everything is moving at the same speed as before, and maybe faster since I don’t get the pop up warnings to renew my virus/spyware software. Luckily, it did a full scan and didn’t find anything… so either is sucks or I am just lucky and didn’t catch any intarweb STDs from the pr0n or the fact that I know Nude.

You must have witnessed one of my spectacular crashes!

gypsyuma - 05 November 2009 08:42 PM

I think my problem is a tad more serious.  My screen will just go black.  You can see a slight back light on, so you know the computer is still on.  Or other times it will just freeze.  I cannot even shut it down and have to use the off switch. All these things happen after it has been on 5 - 10 minutes.

I am waiting for my software engineer husband to actually FIX the darn thing.  For some reason, despite who I am married to, I seem to have the WORST computer set-up around.  Why is that?

I agree with Nude.  If you have an antivirus, or were running one at the time, its not that likely that you were hit with one.  The problems you describe may come from bad hardware.  It sounds like it could be a bad stick of RAM, too.  (very inexpensive, easily accessible, and cheap to replace yourself)