Pc protection

[red_hotxr6]

Are there any sites on the internet that i can download stuff to protect my computer? One of them popped up and asked if i had any protection, download now which i did and apart from telling me that i had 1300 plus infected files another computer had access to my files, and did i want to have this all fixed up.So of course i said yes and i was presented with a page saying for the small price of.....just an add to suck you in to buying a product. So before i head off to harvey normans, i just wanted to know.

[Abacus]

Antivirus: AVG
http://www.grisoft.com/doc/1

Anti-spyware (1): Spybot:
http://www.safer-networking.org/en/download/index.html

Anti-spyware (2): Ad-Aware
http://www.lavasoft.com/

Firewall: Zone Alarm
http://www.zonelabs.com/store/conten..._freedownloads

[chippa6]

you have just clicked a pop up and it probably infected your pc with spyware - always "X" out any pop up windows no matter what they say, make sure you have a good antivirus like AVG (www.grisoft.com) or avast (www.avast.com) free versions - they do a search on google for adaware and spybot. also ms antispyware works well. always keep them updated and scan regularly.

[Abacus]

That being said, I use and recommend Trend Micro PC-cillin Internet Security 2006. Cost me $119. You might do better. IMO the cost is worth it for the automatic updates alone.

I used to use Symantec Norton AV, but the resource footprint is just too big. It was too intrusive and had a noticeable effect on system performance.

[Abacus]

Oh, most importantly make sure Windows Automatic Update is turned on.

[Racecraft]

I also use PC-Cillin, its not too shabby

[red_hotxr6]

Thanks guys going to try it now.

[csv8]

TANDY's has Norton Anti-virus 2006 for $49.95, $30 off rrp. Works very well.

[Uncle_Ken]

Even try Yahoo'a free anti spy that comes with their tool bar.
I get my kids to run it everytime they log on.
Keeps the spyware down a bit.
Uncle Ken

[M14A-Mclaren]

PC-cillin is really good, sadly so is their anti-piracy methods. Really easy to use though and the firewall is really good, I didn't use it much though because I have a router.

[GasoLane]

Originally Posted by Uncle_Ken

Even try Yahoo'a free anti spy that comes with their tool bar.
I get my kids to run it everytime they log on.
Keeps the spyware down a bit.
Uncle Ken

ROFL. knowing Yahoo it will throw out all the spyware to make room for their own.

Zone Alarm Pro.
Ad-Aware.
Spybot.
Norton.
and NOD on mine.

Yeah I know, I'm paranoid

[deesun]

Ad-aware is the most popular freeware to combat pop ups etc. Also spybot search and destroy, Zone alarm is harder to use and all basically have manual downloads. Microsoft has one too free also but when I run AA and spybot the microsoft one doesnt pick up anything. All should be run and updated fortnightly or if you think theres a problem as well as deleting your cookies and temporary internet files. Check out download.com for reviews and downloads of just about everything free and not so free.

[max^power]

Yep, Norton used to be great, but it's been bloated out now, and uses WAY too many resources... BUT... it's easy to use!

What the other guys suggested should be fine, ensure you have Service pack 2 for windows XP and updates enabled if you're running XP. microsoft anti spyware and "hijack this" are also excellent programs that get rid of alot - use with the others people have mentioned & you'll be sweet.

Ad blocking software can also prevent alot of this spyware - i'd even consider downloading a HOSTS file that will never goto the sites that actually download these spyware programs, that way it's fool proof, even if you click on the ad (which should be missing anyway) it would just say "DNS error"

[Bluefreak]

I use Avast(free version) which updates automatically daily and I use Sygate firewall, also free and very effective. Combine these with Adaware, Spybot, MS anti spyware. I used to have Nod32 AV but when I had a few issues, I found the customer service to be woefull. Even when my pc went crappa's after a power surge, I had to pay $10 or $15 to get the key to reinstall it. 4 days later the the computer died altogether so instead of futsing about, I went out and bought a new jobby and again they wanted $10 or $15 for the key(which was stuck in an email on the crapped out pc).

It also pays to use other AV producers online scans to keep you mind at ease that what you are using is up to par...

Free virus scan from Trend Micro:

http://housecall.trendmicro.com

[Rodp]

Originally Posted by red_hotxr6

Are there any sites on the internet that i can download stuff to protect my computer? One of them popped up and asked if i had any protection, download now which i did and apart from telling me that i had 1300 plus infected files another computer had access to my files, and did i want to have this all fixed up.So of course i said yes and i was presented with a page saying for the small price of.....just an add to suck you in to buying a product. So before i head off to harvey normans, i just wanted to know.

Some good advice above, but just for the record...

If you get a pop-up about downloading a piece of software to your computer, don't. I can't stress that enough, DON'T. If you get a pop-up asking to 'trust' a site, the only site I would trust would be microsoft during a windows update (and that's saying something) :P

Many spyware infections are self inflicted by downloading unknown crap to your computer just because a pop-up window said it would be a good idea. Imagine the most sleazy car salesman you can think of, then multiply him by 10, that's close to your average coder who's attempting to tempt you to clicking the 'OK' button to download his virus/spyware/malware/trojan to your machine. Spyware and virus protection begins at your left mouse button.

[MNM96]

Originally Posted by Abacus

That being said, I use and recommend Trend Micro PC-cillin Internet Security 2006. Cost me $119. You might do better. IMO the cost is worth it for the automatic updates alone.

I used to use Symantec Norton AV, but the resource footprint is just too big. It was too intrusive and had a noticeable effect on system performance.

Norton 2006 is much less resource dependant. Pre 2006 was very heavy, and I have heard stories where people have shut off there firewalls to go online!

I purchased 2006 on this alone, as I believad it was pretty good (the best), and less resource dependant than before.
Got a 3 liscence agreement for $159, less the $50 via rebate.

[jonk]

Don't surf the net with IE except bank site.

[klawsterfobik]

I use Mozilla Firefox for my browser, and that cuts down a lot of the popups..

then ive got AVG and Avast, which i run nightly when i go to bed

[MNM96]

Originally Posted by klawsterfobik

I use Mozilla Firefox for my browser, and that cuts down a lot of the popups..

then ive got AVG and Avast, which i run nightly when i go to bed

What he said /\ !

[Redrum]

Best I have found that is free is ewido, can't recall site, but a google will find it. Free for 30 days, so you just download it, use it for 30 days, uninstall it and start again. :Up_to_som

www.ewido.net/en/