Author Topic: Computer virus protection?  (Read 4919 times)

Pizzabrewer

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Computer virus protection?
« on: June 05, 2018, 05:39:35 AM »
The Norton subscription on our computer expired a while ago.  I didn't renew because the amount seemed crazy (I forget now but something like $80).  We haven't had many problems running "naked" but it's probably not a great idea.

What can anyone recommend?

I'm looking for:
1)  Reasonable cost
2)  Effective protection
3)  The software itself not hogging too many computer resources.  It's an older laptop with less-than-state-of-the-art capabilities
4)  Reasonable cost.

TIA for any suggestions.

the_fixer

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Re: Computer virus protection?
« Reply #1 on: June 05, 2018, 07:14:43 AM »
If you pay for internet check with you provider many offer free virus protection.

For example I am with Comcast and they provide Norton antivirus.

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CptCool

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Re: Computer virus protection?
« Reply #2 on: June 05, 2018, 10:01:55 AM »
The included windows defender with windows 7/8/10, along with common sense and an adblocker (I use a $5 pi-zero with pi-hole) does a good job.

Periodically run a malware remover like Malwarebytes just in case, but I've never had a problem with this setup

Trying2bFrugal

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Re: Computer virus protection?
« Reply #3 on: June 05, 2018, 02:09:46 PM »
Avast - Antivirus (Just use antivirus)
Comodo - Firewall (Just use firewall of them)
Malware bytes - anti malware (stand alone, you can run it periodically)
Adblock - in chrome, firefox (newer ie is very good)

If you are little familiar on technical side, then get Pi Zero W ($10), set it as Pi hole. But above list should be good enough for 90% of people.

Last 10 years, i lived with the free anti sw without any issues.

If you want to pay, avast has premium feature.

I used Norton, Bit Defender, Avira, Mc Cafe, Avg. On paid versions i liked Bit defender. But I am using Avast last 5 years with no issues and its free version. If you just avoid shabby websites, less porn you should be ok.
« Last Edit: June 05, 2018, 02:14:03 PM by Trying2bFrugal »

damyst

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Re: Computer virus protection?
« Reply #4 on: June 06, 2018, 08:32:28 AM »
Another vote for the built-in Windows defender, up-to-date browser, and common sense.
Also, Gmail or similar top-tier email service. Only a few percent of computer infections these days are traditional viruses. Phishing is arguably the biggest problem, and your email provider is the first line of defense.

DreamFIRE

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Re: Computer virus protection?
« Reply #5 on: June 06, 2018, 07:49:37 PM »
The included windows defender with windows 7/8/10, along with common sense and an adblocker (I use a $5 pi-zero with pi-hole) does a good job.

Another vote for the built-in Windows defender, up-to-date browser, and common sense.

Alert:  Windows 7's version of Windows Defender has limited protection in comparison with the version included in Windows 8 and 10.  With Windows 7, you can get the same protection by installing Microsoft Security Essentials:

https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/14210/security-essentials-download

On my primary personal desktop, I use Avira Antivir (free version) and Malwarebytes Antimalware Premium (lifetime paid subscription - realtime scanning / auto updates).  Avira gives a nag once in a while - not too intrusive.

WildJager

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Re: Computer virus protection?
« Reply #6 on: June 07, 2018, 08:29:51 PM »
I second (third?) microsoft's free defender solution.  I remember getting a virus here or there back in the 90's when the internet was all shiny and new, but honestly now a days as long as you're not downloading sketchy "get rich quick!" software or porn you'll be fine.  Just don't run any .exe's or unzip files from an untrustworthy source and you'll be fine.  If all you're doing is browsing the decent side of the web, checking email, etc... there's no need to worry above and beyond. 

And reformat your computer once a year.  For a multitude of reasons, but malware is a great reason to make working from a clean system one of them.

HipGnosis

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Re: Computer virus protection?
« Reply #7 on: June 08, 2018, 11:25:20 AM »
I second (third?) microsoft's free defender solution.  I remember getting a virus here or there back in the 90's when the internet was all shiny and new, but honestly now a days as long as you're not downloading sketchy "get rich quick!" software or porn you'll be fine.  Just don't run any .exe's or unzip files from an untrustworthy source and you'll be fine.  If all you're doing is browsing the decent side of the web, checking email, etc... there's no need to worry above and beyond. 

And reformat your computer once a year.  For a multitude of reasons, but malware is a great reason to make working from a clean system one of them.
Agree.   I worked in Computer support / IT for 20 yrs.

Reformatting is much easier with some easy preparation; 
Use 2 hard drives or 2 partitions in your computer.   One for Windows (OS) and one for data.
Use an imaging program to back-up your windows / OS drive.  I use R-Drive.  (there's probably something newer out now).   I use to use old harddrives with a USB adapter, but now use a USB drive to store the image.
If you download R-Drive you will burn a disk for it that is bootable.
When you restore the OS drive image, it overwrites everything, so it is a virtual re-format.

 

FLBiker

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Re: Computer virus protection?
« Reply #8 on: June 08, 2018, 12:56:06 PM »
Avast - Antivirus (Just use antivirus)
Comodo - Firewall (Just use firewall of them)
Malware bytes - anti malware (stand alone, you can run it periodically)
Adblock - in chrome, firefox (newer ie is very good)

This is what I do.

RWD

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Re: Computer virus protection?
« Reply #9 on: June 08, 2018, 01:19:29 PM »
I agree with the consensus on the built-in Windows solution. But just to be a little contrarian I'll suggest you switch to Linux. :)

acroy

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Re: Computer virus protection?
« Reply #10 on: June 08, 2018, 01:23:34 PM »
1) built in Windows solution
2) stay out of the bad part of the Internet

good luck!

Thegoblinchief

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Re: Computer virus protection?
« Reply #11 on: June 08, 2018, 01:28:43 PM »
A lot of the add-on virus software programs actually make your computer less secure, because it increase the attack surface. Forget where I read that, but I think on Ars Technica.

Stimpy

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Re: Computer virus protection?
« Reply #12 on: June 08, 2018, 02:08:07 PM »
A lot of the add-on virus software programs actually make your computer less secure, because it increase the attack surface. Forget where I read that, but I think on Ars Technica.
maybe this is the article your thinking of?
https://arstechnica.com/information-technology/2017/01/antivirus-is-bad/

Basic low down is it's got security holes, like every other piece of software ever made, but not sure how that creates more surface area then any other software your going to install.

Anyway, yea all the mentioned software should be fine, even the winblows defender.  (Not a misspelling.)   

If you open up a lot of files (ala zip from emails) or have a lot of unverified usb/cd/floppies(do those still exist?!) coming in, a separate anti-virus is a must, but in general, the winblows stuff is competent, and any add in (malware, adblock) is just added protection for the most part.
« Last Edit: June 08, 2018, 02:11:16 PM by stimepy »

Greystache

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Re: Computer virus protection?
« Reply #13 on: June 08, 2018, 04:22:28 PM »
If you are inclined to do some "adventurous" browsing, get a cheap chromebook for that purpose. I do all my recreational browsing on my chromebook and only use my windows computer for work. I have been doing this for years and so far, the chromebook has been bulletproof.

Sibley

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Re: Computer virus protection?
« Reply #14 on: June 11, 2018, 12:56:49 PM »
I've got Avast. Fair warning - they will annoy the heck out of you with popups. I haven't figured out how to get rid of them without buying it, and I'm not willing to do that.

Trying2bFrugal

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Re: Computer virus protection?
« Reply #15 on: June 11, 2018, 09:39:51 PM »
I've got Avast. Fair warning - they will annoy the heck out of you with popups. I haven't figured out how to get rid of them without buying it, and I'm not willing to do that.

Try game mode. It goes very silent in that.

WerKater

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Re: Computer virus protection?
« Reply #16 on: June 12, 2018, 12:07:11 AM »
But just to be a little contrarian I'll suggest you switch to Linux. :)
Seconded. Learn Linux. Don't expect it to be an immediate solution because i will take you some time to learn it. But it is the properly Mustachian long-term DIY solution (can be had for free, liberates you from Micro$oft bullshit and you can learn a bunch of new stuff -- at the cost of investing a fair bit of time).

Grogounet

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Re: Computer virus protection?
« Reply #17 on: June 12, 2018, 01:21:26 AM »
I work in the cyber industry. All AV are similar, you might get more options with some than others.
Win 10 does actually a decent job these days and the upgrade is free.

Best practices:
https://krebsonsecurity.com/tools-for-a-safer-pc/

Sibley

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Re: Computer virus protection?
« Reply #18 on: June 13, 2018, 12:09:17 PM »
I've got Avast. Fair warning - they will annoy the heck out of you with popups. I haven't figured out how to get rid of them without buying it, and I'm not willing to do that.

Try game mode. It goes very silent in that.

I will try that, thanks.

GuitarStv

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Re: Computer virus protection?
« Reply #19 on: June 13, 2018, 12:20:25 PM »
2) stay out of the bad part of the Internet

I learned many years ago that those free boobies weren't really as free as advertised.

Dancin'Dog

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Re: Computer virus protection?
« Reply #20 on: June 13, 2018, 08:48:36 PM »
If you are inclined to do some "adventurous" browsing, get a cheap chromebook for that purpose. I do all my recreational browsing on my chromebook and only use my windows computer for work. I have been doing this for years and so far, the chromebook has been bulletproof.

I second the Chromebook.  I just wanted something small, looked at tablets, ended up with a little Samsung Chromebook for $200 that's been great. 

habanero

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Re: Computer virus protection?
« Reply #21 on: June 26, 2020, 03:08:27 AM »
Unless something has changed the last years I'd say Norton has many of the characteristics of an actual computer virus. If the world was constructed in such a way that you had to pay to get rid of it, I would fork out the cash to do so.

The best defense is common sense.
Behind that I have built-in Windows which has served me well for many years.


GuitarStv

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Re: Computer virus protection?
« Reply #22 on: September 20, 2020, 02:05:15 PM »
Unless something has changed the last years I'd say Norton has many of the characteristics of an actual computer virus. If the world was constructed in such a way that you had to pay to get rid of it, I would fork out the cash to do so.

The best defense is common sense.
Behind that I have built-in Windows which has served me well for many years.

While I once would have, I no longer am able to recommend Windows Defender.

We just had a problem with Windows Defender not recognizing a virus that spread through our work computer networks last week.  It has been a long painful process cleaning this issue away.  Fully updated Windows Defender did nothing to prevent spread of, or stop the virus.  Computers running Symantec, Bit Defender, or Kaspersky were all fine.

bloodaxe

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Re: Computer virus protection?
« Reply #23 on: September 25, 2020, 09:13:46 AM »
If you just use your computer for internet scrolling, installing Ubuntu is free and will probably improve performance as well.

Most viruses are developed for Windows, since it has the highest amount of users.

Shane

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Re: Computer virus protection?
« Reply #24 on: September 25, 2020, 09:27:51 AM »
If you are inclined to do some "adventurous" browsing, get a cheap chromebook for that purpose. I do all my recreational browsing on my chromebook and only use my windows computer for work. I have been doing this for years and so far, the chromebook has been bulletproof.

I second the Chromebook.  I just wanted something small, looked at tablets, ended up with a little Samsung Chromebook for $200 that's been great.

I third the suggestion to use a Chromebook for all casual internet browsing. In 2013, I bought an 11.5" Acer Chromebook on Amazon for $168. After 5 years, Google quit issuing updates, so, in 2019, I picked up a 13.5" HP Chromebook on sale at Costco for just $149. Gave my old, no longer supported, Chromebook to my young daughter, and she's been using it, without problems, for the past almost year. Can't beat Chromebooks for the price, and they come with all virus protection included for 5 years.

ChickenStash

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Re: Computer virus protection?
« Reply #25 on: September 25, 2020, 11:05:12 AM »
Personally, I just stick with Windows Defender and keep my OS updated. I stay away from the seedier parts of the Interwebs and am careful what I download so I'm fairly low-risk.

Professionally, I deal with Symantec Endpoint Protection (SEP). It is fairly unobtrusive and doesn't cause more than it's fair share of problems. Just because of what they need to do, all AV products cause problems at some point so it's really just a matter of picking the "least bad" and easiest to maintain. 

BDWW

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Re: Computer virus protection?
« Reply #26 on: September 25, 2020, 02:33:26 PM »
If you just use your computer for internet scrolling, installing Ubuntu is free and will probably improve performance as well.

Most viruses are developed for Windows, since it has the highest amount of users.

+1

RWD

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Re: Computer virus protection?
« Reply #27 on: September 25, 2020, 07:12:14 PM »
Most viruses are developed for Windows, since it has the highest amount of users.
It is a myth that viruses are written for Windows because it has the most users. Most servers run Linux or other Unix-based operating systems and are a much more valuable target. In addition, Android is much more common than Windows now and is based on Linux. The reason viruses are developed for Windows is because it has more vulnerabilities.

bloodaxe

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Re: Computer virus protection?
« Reply #28 on: September 26, 2020, 03:05:45 PM »
Most viruses are developed for Windows, since it has the highest amount of users.
It is a myth that viruses are written for Windows because it has the most users. Most servers run Linux or other Unix-based operating systems and are a much more valuable target. In addition, Android is much more common than Windows now and is based on Linux. The reason viruses are developed for Windows is because it has more vulnerabilities.

I think both claims:

* Windows has a lot of viruses since it has the highest amount of users. Assuming Desktop OS
* Windows has a lot of viruses because it is unsecure

Are true.

AccidentialMustache

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Re: Computer virus protection?
« Reply #29 on: September 26, 2020, 05:42:03 PM »
Windows Defender
Ad-blocker (pi-hole type plus ublock origin layered on top is good too, ublock origin is kinda a minimum you should hit)
Common Sense
Backups

That said I also actually have both Linux and Windows. Linux does the important stuff (banking, etc). Windows plays games. I don't do banking on Windows since its risk profile is higher (do I really trust this mirror of a master of magic 1.3 patch from the 90s?). Synergy lets me control Windows from Linux.