[SpamCop-List] Re: OT: Re: Cleaning up and preventing malware (was mypctuneup.com)

[Brian]

Pete Stephenson wrote:
> In article <df590q$5c8$1 at news.spamcop.net>,
>  "Pop" <nobody at devnull.spamcop.net> wrote:
> 
> 
>>Boy I'm glad you'll never get to work on my system.  You have a 
>>half assed idea of reality but apparently no true knowledge of 
>>what you're doing.  Symantec and McAfee have nothing to do with 
>>malware being on a system to start with, and much more.
> 
> 
> I've found that Symantec and McAfee to be quite bloated and overpriced 
> for what they do. There are far better programs out there available 
> cheaper (or free) than those offered by Symantec/McAfee that do a better 
> job.
> 

This is the feeling of many people that deal with security.

> I've found Grisoft AVG to be a bit "lighter" in terms of resources than 
> Norton Antivirus, as well as being faster and detecting just as much 
> stuff.
> 
> SpyBot and Adaware are much better than many "commercial" spyware 
> removal programs I've tried.
> 

Some people feel that because it's from BIG COMPANY that it's better. 
Time and time again the opposite has proven to be true.

> Given a choice, I'd much prefer other software over Symantec and McAfee 
> products. If they user didn't pay for their software (i.e. with the 
> Norton Antivirus 30-day trial that comes with many new PCs), I advise 
> them to uninstall it and install AVG Free. If they have paid for it, I 
> recommend they run both, then uninstall Norton when the paid time period 
> expires.
> 

I recommend they uninstall it even if they have just purchased it. It's 
not a good idea to have two anti-virus or firewalls (other than Windows) 
installed at the same time. This usually causes conflicts and you end up 
with less protection.

> Just my $0.02. I've fixed and maintained several PCs without using any 
> commercial software at all, and they tend to run a bit better than those 
> with big-name security/anti-virus software. Maybe I've trained teh users 
> a bit better. :)
> 

I totally agree. I've worked on many computers over the years and have 
had excellent results with the arsenal that I've mentioned. The scans 
come up clean. The paid versions offer a little more functionality and 
ease of operation, but they are not necessary. The computers run faster, 
though my process also 'tunes' them.

The training is also a key part. I usually work on people's computers 
with them there. As I'm going through their computer I'm also showing 
them how to "Practice Safe Hex."

No matter how much protection you provide - short of disabling Internet 
access - the user always has control and can click the button that will 
install some nasties.


-- 
Brian
SC.10.myspamgobbler at spamcowboy.net