AOL Hijacked Home Page

MikeB · Post by **MikeB** » Fri Oct 26, 2007 08:55

As long as we're talking computers here, how about virus protection? Up until lately we've always had 'dial up' but we recently got DSL out here in the sticks so I probably should redo my virus protection. My old server (juno) came with a version of virus protection, what ever it was so I didn't worry about it. Now that I have DSL I probably should go with something. We don' t have anything right now as far as I know other than Centurytel's ' firewall'. We did have Norton on a trial basis, but it ran out.
Other than my previous 'hi-jacked home page' we've never had any problem, but then we never had DSL either.

Any suggestions??

Thanks,

Mike Berg

Post by **joea** » Fri Oct 26, 2007 11:18

Mike,

Best advise I can give you is what not to use! Norton used to be a wonderful tool and good program. Now its such a memory hog that I refuse to use it any longer. If its on your computer, uninstall it and see how much faster it runs!

Am using AVG for my virus protection right now. Its free and does a good job as far as I can see. Also get something like AdAware to get rid of all the crap that the various websites stick on your computer without telling you... Its free as well.

Joe

shazam · Post by **shazam** » Fri Oct 26, 2007 12:36

Hi Mike,

I concur with Joe...AVG Free version is excellent. I also run both AdAware and Spybot on my Windows-based computers. Again, both free, and both excellent at finding 'sneaky stuff' on your computer. Another thought is to regularly do a Windows Update to get the latests security patches. They are updated every Tuesday, unless something major bad is found sooner. Happy high-speed!

Jim

MikeB · Post by **MikeB** » Fri Oct 26, 2007 12:37

Thanks Joe,
I am using Ad Aware. Just cleaned out stuff yesterday. I'm not one to keep after the virus protection, etc. every week. I did unload the Norton and things to seem to be moving faster, so I'm looking at options that don't require too much checking and rechecking. We don't usually download stuff and won't open mail that we don't recognize, but I suppose stuff can still slip through.

Forget what my son in Texas uses, but he says he cleans junk every week.
I know he uses 'Fire Fox' for his browser.

Mike

MikeB · Post by **MikeB** » Fri Oct 26, 2007 17:54

OK! Next question: assuming I go with AVG (I found the web site) do I just download it with no problems? I have Windows XP. You may have noticed I'm a bit reluctant to tinker with the computer when it's more or less working, but feel I need to do something with virus protection. I don't want the 'blue screen of death'

to appear either.

Thanks for any help!! I should be flying today instead of messing with the keyboard!!

Mike

Captgrumps · Post by **Captgrumps** » Fri Oct 26, 2007 20:37

I use AdWare and do it nightly. Also have Norton.

Doug

shazam · Post by **shazam** » Fri Oct 26, 2007 21:33

Hi Mike,

I'm probably not timely on this, but yup, you just download it, then double-click on the 'exe' file to install from wherever you download it to.

Once you're comfortable with having all this set up and working, we'll talk ya thru setting up a software firewall (they keep people from sneaking in on ya)

Jim

Post by **joea** » Fri Oct 26, 2007 22:21

Mike,

Once you install AVG, it updates its program with the latest information daily, and automatically scans the computer every day. You can stop the scans but no reason to, and it checks everything for you in the background.

Agree with the above about doing the Windows updates as well. Its very important as Windows has security holes in it all over the place and Microsoft puts out patches for it as someone finds them, so updating the program is very important to do, and often.

Joe

MikeB · Post by **MikeB** » Sat Oct 27, 2007 12:40

Thanks guys,
I'll give it a try. I'm on Microsoft automatic updates so I should be OK there.

Mike Berg

Dennis · Post by **Dennis** » Sat Oct 27, 2007 14:39

I down loaded the free version of AdAware. It located the almost 2000 items but to isolate or remove the items, it wanted me to buy the program. What am I missing. I also tried Spyware doctor. It too identied areas but wanted me to buy the software to eliminate the areas. The way everyones talks leads me to believe that I am missing something. I don't mind buying something but don't want to pay for something that is free to everyone.

Dennis

Captgrumps · Post by **Captgrumps** » Sat Oct 27, 2007 18:33

Go to www.download.com look for AdWare--there is a free program.