AntiVirus/Spyware/Malware Protection

[dragon62]

been clean and serene with Firefox.....4+ years....

[ridinfool]

I've been using McAfee since it came out and I have never had any kind of problems. I believe it is a great program as my computer shows it. I would stay away from all the free stuff.

[mustangt5]

here is another program that works good and is free. it will clean out files that you dont need, empty temp files and cleans the registry.
http://www.ccleaner.com/

[krono]

hey , I already gave you a 0 cost solution, to use a old computer.
If your computer is lets say, half decent, get Ubuntu

http://www.ubuntu.com/

If you have a really old computer, lets say a Pentium III, get Slax

http://www.slax.org/
problem solved

give them a try, they will take 2 hours of your time, and you can run them from the CD without installing anything if you dont want.

problem solved, 0 cost, install once, use it for ever

believe me, Im a computer software engineer, been working as a senior programmer for years now
http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-a-computer-engineer.htm

[KillJoy]

I did not read all of the replaies, but here is my suggestion:

Install and well known anti-virus program. Install Spybot Search and Destroy using Tea Timer. Install Ad-Aware. Install Malwarebytes anti-spyware. Keep all updated, and run a scan once a week, removing anything that is found.

Also, I would suggest making a new USer Account for your daughter that is NOT an Administrator, or Power User. Guest Permissions would work well.



KillJoy

[ParrotHead]

I've had the same issue with my 17 yr old. I'd check her PC to make sure the updates were installed and about once or twice a month I'd find they were not updating due to a virus blocking it. I'd ask her if she clicked on links, opened emails with attachments, and of course she said no.

I now have her PC running a scan daily while she is at school so I can catch something right away. It seems to have worked, no infections lately.

Currently running Trend Micro. I've used McAffee and Norton in the past and they are all about the same. Didn't like Norton since it gives an alert if you are not configured to autmatically install updates.

Lots of good advice here. I'd say the best idea is having a clone of the drive so you can format and reinstall everything.

Also, what I did to my daughter which may have helped was tell her not to use it and wait for a few days to clean it.

Good luck!

[jnoonan1]

I use the Avast free version and Malaware http://www.malwarebytes.org/

[xena]

There is some good advice here except I have found that
like anything, there is no single tool that will protect
against everything. Also, if the computer isn't particularly
speedy to begin with, loading it up with all that stuff
might make the entire computing experience not so fun anymore.
I have been doing computer repair/maintenance for 13+ yrs now
(self employed) and I don't work IT in a big company,
I work in the field for small offices and home users just like you.
Yeah you can try to tell these kids not to click this or that but
in my experience it doesn't seem to help.

Some things I can recommend so that fewer pests get through:

Do not give the kid Administrator rights on the computer. They
can't do as much damage with a Limited User account, but they
can still use the internet, chat, facebook, email, listen to music, and do school work.
They won't be able to download/install crap like Limewire, Bearshare, etc.
or other programs that have the potential to bring trash in that can
cripple the machine.
Make sure latest Service packs are installed if using Windows.
Make sure your java packs are the the most recent.
Use Firefox web browser.
AVG Free antivirus is what I install for my clients, it works well
and it requires little to no manual intervention. Use the most
recent safe search add on. It really helps keep bogus web site
out of the search lists.
Spywareblaster - requires manual updating and implementing
the updates but it works well to keep pests out.
Spysweeper - not free. works very well but will bog down an already slow system
Malwarebytes - very good at removing adware/malware that got past the other stuff

Lastly, I give all my clients with children this link: http://majorgeeks.com/
That site will help you keep up with the latest in antispyware/antivirus/etc.

[Durockrolly]

You should PM Khaskins. It is what he does for a living!

[iamarcher]

+1 on ubuntu linux it ran faster on a 800 duron than on the current 3 ghz pentiun 4 with xp. Never a virus or lockup for a couple of years. My wife is used to windows so i switched back when we got a real computer . I still won't go to torrent sites with windows because i know the viruses will come. Not until i have another linux box setup will i even try. An old computer will run faster because you don't have to bother with running antivirus in the background.