Are you happy with your anti virus software ?

[Pat494]

I had Reimage but it didn't seem to be unblocking something interfering with download speeds so I got Norton and ejected Reimage.
That was about 3 months ago. Yesterday I got a pop up claiming to be from Reimage saying that if I didn't re join in 270 seconds all my files would be deleted. The pop up had a clock counting down on it. Rather than risking it I spent another $28 to re-join Reimage. My files weren't deleted but I am not happy about it.
Have you had problems with any anti virus software or are you happy with yours ?

 

[trendie]

Thats a scary post, Pat.
I never heard of Reimage, so cant comment. I tend to stick to the big names with this sort of thing.
Sounds quite scammy, if they threatened file deletions.

One thing I do to mitigate against these kinds of things is to diligently back-up my important files and donwloads to a flash drive, so I could lose my laptop, but not lose my important work.

I am guessing you are planning to replace your laptop and not to install Reimage in future?
Because it might happen again, and their subscription prices might be higher!
Are there any reviews / tech forums where others have experienced the same?

 

[trendie]

PS: I use Avast (free), and it seems fine. I wonder if a VPN can make a difference too? (NordVPN)

 

[cantagril]

Hmm, I only have 1 windows machine left and imho Avast slows things down to a degree that I just stopped using it. Now I usually leave it unconnected to the net and do the flashdrive thing . My main defense is just to run Linux wherever I can - the next stage is (like Trendie) I do back stuff up but using a slightly different method: I use the cloud to sync between all my machines (Mega - 50 gb free) except one which isn't synched and I just manually download from the Mega website. I know that I could probably do this automatically but the manual bit obliges me to keep an eye on things, and of course, I'm lazy.

BTW: despite my not even using windows, I still get regular emails (and some phone calls!) from scammers claiming that my machine is infected - they hang up when I tell them I don't use windows.

 

[cantagril]

PS: I use Avast (free), and it seems fine. I wonder if a VPN can make a difference too? (NordVPN)

My preferred browser atm is Opera and it has a sort of pretend VPN built in. I've noticed that it affects all sorts of things including pop-ups; curiously, some web based platforms are completely unaffected wilst others don't want to play at all.

 

[0007]

Hmm, I only have 1 windows machine left and imho Avast slows things down to a degree that I just stopped using it. Now I usually leave it unconnected to the net and do the flashdrive thing . My main defense is just to run Linux wherever I can - the next stage is (like Trendie) I do back stuff up but using a slightly different method: I use the cloud to sync between all my machines (Mega - 50 gb free) except one which isn't synched and I just manually download from the Mega website. I know that I could probably do this automatically but the manual bit obliges me to keep an eye on things, and of course, I'm lazy.

BTW: despite my not even using windows, I still get regular emails (and some phone calls!) from scammers claiming that my machine is infected - they hang up when I tell them I don't use windows.

I stopped using Avast for the same reason. For some time I have been using just Windows inbuilt antivirus together with a once daily manual scan with Malwarebytes free version. Not had any problems at all – but then I don't download dodgy stuff, or visit dodgy websites (and I don't mean porn) and anything that is downloaded is scanned before use. Paid-for Antivirus software is a nice little earner.

LINUX is a good solution and whereas before I used to have a dual boot system, I now run a virtual PC (Oracle Virtual box – free for home use and very very good) with LINUX, and also another copy of windows 10 to try out anything safely. It is interesting to note that you can run a downloaded free copy from Microsoft of Windows 10 for as long as you like without activation and the only shortcoming is that you can't personalise your screen appearance & you get the odd discreet reminder to activate.

If you go down this route you do need to have plenty of RAM to cope with a virtual machine – but it's very cheap and I found a total of 16 GB adequate for normal office practices such as trading – gaming and serious video editing is probably a different matter.

 

[Signalcalc]

I had Reimage but it didn't seem to be unblocking something interfering with download speeds so I got Norton and ejected Reimage.
That was about 3 months ago. Yesterday I got a pop up claiming to be from Reimage saying that if I didn't re join in 270 seconds all my files would be deleted. The pop up had a clock counting down on it. Rather than risking it I spent another $28 to e-join Reimage. My files weren't deleted but I am not happy about it.
Have you had problems with any anti virus software or are you happy with yours ?

Sounds like a scam, no reputable company is going to force you to pay with a threat of data deletion or a time limit so short, looks like one to avoid.

Is Reimage Repair Legitimate? | Daves Computer Tips

Reimage Repair is an online Windows repair tool which scans the system for free, then requires a payment to fix any identified issues. We checked it out…

davescomputertips.com

I use Macbooks and have avoided Windows for years |(although Windows provides the bread and butter in my day job), Avast (free) has worked pretty well for me on macs. Kaspersky, Sophos, AVG are others I've used.

Bitdefender for Windows is a good one, used in the industry also, also look at Sophos and McAfee.

A VPN won't necessarily stop viruses or malware, it's usually the user that clicks on an email or URL which causes that, a VPN will stop attackers attempting to intercept the communications between your computer and the service providers access point, a man in the middle type attack which could then enable malware to be installed via admin privileges or can just be used to capture traffic containing banks details and passwords etc , VPN also performs other functions such as getting around geo restrictions or service provider restrictions.

 

[Rufus_Leakey]

I use Avira free antivirus

Avira Free Antivirus for Windows free download

Get Avira Free Antivirus for Windows! ✓Free ✓Virus protection against ransomware & other cyberthreats

www.avira.com

It has prevented some malware from being installed on my computer and isn't too intrusive other than the occasional pop-up asking you to upgrade.

AVG free is an antivirus I used to use. It also worked ok but seemed to use more resources, so I switched to Avira.

Some other software to consider:
Spybot - Search & Destroy http://www.safer-networking.org/en/download/
Comodo Personal Firewall https://personalfirewall.comodo.com/
I would avoid Comodo's Defense + because it interfered with other software I use.
Sandboxie (sandbox) http://www.sandboxie.com/
Adblock web browser extension
Disable Extensions and Apps web browser extension to keep extensions from seeing your credentials when logging in to web sites.

 

[Atilla]

I would recommend paid up AV software in this day and age. Small price to pay for peace of mind. When/if there are zero-day attacks, they'll be the first to come out with a fix. Good to get regular updates too.

McAfee or Norton's my favs.

Microsoft Defender and Firewall equally good at protection and much improved. Assuming one has paid-up MS Windows OS software.

Also, if you renew following year online, cost always higher than buying new software which is something I don't understand. One can buy 1/5/10 user-licence for anything between £25-50. Small price to pay imo. I usually get mine from Computer World / Currys.

 

[landorra]

Ahem... I'm still a newbie here but, doesn't this thread smell like spam? Just curious why an antivirus thread is on the General Trading chat.

 

[0007]

Ahem... I'm still a newbie here but, doesn't this thread smell like spam? Just curious why an antivirus thread is on the General Trading chat.

That might be the impression you get but perhaps you are unaware that all the contributors to this thread are long-standing members with reputations for attempting to be helpful by way of meaningful contribution and certainly don't believe in spamming. You're probably correct in saying that this is not in the most appropriate thread – I think the subject has been raised before in one of the techies threads and you'll probably find the same contributors there. Take a look at their posting record and you'll see what I mean.

 

[Pat494]

This is not spam or a malicious dig at Reimage.
Everyone has anti virus software and it might be important to someone, especially beginners.
Thanks to everyone for their posts on the subject. I will contact Reimage and see what they say.
The Reimage page now says I ought to renew my subscription and suggests a scan. Needless to say the scan is carried out but not implemented as another page comes forth to rejoin. What again ?

 

[Rufus_Leakey]

... another page comes forth to rejoin. What again ?

If you can't remove Reimage in the conventional way as in
windows-R->control panel->Programs and Features->Reimage->right mouse button->Uninstall
or
disable it on startup
task manager->startup->right mouse button->disable
or
windows-R->control panel->Administrative Tools->Services->Reimage->right mouse button->Properties->Startup type->Disabled

Then you can install Process Explorer

Process Explorer - Sysinternals

Find out what files, registry keys and other objects processes have open, which DLLs they have loaded, and more.

docs.microsoft.com

https://download.sysinternals.com/files/ProcessExplorer.zip

unzip ProcessExplorer.zip, and run procexp.exe
and use it to find where Reimage is stored on your computer (e.g., drag the target icon to the Reimage window, then select the highlighted process in Process Explorer->right mouse button-properties).
Or find the executable running Reimage some other way.

Then boot in safe mode (hold down F8 while booting or see https://www.opentechguides.com/how-to/article/windows-10/103/enable-f8-safe-mode.html), delete or rename the Reimage folder(s)/file(s) found before, and reboot normally.

 

[timsk]

. . . Everyone has anti virus software and it might be important to someone, especially beginners. . .

I don't Pat - and I don't have any of the issues mentioned in this thread. The reason for this is because I made the decision to switch from Windows to a Chromebook - so anti-virus software is a thing of the past for me. Oh happy days! Critics of Chromebooks argue that users are forever at the mercy of Google. And they're right but, by the same token, it seems to me that we're all in hock to one or other of the tech' giants; Microsoft and Apple for most people.

After a lot of research I bought the Chromebook in the link below for £299 in a 'Black Friday' deal from Curry's around this time last year. It's the fastest and cheapest lappy I've owned and by far the best. I accept fully they're not for everyone, so if you're tempted to go down this route, do make sure you understand how Chromebooks differ from Windows or Apple Mac OS machines to ensure whatever you get has the features and functionality you require. Lastly, in answer to the question you pose in the thread title - I'm deliriously happy!
Acer Chromebook R13
Tim.

 

[barjon]

I don't Pat - and I don't have any of the issues mentioned in this thread. The reason for this is because I made the decision to switch from Windows to a Chromebook - so anti-virus software is a thing of the past for me. Oh happy days! Critics of Chromebooks argue that users are forever at the mercy of Google. And they're right but, by the same token, it seems to me that we're all in hock to one or other of the tech' giants; Microsoft and Apple for most people.

After a lot of research I bought the Chromebook in the link below for £299 in a 'Black Friday' deal from Curry's around this time last year. It's the fastest and cheapest lappy I've owned and by far the best. I accept fully they're not for everyone, so if you're tempted to go down this route, do make sure you understand how Chromebooks differ from Windows or Apple Mac OS machines to ensure whatever you get has the features and functionality you require. Lastly, in answer to the question you pose in the thread title - I'm deliriously happy!
Acer Chromebook R13
Tim.

Interesting, Tim. Presumably it has “open office” or something so how to you get on dealing with the microsoft based things people send you?

 

[Signalcalc]

Interesting, Tim. Presumably it has “open office” or something so how to you get on dealing with the microsoft based things people send you?

Everything is Google based, so google docs, google mail, chrome etc, all free, so well worth it if you want to use a Chromebook, my better half has used the same Chromebook for nearly 5 years now, cost around £300 at the time, it never goes out of date, the OS is updated automatically, not sure about the virus aspects and if they are truly immune.

Outside of the technicals, I would use a Chromebook if it wasn't for privacy concerns and I am already invested in MacOS software (privacy concerns are mostly my personal objections to Google itself, therefore you could say I have personal objections to the brand and not because I disagree with the level of security a Chromebook can provide....Google itself notwithstanding).

I don't know if it's possible to use it without a Google account (I suspect not) and unfortunately I operate an Android phone so now I will contradict my own objections to Google because an Android phone requires a Google sign-in (even though the sign-in is not used for any other purpose), so privacy concerns are no doubt a moot point as mobile phones are clearly now the bigger security risk if they are used for browsing and other apps.

From a privacy PoV we are all screwed whatever tech you own!

 

[Signalcalc]

Here's some info for Chromebook privacy.

How to configure a Chromebook for ultimate privacy | TechRepublic

The EFF recently published a "Guide to Chromebook Privacy Settings for Students." Andy Wolber suggests three additional options to make your Chromebook activity even harder to track.

www.techrepublic.com

 

[Signalcalc]

Everything is Google based, so google docs, google mail, chrome etc, all free, so well worth it if you want to use a Chromebook, my better half has used the same Chromebook for nearly 5 years now, cost around £300 at the time, it never goes out of date, the OS is updated automatically, not sure about the virus aspects and if they are truly immune.

Outside of the technicals, I would use a Chromebook if it wasn't for privacy concerns and I am already invested in MacOS software (privacy concerns are mostly my personal objections to Google itself, therefore you could say I have personal objections to the brand and not because I disagree with the level of security a Chromebook can provide....Google itself notwithstanding).

I don't know if it's possible to use it without a Google account (I suspect not) and unfortunately I operate an Android phone so now I will contradict my own objections to Google because an Android phone requires a Google sign-in (even though the sign-in is not used for any other purpose), so privacy concerns are no doubt a moot point as mobile phones are clearly now the bigger security risk if they are used for browsing and other apps.

From a privacy PoV we are all screwed whatever tech you own!

I should add that my better half bought her Chromebook as she was starting a BA Hons, so it fulfilled all the criteria needed to complete that [emoji16][emoji106]

 

[timsk]

Interesting, Tim. Presumably it has “open office” or something so how to you get on dealing with the microsoft based things people send you?

Hi Jon,
As it happens, I don't get sent much these days! Be that as it may, I can open MS Word docs - but the formatting is likely to go fukty. I've not tried it, but in theory that issue is easily solved by installing the appropriate App. If I want to create a new doc. I use Google docs which is fine for my purposes. Thus far, I've not been in a position where I'm unable to do something on the Chromebook that I was able to do on my old Windows machine. That said, I'm no techie and my needs are very basic. Web browsing, T2W, e-mail and YouTube pretty much cover all bases. For me, its biggest USP is not having to worry about viruses, malware and internet security; clever techies at Google HQ take care of all of that. Needless to say, absolutely everything is Google based, so it's not suitable for anyone who has issues with that. Whilst I'm not totally comfortable with it, there's not much I can do about it and besides, I don't use the Chromebook in a way that will remotely be of any interest to anyone else!
Tim.

 

[barjon]

Hi Jon,
As it happens, I don't get sent much these days! Be that as it may, I can open MS Word docs - but the formatting is likely to go fukty. I've not tried it, but in theory that issue is easily solved by installing the appropriate App. If I want to create a new doc. I use Google docs which is fine for my purposes. Thus far, I've not been in a position where I'm unable to do something on the Chromebook that I was able to do on my old Windows machine. That said, I'm no techie and my needs are very basic. Web browsing, T2W, e-mail and YouTube pretty much cover all bases. For me, its biggest USP is not having to worry about viruses, malware and internet security; clever techies at Google HQ take care of all of that. Needless to say, absolutely everything is Google based, so it's not suitable for anyone who has issues with that. Whilst I'm not totally comfortable with it, there's not much I can do about it and besides, I don't use the Chromebook in a way that will remotely be of any interest to anyone else!
Tim.

Thanks, Tim (and Signal earlier). Personally, I spend most of my time with I-pad with the occasional foray to my pc and reasonably content. Pam (my one!) is fed up with her slow pc and wants something simple and fast, ok for on-line banking and ok for her to send and receive docs to and from MS users.