Virus/ Malware protection

[YouAreNotFree]

What are you using?

Just had my laptop rendered useless by what I think was a virus. The thing would start up ok, but once at the desktop, no application would open at all. After multiple re-starts I then received the 'blue screen of death'. This was completely out of the blue. It ran great before.

I re-installed windows (7 this time, was running 8 before). Everything is now fine and dandy.

The thing is, (assuming it was a virus) I have Norton. It was set to scan every 8 hours and once a month I run a free Malwarebytes and ADW cleaner scan. However, after I had an issue with a windows update screwing up that computer I disabled automatic updates around 6 weeks ago. Makes me wonder if I missed some security modifications. That's my bad for not sorting that, I was well aware it was something I had to get around to.

 

[YouAreNotFree]

Well this is concerning, but not surprising.

I've run scans from various providers, and all appear to miss files the others don't. AVG for example picked up a bunch of stuff in windows.old the others didn't.

Guess we must just hope for the best and avoid this kind of crap

 

[kingsparkle]

Well this is concerning, but not surprising.

I've run scans from various providers, and all appear to miss files the others don't. AVG for example picked up a bunch of stuff in windows.old the others didn't.

Guess we must just hope for the best and avoid this kind of crap

I use Microsoft Security Essentials and Malwarebytes and it has worked well so far.

 

[Pat494]

I had AVG ( paid for ) but somehow the little bl**ders got in. It cost me £45 plus a subscription to Avast.
Better now but some sites allow really awful pop-up adverts etc. that clutter the screen. About 6 video players are competing in my PC for space ?

 

[Trader333]

I use Antivir by Avira and have never had any issues at all and in my view is one of the best out there.

 

[ubertraader]

Norton used to be crap don't know how it is now.
Many virus it could not see.

Nod 32 was recommended to me by a friend who was pretty competent with computer, Nod32 is small no compatibility problems and easy to use.

 

[Giovan]

Just use the Norton, it will scan and optimize your computer.......disable any windows updates( they are mostly useless) and don't download anything you don't need ...
PS: no browser plugins

 

[0007]

Just use the Norton, it will scan and optimize your computer.......disable any windows updates( they are mostly useless) and don't download anything you don't need ...
PS: no browser plugins

Norton can conflict with some applications.

Although some Windows updates occasionally cause problems (they are easily uninstalled pending a corrected version) I think it is a questionable practice to disable them entirely since many are designed to correct known vulnerabilities - examine them individually and select as necessary.

Agree on downloads and plug-ins.