Anti-virus precautions

[Karsten75]

Norton AV products have probably the worst reputation on the Internet. They used to be extremely good before being taken over by Symantec, but has turned into resource-heavy bloatware.

Some years ago I got rid of it. Now I run the free Microsoft Security Essentials and it works great and is very light-weight.

I have to agree. The first thing I do with a new PC is uninstall any kind of Norton Software. I prefer AVG for Antivirus and Zone Alarm Pro for firewall protection.

If you are behind a router with NAT protection (as most broadband users are), the Windows Firewall and MSE are sufficient protection.

But then, I also am very cautious where I surf. I avoid IRC chat, torrents, llimewire, porn sites, and many sites that offer free goodies, or anything else that I think might be questionable. I'm ultra-careful before I download a program, making sure I use a reputable download site or that multiple other sites link to the same download.

Before I visit a new site, I check the site reputation with Web Of Trust or something similar.

I have never had a virus that I can positively confirm, although I have twice rebuilt my PC with clean software after I suspected I might have been infected. I firmly believe in the better safe than sorry motto. If I suspect I might have been infected, and I cannot positively confirm that I am NOT infected, I might be hyper-vigilant in observing my PC's behavior. f it seems even slightly out of whack, I will reload the OS from a restore CD.

[Pyxis_GeeK]

I have never had a virus that I can positively confirm, although I have twice rebuilt my PC with clean software after I suspected I might have been infected. I firmly believe in the better safe than sorry motto. If I suspect I might have been infected, and I cannot positively confirm that I am NOT infected, I might be hyper-vigilant in observing my PC's behavior. f it seems even slightly out of whack, I will reload the OS from a restore CD.

How do you store your files? Just my Personal folder on my PC is around 30 gigs. Do you use external storage? (I think we hijacked this thread...... Should we move it???) It just seems to me that unless your using external storage it would be a pain to backup your files if you reformat your PC as much as you make it sound.

[Shroom Agent 27]

(I think we hijacked this thread...... Should we move it???) I

Yes we should. How do you move topics?

[Karsten75]

I have never had a virus that I can positively confirm, although I have twice rebuilt my PC with clean software after I suspected I might have been infected. I firmly believe in the better safe than sorry motto. If I suspect I might have been infected, and I cannot positively confirm that I am NOT infected, I might be hyper-vigilant in observing my PC's behavior. f it seems even slightly out of whack, I will reload the OS from a restore CD.

How do you store your files? Just my Personal folder on my PC is around 30 gigs. Do you use external storage? (I think we hijacked this thread...... Should we move it???) It just seems to me that unless your using external storage it would be a pain to backup your files if you reformat your PC as much as you make it sound.

Well, as I've said, I've only done it twice for virus precautions and probably two more times for a total of 4 times since 2003. Maybe at tops 8 if I include OS upgrades (Vista, new laptop and Win 7) so recon I do it about once a year.

I back up my files online to Carbonite for off-site storage.T]Carbonite[/url] for off-site storage for about $60 a year. (If anyone wants to trial Carbonite, ask me for a referral, I get free months for referrals). SInce last year I also back up to a Windows Home server we have in our home - that also works great and is much faster than Carbonite for recovery.

However, if I know I am going to do a full reload of Windows, I use an external drive and the Windows Migration Assistant to do a full backup/restore of user files. http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows7/products/features/windows-easy-transfer

I have about 34 Gig of photos, 17 Gig of music and I lost track of the size of my user files some years ago. (But lately I've transferred the photos completely to the Home server, so I don't have that on my personal computer anymore, it is now accessible for the whole family.

(I think we hijacked this thread...... Should we move it???) I

Yes we should. How do you move topics?

I've sent Chani a message asking her to split this thread.

[Pyxis_GeeK]

Yeah that is a good idea about the server. I didnt think of that. Thats one reason I havent redone my laptop. I just have no way to back up my stuff and dont want to spend the money for external storage. I should do it when I get some extra funds.

I noticed you said reckon are you from the south?

[Karsten75]

I noticed you said reckon are you from the south?

Way to take an OT threat evem more OT!  :)

I live in Tejas... :D

[Pyxis_GeeK]

Well I saw the "reckon" and just had to ask..... Im from Georgia by the way.... Just thought it was good to see a fellow southerner around here. :D


Its gonna be hard to keep this on topic..... one can only talk about antivirus precautions so long..... ;)