Computer Help - Anti-virus:McAfee

GoLowDrew · Post by **GoLowDrew** » Mon May 28, 2007 8:20 am

I run McAfee Security Center (free from Comcast cable) on my XP desktop. It has enough memory (1GB ram) where is fast enough. Very happy. What ever the computer is doing don't bother me.On my new lap top (1GB ram) with Vista, the McAfee Security Center cause the computer to run very slow and bogs down with updates, scans, etc all the time. I tried to turn it off, etc. I have no plans to upgrade the ram.I know many people are against total security systems, like McAfee. It didn't matter on my desktop because the memory was enough. But on my laptop with Vista, it's limited. So what are my choices? I'm willing to give up "total security" for my computer to do what it suppose to do.Are there free virus protection programs? Can I just use Windows firewall? Please help guide this rookie.Thanks

joatmon · Post by **joatmon** » Mon May 28, 2007 8:52 am

was the version of McAfee you installed on the laptop specifically for Vista, or is there a version specified for Vista, maybe one different than the XP version?

GoLowDrew · Post by **GoLowDrew** » Mon May 28, 2007 9:15 am

I do not know. Because I have comcast internet, it comes with the cable internet service. I just "downloaded" it and I guess comcast website determine which "version" was best for me?

Jahntassa · Post by **Jahntassa** » Mon May 28, 2007 12:39 pm

Unfortunately, McAfee, like Norton, is one of the most bloated pieces of junk out there. I'd recommend spending a little money and getting something like ZoneLabs ZoneAlarm, or using NOD by ESET for AntiVirus (I think they have spyware stuff now)If you really want free, try AVG (http://free.grisoft.com)

northvibe · Post by **northvibe** » Mon May 28, 2007 2:30 pm

Go with the free AVG free antivirus. Its free, it works with vista and it leaves a small foot print in the ram.

slvrvibes · Post by **slvrvibes** » Mon May 28, 2007 10:33 pm

Quote, originally posted by northvibe Â»Go with the free AVG free antivirus. Its free, it works with vista and it leaves a small foot print in the ram.+1AVG is one of the best free Anti Virus software available.Runs smoothly without any problems on both XP and Vista.

GoLowDrew · Post by **GoLowDrew** » Mon May 28, 2007 11:05 pm

If I go with AVG, I will uninstall McAfee.Do I need to reconfig Vista? Or will Vista do it automatically?I mean set up whatever firewall, etc that I'm suppose to have. I'm asking because I believe McAfee disable them to use their own version.Note: I'm not a computer guy so excuse me that I don't really know what I'm talking about or make any sense.Thanks.

northvibe · Post by **northvibe** » Tue May 29, 2007 2:46 am

If you install AVG, first uninstall McAfee. Then Install AVG free and make sure your vista firewall is turned back on, just like you were saying

Sub-Vibe-R · Post by **Sub-Vibe-R** » Tue May 29, 2007 4:18 am

I don't know for your McAfee cersion, by my corporate version is not compatible with Vista...As it been told before, uninstall it and get another one compatilble with Vista.

Whelan · Post by **Whelan** » Tue May 29, 2007 5:42 am

I'll stick with Norton, McAfee never worked well for me and I have had no issues with Norton. Most antivirus software items that automatic update are fine as long as you do the updates, restart your computer here and there and let it run a full system check each month. On a side not, also get yourself a registry cleaner.

GoLowDrew · Post by **GoLowDrew** » Tue May 29, 2007 8:01 am

I went to the AVG website.They have the free:Anti virusAnti SpywareAnti RootkitShould I get all three? I'm not really sure if Root kit is a good idea?

AKLGT · Post by **AKLGT** » Tue May 29, 2007 12:03 pm

i love my AVG free anti virus and spyware. i have not tried the rootkit as i don't think i really need it. but then again... you never know. mcafee just sucks!

silvrhawk7 · Post by **silvrhawk7** » Tue May 29, 2007 12:30 pm

AVG....I use to have norton and like someone said it is a piece of bloated junk, never picked up the trojans or viruses that AVG picks up and is the only one that does unlimited updates for free that i know of...

northvibe · Post by **northvibe** » Tue May 29, 2007 1:45 pm

Get the AVG free anti virus, you can try the spyware one. But Spyware Doctor was proven with tests done by my self and our tech shop and other places was found to find the most spyware and remove it. I run more than 1 app for spyware though as each one has its own little quirk. Just a side note, Symantec Corp. antivirus edition is awesome, the home user norton version is bloated. One of the better AV clients is nod32, panda or one that uses the kapersky engine.If you run windows, ALWAYS have on automatic OS updates so those exploits can be patched fast automatically. AV is on and updated, a scan once a week is good. Here are a list of apps that are good for the spyware side.free ones:Spyware TerminatorSpyware guurdspyware blasterA squared freeaimfix (removal of specific malware)spybotad-awareccleanerwindows defender (if you run xp or vista)advanced spyware removerPay one was just spyware doctor. For the free ones mix as many as you can. Most dont protect real time they just update and scan when you tell them too. Spyware terminator is realtime and free so it comes recommended to me from someone, but ive never used it. Hope this helps.EDIT: oh and if anyone needs help getting Norton off their pc (yes this can be a HUGE pain, even on a mac os X its crazy hard) get the removal tools, which are hard to find on their site. Here are the namesNorton AntiVirus Rnav2003Norton Removal Tool (SymNRT) Mac one is named diff but this isnt a mac thread

tnpartsguy · Post by **tnpartsguy** » Tue May 29, 2007 8:30 pm

I spend the 1st day of any PC's life removing the wonderful freeware. When we ordered our last batch of laptop's, I asked Dell NOT to preload Norton, ect, and they said they couldn't do that, they had a contract to load the stuff. What a load of...... So each and every new PC gets to have all this junk taken off, and then I have to load the stuff we do use.

AKLGT · Post by **AKLGT** » Wed May 30, 2007 1:35 am

i hate norton. but mcafee is much worse. spend the first 30 mins to an hour unloaded that and all the other junk on the PC. guess that's where Mac will kick the PC's (removed) (or just one more reason). No unnecessary software unless YOU load it.

northvibe · Post by **northvibe** » Wed May 30, 2007 2:08 am

you can order dells...well specific dells i think with linux on them instead. This means they are cheaper than windows! So if you had a copy of windows from a prior pc or what not you could just format the drive and install windows.

scott_h · Post by **scott_h** » Wed May 30, 2007 10:54 am

I gave up on the Norton and McAfee bloatware years ago. I've been running PCCillin for about 4 years, and have been very happy with it.

GoLowDrew · Post by **GoLowDrew** » Fri Jun 01, 2007 11:36 am

I loaded AVG anti-virus. It's working great.I'm having problems with AVG anti-spyware. Here is the message I see after I install it and run it.When I close it. The next message is this:I install and reinstall it like 3 times. What am I doing wrong?Win VistaIf you don't know. Can you recommend another free anti-spyware program that would go with my AVG?Much thanks.

northvibe · Post by **northvibe** » Fri Jun 01, 2007 11:50 am

Maybe that one isnt fully compatible with vista, check it out online or email the company. Above I have a reply with tons of free anti-spyware apps listed try those

GoLowDrew · Post by **GoLowDrew** » Sat Jun 02, 2007 3:51 pm

You're right. The spyware program is not Vista compatible. XP is ok.

GoLowDrew · Post by **GoLowDrew** » Sat Jun 02, 2007 4:20 pm

In trying to find a spyware that will work with Vista, I got two.Ccleaner and Spyware TerminatorI'm not exactly sure what Ccleaner will do. It seems to remove internet files. Should I have both?

northvibe · Post by **northvibe** » Sat Jun 02, 2007 5:17 pm

ccleaner goes through and cleans up internet temp and crap, windows temp crap and registry junk. When using Ccleaner the first time just it will ask if you want to make a back up of your registry say yes just in case and save that in your my docs. otherwise ive never had a issue after running and cleaning everything with it.

MRCN RCE · Post by **MRCN RCE** » Fri Jun 08, 2007 1:04 pm

i just saw this: "ESET NOD32 Rated Fastest Antivirus on Microsoft Vista "http://www.eset.com/joomla/ind...mid=9

northvibe · Post by **northvibe** » Fri Jun 08, 2007 3:08 pm

nod32 is a pretty nice AV client. its light and yes quick Ive used it before for windows xp.

vibebob · Post by **vibebob** » Sat Jun 09, 2007 11:00 am

a lot depends on which version of Vista - 32 or 64 bit. there are few that works with vista 64bit .. Kasparski is one that does.I use to use Norton but it became a resource hog, AVG is a really good program.

MRCN RCE · Post by **MRCN RCE** » Sat Jun 09, 2007 9:55 pm

Quote, originally posted by northvibe Â»nod32 is a pretty nice AV client. its light and yes quick Ive used it before for windows xp.yeah i like it. i've had it for a while, and haven't had a single problem. i put it on my friends comp to kill the viruses that the AV program he bought from best buy with his pc missed. it's great. i used to like norton too, but as vibebob said, it's a hogwhat are some of the big differences between vista n xp??

zionzr2 · Post by **zionzr2** » Sat Dec 20, 2008 2:26 am

My Trend Micro is set to expire next month.I'm looking to go to something Free and something that isnt so much a resource hog and will play nice with others.Trend Micro's products have been outstanding for me but latly they are becoming bloated and RAM Hungry. They also are not playing well with the likes of Spybot and others.I heard many good things about AVG and was also looking at Avast.Has anyone here used Avast?Does ZoneAlarm still have a free Firewall? Is there another better firewall that would be free?Spyware scanners I'm set on I have a few but some dont play nice with my current AV/AS Suite.

northvibe · Post by **northvibe** » Sat Dec 20, 2008 5:07 am

On PCMag's review, both avg and avast were rated excellent, but avg doesnt have tech support (no biggie imo) but left behind some nonactive files after cleanup. You'd be good with either, try Avast if you like the graphic user interface, problem is there are no schedule scans available in avast.spyware stuff, avg AV has it built in. Otherwise :spyware guardspyware blasterccleanerasquaredThose are all free can work to keep/clean off spyware and dont mess up with a AV client.Oh yeah theres free firewalls...but you are probably better off making your router do the firewall and locking down. Once a pc runs that...huh the problems and it slows it down. I had a firewall on my parents pc (free one) and randomly the settings changed and it locked all traffic down, they couldnt figure out what happened....very annoying. having a router do all the firewalling or another hardware device is good as it will take the load off your home pc and if its robust wont suck.

zionzr2 · Post by **zionzr2** » Sat Dec 20, 2008 10:53 pm

I suppose my Router is a firewall.I need something to monitor outbound traffic as well.So If a program is trying to access the internet that I have not given prior permission to it will not.

Kevzaz · Post by **Kevzaz** » Sun Dec 21, 2008 2:14 am

Alright, first thing I noticed in this thread is that your running Vista on 1gb of ram. That is very little, Vista takes around 1gb of ram by itself, leaving little to no room for you to run other programs... I would buy more ram if you wanna work freely...

northvibe · Post by **northvibe** » Sun Dec 21, 2008 6:45 am

Quote, originally posted by zionzr2 Â»I suppose my Router is a firewall.I need something to monitor outbound traffic as well.So If a program is trying to access the internet that I have not given prior permission to it will not.well your router is/can run as a full fledged firewall. If you are still worried about stuff turn on the windows firewall.Here is what I recommend:32bit windows XP and Vista = 4GB of ram64bit windows XP and Vista = 4GB+ of ram.32 bit OS's will only be able to see 3gb but vista will use the 4th gig as virtual ram (so to speak). 64bit OS's can use just crap loads more, but right now DDR2 is REALLY cheap as DDR3 is coming so buy it and upgrade before its too late, ie. look at the price of DDR1 compared to DDR2...yeah i only have ddr1

bull77 · Post by **bull77** » Sun Dec 21, 2008 8:55 am

Quote, originally posted by northvibe Â»Here is what I recommend:32bit windows XP and Vista = 4GB of ram64bit windows XP and Vista = 4GB+ of ram.with the price of ram these days, fill any and all mem slots you can....I'm running 4gb on vista64 and with nothing running, 1gb is used.zonealarm still has their free fw -- if you want to monitor outboundhttp://www.zonealarm.com/secur...l.htm

Whelan · Post by **Whelan** » Sun Dec 21, 2008 9:51 pm

I just use Norton 9 I think is what its called. Runs in the background all the time and never interferes or slows my computer. That and using Firefox help keep things clean. I also utilize AdAware and Malware for monthly checks.

zionzr2 · Post by **zionzr2** » Sat Jan 03, 2009 6:26 am

My new security Suite is:AVG FREEZone Alarm Free FirewallWindows DefenderAdaware for periodic scansMalwarebytes for periodic scans

Computer Help - Anti-virus:McAfee

Computer Help - Anti-virus:McAfee

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