OT: Technology and Geek Stuff Thread

[guitarjack87]

There is currently an issue with Avast. I used AVG for a long time, but the Microsoft Security essentials/ Windows defender that comes with windows 8 or higher is a solid deterrent. Everyone should have malwarebytes though as well. There are always people making new viruses, and malwarebytes is updated daily.

[-Deborah-]

It's Mediacom, Deb. Not sure what they have. I'll check into it.

We have had Norton for so long without any problems that I hate to change, but with our oldest going off to school next year, I am looking to save a few bucks.

CG, I've had great results with Norton for many MANY years myself. Looks like Mediacom does offer something, but it's not clear to me what exactly:

https://mediacomcable.com/site/internet_online_security.html

[unknown lions fan]

I ditched Norton years ago because it was becoming a hugely annoying bloatware, trying to take over everything on my PC. Been running AVG free for about a decade and it does well.

[-Deborah-]

I've heard that complaint from others, but usually on underpowered or older machines. Never experienced that myself.

[unknown lions fan]

It was over a decade ago, perhaps they learned their lesson since then and stopped trying to take over their customers computer.

[dpatnod]

Norton sucks. Always bogged down machines when I was unfortunate enough to have it. I have found great success for 10+ years with:

AVG Free Antivirus
ZoneAlarm Free Firewall
Spybot Search & Destroy (just Don't enable/do the "immunization" on machines with limited RAM and CPU speeds)
Malwarebytes on the machine and scans when you have a problem.....

I have not had a problem in many years.

[CGVT]

So you used four different things to replace one?

I'm thinking that I may just pony up the cash and keep Norton.

[dpatnod]

Remember when you bought seperate stereo components? A nice amplifier. Tape Deck. CD Player. Etc.

Each one being a really high-end piece, you ended up with a much better system than a JC Penny all-in-one "stereo". If that makes sense. Each one does one thing. Does it very well. But today - it is a problem, everything has to be run from one remote control.

All I am saying is, each of those four things does one thing very well. And work together amazingly smooth. Costing $0. I have a customer who runs Windows Defender in addition to all of that on a machine I built. Operates absolutely beautifully. $0.

[dpatnod]

The machine I am using most (Win 7) has not had an issue in a year + that even made me feel I needed to open any of those programs and scan anything, etc.

It's Good and Free Protection and requires no user intervention.

[edindetroit]

Re: OT: Technology and Geek Stuff Thread

The machine I am using most (Win 7) has not had an issue in a year + that even made me feel I needed to open any of those programs and scan anything, etc.

It's Good and Free Protection and requires no user intervention.

That's what the malware writers want you to think.

[dpatnod]

As a person who has written a LOT of code - and dealt with cleaning viruses from lots of customers' infected systems, I feel pretty confident in my machine's condition.

[Coop]

I use AVG free and Mbam - have heard issues about AVG free with lower powered systems, I build mine with more than enough resources. Have never seen AVG use alot of juice.

[dpatnod]

What firewall do you use Coop?

[-Deborah-]

I guess I don't care enough to put a lot of effort in to persuading anyone, but I've used Norton for probably at least 15 years, maybe 20 and never had the problems I've heard from others. I'm a dork, though, with way too much RAM and I don't watch porn, so maybe I'm not a good comparison. ;)

[dpatnod]

Is there porn on the inter-webs? :o