PC technical problems

[Preston]

Chris does have a point, yes if you are careful it can be possible to avoid viruses. The problem is not many understand what careful on the internet is. Also, even if you are careful they can get you, through ads, standard html viruses, etc. So, I agree with Sorrano that you should have something. A virus is a risk I do not want to take, and the chances are better with virus software.

Sorrano, yes MSE is good but besides the reasons I mentioned above, think about it - you are supporting something of a monopoly within a monopoly? Also, with MSE there really is no support and no real knowledge-base. Also, $40 a year for as solid as it can be virus protection is worth it, imo, unless you are that broke, which would be sad.

[Peter]

To my understanding, from a software point-of-view it is not as well designed - which is a very key thing.

Also, to my understanding Eset is the highest rated virus-software for in-the-wild viruses (viruses while browsing).

As for features I do not know? Though Eset has a good many features.

Though, if there is a better anti-virus software out there than Eset, I would like to know? I know Trend-Micro is supposed to be good, though I have read too many good things about Eset.

Also, Eset seems to be a very organized company.

As a side note about AVG, I have seen it find many viruses, though at the same time I have seen it miss many. For instance, not to long ago I uninstalled AVG from someones system and installed Microsoft Security Essentials. MSE found 7 viruses - like that! Yes, the person who used it was not careful and it was a quite old computer, but that is unacceptable.

I recommend at least trying Eset's online scanner, simple software the online scanner, yet will do a good job.

http://go.eset.com/us/online-scanner

Would it work ok with google chrome? I'm rather fed up with the slowness of firefox and the memory issues.

[Preston]

Sorry for the late response, I feel asleep, .

Would it work ok with google chrome? I'm rather fed up with the slowness of firefox and the memory issues.

It is best to use it with IE. You can use it with other browsers, though Eset recommends using it with IE (something to do with IE and ActiveX Controls). Then switch to Google Chrome.

Here is an FAQ about the online scanner:
http://www.eset.co.uk/Antivirus-Util...ne-Scanner/FAQ

Here are directions:
http://www.eset.co.uk/Antivirus-Util...e-Scanner/Help

Here is the online scanner in your region:
http://www.eset.co.uk/Antivirus-Util...ne-Scanner/FAQ

So:

1. Disable any anti-virus for the moment.
2. Open Internet Explorer and go to the online scanner.
3. Click Scan Now and follow directions.

Be prepared the scan will take a while (hours, perhaps). Also, keep in mind it might not be FF - it might be your computer needs a good "cleaning".

[Sorrano]

Preston, I always cringe when there is any suggestion of using an online scan to test for viruses. Not to say that this is not legitimate, but you know there are a lot of scams out there (my mother got nailed with one of those a couple of weeks ago), so whatever is done in that area, always use caution. It wouldn't hurt to google Eset to get some reviews, even if it's just for the peace of mind.

[Preston]

Absolutely agree Sorrano. Though I am as sure as I can be that Eset is a clean company in the virus sense. As for the reviews, yes they should be read. I would not recommend relying permanently on an online scanner, by any means, simply because the software is not as good as the actual product and it is not real-time protection, among other things, though it gives you a taste of what the virus software can find and that is good.

I am always interested in trying to find better virus software. I don't know what is all out there. Though I started using Eset because years ago I was researching virus software and started reading something about national and international virus-software conventions and Eset was always up there. And, good technology sites have rated it high. It seems I read about it on ArsTechnica's virus software comparison. It has been a while since I researched anti-virus software and probably should again, though I have not had really any troubles and one time I almost got one in-the-wild it was caught. So, I have been pleased, .

[Peter]

Well I've gone with AVG (pay version at £40) and Google chrome - so far it's working like lightening, so thanks for all your recommendations and advice!

[Sorrano]

Well I've gone with AVG (pay version at £40) and Google chrome - so far it's working like lightening, so thanks for all your recommendations and advice!

I have heard good things about both AVG and Chrome. I haven't bothered with Chrome, mostly because I like the settings Firefox affords with the various extensions, etc. that I use.

[Megan]

Well I've gone with AVG (pay version at £40) and Google chrome - so far it's working like lightening, so thanks for all your recommendations and advice!

Pleased to hear you have found a satisfactory solution Peter. I am sure you will enjoy cyber peace of mind.


Number of people currently protected by AVG 110 million
Number of threats AVG identify and stop every 30 days 3 billion

[Sorrano]

Pleased to hear you have found a satisfactory solution Peter. I am sure you will enjoy cyber peace of mind.


Number of people currently protected by AVG 110 million
Number of threats AVG identify and stop every 30 days 3 billion

The number of monthly threats stopped alone can keep one awake at nights!

[Chris]

I don't really see the point in getting the paid version of AVG if you are a just a home user. But it's a good piece of software in general.

[Peter]

I don't really see the point in getting the paid version of AVG if you are a just a home user. But it's a good piece of software in general.

It gives me peace of mind Chris regarding on line banking and shopping, for £40 it's worth it.

[Chris]

It gives me peace of mind Chris regarding on line banking and shopping, for £40 it's worth it.

I mean, what did the paid version get you over the free version? I checked the website for the version comparison, and I didn't see anything the free version didn't do that a home user might need. We actually use the free version at work. Plus, isn't it £40 for just one year?

[Peter]

I mean, what did the paid version get you over the free version? I checked the website for the version comparison, and I didn't see anything the free version didn't do that a home user might need. We actually use the free version at work. Plus, isn't it £40 for just one year?

Yes it's annual, but £40 (cheaper than Norton) isn't going to break the bank (especially as I split it with other family members and it's really only cost me £10) and I feel more comfortable with full protection.

Another question Chris - my Virtual memory paging file is running at 573MB, though the recommended is 370MB. Is this increase down to the programmes on the computer and would removing some of them (like flight simulator which takes up an enormous amount of space) reduce the virtual memory size and increase performance?

[Sorrano]

Peter, if you have sufficient RAM you can and should reduce the virtual memory; that can really bog things down. On an XP machine 2 GB would be my goal and with Vista or Win 7 up to 4 as a minimum.

[Chris]

Another question Chris - my Virtual memory paging file is running at 573MB, though the recommended is 370MB. Is this increase down to the programmes on the computer and would removing some of them (like flight simulator which takes up an enormous amount of space) reduce the virtual memory size and increase performance?

The programs on your computer have nothing to do with virtual memory (or any memory). Deleting programs installed on your computer will only free up hard drive space. If your hard drive is not full, deleting programs won't accomplish anything.

Generally speaking, your virtual memory paging file size should be set to "System managed size." If it is, then don't worry about it.