Discussion
I'm using Windows XP with bt broadband and have recently installed Mcafee virus protection which doesn't appear to be enough. Whenever I log onto the internet, I'm continuously bothered by popups that stop me going directly to my usual search engines and highlight words within the sites that I'm viewing to take me back to their site. Seems like my computer is infected with some unwelcomed programs that are causing this - how can I locate them and how do I get rid of them? Will a firewall stop this happening in future?
Hope someone can help.
Hope someone can help.
golfman said:
You have all mentioned several pieces of software. What ONE is best?
Thanks.
Different people have different views. For example I personally wont have Symantec software (ie Norton internet security etc) anywhere near my machines. It has always caused me large amounts of trouble. (and yes I do dip my toe back in the Symantec waters now and again to see if things have changed).
On the other hand other people I know swear by it.
Likewise, I don't use Ad-Aware or Spybot - I use Pest Patrol instead and have been spyware free for 3 yrs.
As for software firewalls, well Zone Alarm Pro is my choice, but others prefer Black Ice Defender or one of the other popular firewalls.
I am afraid there is no 'This is the best' answer. It all depends on your own particular needs. I would suggest you download the free trials and see which works best for you.
Re spyware - it's my understanding that Ad-Aware only finds stuff that has got through, whilst Spybot S&D actually stops it getting through to start with?
I'm running both, plus Spy Sweeper as a backup and, other than the odd one or two that get found after an Ad-Aware definition update, I've had no problems.
I've just started using Firefox as well, thanks to the thread here. Very impressive so far. Still fiddling around with it a little bit, but with the Ad Block plugin added it's a great bit of kit.
I'm running both, plus Spy Sweeper as a backup and, other than the odd one or two that get found after an Ad-Aware definition update, I've had no problems.
I've just started using Firefox as well, thanks to the thread here. Very impressive so far. Still fiddling around with it a little bit, but with the Ad Block plugin added it's a great bit of kit.
hornet said:
Re spyware - it's my understanding that Ad-Aware only finds stuff that has got through
Quite correct if you are using the freebie version. I understand that if you upgrade to the plus version for $27 it then stays running all the time and stops stuff getting in in the first place.
sometimes.hornet said:
Re spyware - it's my understanding that Ad-Aware only finds stuff that has got through, whilst Spybot S&D actually stops it getting through to start with?
Both of them will scan your system for spyware, though on the odd occasion I've seen a Spybot window pop up warning me of 'potentially damaging software' which is always 'Avenue A'. And my Spybot is the free version.
Surprisingly it did that once with Kelkoo :-o
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