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Date:         Fri, 9 Jan 2009 22:35:27 -0700
Reply-To:     Keith Hughes <keithahughes@QWEST.NET>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Keith Hughes <keithahughes@QWEST.NET>
Subject:      Re: vanagon Digest - 8 Jan 2009 to 9 Jan 2009 - Special issue
              (#2009-28)
In-Reply-To:  <20090109164612.6E62E5D1445@mpls-mf-01.inet.qwest.net>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1; format=flowed

> Date: Fri, 9 Jan 2009 10:57:55 -0500 > From: Joy Hecht <hecht.joy@GMAIL.COM> > Subject: NVC at all (computer question) > > I'm suddenly getting popups on my computer - never had them before - and I > was wondering if someone can recommend good freeware to deal with them. > > I am running AVG Anti-virus free version, I update regularly and scan every > day. Yesterday in the middle of working (not scanning) AVG suddenly opened > a window to tell me I had a trojan. Windows started opening right and left, > all kinds of things happening. I shut all my files, disconnected from the > internet, and scanned. AVG found 11 infected files and cleaned them. I > rescanned again, and found no infections. Today I scanned and found > nothing, updated the database of virus info as usual, all looked fine. > > But I'm getting popups - not a lot, but a few. I got one today from > something called "registry defender for windows" which kind of mimicked AVG > anti-virus, so I went to their website. But then a few more popups opened, > so I figured they were bogus and shut them down. > > Can anyone recommend a good way to stop the popups or figure out what's > allowing them onto my computer? > > Thanks! Joy,

I've used most of the major ones (kapersky, AVD, Iolo, Zonealert, Macaffe, and Symantec), and have ditched Macaffe and Symantec due to increasing numbers of compatibility problems. I now use Trend Micro (which is not compatible with Adaware or Spybot), and other than the ridiculous renewal fees (don't renew, its cheaper to buy whole new package on sale) have been pretty happy with it. It does, however, have the charming feature that when the subscription runs out, it no longer RUNS, as opposed to just no longer getting virus definition updates a la Macaffe and Symantec. The first thing I'd recommend is to go to housecall.trendmicro.com/ and run their 'housecall' virus/spyware scanner. It's free (although it provides no ongoing protection), is very good, and also provides additional assurance that you haven't gotten a trojan or worm that has compromised your AVG files (yes it happens, unfortunately, it cleaned a trojan I'd picked up when Symantec totally ignored it). And unlike Macaffe and Symantec free scanners, housecall is fully functional and will disinfect your system after scanning. It will run as either a Java kernel, or as an IE Active-X plugin, at your option. I don't know if you have a Fry's Electronics in your neck of the woods, but I've gotten TrendMicro Internet Security (from Fry's) for the last two years on sale - $60 for a 3-PC version, with $60 in rebates (when upgrading) or $40 in rebates if buying the same suite again. I believe there's also a 30-day trial version of TrendMicro, but don't recall for sure.

And, if you're running Firefox, make sure to download and install the ABP (Ad Block Plus) add-on which does a great job of fragging ads and popups and the ever popular flash/splash screen crap.

Good luck,

Keith Hughes '86 Westy Tiico (Marvin)


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