UNIVERSAL CANE - bank scam?

[Nemesis]

I have the full works - automatically updated twice daily. Antivirus, anti-spyware, firewall.

I contacted Bullguard (there is a one-hour e-mail reply service) and the problem has been fixed by yesterday's update.

 

[Penners]

When it's time to renew your Bullguard subscription, you might want to give consideration to using a different security package.

The problem with many antivirus programmes is that they rely on receiving "definitions" of the latest viruses from their publishers. As this defiinition obviously can't be written until the virus is already "in the wild", your updates will always lag behind the existence of the virus.

There are, however, some antivirus packages that use a second line of defence. As well as relying on virus definitions, they also embody a heuristic function that can recognise a virus according to its behaviour, even if a definition for it hasn't yet been received. It's not a perfect system (as is true of any security software) but it is an important addition to your security defences.

I have read excellent reports about two security packages in this context:

Eset Nod 32

Kaspersky

Both are available as just antivirus packages, or as full internet security suites.

My subscription to a well-known security package expires in 3 weeks, and I shall definitely be changing to one of the above. In addition to the heurisitic capabilities, they are also much more lightweight than some other bloated packages, and so place lower demands on your computer.

 

[Nemesis]

It's usually excellent - not sure what happened this time. When brought to the attention of the 'team' on 24 standby, they sorted it. Not sure the threats were great, simply annoying.

I have used others in the past and like this one better than any, and it comes highly recommended by the genius bloke wot sorts out my computer when it goes wrong too.

I gave up on Symantec when it downloaded a virus which disabled it.

 

[Flyfisher]

My subscription to a well-known security package expires in 3 weeks,

If you want to save some money on an annual subscription, it's worth looking at Avira Antivir at http://www.free-av.com/. Completely free for personal use.
I've used it on all our PCs for the past 3-4 years and we've never caught a virus. It also uses heuristics and the latest updates have been warning me of phishing emails - not that I need to be warned of pretend emails from banks I have no accounts with, but it proves they are up to date!

I've also heard good things about AVG antivirus, again completely free for personal use, but have never used it myself.

I would certainly avoid the subscription-based 'bloatware' packages from the big players - one in particular caused me more trouble than viruses (Naming No Names), which prompted the change to Antivir and I've been trouble-free ever since.

 

[Penners]

Thanks FF. I've been tempted by AVG, Avira and Avast antivirus packages, and by Comodo Personal Firewall - all freeware. But I suppose I just can't rid myself of the nagging feeling that something I've paid good money for will be better than something free! Probably ridiculous, in view of the good reports that all those have received.

 

[Nemesis]

I like mine - I can 'chat' online to support, send an e-mail and get an answer in an hour... and something actually gets done, There's an online forum too! It updates daily too, none of that logging on once a week stuff.

 

[Nemesis]

As I would never respond to a Phishing e-mail, that doesn't worry me... buyt you can try a two month free trial. It's cheaper if you buy two years, and it covers both our computers for one fee.

http://crave.cnet.co.uk/software/0,39029471,49294492,00.htm

 

[Penners]

I notice that CNet describe it as a "digital prophylactic". :shock:

Sounds like something you'd find in a dodgy massage parlour*.






*From what I've read about such establishments.

 

[Flyfisher]

I would generally tend to agree with being wary about something that's free compared with a paid-for package, but 3-4 years experience, with no problems, across half a dozen PCs has converted me in this case. Antivir also automatically updates daily and I've never had the need to talk to anyone about it - the best sort of 'support' in my book. It just sits there and does the job - can't really ask for more.

 

[skier-hughes]

Thanks FF. I've been tempted by AVG, Avira and Avast antivirus packages, and by Comodo Personal Firewall - all freeware. But I suppose I just can't rid myself of the nagging feeling that something I've paid good money for will be better than something free! Probably ridiculous, in view of the good reports that all those have received.

The three most popular products used by Microsoft MVP's are
AVG, AVAST and Comodo

 

[Nemesis]

I've talked about other issues... when I first moved over to it it found a number of nasties on the first scan... this is the first time anything odd has happened, and in reality I think it a minor glitch.

Anyhow, I like it, my computer genius guy uses it now too...

 

[Penners]

my computer genius

Definition of "computer genius": anyone who knows a little bit more about computers than we do.

 

[Nemesis]

No, he is . Brilliant. Anyone who can sort mine out...

 

[Penners]

The three most popular products used by Microsoft MVP's are
AVG, AVAST and Comodo

So I believe, and I think that may be at the basis of my slight worries. I'm concerned that those packages require a more knowledgeable user than the average "security for dummies" user.

 

[Penners]

Anyone who can sort mine out...

Nem, anyone who can sort you out is OK in my book.

 

[skier-hughes]

The three most popular products used by Microsoft MVP's are
AVG, AVAST and Comodo

So I believe, and I think that may be at the basis of my slight worries. I'm concerned that those packages require a more knowledgeable user than the average "security for dummies" user.

You don't need to know anything, install and let it do it's work. Ok, maybe a slight amount of work, like telling it to download updates every hour or every 6 or twice a month when it's raining, but nowt else.

 

[Penners]

download updates ... twice a month when it's raining.

Well, I never knew that. I'm so grateful for advice from a professional.

 

[Nemesis]

Mine does it automatically.

Nice and easy.

The twice I have been sent infected e-mails they were stopped dead and a message appeared saying so, which was cheering.

Quite happy with it.

 

[skier-hughes]

They will all do it automatically, but if you look in your options you should be able to change how often you receive - or look for - updates.
Mine updates every hour.

It's important to get updates when it's raining as the young blighters aren't outside, but in on their pc's sending out junk

The main thing is that everyone has some and everyone is happy with the one they have.

 

[Nemesis]

It does it as often as I like - and it has a backup vault too. Two compters works out at about sixteen quid a year each.

As you say - as long as people have something and are happy with it, that's what counts.

I gave up on Norton though.