Free solution to Malware,adware and malicious trojans on PC

[racer80cc]

     Hi and glad to be here on FusionCash. I am a recent grad with certifications for A+,Network+,Security+ and XP.
I am currently working but having trouble getting into the pc technician field. Was a consultant at Cigna for a few months until complete building move was finished(800 pc workstations/programmers). Now for the meat of this message. I had Norton on pc for a few years but proved to be missing major errors etc... on my pc. I was suggested by my computer tech teachers to use "Malwarebytes" which was good but found a better of time. I have been taking care of friends older pcs since school and proved that old stuff can still be used effectively if given the proper protection. My choice is "Microsoft Security Essentials" whcih can be uploaded to anyones pc by googling it and finding an uplink(easy install)! Only maintenace is to update definitions(newest dangerous problems to your pc) = takes about 1 minute and then run the scan program(usually about 1-2 hrs) depending. You can stay on the pc by downsizing scan and working but moves a bit slower. You also can tell the scan how much memory is to be used at time of scan for it. Less memory - slower it goes but your pc work is faster! Lastly, your updated definitions can be set to day/time along with a total scan during early morning hours. Catch is to have pc on then after hours, so I like to run while online doing surveys etc... At end of scan, a log page appears telling of problems that occurred and what was done with such problems. A popup appears when a major problem(threat) arises and immediate action is asked for - just a click on Clean makes the problem go away!
                             Thank you for your time - Happy Computing

[queenofnines]

Free software is not adequate enough to protect your computer in most cases.  I took a break from paid software once only to discover months later there were viruses and other problems that the free program didn't catch.

[racer80cc]

      Hi - Don't let the free stop you from thinking this is cheesy. Microsoft put together quite a good package but unsure if it works with anything other that XP,Vista or 7 thou. As you scan, it automatically cleans as it goes and asks you what to do if undefined yet. A lot of things are. Works especially well in getting to work old, tired machines you thought were ready for the junk pile. Only problem is that because of age, most don't have much memory so have to run MSE at least once a week.
         I've been looking for a job in desired field(pc tech), so my job search efforts have clogged up my machine pretty good. Always compressing files and defragging to make run faster. Way to many emails coming in and mostly garbage so tough times I guess. Had my 1st real hit today after a long stretch of looking and then stopped and just got serious about my railroad lumberyard job. Computer nerd turns musclemand - sounds like Superman(lol) - not!!!
         I had Norton running ast the same time as MSE and didn't catch most errors. Used Malwarebytes(good) and
Windows Defender(outdated)/replaced by MSE. All three of these found the same pc problems whereas Norton didn't - new Norton uses a like database as others now so should pick them up now too! Girlfriend has new Norton but still fails to detect certain problems or says things are unknown/possilbe problem. Fixed gf's pc replacing Internet Explorer with Firefox because of malware closing needed ports of IE. Firefox uses obscure numbers for their ports whereas IE(most others too) use the industry standard port numbers, thus easy to close a none port number. Norton also flags MSE  as an unsafe program - go figure! 

[Falconer02]

Free software is not adequate enough to protect your computer in most cases.  I took a break from paid software once only to discover months later there were viruses and other problems that the free program didn't catch.

Kinda true. It honestly depends on how "street smart" someone is with the internet. Even then, there's always the dangers of new scareware and viruses. I'll definitely promote Malwarebytes, Adaware, and Kaspersky any day of the week (free and very good at finding rootkits and other junk). Anyone who works for them deserves a medal.

[queenofnines]

Microsoft Security Essentials is the program I used, and naughty things still got by.   

[jordandog]

I had Norton running ast the same time as MSE and didn't catch most errors.

If you are actually a 'trained PC tech', why would you even attempt running the MSE and Norton at the same time? You (of all people) should know they DO NOT work together, period! If you download MSE and intend to use it, you have to remove ALL Norton processes. Personally, I will stick with my Norton since I learned from the start with it many years ago how to configure it to what I need so it doesn't interfere or override essential applications. I have NO problem with most of the free apps out there, just prefer Norton due to the need for very high security and privacy since part of my PC has my patient's info. I have never been hacked, never got the gift of uber annoying malware or anything else. If you know how to use/configure them, Norton, McAfee and any other paid security programs are great and I will pay to have the heightened security and peace of mind. I don't think I would pay you after reading what you wrote.

[oldbuddy]

Hey Guys, the real solution is simply to switch to Mint Linux. I don't even run any protection software anymore and I get faster speed with less money and no worry.

[Flackle]

Hey Guys, the real solution is simply to switch to Mint Linux. I don't even run any protection software anymore and I get faster speed with less money and no worry.

Any Linux for that matter. I use Ubuntu (Which is the most user friendly linux I have come across, though I haven't tried Mint Linux), and I find it comparable to other linux versions I have tried (Mandriva, Redhat, Debian, Puppylinux) in security.

I actually find using Ubuntu is easier than windows now that I am use to it. Linux can do pretty much anything windows can do except specific kinds of software (like video games.) Linux has photo manipulation, office applications, Internet with flash support, scientific applications, video editing. If run your own servers, ftp, or even just code or script you should run linux. If you're really serious about doing things efficiently and securely.

[oldbuddy]

Hey Guys, the real solution is simply to switch to Mint Linux. I don't even run any protection software anymore and I get faster speed with less money and no worry.

Any Linux for that matter. I use Ubuntu (Which is the most user friendly linux I have come across, though I haven't tried Mint Linux), and I find it comparable to other linux versions I have tried (Mandriva, Redhat, Debian, Puppylinux) in security.

I actually find using Ubuntu is easier than windows now that I am use to it. Linux can do pretty much anything windows can do except specific kinds of software (like video games.) Linux has photo manipulation, office applications, Internet with flash support, scientific applications, video editing. If run your own servers, ftp, or even just code or script you should run linux. If you're really serious about doing things efficiently and securely.

Mint Linux is just an enhanced distribution of Ubuntu, which I ran before this. Many of the applications in the Package Manager are later versions than you get with Ubuntu, in particular Firefox 8.0 instead of 3 or 4. I tried to upgrade my Ubuntu version and it was no go, so I switched and have never looked back.

[ptfunds]

Great topic and thanks for the suggestion. I've been in this business 35 years and always appreciate the input of others. Especially someone with good recent certifications and experience. Good for you for sharing this topic. I think, often, that people who haven't spent time gaining and education in this area don't realize the amount of time that has gone into getting a certification and passing the exam. I sure appreciate your suggestion and also was glad to get some good feedback about Mint Linux as a result. Good for you for putting out the info!

[oldbuddy]

One more thing most people don't understand about Linux, you can get a copy on CD (or download the image and burn one) that will run on your Windows computer without even installing it so you can take it for a test drive. You just insert the CD and restart your computer so it boots from the CD. That may take changing the default boot device in your BIOS, but most machines are set to do that by default.

[racer80cc]

Microsoft Security Essentials is the program I used, and naughty things still got by.  

***Maybe you are not updating your definitions daily then! One of the best out there but these days most wares are sharing the same definition databases so all should be close to same. I don't agree but even Norton has gotten way better with new upgraded. Fiancee has it and much better but still have Malwarebytes on it and sometimes comes up with problems that Norten didn't find.  Later and good luck! We just might need it with growing # of garbage attacking us!  Steve

[racer80cc]

Mayber you mis read me = I didn't run them together and just wanted to see if Norton would even pick up these additional errors after failing one(standalone) and trying MSE or Malwarebytes to correct problems. They run perfectly on same computer but not at same time - most pros have at least two just because of the gap in definitions found in each malware package databases. Knowone runs the same thing twice together - maybe you should have a reality check! Files would clash with each other and false positives/negatives would occur. Linux also is a less used product and free of all(friend user says) problems. He even suggested I have a dual browser homepages(use both) and compare.
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[jordandog]

Mayber you mis read me = I didn't run them together and just wanted to see if Norton would even pick up these additional errors after failing one(standalone) and trying MSE or Malwarebytes to correct problems. They run perfectly on same computer but not at same time - most pros have at least two just because of the gap in definitions found in each malware package databases. Knowone runs the same thing twice together - maybe you should have a reality check! Files would clash with each other and false positives/negatives would occur. Linux also is a less used product and free of all(friend user says) problems. He even suggested I have a dual browser homepages(use both) and compare.

If this was in reply to what I said, I did NOT misread you as I quoted exactly what YOU said in reply #2. I referenced this, from you:

I had Norton running ast the same time as MSE and didn't catch most errors.

Those are your words, not mine, so perhaps you are the one who needs a 'reality check'.

[rogery]

If you don't mind waiting for rebates, you can almost always find Kaspersky for free. MSE is ok for free but it is best to supplement it with other programs. I also like Comodo Firewall. It's free. Of course you can always go Apple...