When Technology Gets Old

[PFMcFarland]

I'm still running my old Pentium 4, WIN XP Pro SP2 desktop. It's been a good machine, though there have been some issues along the way. Like when I followed Microsoft's instructions on resetting the Recover Point, and had to reinstall Windows. Last time I took their word for anything.

Anyway, my computer before this one lasted twelve years after I hot rodded it, and this one is getting pretty long in the tooth also. But alas, the architecture will not stand any implants that will let me run the latest and greatest memory hogging software needed for today's systems. I bought a laptop to alleviate that problem, but it turned out to be almost a lost cause. I really hate the screen, and the Windows version leaves a lot to be desired. Can't wait to "upgrade" it to Win 10.

But what I'm really ticked off about is the way the anti-virus software has let me down. Not that my systems have been compromised, but that the performance of the software, and customer support has been terrible.

Norton 360 just got more invasive as time went on, constantly wanting to scan if I left the machine idle for less than two minutes. That took up all the memory resources, along with constantly updating several times an hour.

I replaced it with AVG, and that seemed to help, along with the deactivating of programs through their program director. At least until the last two days. All of a sudden, I couldn't get through to the Update Server, no matter how many times I requested it, or after going through all the troubleshooting regimes. Then the Customer Service didn't work at all. Either I was in a loop, or it wouldn't let me log in. So I replaced that today with Webroot, because they still support XP. So far, so good.

Back to the new laptop. The Macafee software came due for renewal back in May, and I got a notice to do so at the full price. Then I got another notice at a reduced price. So I took them up on it. Only it didn't take, and I couldn't get Macafee to acknowledge I did pay for the renewal. So it's been sitting, waiting for me to get some other anti-virus program in place. I was thinking about putting the AVG on it because I had a Three Device license, but now that they've apparently gone kaput, I won't be installing it anywhere.

I thought about putting the Webroot on it, but I couldn't see paying the price they wanted for a five device license for two years (which was the only version they had with the features I wanted), so I only got the single license to put on the old desktop. Which means I will still have to get one to run on the laptop, or scrap the laptop for a new unit. This is because I plan on getting a DSLR later on, and will need something that will handle the software that will come with it.

Man, I just love this digital age. And people ask me why I still buy film cameras.

PF

[LarryD]

I have been using AVG free and it is doing fine.

[scott]

I used to run avg but it stopped updating (this was years ago) so I switched to avast. Has worked well, free, updates daily. But lately it's become an advertising engine, sending a bunch of push notifications trying to panic you into upgrading to web security. I'm debating on keeping the free version and tolerating the spam or moving on...

[Captain Slack]

I recommend MalWareBytes: https://www.malwarebytes.org/ It tends to catch stuff that slips through AVG's scans. I've always used the free version and it works well.

I'd dump McAfee & Norton, if I were you. They're not as good as some of the new options and they are HOGS!

If you've got a real, real, real bad virus/malware infestation and you're at your wits end, try tron: https://www.reddit.com/r/TronScript. You'll need to reboot into safe mode with networking and let it run overnight (it literally takes 7-9 hours), but it will install and run a bunch of utilities and basically sweep your HD with a fine toothed comb.

[PFMcFarland]

I recommend MalWareBytes: https://www.malwarebytes.org/ It tends to catch stuff that slips through AVG's scans. I've always used the free version and it works well.

I'd dump McAfee & Norton, if I were you. They're not as good as some of the new options and they are HOGS!

If you've got a real, real, real bad virus/malware infestation and you're at your wits end, try tron: https://www.reddit.com/r/TronScript. You'll need to reboot into safe mode with networking and let it run overnight (it literally takes 7-9 hours), but it will install and run a bunch of utilities and basically sweep your HD with a fine toothed comb.

Yeah, I've been seeing more about MalwareBytes lately. Sounds like a good option. Norton has been gone for some time, and I'll wipe Macafee off the laptop when I decide on it's replacement.

PF

[LarryD]

Just to let you know AVG gave me a major update over night one of those where you have to reboot.

[PFMcFarland]

Well, Larry, I've already wiped it off the computer. The only thing I'm missing though is the speed I gained using it. Now everything with the Internet is all wonky again. That MalwareBytes Premium might be the way to go, and with a three unit license at about two fifths of the price of Webroot's one, I'm definitely going to give it a try.

PF

[LarryD]

OK....

[LarryD]

I think I have a cure for your speed loss. I have been using this for years and it gets improved about every other week or so. Also it is free. It has all the tools that the AVG tuneup had plus some. Works with XP.
http://www.glarysoft.com/

[P C Headland]

If you're on a fairly recent version of Windows, just run the free Microsoft Windows Defender. Not brilliant, but it doesn't slow the machine down, and you're going to use some other mitigation options, such as:
- run Microsoft's EMET (v5.2, just accept the defaults)
- install an Ad-blocker (Chrome/Firefox) or Tracking Protection List (IE)
- make sure you keep up to date with Flash, and/or, set it to only run on approval (click to run), or on whitelisted sites
- make sure you have the Windows firewall turned on
- make sure you update Windows regularly (monthly)

Windows 8.1 may be somewhat controversial, but it is pretty quick, and can run reasonably on quite low spec hardware. Install Classic Shell if you want a more "traditional" start menu.

Windows 10 is starting to come together, but there are still quite a few rough edges, and the interface is still inconsistent.