We are all aware of the correlation of file size to virus probability issue here. It's up to us to rid ourselves of this. Here are a few tips that will help everybody.

1. Get a good anti-virus software package. I use bit defender because it finds things ALL the others (F-Prot, McAfee, AVG, Norton, Sophos, etc.) missed. Whichever one you get, buy it, don't cheapen it by only using the free version.

2. SCAN your system, regularly (minimum once a week). I do it every night.

3. When you search for files, watch out for files with different names, types, but matching sizes. (most ending in .7 size are VIRUSES).

4. Files reported by your system as "corrupt" are actually your anti-virus system telling you "IT'S A VIRUS, kiddo".

5. Get a firewall. (maybe this should be closer to number 1).

6. Keep your system up-to-date with all the latest updates.
Most software makers include an automated update system of some type. Get it, subscribe to it, whatever it takes to stay current.

7. If you find an evil doer, post it here and in your shared folder. Title the file as a short warning message.

8. PLEASE add to this list.

9. PLEASE PRACTICE ALL THE ABOVE!

10. WE ARE THE STRENGTH IN THIS!!!

I could agree with most of what you've said,......except point No. 7.
Posting of file names is against the forum rules (regardless of whether the file names refer to infected files or not)
http://www.gnutellaforums.com/announcement.php?f=7

__________________

"Never Argue With An Idiot. They Will Drag You Down To Their Level, Then Beat You With Experience"

Ok common sense stuff but:-
1 All anti-viruses are good but never perfect, they only work with known threats.
6 Its impossible to stay current, it takes norton 12 hours to update, in that time 20 new trojans have been added to the net so it has to update again etc etc ad infinitum.

Good info though

Tam

There is also some really good freebies out there to Avast is highly rated...

No not at all as you said none of them are perfect....Poipu suggested dont use freebies

Im not getting into a debate with you about this I was just suggesting that you dont need to buy an AV as there are some good free ones out there...

double negative
bye

Tam

Im being negative by...

I personally think that Norton sucks ***. I don't know how the free virus scanners work but I strongly recommend McAfee. It notifies you immeidatly when a virus or trojan has infected your computer and there's always new updates for it ever other day... sometimes every day and the updates take no time to install.

What did I miss, and yes were did the posts go from Tam....

I have found that all the major AntiVirus programs Norton/McAfee/Avast/AVG all preform about the same. The only real difference I have found is in the amount of resources they use and that is directly related to the features each contain. An no antivirus is 100% effective 100% of the time. If there is a new virus out there with no definition then it will infect you no matter what antivirus you are running.

CyberStalker
just an example 2 week ago a friend was having a problem with his computer and ask if I could take a look at it. He was running McAfee and was updated automatically all was current. Some time in the last month or so he got a virus that did not have a definition the virus disabled McAfee ability to detect virus and you couldn't even tell it was disabled it looked normal and was running. By the time I finished cleaning his computer I removed 350 virus and Trojan infected files and 200 mall ware programs.

This can happen to any antivirus program they can not stop what they cant see.

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A little common sense goes a long way

Later Grandpa

I never said that McAfee was 100% foolproof. When it comes to updates, I find it's much more quicker then Norton. I have yet to come across such a problem with McAfee and I always do at least 2-3 virus scans a week along with scanning our computer with Spybot Search & Destroy and Ad-Aware SE. I'm not saying that it's not possible for us to get a virus that McAfee can't detect because it is very possible.

Working in the industry i have noticed that the free anti viruses have a delay on the updates. Usually 12 - 24 hours.

I personally use AVG free edition and have found that it does a good job. Viruses are usually a smaller file, if your audio download is less than 2 MB then be aware. 871.7kb is a sure sign of a trojan.

As I have worked in the repair centre I have often advised parents that the cost of fixing the bug ridden computer outweighs the cost of downloading the tracks that you are after. ($0.99 per album if you know where to go)

Limewire is good but be careful in what files you download. I refuse to download anything in quicktime format because of the websites that pop up when playing and the fact that they do not hold what they say they portray.

Any bugs that i have inadvertantly downloaded have been soon sorted out with a good scan.

BTW I am the manager of an internet cafe.

Guys

Personally, I see the "free" versus "non-free" AV scanner as a non-augument, e.g. it serves no purpose, the simple fact is that you should have one running on your PC.

And there endeth the discussion.



UK Bob

Dead set

If you have anti virus on your PC then you have protection. If you dont then you are asking for trouble(youlookin at me).

Anythin is better than none.


Best anti virus VET (aussie made) Best free AVG

kraken