File Size Matters
 

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)
https://www.gnutellaforums.com/limewire-wireshare-cross-platform/announcements.html
;)

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...:rolleyes:

double negative
bye

Tam

Im being negative by...:confused:

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.

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.

free virus checkers
 

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

ukbobboy01 ok
 

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

any av will do
 

the cost for traditional AV can be less than $20.

For home users !nada!

Use any as long as you can get updates.

Updates are essential

kraken

I use Norton AV on my mac & AVG on windows. Not that I really need one on my mac, but better to be safe than sorry. And I'd prefer not to pass on viruses if there's any connected to any windows file I downld. Whilst Mac OSX doesn't have viruses, the earlier OS's did have some. And I found a couple of those ... only one infected me (after which I got an AV.) :D

BTW TamTheBam is busy trying to discover what the heck that is under his kilt. Though he'll need to put his glasses on as he can't see it very well ... well apparently there's something there. :p Frostbite perhaps! :D

Apologies ... my comments were purely specific assigned ... not meaning all scotsmen! ;)

BTW TamTheBam has gone walkabout (aboriginal saying) ... over the hills & far away ... never to return again so to speak!

Uhhhhhhh Their are 2 Mac OSX Viruses/Worms/Trojans currently and I would say with firm assurance their are more to come.:D

http://www.sophos.com/pressoffice/ne...acosxleap.html

Very true and as Mac gets a bigger market share there will be more people attempting to wright viruses for mac. One thing all Mac user must remember is that the OS is written by people. And anything that one man builds or creates another man can tear down.

Hmm interesting link. They've talked about such things before but until there's more evidence ... BTW there are AV companies that employ people to create viruses & then they create fixes for them. I guess this company may have found some loophole that they can frighten people with so they'll buy their av product. I'd like to hear more from "official channels" before being totally convinced. Mac OSX is frequently bringing out security updates to prevent such issues ... rather than some 3rd party poorly managed softw. that doesn't take security into consideration. Interesting point thanks Grandpa.

Hehe

I'm sure you're right grandpa. I've been waiting 5 years for OS X to catch up with malware, but no real luck so far :(

All that wasted RAM, HD space and CPU cycles, when I could have been running all those great malware programs.

btw-the first "virus" didn't really work, and the second only runs on intel macs using IM.

Darn! I'm missing out again! You Windows guys have all the fun :(

and don't forget when we last discussed this--and even got the guy who wrote the proof of concept on the first virus to participate :)
http://www.gnutellaforums.com/showth...ighlight=virus

Seriously though, this razzing each other is all in fun. If anyone takes this mac/windows bashing seriously, let me know and I'll happily shut up.

My computer is better than you computer NaaNaNaaNaNaaaNa.:D

The day any of us can't have fun poking fun at our choice of computers is the day we need to unplug our computers.;)