When it comes to computers I know how to turn them on and get to the internet.
I'm using an anti virus from my internet provider. should I un install all my stuff from windows. Such as windows firewall and windows defender?
The anti virus i have from my IP has a firewall I have not installed. should I have both installed?
Depends what you do. I don't have a virus scanner. But I also don't download files that I am suspicious of. I mean, I could have a thousand virii on my computer and not know about it, but I don't think I do. I've not had any problems.
If you are unsure of the difference between what kind of file types do what, then it might be best to use a virus scanner regularly. Windows defender is not a virus scanner, but it will stop spyware, which today, is the bigger problem for most users (they cause popups, popunders, redirects, and can also catch private information). Also, after a while on the internet, you get a feel for what sites are safe and professional, and what sites are suspicious and could host spyware or a virus.
I originally used my ISP free AV and FW, but I found it to be a bit of a resource hog, and only as quick as the service you pay for. It also adds to you daily UL and DL count if you have limits that could be an additional cost. They forget to tell you that.
If you use care in where you go, and whom you give your email addy to, and stay away from IM Yahoo etc, you are not going to catch anything nasty from sites like this.
That being said, there are a lot of great free AV apps, when I ran XP is used AGV. The new upgrades to XP and Vista or W7 have good built in FW protection, if you serf wisely. In far to many years then I care to count, I have yet to be infected. If I were on a windows box now, I would likely get something that allowed the cleaning of all the hidden junk. You can pickup nasty germs from just clicking onto an unscrupulous site that you have googled. AGV let's you know who they are before you do. Google anti virus apps and have fun picking a free one you feel comfortable with. THERE is NO NEED to buy AV software, there are too many good ones free. I beta tested the windows defender etc, save you money, Mr Gates has enough to continue his philanthropy.
For under $850 I bought a MiniMac, that was two years ago, and I figure I have saved almost 1/2 of that cost in AV software, upgrades, cleaning, watching, maintenance, worrying about it. I understand MAC isn't for everyone, but after 6-7 years of beta testing Linux, and having paid over the years thousands on MS software, it's just nice to have a peuter that works, and I don't have to look every week to see what's new. OSX is truly the world's greatest operating system, at least to me.
If all you do is email and use the internet, you'd be crazy not to consider upgrading from windows to linux. You can get Kubuntu or Ubuntu 100% free, and all the software for it is also free, and it looks and works great (Kubuntu works more like windows, while Gnome is a bit more mac like, in my experience).
http://www.kubuntu.org/
It's pretty much virus free (no major known viruses for linux). Almost all of your apps you might ever need are located on a massive repository, which you just access and download from and install.
It's a good alternative for people who have no real need for windows (ie, all you do is email and use the internet, and never play games or anything like that).
Thank for the help guys.. So I take it since I'm using another program I should disable the widows firewall and use the one my virus protection offers? I'm not paying extra for the virus protection it is included with my internet..
I do play some games and we use the computer for a few other things than the internet. The internet is just its #1 function.
(10-27-2009 09:38 PM)chriskjv Wrote: [ -> ]Thank for the help guys.. So I take it since I'm using another program I should disable the widows firewall and use the one my virus protection offers? I'm not paying extra for the virus protection it is included with my internet..
I do play some games and we use the computer for a few other things than the internet. The internet is just its #1 function.
Which other program?
The games you play, are they installed on your box, or offsite games? If they are offsite, that is your highest risk of catching something you don't want to deal with.
The virus protection that is offered by you ISP is always in handshake mode with you ISP, that increased your UL and DL bandwidth usage. I personally would not, I tried it, and un installed everything when I was charged for over limit usage as a result. Not to mention it taxes the resources of your computer. As I mentioned in my previous post, there are too many good solid free AV apps.
Have a look at AVG
The games we play are installed on the computer.
(10-28-2009 10:59 AM)chriskjv Wrote: [ -> ]The games we play are installed on the computer.
That lowers your risk a lot. If you are careful with your browsing habits, and don't use IM or YahooM, then have a look at the AVG site, that is more likely all you need.
Or if you are adventurous, you can download a Ubuntu flavor as Brother Luke suggested, and be worry free from all of that with a change of OS.