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Cheap PC security software package (anti-spyware/virus)

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  • 13-12-2005 3:34pm
    #1
    HarryD
    Closed Accounts Posts: 913 ✭✭✭


    Hi,

    I've some friends/family who seem to have a problem with spyware and viruses.
    I need to get a cheap/free package that will protect against them.
    I've installed ad-aware, but they don't run it often.
    I'd like something that runs in the background continually protecting the PC.
    I've had a look at bitdefender which looks good.

    Cheers
    Ray


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    #2
    Capt'n Midnight
    Moderators, Recreation & Hobbies Moderators, Science, Health & Environment Moderators, Technology & Internet Moderators Posts: 90,974 Mod ✭✭✭✭Capt'n Midnight


    This is not a security issue as it's an operating system feature - autoinstall.

    Look at the computer and windows threads, there are any number of free spyware removers / blockers - firewalls etc. - have a look at the essential sw sticky.

    Avoid IE if you can because I defy you to find any 3 month period during which an attacker could not take complete control of a fully patched machine using a IE expoit. [ note: some of the exploits like msblaster were open for up to 8 years ! before being patched ] So get FireFox or Opera instead. Actually avoid windows if you want to avoid spyware !

    Have you set them up with guest accounts or do they (and any browser they then use) have full control ?


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    #3
    aidan_walsh
    Closed Accounts Posts: 17,208 ✭✭✭✭aidan_walsh


    If they don't change browser, at least put some decent settings in their Internet Zone.

    Switch everything to do with ActiveX controls to off.
    Put *.microsoft.com in the Trusted Zone (though you will have to disable the https requirement for this).

    You don't necessarily have to put them on a completely limited Guest account, but you should certainly change their accounts to a more limited type. What OS are they using?


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    #4
    TempestSabre
    Registered Users Posts: 4,142 ✭✭✭TempestSabre


    I have the same problem, I've ended up supporting a few PC's around the family. I use AVG, Zone Alarm, Spybot, SpyBlaster, XCleaner. I have the family PC's set up with their own account and I removed most of the admin privledges. Theres a seperate admin account with a password, so they can't get into it. I also install firefox. That combination seems pretty reliable. These days when I scan the machine every couple of months I only find a handful of tracking cookies. Though a recent problem with the system clock screwed up all the auto updates. I use the free versions, but if you get the full versions they all autoupdate.

    I'm trialling a 6 month license for the AVG+Firewall package on my own machine. I may upgrade the family PC's with a all in one package like that and buy the other apps too.


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