I had a Norton Virus thing and then when aol came out with all the extras, I signed up for them. I have pop up control, anti-virus for software and Email. Do I still need to renew the Norton thing?
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07-16-05, 09:57 AM
Derek Taylor
I dont use AOL so I can't really comment on how good their virus protection is, but Norton is the leader in that industry. So if you have already purchased Norton I would keep it up-to-date. It certainly can't hurt.

Derek Taylor
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07-16-05, 10:21 AM
Fritzzs
I totally disagree with you... NORTON IS NOT the leading anti virus on the market.. At one time years ago they were very good.. Today, McAfee, AVG (grisoft) has Norton beat all to heck...
Norton also has the tendicy to screw up some computers...
I am on AOL (for a number) of years , and consider their programs to be excellant....

On one of my computers I use AOL anti everything and the other I have McAfee....
There is no way anyone could get me to use Norton.... And I do speak from experience as I tried to use it 3 different times...
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07-16-05, 10:25 AM
cswchan
There are several FREE Anti-virus programs available.... Here are links to them.
AVG
ANTIVIR Click on the "Download" button
AVAST Scroll down to the bottom and click on "Download"
They are all good and DO work as well as Norton and McAfee and, they are FREE.

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07-16-05, 07:19 PM
Judy
Thanks for your input. I wondered because Norton said that their program wasn't working right and it was not up to date. Then it would say to fix it put being the dummy I am-----I didn't know how. I knew it was going to run out soon and was wondering what to do. I think I'll just stick with aol's programs.
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07-17-05, 07:51 PM
dodgecity
yes you should use another av with aol
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07-17-05, 09:45 PM
bedstor

quote:
Originally posted by dodgecity:
yes you should use another av with aol


I use Aol (on Broadband) and have Avast /AVG/and the McAfee Firewall which AOL (Uk) let you use Free if you subscribe to the BB package .Works very well and easy to setup run.
Check under the Safety link at the top of the page and see if any of the links could apply to you or type in AOL Keyword: Safety Help
and the same links are in the lefthand column (bottom) and Do setup the Account Security Question to Stop unauthorised access Wink
Derek is correct keeping everything up to date is a higher Priority than thinking about a Newer A/V program (Only do that if you know your defences want strengthening to the Max?) and the wrong choice might leave your computer open to attack? But Any of the above programs
choose any 2 only! (add any more may cause conflict?) set them running and check for updates daily,they mostly self update by default
may have to click a confirmation button on a Popup (thats all there is to do) The Avast service is really good if there is a scare on It posts updates frequently if this occurs The AVG service is once per day at the same time. the .AntiVir's update Service is similar to Avasts but does a biggish download to refresh the virus database every time (about the only niggle with the program)Confused
The other 2 add to the data already stored only Smile
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07-18-05, 06:44 AM
Fritzzs
Got a question Mike....

I was told by my computer guru that since I am on dial-up, a firewall was unnecessary....

Ture ??? or not.....
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07-18-05, 09:32 AM
vansrme
With dialup, you may not be as likely to be hacked, since you're not connected to the net all the time, but you still need a firewall. Your "guru" probably doesnt think you're on the net enough to matter with dialup, but you should always have a firewall.

chris
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07-18-05, 09:38 AM
Fritzzs
Appreciate that Chris.... I'm on the net 6-7 hours a day, I sorta thought he might be a tad off on his opinion....
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07-18-05, 10:27 AM
bedstor
I'd agree with that Don
But for Peace of mind its worth considering
especially if you keep sensitive information on your computer (shuts a lot of doors in and out)
On Dialup the amount of incoming and outgoing data is small,and can be buffered by most basic security setups, but the Broad band Transmission speeds are a least 5 times as fast again so what probes your ports for an entry will do it faster and faster (Bit like how a 56k modem dealt with a 14k modem many years ago and vice versa)
They could only take so much data through the bandwidth hole
Nowadays we are shifting 10 times that data through a wider Bandwidth hole on a 512MB conection and Double that on a 1 MB Connection Eek
And the Future? There are already 1 or 2 bandwidth holes of 25 MB running in Beta (serious) I wonder if the current Generation of Firewalls can Keep that at bay? Eek Eek
I note the only time Firewalls get attacked(under normal circumstances) is if you are visiting Music sites or File share sites the Hit rate goes up sharply
I'll get about 5 to 10 hits an hour surfing normally but switch to a Music site It goes up to 50 to a 100+ per hour with ease (mostly Gnutella) and the Hit rate remains Highish after leaving that site (Bit like replying to Spam) Mad
I've been online for just over an Hour and have logged 24 Hits
Bottom Line It is claimed that an Unprotected Broadband computer will only survive no more than 5 to 10 minutes before being swamped with Nasties galore(I'd agree with that) I suspect even less if you have no antispyware protection as well.
There are fools who think they are invunerable with just the antispyware software too...Doubt AdAware will save them from this tidal wave
I wonder if that included the Music file download people? Roll Eyes

Don
If you want to give a Firewall a try there are some Freebies going
I use McAfees Firewall(as part of the AOL BB package) but that is a Pay version
From the Freebies I like the Look of these 3
Zone Alarm
Kerio
Sygate
My choice? Zone Alarm because there are more users of this (Never had cause to use it yet) believe it easy to use. How much it keeps out is open to debate Roll Eyes
Here is a page with links to those sites Smilewww.iopus.com/guides/free-firewall.htm
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07-18-05, 04:03 PM
Fritzzs
Oh, I should have said that I didn't drop a firewall, I just wanted to clarify what I was told....
Yes, I have the AOL package and pleased with it..
I used Zone Alarm for quite a while and it IS a very good program and very good, but elected to go with AOL just to simplyfy things...( I am at heart a VERY lazy person who dislikes complications )...
My motto is "keep it simple stupid"... or sumtin like that... Razz
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07-22-05, 08:00 PM
Judy
Thanks again for all the answers. I have dial-up and am only on the net for about a half hour a day. Sometimes a hour but not very often. I have no senative material on my computer. I buy nothing on the computer and don't pay bills that way. Thats why I was wondering about having all this protection.
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07-22-05, 09:42 PM
bedstor
At least put the Avast! program on it's reliable
I notice you said nothing about spyware protection.Do get Spywareblaster and AdAware
installed ASAP
Only thing I don't like is they have to be updated manually. Frown Otherwise they are both 100% reliable at keeping Spyware nasties away Wink
Spyware is just as dangerous as viruses if you get Hit by the wrong strain Mad
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07-23-05, 10:39 AM
dodgecity
you should have protection no matter 1 because
there is so much to worry about (somebody could use your computer with out your knowledge to send varius things around the world) ? is do you want to be part of that. if so then by all means go ahead and infect the rest of us out here who really like our computers and use them for other things other than just turn it on.
EVERY body that has a computer needs an anti virus. end sorry i get misty eyed when i think my computer is at risk. he he
have a nice day Big Grin Smile
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07-23-05, 11:16 AM
Judy
I do have spyware and the firewall and something else that aol offers. I do not have a program like Nortons though. Maybe I'll check into it. Thanks.
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07-24-05, 10:45 AM
Judy
Ok, this is what I have now. E mail spam protection, Email Virus protection, pop up control,spyware protection, Firewall software, anti virus software.
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07-24-05, 12:51 PM
bedstor
Yep sounds OK to me
But the proof of the Pudding is how much is being deflected or is it over protected?
The former is the important thing ..How much is being stopped by the combined defence? Roll Eyes
Though not as important, the Overprotected way can be done by turning up the Firewall settings or Parental control/Security settings leading to blank pages and #404 type error messages or should that be #504 errors?
I do get some queries on this on other site I answer on related to. This it often turns out the questioner(Newbies!) has messed around with the controls and virtually cut themselves off from most of the Internet! Red Face
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07-25-05, 02:08 AM
Judy
I have not touched any of the settings as I'm too dumb to know what to touch. Confused
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07-25-05, 08:01 AM
Dwight
I see that you've received several excellent answers to your security question, but I wanted to say this about your "I have not touched any of the settings..." comment. Most good software doesn't need the "default" or standard settings changed. Generally the programmer will set the program up to run correctly for the average user. Only those with special needs will need to make any setting adjustments.

By the way, I grew up in Middleton, ID and naturally have visited Emmett many times. One of my most vivid memories of Emmett was a trip I made there in a Semi-truck/trailer hauling a load of hay. This was in about 1974 or so. The trailer air brakes went out as I was coming down Freezeout hill into town. I was terrified that I'd never make the curve at the bottom of the hill. Fortunately for me, I did manage the curve and the truck coasted to a stop about a mile past the turnoff into the city. I parked the truck there and never drove it again! Freezeout
Dwight
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07-25-05 10:38 AM
bedstor
Dwight
The English answer to your answer would be the A6 route though the village of Shap village of Shap Cumbria which was bypassed by the M6 motorway in the 60's
This was a very long grade for several miles of 1 in 12? The main railway route nearby follows it at a Ruling grade of 1 in 175 for 5 miles. Though modern trains can take it with ease @ 70mph. The old steam locos had to come down with brakes pinned if it was a goods train and just 20mph with passengers
Going up this would have to be double headed or Banked and would take an hour or so! More in Bad weather!!
And there were stories of trains and Vehicles being stranded if the weather got bad(directly exposed)
Here is a map of the area can zoom out and see the contour lines. Note it is Not the highest lying land in the area which is about 800 metres Shap is only 300 metres above sea level

Should run a Topic on notorious roads sometime?

This message has been edited. Last edited by: DorianGreyed,