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Free Anti-Virus & Other Safety Software

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~BD~

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Aug 13, 2008, 9:20:33 AM8/13/08
to
Every computer connected to the internet is vulnerable to fraud and computer
vandalism. This leaves our pockets prey to the software protection
industry's heavy charges to keep us safe. Yet it's possible to get legal,
professional quality anti-virus and other protective software, absolutely
free.

Every computer connected to the internet is vulnerable to fraud and computer
vandalism. This leaves our pockets prey to the software protection
industry's heavy charges to keep us safe. Yet it's possible to get legal,
professional quality anti-virus and other protective software, absolutely
free.

Please read here:-
http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/shopping/free-anti-virus-software

Leonard Grey

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Aug 13, 2008, 9:40:08 AM8/13/08
to
This troll has already been banned from several groups.
---
Leonard Grey
Errare humanum est

~BD~ wrote:

~BD~

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Aug 13, 2008, 11:17:55 AM8/13/08
to
Mr Grey - you know full well that this item is *NOT* SPAM.

I suspect that you didn't even take the trouble to review the information
posted.

Dave

--
"Leonard Grey" <l.g...@not.valid.net> wrote in message
news:uBSdboU$IHA....@TK2MSFTNGP04.phx.gbl...

Tom [Pepper] Willett

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Aug 13, 2008, 11:55:39 AM8/13/08
to
But, you are a tin-foil hatted troll that has been banned from several
groups.

"~BD~" <~BD~@nospam.invalid> wrote in message
news:OYD8TlV$IHA....@TK2MSFTNGP02.phx.gbl...
: Mr Grey - you know full well that this item is *NOT* SPAM.

: >
:
:


BoaterDave

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Aug 13, 2008, 12:28:08 PM8/13/08
to
On 13 Aug, 16:55, "Tom [Pepper] Willett" <t...@youreadaisyifyoudo.com>
wrote:

> But, you are a tin-foil hatted troll that has been banned from several
> groups.

Perhaps you should confirm here for all to read that I .........
BoaterDave (AKA ~BD~ ) ........ has been banned from *NO* Microsoft
groups at all. None!

I'd appreciate your honesty in this regard, Tom. TIA.

Dave

David H. Lipman

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Aug 13, 2008, 4:37:10 PM8/13/08
to
From: "Tom [Pepper] Willett" <t...@youreadaisyifyoudo.com>

| But, you are a tin-foil hatted troll that has been banned from several
| groups.

Y E S !

However, the original post was not spam.


--
Dave
http://www.claymania.com/removal-trojan-adware.html
Multi-AV - http://www.pctipp.ch/downloads/dl/35905.asp


Dan

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Aug 13, 2008, 6:37:01 PM8/13/08
to
Sorry, Boater Dave, I don't like the advertisements on this site.

The following should provide users with better choices of what to view to
understand web external security and internal safety of 9x and NT operating
systems.

For a more detailed explaination of 9x consumer operating systems compared
to NT operating systems then just research it with Wikipedia. In addition, I
have read Microsoft eliminated the 9x consumer source code to save money and
that it has never been leaked over the Internet as the Windows NT source code
has. Finally, Chris Quirke, MVP rightly argues that Windows 2000, XP and
Vista all lack an internal maintenance operating system that is Disk
Operating System for Windows 98 Second Edition.

This is just my 3 sense <2 cents> for what little worth it may be to someone
someday somewhere out there over the rainbow.

Over and Out,
from Sky and Living in the Clouds of Dreamland<aka Dreamworld shall we say--
grins>

A Question we should all be asking is "Will I Ever Escape From The Matrix"

LOL, Dan W. Computer Gamer signing off

us-cert.gov

http://www.grystmill.com/articles/security.htm

http://cquirke.blogspot.com/

http://secunia.com/

(note use search box to search for vulnerabilities within software that is
used for computing environments --- eg. Windows XP, Windows 2000, Windows
Vista, Windows 98 Second Edition, Apple Safari, Mozilla Firefox, Internet
Explorer 7, etc. --- end note)


--------------------------------------Boater Dave's
Post-----------------------

Anteaus

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Aug 14, 2008, 3:36:01 AM8/14/08
to

The point the OP makes about AV software is a very real one. AV software is
sold by way of 'push install' onto new computers, not by consumer choice, and
certainly not by quality ratings. In many cases the free offerings ARE
better in every respect than the expensive, foisted ones.

S. Pidgorny <MVP>

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Aug 14, 2008, 5:00:35 AM8/14/08
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G'day:

"Anteaus" <Ant...@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:D5DC6EDE-5EC4-4BA6...@microsoft.com...


>
> The point the OP makes about AV software is a very real one. AV software
> is
> sold by way of 'push install' onto new computers, not by consumer choice,
> and
> certainly not by quality ratings. In many cases the free offerings ARE
> better in every respect than the expensive, foisted ones.

True. It would be good to add links to some credible AV tests, like

http://av-test.org/


--
Svyatoslav Pidgorny, MS MVP - Security, MCSE
-= F1 is the key =-

* http://sl.mvps.org * http://msmvps.com/blogs/sp *


Dan

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Aug 14, 2008, 5:22:00 AM8/14/08
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However, false positives seem to have gone up recently with anti-virus
products and thus I see the quality of many anti-virus products as going
down-hill. Where is the accountability that used to be in the anti-virus
industry or is this just an overall software security trend of products being
worse because of more false positives?

Frank Saunders MS-MVP IE,OE/WM

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Aug 14, 2008, 9:44:21 AM8/14/08
to
"Anteaus" <Ant...@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:D5DC6EDE-5EC4-4BA6...@microsoft.com...
>

Agreed. In fact, the included security suite is probably one of the ones
that screws up and slows down Windows.

--
Frank Saunders MS-MVP IE,OE/WM
Do not reply with email

Dan

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Aug 14, 2008, 10:06:02 AM8/14/08
to
True, I hate the craplets and would also go with a clean install of my own
and a customized machine if and when realistic but I know that cannot be
realistic for big businesses. I like SpywareBlaster and Spybot Search and
Destroy for anti-spyware. I like AVG 7.5 for anti-virus. I am still
undecided about Windows Live One Care but I am using it on a trial basis for
now. What about everyone else and what are your security and safety measures
that you use to protect your computers. Thanks in advance for the replies.

~BD~

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Aug 14, 2008, 1:07:37 PM8/14/08
to

"Dan" <D...@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:CB944F77-D28C-4AB8...@microsoft.com...

> Sorry, Boater Dave, I don't like the advertisements on this site.
<snip>

I'm sorry about the advertisements, Dan ............ it's a great 'saving
money' site for those in the UK, and the adverts. are the price 'we' have to
pay to get really good FREE advice!

Thanks for the links you posted. FWIW I personally no of no-one who is still
using Windows 98! <smile!>

Dave


~BD~

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Aug 14, 2008, 1:15:34 PM8/14/08
to
Sorry - KNOW of no-one!

BD
--


AlmostBob

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Aug 14, 2008, 2:31:18 PM8/14/08
to
on a completely unrelated note
DOS3.31 is amazingly fast on a p4
--
Adaware http://www.lavasoft.de
spybot http://www.safer-networking.org
AVG free antivirus http://www.grisoft.com
Etrust/Vet/CA.online Antivirus scan
http://www3.ca.com/securityadvisor/virusinfo/scan.aspx
Panda online AntiVirus scan http://www.pandasoftware.com/ActiveScan/
Catalog of removal tools (1)
http://www.pandasoftware.com/download/utilities/
Catalog of removal tools (2)
http://www3.ca.com/securityadvisor/newsinfo/collateral.aspx?CID=40387
Blocking Unwanted Parasites with a Hosts file
http://mvps.org/winhelp2002/hosts.htm
links provided as a courtesy, read all instructions on the pages before use

Grateful thanks to the authors and webmasters
_

"~BD~" <~BD~@nospam.invalid> wrote in message

news:Ob78kGj$IHA....@TK2MSFTNGP03.phx.gbl...

FromTheRafters

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Aug 14, 2008, 4:09:12 PM8/14/08
to

"Dan" <D...@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:DB523A42-A8A8-4437...@microsoft.com...

> True, I hate the craplets and would also go with a clean install of my own
> and a customized machine if and when realistic but I know that cannot be
> realistic for big businesses. I like SpywareBlaster and Spybot Search and
> Destroy for anti-spyware. I like AVG 7.5 for anti-virus. I am still
> undecided about Windows Live One Care but I am using it on a trial basis
> for
> now. What about everyone else and what are your security and safety
> measures
> that you use to protect your computers. Thanks in advance for the
> replies.

I have two laptops on a wireless LAN, one Vista and one XP.
Both have the Windows firewall enabled - plus when I'm behind
the wireless access point/router I have that, which is the best type
of firewall. The firewall applications I feel are a good thing to have
just in case I use someone elses access point for my connection.

On Vista I have Avast! anti-virus (I let the McAfee free trial expire).
On XP I have Norton, and when it expires I will install AntiVir as
the anti-virus. Both of those are the free versions, but I am not a
high risk user - so they'll do just fine.

I use anti-otherware when it pleases me, and the "Defender" that
my Vista OS came with is always enabled. I also make use of the
malicious software removal tool through Windows Update.

I use harddrive imaging software, and full and incremental backup
as backup plans, and preinstallation environment disks for lack
of good ol' DOS as a maintenance OS.

One good thing about anti-everything suites preinstalled on a new
OS is that you can't experience any slow-down. Although you can
experience a significant speed-up if you remove them <G>.


Joan Archer

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Aug 14, 2008, 4:31:50 PM8/14/08
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One good thing about my new Vista machine is that it didn't come with a load
of crap installed. It just had the OS and a trial version of Live OneCare
that I removed.
On that machine I have NOD32 v3 anti-virus the built in firewall and Windows
Defender, on my XP machine I have the free version of Avast with the built
in firewall and Windows Defender and the WinME machine has the free AVG
anti-virus ZoneAlarm free firewall. They all have SpywareBlaster and
SuperAntiSpyware installed and are all behind a NAT router.

--
Joan Archer
http://www.freewebs.com/crossstitcher
http://lachsoft.com/photogallery

"FromTheRafters" <err...@ne.rr.com> wrote in message
news:uJeNimk$IHA....@TK2MSFTNGP04.phx.gbl...

> snip>

Kayman

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Aug 14, 2008, 8:09:17 PM8/14/08
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On Thu, 14 Aug 2008 07:06:02 -0700, Dan wrote:

> True, I hate the craplets and would also go with a clean install of my own
> and a customized machine if and when realistic but I know that cannot be
> realistic for big businesses. I like SpywareBlaster and Spybot Search and
> Destroy for anti-spyware.

You could add SAS to your arsenal of A-S apps.:
SuperAntispyware - Free
http://www.superantispyware.com/superantispywarefreevspro.html

> I like AVG 7.5 for anti-virus.

AVG lost its lustre. Good alternatives are:
Avira AntiVir® Personal - FREE Antivirus
http://www.free-av.com/
(The free version won't scan your emails.)
You may wish to consider removing the 'AntiVir Nagscreen'
http://www.elitekiller.com/files/disable_antivir_nag.htm
or
Free antivirus - avast! 4 Home Edition
It includes ANTI-SPYWARE protection, certified by the West Coast Labs
Checkmark process, and ANTI-ROOTKIT DETECTION based on the best-in class
GMER technology.
http://www.avast.com/eng/avast_4_home.html
(Choose Custom Installation and under Resident
Protection, uncheck: Internet Mail and Outlook/Exchange.)

Why You Don't Need Your Anti-Virus Program to Scan Your E-Mail
http://thundercloud.net/infoave/tutorials/email-scanning/index.htm

> I am still undecided about Windows Live One Care but I am using
> it on a trial basis for now.

IMO, WLOC is not worth having; Good quality AV apps. are freely available
including the additions it (WLOC) incorporates.

> What about everyone else and what are your security and safety measures
> that you use to protect your computers. Thanks in advance for the replies.

If you are *really* concerned about security measures you may (as an
average homeuser) wish to consider this:

For WinXP the most dependable defenses are:
1. Do not work as Administrator; For day-to-day work routinely use a
Limited User Account (LUA).
2. Secure (Harden) your operating system.
3. Don't expose services to public networks.
4. Keep your operating system (and all software on it) updated/patched.
(Got SP3 yet?).
5. Reconsider the usage of IE and OE.
5a.Secure (Harden) Internet Explorer.
6. Review your installed 3rd party software applications/utilities; Remove
clutter, *including* 3rd party software personal (so-called) firewall
application (PFW) - the one which claims:
"It can stop/control malicious outbound traffic".
7. If on dial-up Internet connection, activate the build-in firewall and
configure Windows not to use TCP/IP as transport protocol for NetBIOS,
SMB and RPC, thus leaving TCP/UDP ports 135,137-139 and 445 (the most
exploited Windows networking weak point) closed.
7a.If on high-speed Internet connection use a router.
For the average homeuser it is suggested blocking both TCP and UDP ports
135 ~ 139 and 445 on the router and implement countermeasures against
DNSChanger. (Is the Firmware of your router up-to-date?).
And (just in case) Wired Equivalent Privacy (WEP) has been superseded by
Wi-Fi Protected Access (WPA).
8. Routinely practice Safe-Hex.

Also, ensure you do:
a. Regularly back-up data/files.
b. Familiarize yourself with crash recovery tools and re-installing your
operating system (OS).
c. Utilize a good-quality real-time anti-virus application and some vital
system monitoring utilities/applications.
d. Keep abreast of the latest developments.

And finally:
Most computer magazines and/or (computer) specialized websites are biased
i.e. heavily weighted towards the (advertisement) dollar almighty!
Therefore:
a. Be cautious selecting software applications touted in publications
relying on advertisement revenue.
b. Do take their test-results of various software with a considerable
amount of salt!
c. Which also applies to their 'investigative' in-depth test reports
related to any software applications.
d. Investigate claims made by software manufacturer *prior* downloading
their software; Subscribing to noncommercial-type publications,
specialized newsgroups and/or fora (to some extend) are a great way to
find out the 'nitty-gritties' and to consider various options available.

The least preferred defenses are:
Myriads of popular anti-whatever applications and staying ignorant.

Milo

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Aug 15, 2008, 12:29:49 AM8/15/08
to
try this site for Security/Safety Software

http://www.trendsecure.com

http://www.trendmicro.com/download/apac/product.asp?productid=87

"Anteaus" <Ant...@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:D5DC6EDE-5EC4-4BA6...@microsoft.com...
>

S. Pidgorny <MVP>

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Aug 15, 2008, 4:54:31 AM8/15/08
to
G'day:

"FromTheRafters" <err...@ne.rr.com> wrote in message
news:uJeNimk$IHA....@TK2MSFTNGP04.phx.gbl...

> On Vista I have Avast! anti-virus (I let the McAfee free trial expire).


> On XP I have Norton, and when it expires I will install AntiVir as
> the anti-virus. Both of those are the free versions, but I am not a
> high risk user - so they'll do just fine.

Even for a high-risk users there is no clear advantage of a paid product
over freeware. Phone support?

Leonard Grey

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Aug 15, 2008, 10:09:29 AM8/15/08
to
Really effective protection requires an enormous investment (in people,
computers and software; maybe a building to house the above.) How does a
free security suite pay for all that?

Now there are circumstances that might enable free security software to
be as effective as paid security software. For example, if a company
sells high-priced enterprise security software to businesses, they may
earn enough that they can afford to provide free versions of the
software to individuals - in fact, that might be a marketing strategy.

There are also organizations that sell paid and free versions of
security software - no doubt the paid-for licenses subsidize the free
licenses. But the free licenses lack features that many may not want to
do without. Often, the support is reduced.

We are all aware of free software that can stay free because there is a
massive number of volunteers who combine their talents to produce a
top-quality product. Think of Linux, or Mozilla. Other free software
earns donations for the developer, although it's tough to get a mortgage
on the basis of donations.

Absent the above circumstances, I would not personally put my faith in
free security software. At the end of the day (or the month) somebody
needs to get paid for their efforts.

But that's just my opinion. In any case, security software isn't the
be-all and end-all of security anyway:

"Ultimately, the only protection against phishing, forged Web pages,
downloading malware, and other threats is the technology located between
the user's ears."

Mitch Wagner, Information Week
November 21, 2007


---
Leonard Grey
Errare humanum est

FromTheRafters

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Aug 15, 2008, 8:47:28 PM8/15/08
to

"S. Pidgorny <MVP>" <slav...@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:%23rxCPSr$IHA....@TK2MSFTNGP02.phx.gbl...

> G'day:
>
> "FromTheRafters" <err...@ne.rr.com> wrote in message
> news:uJeNimk$IHA....@TK2MSFTNGP04.phx.gbl...
>
>> On Vista I have Avast! anti-virus (I let the McAfee free trial expire).
>> On XP I have Norton, and when it expires I will install AntiVir as
>> the anti-virus. Both of those are the free versions, but I am not a
>> high risk user - so they'll do just fine.
>
> Even for a high-risk users there is no clear advantage of a paid product
> over freeware. Phone support?

I'm low risk because of my computing habits (a little) and the
low value of my data.

High risk users should be willing to pay for the support behind
the software product, and in most cases will also get a superior
product to the free version. I refer specifically to anti-virus here
because it is the work of people behind the scenes that makes
a product superior. Although much good work is done by the
freeware community, they would have to dedicate far too much
time in order to amass the same amount of knowledge that some
payware companies have over decades of evolution. Not to
mention the ongoing research and real world sampling people
would have to do - and people gotta eat! :o)


Kayman

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Aug 16, 2008, 3:57:15 AM8/16/08
to

> Leonard Grey
> Errare humanum est

Well LG, Mitch Wagner either errs or is biased. I suspect the latter!
I generally check credentials of authors writing articles/messages in
advertisement sponsored publications.

Mitch Wagner is an executive editor at InformationWeek.
He would be responsible for the editorial aspects of publication and
determines the final content of what is written in InformationWeek.
I guess that like most magazines they rely on the advertisement dollar
almighty!

I take these messages with a ton of salt; And would advise anybody else to
be extremely cautious of scaremongering tactics.

BTW, what would happen if there was no free AV ware available? Do you
realistically think that every user on this planet would go out and
purchase one?
Me thinks that sooner or later the net would come to a grinding halt; A
great motivation (foresight?) for the makers of AV applications to offer
workable free versions (albeit with limited features) of their products.
Nuff' said :-)

Kayman

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Aug 16, 2008, 3:58:07 AM8/16/08
to
On Fri, 15 Aug 2008 18:54:31 +1000, S. Pidgorny <MVP> wrote:

> G'day:
>
> "FromTheRafters" <err...@ne.rr.com> wrote in message
> news:uJeNimk$IHA....@TK2MSFTNGP04.phx.gbl...
>
>> On Vista I have Avast! anti-virus (I let the McAfee free trial expire).
>> On XP I have Norton, and when it expires I will install AntiVir as
>> the anti-virus. Both of those are the free versions, but I am not a
>> high risk user - so they'll do just fine.
>
> Even for a high-risk users there is no clear advantage of a paid product
> over freeware. Phone support?

Agree wholeheartedly. One only has to follow websites specializing in
comparing AV programs. Or follow (uncountable) newsgroup messages in
relation to WLOC, retail version of Norton, McAfee and TrenMicro...For the
average homeuser free version of AntiVir or Avast are adequate (IMO).

~BD~

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Aug 16, 2008, 5:56:48 AM8/16/08
to

"David H. Lipman" <DLipman~nospam~@Verizon.Net> wrote in message
news:upVpdRY$IHA...@TK2MSFTNGP05.phx.gbl...


Every engineer knows that in order to achieve true greatness, it is
imperative to alway keep a clear, unclouded mind and to protect one's
secrets from those who would seek to steal or plagiarize the radical new
designs of a hard-working genius. The [Tinfoil Hat] is the logical result of
this profound insight, combining tinfoil's powerful mental shielding
properties with the excellent counter-hexing effect of troll tears and the
outstanding mind-focus powers of one of Azeroth's most precious gems.
However, besides keeping the wearer safe from mind spies and the thought
police, it also removes the wearer's character profile from the World of
Warcraft Armory to further guarantee that no one will be able to divine all
of the wearer's tightly held secrets. Furthermore, wearers of the Tinfoil
Hat will not show up in /who listings, and they will also be immune to
inspection from other players.

Reference: http://www.wowwiki.com/Introducing_the_Tinfoil_Hat


TompangBuddy.Com

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Aug 16, 2008, 7:09:06 AM8/16/08
to
> You could add SAS to your arsenal of A-S apps.:
> SuperAntispyware - Free
> http://www.superantispyware.com/superantispywarefreevspro.html

This gets my vote of a must have scanner. It has quickly solved many issues
for many clients that we fix computers for. Best of all, it is free.
--
http://www.tompangbuddy.com
Share Cab, Carpool and Save Earth in Singapore
"Kayman" <kaymanDe...@operamail.com> wrote in message
news:OM4Fnsm$IHA....@TK2MSFTNGP05.phx.gbl...

jen

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Aug 16, 2008, 10:19:25 AM8/16/08
to
"David H. Lipman" <DLipman~nospam~@Verizon.Net> wrote in message
news:upVpdRY$IHA...@TK2MSFTNGP05.phx.gbl...
>> From: "Tom [Pepper] Willett" <t...@youreadaisyifyoudo.com>
>> | But, you are a tin-foil hatted troll that has been banned from
>> several
>> | groups.
>> Y E S !
>> However, the original post was not spam.>

On the Effectiveness of Aluminium Foil Helmets:
An Empirical Study
http://people.csail.mit.edu/rahimi/helmet/

-jen


~BD~

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Aug 16, 2008, 3:58:47 PM8/16/08
to
Thanks for that illuminating lead, Jen! :)

How are things over on U2U ........... Annexcafe.com ?

Is Peter Foldes fully recovered now? Please give him my regards - he doesn't
respond to me here on the MS groups.

Dave


"jen" <j...@example.com> wrote in message
news:e6UQas6$IHA....@TK2MSFTNGP04.phx.gbl...
<snip>

~BD~

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Aug 16, 2008, 4:53:58 PM8/16/08
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Thanks Milo! (and Anteaus!)

Another good site to explore here:-

http://www.windowsbbs.com/malware-virus-removal/67958-ounce-prevention-worth-pound-cure.html

Dave

--

"Milo" <jfc...@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:43611A9A-09AE-4ABE...@microsoft.com...

Dan

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Aug 19, 2008, 6:17:29 AM8/19/08
to
Thanks. I am using Windows 98 Second Edition on a daily basis now. I also
use Windows XP Professional and have briefly tried Ubuntu Linux. I have
Windows Vista Home Premium on another machine. I now know that Windows 98
Second Edition is a safe internal alternative because the most the bad guys
have been able to do to me so far is just the Denial of Service error and
that just makes me laugh since whoever the hackers were of the APS network,
they certainly appeared to know what they were looking for and how to get it
quickly but with 98 Second Edition all they could do was the Denial of
Service Error because 9x consumer source code is meant as a stand-a-lone
source code and not meant to be networked with lots of other machines and
that is why in my opinion it was a great lose for all of us not to have
Windows 98 Second Edition support from Microsoft anymore.

Heck, all anybody has to do is check out secunia.com and research the
vulnerabilities to see which software has vulnerabilities and which software
has had their vulnerabilities patched. It is quite simple to do the research
from the search box.

It now appears that by the end of the year --- many 3rd party solutions will
be ending as well --- for Windows 98 Second Edition -- sad to say -- and I
hope Microsoft will sell their 9x source code to DHS because we need all the
help that we can get and it is such a loss not to take the full potential of
an operating system that has its roots in Disk Operating System as a
maintenance operating system at least until Microsoft is able to give us a
viable replacement for the NT source code which users seem to forget was
panned by early Microsoft Engineers as the inferior source code because of
its lack of the internal safety of Disk Operating System.

The needed solution to the industry's problems are a combination of closed
and open source technologies that are needed for the future. The industry
has recognized the threat posed by DNS Pollution. Unfortunately, the concern
lies now mainly with the consumer practicing the proper methods and not just
enabling remote source code to be viewed by default, reading all emails in
plain text only at least initially to understand the threat matrix, keeping
their machines fully patched, etc.

The needed solution, in my view for what it is worth, would be a NT external
secure front (Vista), a 9x internal safety front (Windows 98 Second Edition)
with open source solutions like Mozilla Firefox (2.0.x) with its 256 bit AES
encryption even within Windows 98 Second Edition that Internet Explorer lacks
with Windows XP Professional but has with Windows Vista Internet Explorer as
well as using programs like SpywareBlaster that prevent baddies from even
getting onto your computer. I think Gary S. Terhune, Chris Quirke, and
Robear, all Microsoft MVP's are really good at understanding these areas.

http://isc.sans.org/

http://www.kb.cert.org/vuls/id/800113

http://cquirke.blogspot.com/

http://www.grystmill.com/articles/security.htm

http://www.doxpara.com/

etc. --- I could go on all day providing web-sites but I think Microsoft,
US-Cert, and others get the points if interested

Dan

unread,
Aug 19, 2008, 6:24:03 AM8/19/08
to
MalWareBytes is a good product but Adaware SE just is terrible in my opinion
now because of its false positives --- it destroyed my sister Kate's computer
because of false positives and so I do not suggest using such an inferior and
crappy product as Adaware SE. The rest of the suggestions on the web-site
seem okay.

Paul Adare - MVP

unread,
Aug 19, 2008, 6:41:05 AM8/19/08
to
On Tue, 19 Aug 2008 03:17:29 -0700, Dan wrote:

> and I
> hope Microsoft will sell their 9x source code to DHS because we need all the
> help that we can get and it is such a loss not to take the full potential of
> an operating system that has its roots in Disk Operating System as a
> maintenance operating system

This won't happen.

> at least until Microsoft is able to give us a
> viable replacement for the NT source code which users seem to forget was
> panned by early Microsoft Engineers as the inferior source code because of
> its lack of the internal safety of Disk Operating System.

Sorry, but this is a load of crap.

--
Paul Adare
MVP - Identity Lifecycle Manager
http://www.identit.ca
No line available at 300 baud.

Kayman

unread,
Aug 19, 2008, 8:20:50 AM8/19/08
to
On Tue, 19 Aug 2008 03:17:29 -0700, Dan wrote:

> Thanks. I am using Windows 98 Second Edition on a daily basis now. I also
> use Windows XP Professional and have briefly tried Ubuntu Linux. I have
> Windows Vista Home Premium on another machine. I now know that Windows 98
> Second Edition is a safe internal alternative because the most the bad guys
> have been able to do to me so far is just the Denial of Service error and
> that just makes me laugh since whoever the hackers were of the APS network,
> they certainly appeared to know what they were looking for and how to get it
> quickly but with 98 Second Edition all they could do was the Denial of
> Service Error because 9x consumer source code is meant as a stand-a-lone
> source code and not meant to be networked with lots of other machines and
> that is why in my opinion it was a great lose for all of us not to have
> Windows 98 Second Edition support from Microsoft anymore.

I do banking and trade in stocks etc. and wouldn't feel safe using an
unsupported and outdated operating system.



> Heck, all anybody has to do is check out secunia.com and research the
> vulnerabilities to see which software has vulnerabilities and which software
> has had their vulnerabilities patched. It is quite simple to do the research
> from the search box.

Well, it's a PC! And provided the OS is kept up-to-date, use common sense,
a PC can be configured to withstand attacks.


> It now appears that by the end of the year --- many 3rd party solutions will
> be ending as well --- for Windows 98 Second Edition -- sad to say -- and I
> hope Microsoft will sell their 9x source code to DHS because we need all the
> help that we can get and it is such a loss not to take the full potential of
> an operating system that has its roots in Disk Operating System as a
> maintenance operating system at least until Microsoft is able to give us a
> viable replacement for the NT source code which users seem to forget was
> panned by early Microsoft Engineers as the inferior source code because of
> its lack of the internal safety of Disk Operating System.

As I said, you can configure NT based OS to your advantage.



> The needed solution to the industry's problems are a combination of closed
> and open source technologies that are needed for the future. The industry
> has recognized the threat posed by DNS Pollution. Unfortunately, the concern
> lies now mainly with the consumer practicing the proper methods and not just
> enabling remote source code to be viewed by default, reading all emails in
> plain text only at least initially to understand the threat matrix, keeping
> their machines fully patched, etc.

The technology is freely available.



> The needed solution, in my view for what it is worth, would be a NT external
> secure front (Vista), a 9x internal safety front (Windows 98 Second Edition)
> with open source solutions like Mozilla Firefox (2.0.x) with its 256 bit AES
> encryption even within Windows 98 Second Edition that Internet Explorer lacks
> with Windows XP Professional but has with Windows Vista Internet Explorer as
> well as using programs like SpywareBlaster that prevent baddies from even
> getting onto your computer. I think Gary S. Terhune, Chris Quirke, and
> Robear, all Microsoft MVP's are really good at understanding these areas.

They sure do. But even they have different views with respect to computer
'cum' Internet security and security related software. Sadly, not too many
advocating the use of LUA etc., oh well.

Cheers :-)

Dan

unread,
Aug 19, 2008, 9:53:01 AM8/19/08
to
Thanks for your reply, Kayman. I hope the future will include open and
closed source technologies with NT, 9x, Linux/Unix and we need solutions and
not more complaining. The thing is that Microsoft is the best one to rally
the troops and support this kind of leadership via a new source code. I can
only hope that this will be a reality someday but not in the case of Windows
7 apparently. <same old source code with new features -- it really is a
tired source code in my opinion for what little worth it is to so many>
Of course, 9x consumer source code is not geared for businesses and
networking and has less services so the hacking potential is much less as
well as not having remote access and other stuff that provides the larger
surface area of Windows 2000 and XP. Fortunately, Windows Vista is indeed
much stronger in external defense than 2000 and XP and with SP1 it is much
better in terms of backwards compatibility but I see Vista as still a work in
progress although it really is coming along great. My Ipod Mini 2nd
generation and using it with Windows Vista Home Premium 32 bit with SP1 and
fully updated now plays fine and did not play the Itunues originally until
the updates by Apple and Microsoft were provided.
Ubuntu Linux definately has potential for the future and I see it as an
exciting growth area.
Apple in my opinion has made me very annoyed because they continue to push
Safari which is a crappy web browser imo on Windows users willy nilly and
without any regard for their machines. In addition, Apple has tied Itunues
with Quicktime and you have to keep Quicktime if you want to use Itunes and
Quicktime keeps having security vulnerabilities. In addition, Apple
originally pushed Safari as an update when it was new software and Safari is
terrible and suffers from constant security vulnerabilities. Finally, Apple
also ties Bonjour in with Quicktime and Itunes and while not required is
annoying because it is just another avenue for a cyber hack and hopefully the
U.S. Justice Department will be willing to investigate Apple as they did to
Microsoft back in 1998 for anti-trust issues because if Microsoft was
anti-trust for tying Internet Explorer with Windows 98 then how much more is
Apple breaking user agreements by shoveling all their tied together junk down
Windows user's throats. grr, I just hope that someday Apple's pride will
lead to its being put in its place by the federal government because the
industry sometimes just cannot regulate itself.

~BD~

unread,
Aug 20, 2008, 10:02:38 AM8/20/08
to
Thanks for posting your view, Dan.

BD

--


"Dan" <D...@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message

news:28EB1CE6-FCA4-4679...@microsoft.com...

Dan

unread,
Aug 20, 2008, 11:05:01 AM8/20/08
to
Thank you Kayman. The need is for a new source code that Microsoft is
currently developing but details are mostly secret. What is needed is to tie
the internal safety of 9x (Windows 98 Second Edition) that has Disk Operating
System as its underlying maintenance operating system that Vista lacks
according to Chris Quirke, mvp with the outstanding external security of NT
(New Technology that has its best showing so far in Vista) and these closed
source technologies have been thankfully provided by Microsoft. Windows 98
Second Edition may be unsupported but it is critical in my research for
Microsoft and US-Cert. You bring these two closed source codes -- one
consumer 9x (98SE) has the internal safety with the external security of NT
(Vista) with the help of Unix/Linux open source technologies and it provides
the ultimate safety and security solution for all. A good example of open
source technologies that I like is Mozilla Firefox which even has 256 bit AES
(Advanced Encryption Standard) within Windows 98 Second Edition. Happily, I
have been running tests and seeing if people can hack into 98 Second Edition
but so far all the hackers can do is denial of service errors to Internet
Explorer and as shown in the previous example to VPN.

BTW, forgive my ignorance and stupidity but what is LULA and explain better
for my knowledge and others who may not have all the background experience
expertise in the security industry within banking that you have Kayman.

Dan

unread,
Aug 20, 2008, 11:11:06 AM8/20/08
to
It is my pleasure, BD and a view which few if any others fully share.
However, Dan K's research into the DNS Poisoning has sparked my interest
again in the safety and security debate of 9x, NT, and Linux/Unix and which
is the best solution or combination of solutions (my view) to fully protect
users on the 'Net from criminals who appear to be based first in China, then
the U.S.A. and finally in Russia with the rest spread throughout the world.
However, I say that with a grain of salt because that research is about 6-8
years old now using Zone Alarm Professionals to determine where the hacks
were coming from and then countries have the capabilities to set up numerous
hidden and sheltered points within many other countries to try to mask their
capabilities.

The Truth is that it is only a matter of time with US-Cert and others on
their case and the Spybot Networks being broken by continued research and the
help of sans and doxpara professionals and of course all other interested
individuals which does include Steve Riley, MSFT, of course, mvps and others
who post in this newsgroup and others like 98 general. Thank goodness, for
Microsoft and their willingness to host these public Microsoft newsgroups.

~BD~

unread,
Aug 20, 2008, 11:25:45 AM8/20/08
to
We seem to be on the same side, Dan! :)

I find your views both interesting and refreshing. If the 'gurus' - who know
all the technical answers - cannot curb the activities of 'the bad guys', it
will be the likes of you and me who might, just possibly, trip them up from
time to time!

Stick with it!

Dave

--
"Dan" <D...@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message

news:B7F5A0EC-9707-4B20...@microsoft.com...

Dan

unread,
Aug 20, 2008, 2:25:01 PM8/20/08
to
Just remember and this applies to everyone "Never Give Up"

David H. Lipman

unread,
Aug 20, 2008, 4:17:30 PM8/20/08
to
From: "~BD~" <~BD~@nospam.invalid>


Please stop changing the subject of the post within any given thread !

Dan

unread,
Aug 20, 2008, 5:05:06 PM8/20/08
to
Agreed, thanks David.

RJK

unread,
Sep 13, 2008, 7:08:00 PM9/13/08
to
XP Home ed. is REALLY fast if you never install any software into it !
Having said that, I built up an XP Home ed. machine, a couple of weeks ago,
that was fantastically swift - after everything that was installed into it -
until I installed Norton Ghost 9.0 to back up the boot drive onto its' 2nd
hd and, the performance vanished. Even after uninstalling Norton Ghost 9.0,
and dropping it back to the restore point I took immediately prior to
installing Norton Ghost 9.0 - the performance didn't come back. Rather than
research / dig / and try to find out how Ghost 9.0 had managed to cripple
the thing with such lasting effects, that also survived it's uninstallation
and registry entries etc - we wiped the thing and installed XP again from
scratch !!

regards, Richard


"AlmostBob" <anony...@microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:eR4ayvj$IHA....@TK2MSFTNGP05.phx.gbl...
> on a completely unrelated note
> DOS3.31 is amazingly fast on a p4
> --
> Adaware http://www.lavasoft.de
> spybot http://www.safer-networking.org
> AVG free antivirus http://www.grisoft.com
> Etrust/Vet/CA.online Antivirus scan
> http://www3.ca.com/securityadvisor/virusinfo/scan.aspx
> Panda online AntiVirus scan http://www.pandasoftware.com/ActiveScan/
> Catalog of removal tools (1)
> http://www.pandasoftware.com/download/utilities/
> Catalog of removal tools (2)
> http://www3.ca.com/securityadvisor/newsinfo/collateral.aspx?CID=40387
> Blocking Unwanted Parasites with a Hosts file
> http://mvps.org/winhelp2002/hosts.htm
> links provided as a courtesy, read all instructions on the pages before
> use
>
> Grateful thanks to the authors and webmasters
> _
>
> "~BD~" <~BD~@nospam.invalid> wrote in message
> news:Ob78kGj$IHA....@TK2MSFTNGP03.phx.gbl...
>> Sorry - KNOW of no-one!
>>
>> BD
>> --
>>
>>
>
>


RJK

unread,
Sep 13, 2008, 7:12:40 PM9/13/08
to
Well said, and I'm pretty sure in his 2nd paragraph he was talking about AVG
!!

regards, Richard


"Kayman" <kaymanDe...@operamail.com> wrote in message

news:%23Gc1vW3$IHA....@TK2MSFTNGP02.phx.gbl...

RJK

unread,
Sep 13, 2008, 7:17:28 PM9/13/08
to
AVG hasn't lost its' lustre ! In fact AVG 8.0 has so much lustre that I
often sit working through all that new "lustre" - wondering how to congure
it all ! ...the link scanner is pretty impressive, though I've only ever
seen one or two red X's on a Google search results list.

regards, Richard


"Kayman" <kaymanDe...@operamail.com> wrote in message

news:OM4Fnsm$IHA....@TK2MSFTNGP05.phx.gbl...

Leonard Grey

unread,
Sep 13, 2008, 7:18:51 PM9/13/08
to
Baloney.

My copy of XP Home SP 3 runs on a 6-year old Pentium 4 2.26 GHz.
Kaspersky Internet Security 2009 runs in the background. I've got plenty
of big software installed, like Office 2007. XP Home boots up quickly
and runs quickly.
---


Leonard Grey
Errare humanum est

RJK

unread,
Sep 13, 2008, 7:20:46 PM9/13/08
to
...congure = configure !

regards, Richard


RJK

unread,
Sep 13, 2008, 7:28:03 PM9/13/08
to
...of course it's "baloney," that was my attempt at being witty ! :-)
However, if a largish range of application software is installed without
closely controlling what gets installed e.g. lots of XP services that are
not really required, performance can take a hit.

regards, Richard


"Leonard Grey" <l.g...@not.valid.net> wrote in message
news:OS$wScfFJ...@TK2MSFTNGP03.phx.gbl...

Leonard Grey

unread,
Sep 13, 2008, 7:57:02 PM9/13/08
to
Baloney.

I have all of XP Home's default services running, plus whatever services
have been added by my application software. Still runs quick.

RJK

unread,
Sep 13, 2008, 8:14:06 PM9/13/08
to
You need to read a little more carefully !
I didn't say XP services, as you apprantly chose to misinterpret - I
referred to services installed by application software installations.
...and I hope the lid detector service for YOUR flatbed scanner that's
polling your cpu several times a second, and other crap that you allowed to
be installed by lazily choosing they "Typical install" every time you
installed a porgram, isn't slowing YOUR system down too much !

kindest regards,

Richard


"Leonard Grey" <l.g...@not.valid.net> wrote in message

news:O2w5nxf...@TK2MSFTNGP06.phx.gbl...

Galen

unread,
Sep 13, 2008, 9:44:32 PM9/13/08
to
My reply is at the bottom of your sent message.

In news:uHEVubfF...@TK2MSFTNGP02.phx.gbl,
RJK <notat...@hotmail.com> typed:


> AVG hasn't lost its' lustre ! In fact AVG 8.0 has so much lustre that I
> often sit working through all that new "lustre" - wondering how to congure
> it all ! ...the link scanner is pretty impressive, though I've only ever
> seen one or two red X's on a Google search results list.
>
> regards, Richard

These results may interest you:
http://search.live.com/results.aspx?q=avg+link+scanner+problems&form=QBRE

--
Galen (Not Current MS-MVP)

My Geek Site: http://kgiii.info
Web Hosting: http://whathostingshould.be

"In solving a problem of this sort, the grand thing is to be able to reason
backwards. That is a very useful accomplishment, and a
very easy one, but people do not practise it much. In the every-day affairs
of life it is more useful to reason forwards, and so
the other comes to be neglected. There are fifty who can reason
synthetically for one who can reason analytically." - Sherlock
Holmes


Frank Saunders MS-MVP IE,OE/WM

unread,
Sep 14, 2008, 8:54:28 AM9/14/08
to
"RJK" <notat...@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:eu1a27fF...@TK2MSFTNGP06.phx.gbl...

> You need to read a little more carefully !
> I didn't say XP services, as you apprantly chose to misinterpret - I
> referred to services installed by application software installations.
> ...and I hope the lid detector service for YOUR flatbed scanner that's
> polling your cpu several times a second, and other crap that you allowed
> to be installed by lazily choosing they "Typical install" every time you
> installed a porgram, isn't slowing YOUR system down too much !


Once any Norton program has been installed uninstalled is for sufficient.
One must run
http://service1.symantec.com/SUPPORT/tsgeninfo.nsf/docid/2005033108162039
However, this will probably mess up any Norton program that is still
installed.

--
Frank Saunders MS-MVP IE,OE/WM
Do not reply with email

RJK

unread,
Sep 14, 2008, 7:49:43 PM9/14/08
to
Ahah ! ...thank you Frank, for very pertinent advice.

I have quite a collection of Norton cleanup utilities. Though I don't know
why I keep them - the last time I ran one of them, ages ago, it complained
that it was out of date, and I had to trundle along to Symantec to get one
that had some life left in it. Worst of all - I'd forgotten about them !
(Age doesn't come on its' own).

...and Norton cleanup utilities didn't once spring to mind during the
aforementioned XP Home ed. build that got knocked about by a Norton Ghost
9.0 install and uninstall.

I shall be moving my Norton cleanup utility directory into my Ghost 9.0
directory, as a memory jogger, and storing the Symantec link you supplied in
there as well, and several other places !

Many thanks,

regards, Richard


"Frank Saunders MS-MVP IE,OE/WM" <franks...@mvps.org> wrote in message
news:%23n%231A6mF...@TK2MSFTNGP02.phx.gbl...

~BD~

unread,
Sep 15, 2008, 10:29:34 AM9/15/08
to

"Frank Saunders MS-MVP IE,OE/WM" <franks...@mvps.org> wrote in message
news:%23n%231A6mF...@TK2MSFTNGP02.phx.gbl...
<snip>

>
> Once any Norton program has been installed uninstalled is for sufficient.

Had you been drinking when you wrote that, Frank? <big grin!>

In jest!

Dave


RJK

unread,
Sep 15, 2008, 1:42:19 PM9/15/08
to
I knew what he meant ....<HICcup#!#!>

regards, Richard


"~BD~" <Boate...@nospam.invalid> wrote in message
news:u$AHz9zFJ...@TK2MSFTNGP04.phx.gbl...

~BD~

unread,
Sep 15, 2008, 5:05:22 PM9/15/08
to
So did I! ;)

What didn't you like about Mr Bill Castner, Richard?

Dave

--
"RJK" <notat...@hotmail.com> wrote in message news:OtrLsp1F...@TK2MSFTNGP02.phx.gbl...

RJK

unread,
Sep 15, 2008, 5:45:54 PM9/15/08
to
...not being drawn into that one - other than the following observation :-
I vaguely recall that an irrashional torrent of abuse came from there,
...whoever, at that time, was purporting to be that identity, was unable to
read a post in a literal fashion, ...seemed mentally unstable I recall :-)
...let's hope you're not him, under another name !

regards, Richard


"~BD~" <Boate...@nospam.invalid> wrote in message

news:OVkH9a3F...@TK2MSFTNGP06.phx.gbl...

Tonytech

unread,
Nov 25, 2009, 6:08:02 PM11/25/09
to
I've been using "Live One Care" for 2 yrs. I'ts a shame that Microsoft chose
to discontinue such a good product. It has given me great protection on my
2-pc,s and laptop on my home network. I also liked its firewall management
and cleanup. Now I have to find a new product to take I'ts place and I'am not
sure if I should try "Avast free" or go back to a name brand like Webroot or
should I dare say Norton.......and pay for the troubles that come with them.
"Dan" wrote:

> True, I hate the craplets and would also go with a clean install of my own
> and a customized machine if and when realistic but I know that cannot be
> realistic for big businesses. I like SpywareBlaster and Spybot Search and

> Destroy for anti-spyware. I like AVG 7.5 for anti-virus. I am still

> undecided about Windows Live One Care but I am using it on a trial basis for

> now. What about everyone else and what are your security and safety measures

> that you use to protect your computers. Thanks in advance for the replies.
>

> "Frank Saunders MS-MVP IE,OE/WM" wrote:
>
> > "Anteaus" <Ant...@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
> > news:D5DC6EDE-5EC4-4BA6...@microsoft.com...
> > >
> > > The point the OP makes about AV software is a very real one. AV software
> > > is
> > > sold by way of 'push install' onto new computers, not by consumer choice,
> > > and
> > > certainly not by quality ratings. In many cases the free offerings ARE
> > > better in every respect than the expensive, foisted ones.
> > >
> > > "~BD~" wrote:
> > >
> > > Yet it's possible to get legal,
> > >> professional quality anti-virus and other protective software, absolutely
> > >> free.
> > >
> >

> > Agreed. In fact, the included security suite is probably one of the ones
> > that screws up and slows down Windows.

Fuzzy Logic

unread,
Nov 25, 2009, 6:23:51 PM11/25/09
to
=?Utf-8?B?VG9ueXRlY2g=?= <Tony...@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in
news:C1D278A8-30EC-44F0...@microsoft.com:

Microsoft Security Essentials is free and many are saying it's very good. I have it on my Vista system at home
and have been quite happy. You may find this article interesting:

http://lifehacker.com/5401453/stop-paying-for-windows-security-microsofts-security-tools-are-good-enough

antioch

unread,
Nov 25, 2009, 6:57:36 PM11/25/09
to
"Fuzzy Logic" <b...@arc.ab.caREMOVETHIS> wrote in message
news:Xns9CCEA6CE4B...@207.46.248.16...


I have had MSE for a month - it is not bloatware - easy to use/configure -
so far does what it says.
Have done two on-line scans with Kasper and Symantec - both found nothing
missed by MSE. For me LOC was useless.

Antioch


David H. Lipman

unread,
Nov 25, 2009, 7:32:30 PM11/25/09
to
From: "Tonytech" <Tony...@discussions.microsoft.com>

| I've been using "Live One Care" for 2 yrs. I'ts a shame that Microsoft chose
| to discontinue such a good product. It has given me great protection on my
| 2-pc,s and laptop on my home network. I also liked its firewall management
| and cleanup. Now I have to find a new product to take I'ts place and I'am not
| sure if I should try "Avast free" or go back to a name brand like Webroot or
| should I dare say Norton.......and pay for the troubles that come with them.
| "Dan" wrote:

Live One Care was not a "Good Product". It was a software that tried to too much and was
not best at what it needed to be, an anti virus product. At best Live One Care was an OK
product. They knew it wasn't so great so that's why Microsoft removed from the retail
market.

MSE is not better.

I strongly suggested using the free Avira AntiVir for its 1 year trial and then if you
like it, buy it. If you don't like it, go with Avast.

I do NOT suggest Norton a all!

Hot-text

unread,
Nov 26, 2009, 8:33:30 AM11/26/09
to
http://www.free-av.com/

Free version: Avira optimizes update system Tue, 17 November 2009
Painstaking updates will soon be a thing of the past with the free
anti-virus solution

I have had the free version for 3 year now for they update me to the new
free version when they came with one yearly
they have Avira AntiVir Premium and a Avira Premium Security Suite But the
free version so good why need to Buy !!!

"Tonytech" <Tony...@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:C1D278A8-30EC-44F0...@microsoft.com...

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