BrRs... sometime back you posted on someone's thread, maybe Dara's, warning us all to get a decent anti-virus program because you'd just spent the day trying to work out problems from someone's computer... Do you have a recommendation on a program? I was using Norton but am thinking of switching to McAfee.<P>Thanks!<P>ps - forgive the nature of this post friends... it's not exactly related to the subject of this board.

OvrCs -- Forgive me for jumping in here, but I thought I might be able to offer you a little insight on this subject.<P>I work in the computer field, for one of the largest computer companies in the world, and deal with viruses every single day. Having a good anti-virus protection software running on your computer is vitally important in today's cyber society. McAfee and Norton are often thought of as pretty much interchangeable, but they aren't. To use the "I Love You" virus as an example . . . Norton had a patch available to the public which was capable of finding and removing this virus within 48 hours. . . McAfee announced that they had a patch available in the same time frame, however no one could downaload that patch for over a week.<P>Another option you might want to consider is Innoculate It personal edition. This software is about on a par with Norotn, but has one feature which far outshines Norton . . . It's FREE. You can download the software at <A HREF="http://antivirus.cai.com/" TARGET=_blank>http://antivirus.cai.com/</A> if you are interested.<P>God Bless

Hi Ovrcs:<P>Yep, EmptyShell is right about Norton and McAfee - I don't use either - yuck! <P>Unfortunately however, the one that ES suggests, InoculateIT Personal Edition, is not going to be free for much longer. Computer Associates is withdrawing it from the market and will be offering their own commercial virus scanner. I believe you CAN download it though, and still recieve virus updates for it, if you get it before tomorrow (june 7).<P>I have a couple of other suggestions for you though!! <P>If you use MS Outlook for email - Panda Software at <A HREF="http://www.pandasoftware.com/" TARGET=_blank>http://www.pandasoftware.com/</A> has a great package. The reason why I prefer Panda over everything else is that Panda integrates with Outlook, and scans your email <B>as you download it</B>. Other software, such as the ones mentioned above, don't. Those packages wait until you actually open the email and the virus tries to execute before detecting something. Panda's scanner also gives you several options on your Outlook menu bar.<P>Since email is your most vulnerable point of access for both trojans and virii, its a great piece of software! For anyone else out there in the IT industry is interested, it also does a greawt job at the network server level, integrated with MS Exchange.<P>One other recommended virus protection package out there is offered by Trend Micro, called PC-cillin. I have not used it, but it's my understanding that it comes very highly recommended. You can download a free trial of it at <A HREF="http://www.antivirus.com" TARGET=_blank>http://www.antivirus.com</A> <P>Now that all being said, I have a couple of caveats!!<P>Your antivirus software is only as good as your updates!! Every one of the software packages in mentioned in this thread provides what are called "virus signature" updates. For your software to recognize a virus, it needs a pattern to match it against. Since new stuff is coming out almost by the hour, its imperative that you update at least once a week.<P><sigh> I hit the submit button too soon. I have alot more to say, but I gotta get the kids dressed now. I'll finish this later!<p>[This message has been edited by BrambleRose (edited June 04, 2001).]

Ok anyway, so, update your virus pattern files often. This is NOT the same as updating the scanner itself. Often updated software is available to upgrade your scanner and thats great. But what is most important is those updated pattern files.<P>If for some reason you don't think your scanner is catching a virus - or if you are just now reading this and wondering if you might have a virus, most of the companies i mentioned above offer free online scanning.<P>I know Panda offers their "Active Scan" and McAfee has one also. Trend Micro also has a good one at <A HREF="http://housecall.antivirus.com/" TARGET=_blank>http://housecall.antivirus.com/</A> <P>I sometimes use the online scanners as a "second opinion" when I am trying to ensure that I have adequately removed a virus from a computer.<P>So what do you do if you get a virus? Well, sometimes your antivirus software will detect it, clean it or remove it. And if that's the case...great. But its not usually that easy. <P>First thing you do is make note of the virus name. Then you can go to any of the antivirus sites above, and look it up in the online encyclopedias to find out what it does, and often how to get rid of it. Sometimes you will find a "fix" or a removal tool for a particular virus available for download.<P>A couple of other sites that I use for information or instructions on virus removal are <A HREF="http://www.pchell.com/" TARGET=_blank>http://www.pchell.com/</A> or <A HREF="http://www.f-secure.com/" TARGET=_blank>http://www.f-secure.com/</A> OR <A HREF="http://www.virusbtn.com/" TARGET=_blank>http://www.virusbtn.com/</A> <P>Ok, but just having your virus software up to date doesn't mean your computer is secure!!<P><B>You should always keep your Operating System AND your Email and Browser software up to date.</B><P>When software is written and distributed, it is usually full of security holes and bugs. Hackers love these. <BR>For example:<P>In Windows 98, there is a large security hole involving NetBios and file sharing that will allow anyone who has your IP address to access your hard drive. I know, I've done it!! It was very easy for me to scan a range of IP addresses and find people online with their hard drives wide open to the net. Microsoft issued a fix for this problem a very long time ago - but guess what? Most people haven't updated and are still wide open to anyone who wants to invite themselves in.<P>Some virii, such as the very widespread Kakworm, take advantage of these holes in your software. So if your software is updated, and for some reason a virus like Kakworm gets through anyway, it will be completely harmless - because you plugged the holes! <P>Companies frequently offer upgrades, patches and fixes to their software, available for free updates.<P>For Windows users, you can go to <A HREF="http://windowsupdate.microsoft.com" TARGET=_blank>http://windowsupdate.microsoft.com</A> - and click on product updates. (You probably have a "Windows Update" icon on your start button menu). When you click on product updates, your software configuration will be examined, and you will be presented with a list of customized updates. You need to download and install (follow the directions offered) ALL of the critical updates. I'd also strongly suggest you download and install any recommended updates also. When you have downloaded everything, go back and run the update check AGAIN, because often when you make changes to your software, new updates will be listed.<P>Once you have your OS updated, then go to <A HREF="http://www.updates.com" TARGET=_blank>http://www.updates.com</A> and get your computer scanned there. Zdnet does a great job of providing you with a very comprehensive list of all driver and software updates and patches that are available for your particular software configuration. Be very sure that ALL patches and upgrades available for your Internet browser and your email software are installed!!<P>There's no guarantee that you are completely locked down and secure, even after all this work - but the odds are MUCH greater that your computer is pretty safe - as long as you frequently update everything <P>Have fun downloading!!<P>------------------<BR><I>Pain is a given, misery is optional.</I>

Thanks <B>Empty Shell</B> and <B>BR</B> for a lot of good information about antivirus utilities. I do want to add one other resource.<P>BR said,<BR> <BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR><B><BR>In Windows 98, there is a large security hole involving NetBios and file sharing that will allow anyone who has your IP address to access your hard drive. I know, I've done it!! It was very easy for me to scan a range of IP addresses and find people online with their hard drives wide open to the net. <BR></B><HR></BLOCKQUOTE><P>This should be a concern for everyone, especially those using broadband services and a fixed IP address. One place to check your PC's vulnerability is <A HREF="http://grc.com/default.htm" TARGET=_blank>Gibson Research</A>. Steve Gibson is a well known programmer of utilities. Go to the site, scroll down and click on the "Shields Up" link and you can have your PC tested to see how open to attack it is. As I recall Gibson had a pretty good explanation of how to secure your PC for those unfamiliar with technical details like network bindings.<P>Steve<p>[This message has been edited by StillHers (edited June 04, 2001).]

Wow, thank you all for the awesome information! I will check out all your recommendations.<P>One of my suspicions is that hackers are attaching themselves to virus product downloads so while you download things to protect yourself, you're inviting a bugger in!<P>Anyway... thanks again!<P>------------------<BR>We cannot do everything at once... but we can do something at once

Unfortunately, Steve Gibson's Shields Up is also easily used by hackers to anonymously check for security holes on someone else's machine. I know, I have done that too! Often my H asks me to look for holes in his network, and I get to have fun trying to find easy exploits on his machines.<P>Yet another reason to keep your computer security up to date!<P>------------------<BR><I>Pain is a given, misery is optional.</I>