antivirus programs

[General Quarters]

Erik said that the antivirus program that comes with the game protects it from Norton. I did a fresh install and this time said Yes to the NOD antivirus program. And, since I have been having a problem with getting error messages that close the game, I shut off Norton.

That evening I had a crash and a message that NOD had detected something having to do with Norton as well as something called Drive Cleaner, which I never installed but I now see an icon for it -- and I noticed that Norton in fact was running EVEN THOUGH it had been disabled and the icon confirmed that it was disabled. Does anyone know how this is possible?

[Erik Rutins]

ORIGINAL: General Quarters
Erik said that the antivirus program that comes with the game protects it from Norton. I did a fresh install and this time said Yes to the NOD antivirus program. And, since I have been having a problem with getting error messages that close the game, I shut off Norton.

I think you misunderstood me or someone. This is not a program to "protect" from Norton, it's just an alternate antivirus program. We've found it to be generally less intrusive and much less of a drag on performance than most, so we worked out a deal with them and included it as an option to install for our customers.

That evening I had a crash and a message that NOD had detected something having to do with Norton as well as something called Drive Cleaner, which I never installed but I now see an icon for it -- and I noticed that Norton in fact was running EVEN THOUGH it had been disabled and the icon confirmed that it was disabled. Does anyone know how this is possible?

Norton can be a bear to uninstall, from what I recall, but I haven't had a computer with it in a few years so I'm not sure what the latest procedure is.

Regards,

- Erik

[General Quarters]

Thanks, Erik, for the clarification and for the clue -- we need to dig deeper to uninstall Norton.

[Marc von Martial]

ORIGINAL: General Quarters

Thanks, Erik, for the clarification and for the clue -- we need to dig deeper to uninstall Norton.

When you uninstall Norton make sure to uninstall it right. Norton offers "cleaner tool" on their website.

[General Quarters]

Thanks, Marc, I'll check that out.

[christof139]

I had to scream and yell at McAfee to get their cleaner tool directly from them. Before, I had to go into the registry to dig out McAfee. Then, after a new installation, I couldn't get it out again, too much work, so I contacted McAfee directly. They are frustrating. [:@][:@][:@][:@]
 
Chris
 

[Jonathan Palfrey]

I've also had this problem with McAfee in the past, and I gave up using Symantec stuff years ago, so I've never had it installed on my current computer. I use ZoneAlarm Security Suite, which seems to work OK although it requires some attention from time to time: you can't just install it and forget about it.

[Ironclad]

I am surprised that no-one has mentioned AVG - a great free anti-virus programme with free updates. I don't know how they can afford to provide it but long may it continue.

[General Quarters]

Does anybody has experience with the NOD system that is prompted by the game? Is it an adequate overall AV system?

[Sonny II]

ORIGINAL: Ironclad

I am surprised that no-one has mentioned AVG - a great free anti-virus programme with free updates. I don't know how they can afford to provide it but long may it continue.

AVG free support is going away this month - at least I continue to get messages saying so.

[WYBaugh]

GQ,
 
NOD32 is one of the best AV's in the world.  I have run it for the last 3 years with absolutely no problems.  You can read more about NOD32 on their official forums:  http://www.wilderssecurity.com/forumdisplay.php?f=16
 
Wilder's is a very good overall security forum also.
 
Bill

[General Quarters]

Valuable info. Thanks.

[Ironclad]

ORIGINAL: Sonny II

ORIGINAL: Ironclad

I am surprised that no-one has mentioned AVG - a great free anti-virus programme with free updates. I don't know how they can afford to provide it but long may it continue.

AVG free support is going away this month - at least I continue to get messages saying so.

I understand that support will continue for the latest free version 7.5.

[Sonny II]

ORIGINAL: Ironclad

ORIGINAL: Sonny II

ORIGINAL: Ironclad

I am surprised that no-one has mentioned AVG - a great free anti-virus programme with free updates. I don't know how they can afford to provide it but long may it continue.

AVG free support is going away this month - at least I continue to get messages saying so.

I understand that support will continue for the latest free version 7.5.

The messages I get say 7.5 is the latest and it is not free. Maybe I am reading the messages wrong (I usually just close them quickly so I may have misinterpreted them).

[Ironclad]

If you are getting messages it suggests that you are still on the old version 7.1 so you need to update to the new one before 18 Feb when support for 7.1 finishes.

Edit: The confusion might lie in the fact that they have a retail version called 7.5 professional but they are continuing with a 7.5 free edition too.

[Sonny II]

ORIGINAL: Ironclad

If you are getting messages it suggests that you are still on the old version 7.1 so you need to update to the new one before 18 Feb when support for 7.1 finishes.

Edit: The confusion might lie in the fact that they have a retail version called 7.5 professional but they are continuing with a 7.5 free edition too.

Ah, ok. I'll check it out.

Thanks.

[christof139]

Anyone ever use P-cyllin or whatever it was called?? It was free, now it is part of a larger company and retails for $60 - 70 or so.
 
I have to go to NOD's website and see what their yearly price is. I will checkout AVG if it is free and get the 7.1 updated to 7.5 free version.
 
I have a Router so have 2 hard firewalls in it, plus the updated MS Firewall that came with WinXP Home edition. So far, nothing has gotten through that I can see.
 
I have to install my hard copis of Webroot Spy Sweeper and Windows Washer to check for Spyware, and I think Spy Sweeper may identify Viruses.
 
I got infected at a site a couple of years back, and had about 10 Viruses etc. on my compooter and played heck identifying and removing them manually and with programs. Still,  had registry entries that I couldn't find and remove but they were not active due to my disabling efforts.
 
These things initially took over my compooter and were using it to send SPAM, and I couldn't do anything for awhile when connected to the inet. It took me about 2-weeks to get my machine running OK again.
 
Thanx for the tips on the AV programs, Chris
 

[FlyingElvis]

For good anti-spyware, Lavasoft's Ad-Aware Personal edition is a must.

Also, Spybot: Search and Destroy is on my HD.

Both are free.

[Ironclad]

Agreed they are both good - although Spybot seems more effective. I use them in combination with AVG free anti-spyware which finds even more tracking cookies.

[m10bob]

Along with McAfee, I use AVAST (which is free) and it has found a LOT of things that got past McAfee..Avast upgrades DAILY!(Type Avast in your browser..)