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Rocket Rab
Joined: 18 Sep 2006
Posts: 2257
Location: En train de s'envoyer en l'air
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 Posted: Thu May 08, 2008 8:22 am Post subject: |
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| e-richard wrote: |
How does anyone know that one AV system is better at protecting one ?
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I'm glad you asked that, Richard. With 8 days left on my Norton subscription, I'm thinking of switching to AVG as well. But when I mentioned this to someone*, the response was shock-horror. Far better, I was told in firm tones, to opt for paid anti-virus software.
Anyone have the definitive answer, please?
*PC sales rep...nothing to gain, presumably?
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R is a velocity measure defined as a reasonable speed of travel consistent with health, mental wellbeing and not being more than say five minutes late. Unless handled with tranquility this equation can result in considerable stress, ulcers or even death. |
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Marks
Joined: 06 Nov 2006
Posts: 1597
Location: Costa Blanca
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| Posted: Thu May 08, 2008 8:39 am Post subject: |
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I've just installed AVG Version 8 this morning using the automatice uninstall of the previous version. Went without a hitch.
Over the years I've come to rely on two very experienced IT tecchies for when things go wrong with my PC and laptop. Both recommend AVG over Norton. I also use AVG Anti Spyware (paid for), SpyBot and Lavasoft AdAware. Each week I run all three anti spyware in turn and they all pick up something. |
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la vache!
Joined: 16 Feb 2005
Posts: 10421
Location: A field, somewhere between Brittany and Normandy
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| Posted: Thu May 08, 2008 9:33 am Post subject: |
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| Rocket Rab wrote: | | e-richard wrote: |
How does anyone know that one AV system is better at protecting one ?
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I'm glad you asked that, Richard. With 8 days left on my Norton subscription, I'm thinking of switching to AVG as well. But when I mentioned this to someone*, the response was shock-horror. Far better, I was told in firm tones, to opt for paid anti-virus software.
Anyone have the definitive answer, please?
*PC sales rep...nothing to gain, presumably? |
Not definitive I'm afraid, I was distrustful of the free anti virus when I use Norton, but gave up with Norton in the end because it blocked a lot of things I used. I've never regretted changing and everybody I know who knows anything about computers also uses the free anti virus packages. I use AVG with Adware and Spybot, although I think I'm going to change to Avast.
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HelenB
Joined: 30 Apr 2005
Posts: 10635
Location: Durham/Le Monetier-les-Bains, Serre Chevalier
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| Posted: Thu May 08, 2008 10:34 am Post subject: |
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| The only virus problem I have had was one which N orton did not detect. I have had no problems with any of the free av software I've used. They were all recommended by a computer expert. |
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ChuckEgg
Joined: 05 May 2008
Posts: 41
Location: 10 minutes from Walt Disney World
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| Posted: Thu May 08, 2008 10:38 am Post subject: |
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| Rocket Rab wrote: | | e-richard wrote: |
How does anyone know that one AV system is better at protecting one ?
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I'm glad you asked that, Richard. With 8 days left on my Norton subscription, I'm thinking of switching to AVG as well. But when I mentioned this to someone*, the response was shock-horror. Far better, I was told in firm tones, to opt for paid anti-virus software.
Anyone have the definitive answer, please?
*PC sales rep...nothing to gain, presumably? |
There's likely no "definitive" answer, because it comes down to personal preference.
Also, some people believe that AVG "can't be good if it's free," but they are incorrect.
I've been working professionally in the personal computer industry for more than 20 years.
We've been using AVG on my family's 3 home computers since 2004. We all use our computers every day (Me for an average of 10 hours a day) and none of us have come across a virus that AVG didn't quickly and efficiently prevent or eliminate.
At least once each week, usually more, we leave our computers on overnight so AVG can update itself and run automatically at 2am.
When working at my "day job," we advise customers to (specifically) remove Norton, because Norton doesn't play well with a wide area network application we install. In some cases, our clients remove Norton and install the paid version AVG and some install something else. We have customers who have been using AVG instead of Norton since 2005, and they're much happier as a result.
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Chuck Eglinton
http://www.ChuckEgg.com <- My Blog
http://www.Mickeytown.com <- large side-by-side rental homes near Walt Disney World |
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e-richard
Joined: 17 Oct 2004
Posts: 3154
Location: Algarve, Portugal
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| Posted: Thu May 08, 2008 10:50 am Post subject: |
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| ChuckEgg wrote: | | ... none of us have come across a virus that AVG didn't quickly and efficiently prevent or eliminate... |
Thats close to the reassurance that I was looking for on the previous page.
My computers used to be looked after by the office IT gurus, but in the last 2.5 years that I have managed it all myself with Norton, and latterly AVG, I have never seen any warnings or notification of virus attack, so frankly have no idea if they are working 
Its not a case of which one is best, but more a question if any of them do anything... or have I just been lucky or blind ?
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** Richard
Is your glass half full or half empty ?
I don't care - either way there is room for another half glass of wine.
PIMS: Holiday Rental Management made easy |
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Rocket Rab
Joined: 18 Sep 2006
Posts: 2257
Location: En train de s'envoyer en l'air
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| Posted: Thu May 08, 2008 11:08 am Post subject: |
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Thanks, those are impressive recommendations. I don't think I'll be renewing Norton, then...
Hi Richard: yes, sorry, I did tweak your question a bit. I have lost data (including photos  ) to virus attacks on two occasions - before I realised the importance of adequate protection. Happily, though, nothing since I have had my antivirus and firewall etc. in place. So I wouldn't be without.
And that reminds me...gotta get proper backup sorted. 
_________________
R is a velocity measure defined as a reasonable speed of travel consistent with health, mental wellbeing and not being more than say five minutes late. Unless handled with tranquility this equation can result in considerable stress, ulcers or even death. |
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la vache!
Joined: 16 Feb 2005
Posts: 10421
Location: A field, somewhere between Brittany and Normandy
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Marks
Joined: 06 Nov 2006
Posts: 1597
Location: Costa Blanca
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| Posted: Thu May 08, 2008 1:15 pm Post subject: |
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| I use http://allwaysync.com/ to regularly back up my files and images to an external hard drive. Been using it since January this year without problem. Works with Vista. |
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ChuckEgg
Joined: 05 May 2008
Posts: 41
Location: 10 minutes from Walt Disney World
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| Posted: Thu May 08, 2008 1:34 pm Post subject: |
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| e-richard wrote: | | ChuckEgg wrote: | | ... none of us have come across a virus that AVG didn't quickly and efficiently prevent or eliminate... |
Thats close to the reassurance that I was looking for on the previous page.
My computers used to be looked after by the office IT gurus, but in the last 2.5 years that I have managed it all myself with Norton, and latterly AVG, I have never seen any warnings or notification of virus attack, so frankly have no idea if they are working
Its not a case of which one is best, but more a question if any of them do anything... or have I just been lucky or blind ? |
When using AVG, you can activate the control center, then click the "Test Center" button (in the left column) then click the "virus vault" button.
I now know that my FREE AVG has detected and contained 20 viruses since the beginning of the year. I didn't know that until this very moment, when I checked.
Until now, I've just known that my computer runs better with AVG Free, my work has not been interrupted by any viruses, and that AVG does it's magic overnight.
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Chuck Eglinton
http://www.ChuckEgg.com <- My Blog
http://www.Mickeytown.com <- large side-by-side rental homes near Walt Disney World |
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Alan Knighting
Joined: 18 Oct 2004
Posts: 4170
Location: Monflanquin, Lot-et-Garonne, France
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| Posted: Thu May 08, 2008 2:05 pm Post subject: |
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Chuck,
Having used Norton and AVG in parallel for a number of years I eventually binned Norton; it gave me nothing that I didn’t get from AVG, it was a bit of a pain to run and it involved paying an annual fee.
The only virus I have received during the last 3 years has been from an otherwise charming young lady from Florida and her messages were parked by AGV straight into the virus bin.
Today, in addition to upgrading from AVG 7 to AVG 8 I’ve also downloaded and installed Avast. I’ve run a full system sweep with both and they both come up with the same thing – nothing, no viruses found! AVG told me about quite a lot of Cookies it wasn’t too keen on whilst Avast ignored them all. On top of that I think I prefer the AVG front-end, in other words I think it is a little more user friendly.
Alan |
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ChuckEgg
Joined: 05 May 2008
Posts: 41
Location: 10 minutes from Walt Disney World
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| Posted: Thu May 08, 2008 2:20 pm Post subject: |
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| Mark S wrote: | | I use http://allwaysync.com/ to regularly back up my files and images to an external hard drive. Been using it since January this year without problem. Works with Vista. |
Alwaysync is cool.
Another simple (FREE) sync program is Karen's Replicator at the link below:
http://www.karenware.com/powertools/ptreplicator.asp
Syncing to another computer or external hard drive is better than not backing up at all.
However, heaven forbid if something happens (fire, theft) to both your computer *and* your backup drive.
To add another level of security, you can use a program such as "SmartSync" to
back up your files to external local devices, or to a safe place, far, far away, on the Internet.
(for you techies: SmartSync uses FTP)
SmartSync $45, but it's worth it to me to know that my files are saved on an Internet server, far away, instead of all my copies being in only one building.
So, I use "Karen's Replicator" for non-critical files, but use SmartSync for my most important,irreplaceable files.
http://www.smartsync.com/
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Chuck Eglinton
http://www.ChuckEgg.com <- My Blog
http://www.Mickeytown.com <- large side-by-side rental homes near Walt Disney World |
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e-richard
Joined: 17 Oct 2004
Posts: 3154
Location: Algarve, Portugal
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| Posted: Thu May 08, 2008 2:35 pm Post subject: |
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| ChuckEgg wrote: | | ..When using AVG, you can activate the control center, then click the "Test Center" button (in the left column) then click the "virus vault" button. |
Thanks Chuck, but this is what I always see:
Hence my (very tongue in cheek) cynicism 
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** Richard
Is your glass half full or half empty ?
I don't care - either way there is room for another half glass of wine.
PIMS: Holiday Rental Management made easy |
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ChuckEgg
Joined: 05 May 2008
Posts: 41
Location: 10 minutes from Walt Disney World
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| Posted: Thu May 08, 2008 2:46 pm Post subject: |
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| e-richard wrote: | | ChuckEgg wrote: | | ..When using AVG, you can activate the control center, then click the "Test Center" button (in the left column) then click the "virus vault" button. |
Thanks Chuck, but this is what I always see:
Hence my (very tongue in cheek) cynicism |
Ah. I wish my virus vault was as empty as yours!
Are you asking me me to send you some of my captured viruses so you can verify that your AVG is working?
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Chuck Eglinton
http://www.ChuckEgg.com <- My Blog
http://www.Mickeytown.com <- large side-by-side rental homes near Walt Disney World |
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la vache!
Joined: 16 Feb 2005
Posts: 10421
Location: A field, somewhere between Brittany and Normandy
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Me to, well in fact, I need to get a backup, full stop.