groups

As to free anti-virus, I personally use Avast Home, which is very customizable for individual needs, has the same engine as the pro version and has done well in the tests. Many here use the free version of AVG. There is also another, Avira, which also has a free version and which has also done quite well in the anti-virus tests.

I'd also recommend Superantispyware, which also has both a pay and free version. The free version only provides on demand scanning with no resident protection.

I recommend AVG which is a free antivirus software that is updated daily. Just do a www search for AVG and download. It also has a paid version, but the free version ios all you need.

Hi IrishRose,

A project like this calls for a good Varietal - you know what I mean!

Make sure you remove Symantec/Norton from control panel/ add remove and then follow up with the Norton removal tool:

view link

AVG and Avast are the preferred free products for most techincal people. Right now I am partial to AVG. Both are excellent products.

www.download.com/AVG-Anti-Virus-Free- Edition/3000-2239_4-10320142.html

www.download.com/AVG-Anti-Virus-Free- Edition/3000-2239_4-10320142.html

An occasional scan with an online scanner is also recommended, especially if you had a laspe in coverage or have had a bad infection. Here is a site that lists many of the options. Bitdefender seems to be the current favorite of many.

www.tipandtrick.net/2008/60-free-online- virus-trojan-spyware-and-malware- scanners-scan-or-removal/

Hi IrishRose2007

I had to think about for a while before replying, because I might get some nasty replies.

But Here we go:

First let's talk about computer viruses. We have come to think of computer viruses in the same way that we think of viruses like colds, flu, chicken pox, and such.

A computer virus has to be invited onto your computer. The most common ways are emails or popups. You indicated that your father was into social networks. These sites are notourious for popups.

The best thing I can say is turn on the popup blocker in whatever browser you are using. I know that IE, Yahoo and Google are very good, and they work well together.

Now that the computer is infected, it is going to be hard to clean it up without spending some money. If I knew more about what was going on with his computer, I might be more help.

I had to clean up my sisters' computers that my nieces and nephews made a mess of. Took me almost a week and a couple of hundred dollars in software and site costs to clean things.

There was one very nasty piece of adware that I had to revive my DOS skills to get rid of.

Try all of the things these guys have reccommend, can't hurt.

One more thing, it is not a good idea to run more than one anti virus software on your computer. If you want to know why let me know. but I think I have taken up enough time.

These are what I use and install on my clients machines when money is a consideration.

Anti-virus - AVG Free

Spyware Scanner/removers - Adaware Free and Spybot Search and Destroy
(yes both and don't just search for spybot, that will lead to some rogue software, make the search for Spybot Search and Destroy)

Spyware Prevention - Spywareblaster

Firewall - Comodo
Comodo is a bit chatty at first but once it learns what you use it settles down and leaves you alone. Make sure the HIPS module is on)

CCleaner - cleans out browser trash in several locations and can do registry cleaning (although that's seldom the problem unless you install and uninstall loads of programs)

You can find some links to some very good security software here.

view link

And it's free!

good luck!

Thanks so much everyone! Just got off the phone with Dad after having walked him through uninstalling Norton and installing AVG, Spywareblaster and CCleaner - then making sure that all the pertinent popup blockers and firewall protection was in place and enabled. His Yahoo mail issues have corrected themselves and Bitdefender uncovered a number of infections - all resolved by Bitdefender and AVG. We then did a defrag and compress. One last issue - when he tries to open Explorer for browsing, it takes him to Explorer properties versus going out to the Net - does anyone know why this might be occuring? He recently installed Service Pak 3 for Windows XP Pro.

You guys are gems - wish I could all take you out on the town here in Chicago as a thank you!

Clicking on explorer and seeing the properties page is usually solved by a reboot. It is rarely a sign on an infection.