posted on December 6, 2000 03:27:40 PM
Is it a good idea to get a virus protection package from an auction on ebay or go directly to a place/site like MacAfee or Norton. And which one is the better service in your opinion?
Thank you!!
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posted on December 6, 2000 03:36:59 PM
I'd get it from the maker or purchase it in the store. That way you'll know it is a legit copy and you can register it and easily get the virus definition updates.
I've used both, but prefer Norton (although I hated their firewall!). Both are good, but please be sure to update regularly or else it's practically useless after a few weeks.
That's my opinion; I'm sure differing opinions will follow!
posted on December 6, 2000 03:40:19 PM
Hi - I'm no expert, but I asked around for awhile and did not find anyone who said McAfee was better than Norton. I downloaded Norton Antivirus 2001 from the symantec.com site just a few days ago. I believe the cost was 40.75.
You can go to the symantec site and have your computer scanned for virus infection at no cost. I am told that any virus should be deleted before adding a new antivirus program. I found that I had wScript.kak in three files - no doubt picked up some way via eBay buying and selling.
posted on December 6, 2000 04:25:12 PM
I got some virus that totally fried my work computer. I had down loaded "mail watcher" from Computer Associates and it alerted me that "a suspicious vbs script is attempting to access your email". Then I had options to "disallow, allow, or terminate". I didn't realize the significance of the error message, yet I DID click on disallow. However, someone used my computer after I left for the day and got the same error message and clicked on "allow". In less than three hours, every single file was corrupted. Our MIS people still don't know which virus it was, because it had symptoms of many, yet didn't follow the profile of any.
I now have a new harddrive, and I'm trying to recreate all my bookmarks. All my old email is gone. Thank goodness I didn't have any auctions going because of Thanksgiving.
Not my name on ebay.
posted on December 6, 2000 05:23:57 PM
I have Mcafee Guard Dog. I have loaded and deleted it 3 times. It gets in the way of surfing, no matter how I set it up. The new computer I just bought came with McAfee preloaded and so far so good.
posted on December 6, 2000 05:41:19 PM
When I originally bought my HP, it had McAfee already loaded. I was somewhat computer illiterate at the time, but I found the McAfee a little to complicated for me. I found it confusing when I tried to update it. I never understood if I got the dat files the right way, in the right place, etc....
I got rid of it and went exclusively with Norton. I now use Norton System Works 2001 and LOVE IT!! Automatic updates, and install's all updates on it's own.
I will have to find something really good to knock me away from NSW.
posted on December 6, 2000 05:51:44 PM
had mcafee, got viruses! got norton's, no problemo! Norton's kicks butt on McAfee!!! A world of difference. Got Norton's SystemWorks 2001 on amazon.com for about $40 plus there was a rebate. It is not only super comprehensive, but EASY! One disk downloads the whole thing & it is easy even 4 me to understand! Have stopped several viruses from coming in since I've had Norton's. McAfee never even caught ANYTHING!
posted on December 6, 2000 07:37:59 PM
I have the McAFee Active Shield. It cost me 30.00 a year and it is constantly updating itself. (I have a cable modem so my computer is always on-line.) To date it has caught ever virus that has come my way. They also have a great "library" to find out information about the latest viruses. I love it.
Virus Free,
Teresa
posted on December 6, 2000 08:00:50 PM
Had McAfee with my PC. Hated it! Could not understand it. Removed it and replaced with Symantec Norton Internet Security. Was really great...till July, when it stopped doing Automatic Live Update Downloads....Had to Manually update from the Web.. Still has not been resolved for hundreds and hundreds of people who still write about the problem. I think mine finally got cured when a Tech said I was MISSING REG files pertinent to Updates ...he gave me the command to paste in RUN...and yabadabadoo.....Might have fixed it....sorry for the long post...
One thing: one has to purchase the Update facility after first year is up....but only about $4.00
******************** Gosh Shosh!
posted on December 7, 2000 03:41:20 AM
YOU can download virus checking software FREE from various places ... just make sure you keep downloading the upgrades to the detection files every week or so.
http://software.mcafee.com/products/#VirusScan has a link to their evaluation software download. Just be sure you DO NOT use the "RealDownload Express" ... there are suspicions about what information it sends its makers.
http://www.visitorinfo.com/software/virus.htm also has a free download of MacAfee
Or, go to http://www.ded.com/nonags/index.html and click on the "browse" at the right of the screen, then try anti-virus tools.
Of the tools, "AntiVir (R) Personal Edition" is a superb one by some excellent German programmers. It's not well-known because they don't advertise (it's FREE!) but it got 6 rubber duckies from NoNags and that is extremely hard to do. They have an easy update web site.
Also NoNags ofers "InoculateIT Personal Edition" as another 6-duckie anti-virus scanner.
They have several single-purpose "cleaners" too, for the common things like KAK.
Buying it at eBay auction is not a great idea, because it's undoubtedly out of date and you'd need to immediately upgrade to the latest version ... and if you know enough about the software to do that, you could have downloaded the upgrade and new virus definition files without the auction.
Valleygirl
Yeowch! One of our engineers got hit with that ... came as an attachment to email from a foreign customer and trashed her whole computer.
posted on December 7, 2000 04:14:14 AM
I bought a copy of Norton Anti Virus on eBay. Just fine,automatically updates, and totally legit(as far as I can tell and I've been working in a computer department for years). Symantec knows what they are doing.
If I were to do it over again I'd buy the complete system works utilities package, but keep in mind that all this stuff usually results in a performance hit.
Oh...the price I paid was pretty good too, but nothing to right home to Mother about.
posted on December 7, 2000 07:05:33 AM
I noticed that ZNET recommends NORTON - I personally use NORTON. I used it for years,and then my husband got a bee in his bonnet and got the major McAfee Program.
Because all business records are kept in my computer, he downloaded the McAfee program in his, and 2 of the stores computers. (We NEVER test or use a new program in my computer for safety reasons).
For two months there were endless problems with this program interfering with other programs. Finally, it took my husband's personal home computer totally down. He went in, removed the big McAfee program from his and all the store computers, and not a problem since.
He took my Norton and set his and the store's computers back up to run under Norton, and we haven't had a problem since.
I MUCH prefer NORTON. McAfee is a good program, don't misunderstand, but portions of its large program can create major problems. I would imagine if one just uses their little virus program you might be okay, but I'll stay with NORTON.
Regarding your original question of where to purchase a program - I have never bought such items from an auction - never even considered it - and it "might" be a good idea, and possibly save you money - but since there is always the possibility of having purchased a counterfeited piece like this through an auction, and I personally always like to have a REAL company to go back to, we purchase such items directly from the manufacturer, or from a long established on line vendor, or a store front representative. I know we pay more that way, but I have the assurance there is someone to go back on and to, should there be problems.
posted on December 7, 2000 07:29:21 AM
The problems that you all are talking about having with McAfee are the very same problems that a friend mine has with Norton.
I have used McAfee for years now and have had no problems. She on the other hand complains all the time about Norton problems.
Personally, I have never understood why she keeps a program that gives her so many problems.
I guess it is just a matter of opinion.
"Don't go around saying the world owes you a living. The world owes you nothing. It was here first."---Mark Twain
posted on December 8, 2000 12:29:03 PM
Just thought I would mention this....came home today and had two emails from someone named "hahaha" with the subject Snowwhite...McAfee Active Shield notified me immediately that these emails were infected and gave me the option to clean or delete. I deleted....
Teresa [email protected]
posted on December 8, 2000 12:39:36 PM
I've been using the McAfee Active Shield for about a year now. I like it. The other features available to subscribers at the McAfee Clinic have also proven their worth to me. I will renew when the time comes.
