I'm a stay-at-home mom from Indiana. I love graphic design and photography.
Viruses aren't cool.
Published on June 30, 2008 By mommaTee In Community
I'm not quite sure how I acquired them, but I had some nasty Trojans on my computer that forced me to wipe my hard drive earlier this evening.  I'm just now getting things back in working order so if you don't hear from me much this week, don't panic.  I'll just be trying to get my compy back into a usable state. 

Anyone have any ideas for a good (and preferably free) spyware protector or antivirus client?  I really like Ad-Aware, but I'm curious to know if there's something out there that might be better.

Thanks everyone!

Comments (Page 1)
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on Jun 30, 2008
Spybot search & destroy, AVG
on Jun 30, 2008
mommaTee, I agree with Bebi, Spybot Search & Destroy and AVG are two good programs.

I also have Ad-Aware, SpywareBlaster and Windows Defender.

Some folks may say over kill, but that's okay. They are free.   
on Jun 30, 2008
Nod32 or avast! for anti virus......
And if you had to format then create a backup for future..
on Jun 30, 2008
Thanks everyone for the responses!

Bebi Bulma - Spybot's up and running

Philly - Nah, that's not overkill. That's just maximum security

heman - I had avast! and I liked it for the most part. I'll probably re-download it today. Oh, I definitely created a backup. I don't think I lost any files; it's just taking some time getting things back in order.
on Jul 01, 2008
I would Recommend Avast as well. Its continously updated, well-maintained, doesn't intefere with your stuff and easy to use.

Plus its got that clicking sound from Sim City.  
on Jul 01, 2008
mommaTee...it's more like a few trojans took a "byte" out of your computer. 
 
Glad you back up and runnin'.  
on Jul 01, 2008
I would get a respected Security Suite or AV product like one of ESET's two offerings - either Internet Secutity or NOD AV..........plus Adaware and Spybot  
on Jul 02, 2008
mommaTee...it's more like a few trojans took a "byte" out of your computer.  Glad you back up and runnin'.  




Thanks for the input/advice everyone!
on Jul 02, 2008
I would also highly recommend Acronis True Image Home. Its not free but worth every penny. Once you have your pc back to normal make a backup...it so much easier to restore your pc then when you have a problem like this.
on Jul 02, 2008

I only use Avast and Windows Defender to keep my system clean.
Crap or not, they are doing the job to perfection.

on Jul 02, 2008
Some good suggestions here, all worthy of taking a look at.

Find what works on your system, be it free or paid and keep it current.  

I'm surprised that all the replies didn't hit one key element. Have you figured out yet how the Trogans made it onto you computer? That one piece of information may help you choose what security program you download.  

Oh, other factors, stay away from sites you don't know about.     

on Jul 02, 2008
I use ZoneAlarms Internet Security for the Anti-Virus along with it's Anti-Spam, I also use Ad Aware, along with ParetoLogic Anti-Spam.   
on Jul 02, 2008
Oh, other factors, stay away from sites you don't know about


Eggsaktlee.
Good software can't protect against stupidity
on Jul 02, 2008
Good software can't protect against stupidity


Amen Amen Amen.

My computer got fried by a power surge, I think. Only explanation that makes sense. Took it in to the guys I trust in my hood. Good people. They put in a new HD, new processor and power supply. I was able to keep the RAM sticks in the box. My guys reloaded XP and they got this old computer running great. Actually a better computer than I had. 85% of the data was backed up on an external HD. Not perfect but not bad. Always have a backup. Rule #1. So far so good. One of the first things I did, and I am ashamed, is to look for, how shall I put it?, a number, a bit of data that would help me regain something that I had lost. The net result? 49 trojans and a virus that took me 3 days to get rid of! Holy shit how stupid can you be!?! I'm 56 years old and I tell my kids to be safe and do the right thing and here I am being a total shit head! STUPID! STUPID! STUPID!

All is well now and I hope I learned a lesson.

Safe surfing to you all.
on Jul 02, 2008
If you don't want any sort of viruses, trojans or anything wrong with your computer at all then shut it down and use it to hold up books. There is no avoiding it. Only being your computers guardian and custodian will actually protect much. Frankly I reformat every 6 months and keep my OS on a little 20gig drive I have five replacements for.

On the other hand when I had a hacker hit my mail server years ago and loaded a LOT of junk on it for transfer I set up the server to ping his dial up twenty times a second till he crashed out. The only lesson there is there is no reason to play fair.
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