Viruses, Firewalls and Stuff

*AndyK* · 28 Jun 2006, 13:25

Need to do a straw poll of PC users away from the IT domain to try and get a users perspective of what is best to use.

So, could you spare a couple of minutes to answer the following questions? ANy additional comments on how good or otherwise whatever you use is would be appreciated.

What Anti-Virus Software do you use?

How often do you update the virus definitions?

What Firewall do you use (hardware or software)

How often is this updated?

What Anti-Spyware software do you use?

How often do you update the definitions for this?

For Microsoft Operating System Users (XP, Win2K etc) How often do you patch the Operating System with the updates provided by Microsoft? (and if you don't then you really really should since most viruses are written these days after the vulnerability is detected and patched by Microsoft, with the virus writers relying on people not patching their systems!!)

SuperLoafMan · 28 Jun 2006, 14:04

I use Microsofts own, and Norton!

It asks me to update every 2 weeks!

The standard Firewall on XP home edition 2 and one from Norton!

Everytime there is an update from Microsoft I update it!

Microsofts, and another program i cant remember

!

When ever it asks me to!

The updates from Microsoft come through automatically, probobly every week or 2 weeks,

Ross

Ageing Bat · 28 Jun 2006, 14:53

HOME

What Anti-Virus Software do you use? - Norton & McAfee (Have also used Stop-Sign, which was quite good)

How often do you update the virus definitions? – Auto-update

What Firewall do you use (hardware or software) - Norton

How often is this updated? – Auto-update

What Anti-Spyware software do you use? – Norton

How often do you update the definitions for this? – Auto-update

WORK

What Anti-Virus Software do you use? - Sophos

How often do you update the virus definitions? – Auto-update (continuous)

What Firewall do you use (hardware or software) - Sophos (software), Netgear (hardware)

How often is this updated? – Software – continuous. Hardware – if it breaks!!

What Anti-Spyware software do you use? - Sophos

How often do you update the definitions for this? - continuous

Debbi V · 28 Jun 2006, 15:02

What Anti-Virus Software do you use? - Norton and the one that comes with my high-speed internet

How often do you update the virus definitions? – Auto-update

What Firewall do you use (hardware or software) - ZoneAlarm (there's a free version available)

How often is this updated? – Auto-update

What Anti-Spyware software do you use? – AdAware ('nother free one) and the one that comes with my high-speed internet

How often do you update the definitions for this? – Every time it starts up

Microsoft updates? Whenever they "pop up"

Hypnobabe · 28 Jun 2006, 17:45

What Anti-Virus Software do you use?
McAffee, 'cos it doesn't interfere with my ISP

How often do you update the virus definitions?
I don't, it does it automatically

What Firewall do you use (hardware or software)
As above, for the same reason

How often is this updated?
Ditto

What Anti-Spyware software do you use?
The stuff provided by the ISP

How often do you update the definitions for this?
Same again, it's automatically done

For Microsoft Operating System Users (XP, Win2K etc) How often do you patch the Operating System with the updates provided by Microsoft? (and if you don't then you really really should since most viruses are written these days after the vulnerability is detected and patched by Microsoft, with the virus writers relying on people not patching their systems!!)
I have it set on automatic again... I really like an easy life, did you spot that?

L96 · 28 Jun 2006, 21:14

What Anti-Virus Software do you use?
AntiVir/AVG, whatever the hell it's called. I liked it (how can you not like Luke Filewalker?) but now it's gone strange.

How often do you update the virus definitions?
Whenever it tells me too, which is every time I use it, so every month or so.

What Firewall do you use (hardware or software)?
McAfee Guardian and something in my computer that constantly claims it's status is unknown whenever the computer gets turned on. I have no idea if they are any good or not, I had to make McAfee silent because I got sick of sending off fiery emails about the attacks my poor little computer was subject to every 10 minutes on average. What the hell is a Port Scan Attack?

How often is this updated?
Sorry?

What Anti-Spyware software do you use?
Lavasoft Ad-Aware and occasionally Spybot, although that doesn't seem to do much, and my sister put something called Stinger in here, but that has never found anything. Lavasoft is great, albeit scary, it always finds more bad stuff than actually exists. Plus, it's a freebie, and very good to us technophobes, easy to use.

How often do you update the definitions for this?
At the prompt.

For Microsoft Operating System Users (XP, Win2K etc) How often do you patch the Operating System with the updates provided by Microsoft? (and if you don't then you really really should since most viruses are written these days after the vulnerability is detected and patched by Microsoft, with the virus writers relying on people not patching their systems!!)
I stopped doing that after the Service Pack 2 debacle. Every little update thingy seems to kill my computer, and then it takes me hours to unpick the new stuff so that Mungo actually works again.

KebLou · 29 Jun 2006, 01:22

What Anti-Virus Software do you use? Laptop- Norton, PC- AVG

How often do you update the virus definitions?- when it does it, however often that is.

What Firewall do you use (hardware or software) got a built in one in the wireless router and Norton on the laptop, and home the windows one.

How often is this updated? don't have a clue

What Anti-Spyware software do you use? Adaware and spybot or something

How often do you update the definitions for this? About once a week

For Microsoft Operating System Users (XP, Win2K etc) How often do you patch the Operating System with the updates provided by Microsoft? (and if you don't then you really really should since most viruses are written these days after the vulnerability is detected and patched by Microsoft, with the virus writers relying on people not patching their systems!!)puter does it automatically, although it keeps falling over when it comes to the latest one.

Rockette · 29 Jun 2006, 16:35

What Anti-Virus Software do you use?
Vet. It's been reliable and easy to use.

How often do you update the virus definitions?
It's set to automatic update - daily, I think.

What Firewall do you use (hardware or software)
Windows own. Tried Vet, but it was complicated and interfered with the Windows one.

How often is this updated?
Set on automatic, so no idea.

What Anti-Spyware software do you use?
Ad-Aware. Have also tried Spybot and Vet, but prefer Ad-Aware for simplicity.

How often do you update the definitions for this?
As prompted.

For Microsoft Operating System Users (XP, Win2K etc) How often do you patch the Operating System with the updates provided by Microsoft? (and if you don't then you really really should since most viruses are written these days after the vulnerability is detected and patched by Microsoft, with the virus writers relying on people not patching their systems!!)
Again, set to automatic, so it's done whenever available.

28 Jun 2006, 13:25	#1
AndyK Relentless Join Date: 21.11.2003 Location: Over the top..... seeing what's on the other side Posts: 18,694	Viruses, Firewalls and Stuff Need to do a straw poll of PC users away from the IT domain to try and get a users perspective of what is best to use. So, could you spare a couple of minutes to answer the following questions? ANy additional comments on how good or otherwise whatever you use is would be appreciated. What Anti-Virus Software do you use? How often do you update the virus definitions? What Firewall do you use (hardware or software) How often is this updated? What Anti-Spyware software do you use? How often do you update the definitions for this? For Microsoft Operating System Users (XP, Win2K etc) How often do you patch the Operating System with the updates provided by Microsoft? (and if you don't then you really really should since most viruses are written these days after the vulnerability is detected and patched by Microsoft, with the virus writers relying on people not patching their systems!!)

28 Jun 2006, 14:04	#2
SuperLoafMan Meat Loaf Rocks! Join Date: 25.01.2005 Location: Barnsley, UK Posts: 3,887	I use Microsofts own, and Norton! It asks me to update every 2 weeks! The standard Firewall on XP home edition 2 and one from Norton! Everytime there is an update from Microsoft I update it! Microsofts, and another program i cant remember ! When ever it asks me to! The updates from Microsoft come through automatically, probobly every week or 2 weeks, Ross

28 Jun 2006, 14:53	#3
Ageing Bat Young at heart. Slightly older in other places. Join Date: 20.11.2003 Location: Here! Posts: 1,311	HOME What Anti-Virus Software do you use? - Norton & McAfee (Have also used Stop-Sign, which was quite good) How often do you update the virus definitions? – Auto-update What Firewall do you use (hardware or software) - Norton How often is this updated? – Auto-update What Anti-Spyware software do you use? – Norton How often do you update the definitions for this? – Auto-update WORK What Anti-Virus Software do you use? - Sophos How often do you update the virus definitions? – Auto-update (continuous) What Firewall do you use (hardware or software) - Sophos (software), Netgear (hardware) How often is this updated? – Software – continuous. Hardware – if it breaks!! What Anti-Spyware software do you use? - Sophos How often do you update the definitions for this? - continuous

28 Jun 2006, 15:02	#4
Debbi V Mega Loafer Join Date: 31.10.2003 Location: Mandeville, LA Posts: 1,364	What Anti-Virus Software do you use? - Norton and the one that comes with my high-speed internet How often do you update the virus definitions? – Auto-update What Firewall do you use (hardware or software) - ZoneAlarm (there's a free version available) How often is this updated? – Auto-update What Anti-Spyware software do you use? – AdAware ('nother free one) and the one that comes with my high-speed internet How often do you update the definitions for this? – Every time it starts up Microsoft updates? Whenever they "pop up"

28 Jun 2006, 17:45	#5
Hypnobabe mszee's Mistress with sexy goddess boots Join Date: 13.07.2005 Location: Hitting the highway like a battering ram... Posts: 7,686	What Anti-Virus Software do you use? McAffee, 'cos it doesn't interfere with my ISP How often do you update the virus definitions? I don't, it does it automatically What Firewall do you use (hardware or software) As above, for the same reason How often is this updated? Ditto What Anti-Spyware software do you use? The stuff provided by the ISP How often do you update the definitions for this? Same again, it's automatically done For Microsoft Operating System Users (XP, Win2K etc) How often do you patch the Operating System with the updates provided by Microsoft? (and if you don't then you really really should since most viruses are written these days after the vulnerability is detected and patched by Microsoft, with the virus writers relying on people not patching their systems!!) I have it set on automatic again... I really like an easy life, did you spot that?

28 Jun 2006, 21:14	#6
L96 Inaugural goldfish winner Join Date: 04.07.2005 Location: In a handbasket. Believe me, for someone my height, it's hell... Posts: 2,373	What Anti-Virus Software do you use? AntiVir/AVG, whatever the hell it's called. I liked it (how can you not like Luke Filewalker?) but now it's gone strange. How often do you update the virus definitions? Whenever it tells me too, which is every time I use it, so every month or so. What Firewall do you use (hardware or software)? McAfee Guardian and something in my computer that constantly claims it's status is unknown whenever the computer gets turned on. I have no idea if they are any good or not, I had to make McAfee silent because I got sick of sending off fiery emails about the attacks my poor little computer was subject to every 10 minutes on average. What the hell is a Port Scan Attack? How often is this updated? Sorry? What Anti-Spyware software do you use? Lavasoft Ad-Aware and occasionally Spybot, although that doesn't seem to do much, and my sister put something called Stinger in here, but that has never found anything. Lavasoft is great, albeit scary, it always finds more bad stuff than actually exists. Plus, it's a freebie, and very good to us technophobes, easy to use. How often do you update the definitions for this? At the prompt. For Microsoft Operating System Users (XP, Win2K etc) How often do you patch the Operating System with the updates provided by Microsoft? (and if you don't then you really really should since most viruses are written these days after the vulnerability is detected and patched by Microsoft, with the virus writers relying on people not patching their systems!!) I stopped doing that after the Service Pack 2 debacle. Every little update thingy seems to kill my computer, and then it takes me hours to unpick the new stuff so that Mungo actually works again.

29 Jun 2006, 01:22	#7
KebLou Mega Loafer Join Date: 02.03.2004 Location: The Arena of the Unwell Posts: 3,177	What Anti-Virus Software do you use? Laptop- Norton, PC- AVG How often do you update the virus definitions?- when it does it, however often that is. What Firewall do you use (hardware or software) got a built in one in the wireless router and Norton on the laptop, and home the windows one. How often is this updated? don't have a clue What Anti-Spyware software do you use? Adaware and spybot or something How often do you update the definitions for this? About once a week For Microsoft Operating System Users (XP, Win2K etc) How often do you patch the Operating System with the updates provided by Microsoft? (and if you don't then you really really should since most viruses are written these days after the vulnerability is detected and patched by Microsoft, with the virus writers relying on people not patching their systems!!)puter does it automatically, although it keeps falling over when it comes to the latest one.

29 Jun 2006, 16:35	#8
Rockette Mega Loafer Join Date: 10.06.2005 Location: I think! Posts: 4,805	What Anti-Virus Software do you use? Vet. It's been reliable and easy to use. How often do you update the virus definitions? It's set to automatic update - daily, I think. What Firewall do you use (hardware or software) Windows own. Tried Vet, but it was complicated and interfered with the Windows one. How often is this updated? Set on automatic, so no idea. What Anti-Spyware software do you use? Ad-Aware. Have also tried Spybot and Vet, but prefer Ad-Aware for simplicity. How often do you update the definitions for this? As prompted. For Microsoft Operating System Users (XP, Win2K etc) How often do you patch the Operating System with the updates provided by Microsoft? (and if you don't then you really really should since most viruses are written these days after the vulnerability is detected and patched by Microsoft, with the virus writers relying on people not patching their systems!!) Again, set to automatic, so it's done whenever available.