Your Anti-Virus Alternative Solutions
If you own a computer, you can get a virus. If you use a computer, you can get a virus. If your kid's friend's younger brother accidentally starts mashing keys on your computer while you are on the internet, you can get a virus. Viruses pose a real threat to our personal security and love to cripple our systems. They have been around since 1982, where the first credited virus --Elk_Cloner-- was written by a 15-year-old highschool student, and ever since then, people have found this unexplainable urge to create malicious code for purposes beyound this writers understanding.
As the years progressed, computer users began to realize the threat that viruses posed was serious, and so the antivirus program was brought to life. Many people and companies began to create different and unique antivirus programs, but each one lacked something the other had. Whether it be a unique searching algorithm, a worm detection tool, or active scanning, not one company has been able to get things perfect. Fortunately for us, as time has passed, technology has advanced and more sophisticated detection proceedures have been implemented. Heuristic techniques are now implemented to detect undiscovered problems, and as one would want from a detection tool such as the Anti-Virus program, poorly written virii and suspicious programs can now be caught without having being sent with a detection list. Although this process isn't perfect, it is a step in the right direction.
Since this thread is here to provide you with some insight on what a virus is, and how to prevent from getting one, it is time that we move on to the different types of Anti-Virus programs. These programs below are a few of the most common tools that have been voted on by you in the --Comprehensive Windows-based Antivirus Poll-- thread, the --Antivirus of Choice?-- thread, plus the latest versions of programs tested in the --Mega Antivirus Test--.
(L) - Linux Version Available
(M) - Mac Version Available
(U) - Unix Version Availabe
(V) - Vista 32/64-bit Version Available
(64) - XP 64-bit Version Available
(7) - Windows 7 32/64 bit Versions Available
(S) - Windows (Home) Server
All versions available for XP 32-bit unless otherwise noted
If a website states Vista compatibility, and no evidence was found to the contrary, then this guide assumes that it is both 32-bit and 64-bit compatible)
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Paid
Free
Online
Virus Removal Tools
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How to get rid of a Virus (A General Guide)
First of all, I would like to start off by saying that every virus is different, and there is no one way to fix everything. But, as I have been privilaged to mess around with a few computers, and have access to the Internet, I have been able to come up with with a few basic steps which might help you in your ever so depressing task of getting rid of a virus. These basic steps will help in preventing a virus from spreading, as you will be able to cut off its avenues of escape and attempt to corner it.
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Links to Different Useful Anti-Virus Threads on these Forums
Links to Different Useful Anti-Virus web pages outside these Forums
There are many different Anti-Virus programs out, and above is just a small representation of them. In the above lists, I have only included Home-based versions of the offered antivirus programs (that's excluding Workstations and File/Mail server versions), and so to get a full grasp on the different technology out there, I suggest that you take the time and carefully examine the different options at your disposal. Most of the listed companies also carry Internet security packages which include spyware removal tools and firewalls, which are just as important to have as having an A/V solution.
If there is one thing that I would like you all to take from this entire post, it is that Common Sense is our first line of defence. By taking an extra second to think about whether or not we were expecting an attachment in an email, or thinking twice about visiting the unknown sites that many of us frequent while indulging our curiosity, we would be able to greatly reduce the spread of viruses, and at the same time, we would be sending virus writers a message saying that we will no longer be taken advantage of.
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There are way too many people out there today who (if not purposely) run their computers without an antivirus solution, and then when they get infected, they come asking for some miracle fix. In a case like this, ignorance isn't bliss, as there could very well be consequences from inaction. This is why I thought it would be prudent to write up such a post. Hopefully, by showing people that they do not have to break open their wallets to get effective antivirus protection, more computers will become protected, and thus save everyone precious time and money. Also, by encouraging people to install and update antivirus programs, we would be doing our part in stinting the spread of viruses and the motivation of virus writers. It is my view that by doing our part and spreading this message, we will be able to help educate people on how to have a safe and rewarding online experience.
To further help people out, I was also hoping to make this a continuing, community involvement thread. What I mean by this is that I will ask you to post any virus related problems that you may have had in the past, along with detailed solutions on how you went about fixing them (don't forget to state the exact name of the virus!). In the end, I am hoping that this thread turns out to be a sort of database of experience so that others would be able to turn to it for help.
In the mean time, I am more than welcome to any of your input on this post, along with any comments or suggestions that you might like to make (PM at your convenience). If there are other antivirus programs that you would like me to add to the list, other links that you feel other people should know about, or any other topic that you would like added/discussed, I am open to suggestions. This topic will be updated on a continual basis, and so if there is anything that needs to be corrected, just kindly let me know.
Remember, a virus is everyone's problem. Only by working together can we achieve what we all want.
Raven
If you own a computer, you can get a virus. If you use a computer, you can get a virus. If your kid's friend's younger brother accidentally starts mashing keys on your computer while you are on the internet, you can get a virus. Viruses pose a real threat to our personal security and love to cripple our systems. They have been around since 1982, where the first credited virus --Elk_Cloner-- was written by a 15-year-old highschool student, and ever since then, people have found this unexplainable urge to create malicious code for purposes beyound this writers understanding.
As the years progressed, computer users began to realize the threat that viruses posed was serious, and so the antivirus program was brought to life. Many people and companies began to create different and unique antivirus programs, but each one lacked something the other had. Whether it be a unique searching algorithm, a worm detection tool, or active scanning, not one company has been able to get things perfect. Fortunately for us, as time has passed, technology has advanced and more sophisticated detection proceedures have been implemented. Heuristic techniques are now implemented to detect undiscovered problems, and as one would want from a detection tool such as the Anti-Virus program, poorly written virii and suspicious programs can now be caught without having being sent with a detection list. Although this process isn't perfect, it is a step in the right direction.
Since this thread is here to provide you with some insight on what a virus is, and how to prevent from getting one, it is time that we move on to the different types of Anti-Virus programs. These programs below are a few of the most common tools that have been voted on by you in the --Comprehensive Windows-based Antivirus Poll-- thread, the --Antivirus of Choice?-- thread, plus the latest versions of programs tested in the --Mega Antivirus Test--.
(L) - Linux Version Available
(M) - Mac Version Available
(U) - Unix Version Availabe
(V) - Vista 32/64-bit Version Available
(64) - XP 64-bit Version Available
(7) - Windows 7 32/64 bit Versions Available
(S) - Windows (Home) Server
All versions available for XP 32-bit unless otherwise noted
If a website states Vista compatibility, and no evidence was found to the contrary, then this guide assumes that it is both 32-bit and 64-bit compatible)
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Paid
- AntiVir PersonalEdition Premium 8 - (U) (V) (64)
- AntiVirusKit
- Arcavir 2006 - (V)
- Avast Professional Edition 4.8 - (V) (64)
- Bit Defender 2008 - (U) (V) (64)
- BullGuard 6 - (V) (64)
- CA - Antivirus - (V) (64)
- Drweb - (U)
- eScan Virus Control - (L)
- Eset NOD32 - (L) (V) (64)
- F-Prot - (L)
- F-Secure Anti-Virus - (V-32)
- Grisoft AVG Professional - (L) (V) (64)
- Intego VirusBarrier - (M-only)
- Invircible
- Kaspersky - (L) (V) (64)
- McAfee VirusScan - (M) (V) (64)
- Microsoft Live OneCare - (V-32)
- MKS - (V-32)
- Norman Virus Control
- Panda Software - (V) (64)
- Prevx2 - (V) (64)
- Sophos (L) (M) (V) (64)
- StopSign - (V)
- Symantec Norton Anti-Virus - (M) (V) (64)
- ThreatFire - (V-32)
- Trend Micro PC-cillin - (V)
- Vexira - (L) (V) (64)
- Virus Chaser
- Virus Buster - (L) (64) (V)
- Zone Alarm Antivirus - (V-32)
Free
- AntiVir PersonalEdition Classic 9 - (L) (V)
- ArcaBit Unix Free Edition
- Avast Home Edition 5.0 - (L) (V) (64)
- BitDefender Free Edition - (64) (V) (7) (S)
- Clamwin - (L) (M) (V) (7) (S - 2003 & 2008)
- Comodo Antivirus
- Grisoft AVG Free Edition - (L) (7) (V) (64)
- McAfee® VirusScan Plus – Special edition from AOL - (V) (64)
- Microsoft Security Essentials - (V) (64) (7)
- PC Tools Antivirus Free - (V - 32)
Online
Virus Removal Tools
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How to get rid of a Virus (A General Guide)
First of all, I would like to start off by saying that every virus is different, and there is no one way to fix everything. But, as I have been privilaged to mess around with a few computers, and have access to the Internet, I have been able to come up with with a few basic steps which might help you in your ever so depressing task of getting rid of a virus. These basic steps will help in preventing a virus from spreading, as you will be able to cut off its avenues of escape and attempt to corner it.
- The first thing that I would do, actually, the first thing that everyone should do if they are planning on surfing the internet, is to download, install, and keep up-to-date an anti-virus program. There are many programs listed above, and if you do not have the financial resources to purchase one, I highly recommend that you install one of the free ones. Remember, something is always better than nothing.
- If your anti-virus program pics up a virus, but is having trouble deleting it, perform a google search on the virus to gain some information on it (know thy enemy). Try to find removal instructions, forum discussions, or maybe a friend who has had it before, and find out all you can about it.
- Disable System Restore. To do this, Right click My Computer > Properties > System Restore > Check the 'Turn off System Restore on all drives' box.
- Next, update your anti-virus definitions, and then perform a scan of your computer. Also, after this completes, I would recommed that you also scan your computer with atleast two of the above online anti-virus scanning programs. This will help to detect and eliminate virii or part of a virus that your stand alone anti-virus program wasn't able to fix.
- If the virus is still occupying your computer, then the next thing you will want to do is to follow the removal instructions that you had earlier found about your virus. This will most likely include you rebooting into Safe Mode (Press F8 right after POST and before the Windows Booting screen comes up), and running the fixes there.
- Before going into safe mode, I would suggest that you download adaware and spyware removal programs as you might want to take this opportunity to scan your computer with these tools as well. The beauty about Safe Mode is that it only starts up the absolutely nessasary processes to run windows, and therefore any virus or spyware program that usualy runs when Windows boots, won't. This way, you can safely and easily remove any files that you couldn't have under normal Windows conditoins.
- While in Safe Mode, you should now follow the explicit instructions of how to get rid of your particular virus. This will insure that every part of it will be irradicated from your computer.
- After cleaning everything up, just reboot, and you are good to go. If this is not the case though, and you need more help removing your virus, just post on these forums and I am sure that someone will be able to help you out.
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Links to Different Useful Anti-Virus Threads on these Forums
- Anti-Virus: Everyone come - A debate on which Free antivirus program is the best.
- Antivirus Benchmarking v1.0 - Antivirus software being put to the test.
- AntiVirus Software - Another who uses what Antivirus thread.
- AV and spyware programs for Linux - A discussion on Linux based antivirus programs.
- Best Free Anti virus (poll edition!) - A poll on which Free antivirus programs is the best.
- Dave's mega antivirus test - The forum version of the above Mega Antivirus Test.
- Good Antivirus program - A light discussion on Antivirus programs.
- Spyware/Malware & Security - A great security thread. A must read!
- Windows Reference Sticky - A great collection of security information by RedDeathDrinker.
Links to Different Useful Anti-Virus web pages outside these Forums
- AntiVir Virus Info
- Anti-virus updates
- AV-Comparatives
- AV-Comparatives Tests
- AV-Comparatives Tests - ~new!~
- AVG About Viruses
- BullGuard Removal Guides
- CIT AntiVirus Help
- Clamwin Antivirus Glue for Firefox
- F-Secure Security Information Center
- FireFox
- Free Anti-Virus Software
- McAfee Free Services
- Microsoft: What is a Virus?
- NetZ Computing Anti-Virus Practice Lab
- Prevx Virus Information
- Sophos Virus Info
- Trend Micro Security Information
- Virus Bulletin
- Virus Buster Free Tools
- Virus Program Comparison Test
- Vmyths
There are many different Anti-Virus programs out, and above is just a small representation of them. In the above lists, I have only included Home-based versions of the offered antivirus programs (that's excluding Workstations and File/Mail server versions), and so to get a full grasp on the different technology out there, I suggest that you take the time and carefully examine the different options at your disposal. Most of the listed companies also carry Internet security packages which include spyware removal tools and firewalls, which are just as important to have as having an A/V solution.
If there is one thing that I would like you all to take from this entire post, it is that Common Sense is our first line of defence. By taking an extra second to think about whether or not we were expecting an attachment in an email, or thinking twice about visiting the unknown sites that many of us frequent while indulging our curiosity, we would be able to greatly reduce the spread of viruses, and at the same time, we would be sending virus writers a message saying that we will no longer be taken advantage of.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
There are way too many people out there today who (if not purposely) run their computers without an antivirus solution, and then when they get infected, they come asking for some miracle fix. In a case like this, ignorance isn't bliss, as there could very well be consequences from inaction. This is why I thought it would be prudent to write up such a post. Hopefully, by showing people that they do not have to break open their wallets to get effective antivirus protection, more computers will become protected, and thus save everyone precious time and money. Also, by encouraging people to install and update antivirus programs, we would be doing our part in stinting the spread of viruses and the motivation of virus writers. It is my view that by doing our part and spreading this message, we will be able to help educate people on how to have a safe and rewarding online experience.
To further help people out, I was also hoping to make this a continuing, community involvement thread. What I mean by this is that I will ask you to post any virus related problems that you may have had in the past, along with detailed solutions on how you went about fixing them (don't forget to state the exact name of the virus!). In the end, I am hoping that this thread turns out to be a sort of database of experience so that others would be able to turn to it for help.
In the mean time, I am more than welcome to any of your input on this post, along with any comments or suggestions that you might like to make (PM at your convenience). If there are other antivirus programs that you would like me to add to the list, other links that you feel other people should know about, or any other topic that you would like added/discussed, I am open to suggestions. This topic will be updated on a continual basis, and so if there is anything that needs to be corrected, just kindly let me know.
Remember, a virus is everyone's problem. Only by working together can we achieve what we all want.
Raven
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