Anitvirus question...

[Painted_Lady]

I'm currently running McAfee AOL security suite, and we just hooked up wireless (Belkin) for my daugther's laptop this Christmas. Is this a good protection, or is there something better for a reasonable cost? We live in the country, so little/ no worry of other users piggybacking. Any ideas from the gurus on what would work best for us?

Also having problems with slow loading, even with one user. Is the wireless causing this? We're on DSL.

Thanks in advance.

[Shabo]

You have DSL, but you're using AOL? Do yourself a favor, and drop AOL. You don't need it. Don't worry, they'll let you keep your email addresses for free.

As a general precaution, you should put some protection on your wireless router. A WEP key should be enough for you. Also, make sure you have passwords to log into EVERY account on the computers, including the built-in admin account. If you have Windows XP Home edition, you can only get to that account by restarting in Safe mode, then you will be able to see it.

As for antivirus, I don't know about the McAfee suite from AOL, but I have never been a big fan of McAfee in the first place. I use Avast! myself and am very pleased with it. The interface is a little challenging at first, but if you stick with it, it will make sense eventually. If you choose to switch anti-virus programs, make sure you have completely and totally uninstalled the mcafee suite, then restart the computer, then download and install the other anti-virus.

For the problem with slow loading, what is it slow loading? The user account when you log in? Web pages? Programs? We need a bit more info. Also, please tell us what operating system you are using, what your processor speed is, and how much RAM you have. You can find out the latter two by right-clicking on "My Computer" and going to properties, then it should say on the lower right side above "OK" and "Cancel". Good luck.

[draggar]

There's a reason they call it McCrappy.

My suggestion:

Uninstall McCrappy and get AVG. It's free and 10,000 times better. Also, install "SpyBot: Search And Destroy" and AdWare (NOT Adaware). Both of those are anti-malware (virus, spyware, etc..) software packages. You run them as needed or set them up to go autmoatically if the PC is on 24-7, just don't have more than one scan going at the same time.

"Slow loading" could be a zillion things, if it's booting up probabaly because whoever made your computer pre-loaded it with tons of crap you don't need but sets the PC up to load it all up anyway.

[Painted_Lady]

Thanks!

Thanks for the suggestions!

AOL is more of a bad habit (too busy/lazy to switch everything over). I am getting ideas from all these posts for something new.

This computer: Dell Dimension (I know, it's a Dell, got it so it I was running the same system as my university, and has been great so far). Pentium 4 CPU 2.80 GHz, 512 Ram. Running Windows XP. We have uninstalled all unnecessary programs, etc. it had. Not the biggest/best, but all its used for is accounting homework and surfing, so I'd rather avoid any unnecessary upgrades. It is nowhere near maxed out, running less than 1/3 most of the time.

The slow loading is mainly web pages; some will load fast, and others will drag and often need to refresh two or three times to get them to properly load. This issue only came up when we started with the router, and doesn't happen every time. It does not matter if we're running both computers or not. Now it is also not always connecting with the net at all...goes through and gives an error message in both Aol and Explorer, but restarting the computer works as a temp fix.

I appreciate all suggestions/fixes/ideas...don't want the daughter's Xmas present (router for her laptop) to drag my computer down.

[draggar]

Get Adware and Spybot (install them).

First, lean out your cache (open Internet Explorer, Tools - Internet options, then something like delete files).

Run each of those programs one at a time and let it clean out your system.

Then, go to http://housecall.antivirus.com and let that scan and clean.

As for the router, I have 5 computers and 1 printer going though my wired / wireless router and I do not have any slow down issues (DSL - I average speeds 1.3MbpS to 1.5MbpS) I don't think its your router.

Also, upgrade your ram. At least 1GB (512 is more than enough, but 1GB is good number to have now).

[Painted_Lady]

Thank you for the ideas!

[draggar]

AAK! I got it backwards.

Ad-Aware is what you want, not Adware. Its put out by LavaSoft.

[Eric the Grey]

AAK! I got it backwards.

Ad-Aware is what you want, not Adware. Its put out by LavaSoft.

I was about to ask WTF you were talking about.

I'll agree with uninstalling McAfee and using AVG. It's free and updates itself daily if it has an internet connection. I stopped trusting McAfee back when I had Dial-up and had warnings from the software warning me that there "are new virus' that my system is not protected against" even though I'd not been connected for several days, and it had been updated the last time I was online. I refuse to ever use a company that uses such scare tactics.

Anyway, a note on wireless and web page loading. Wireless is slower than a wired connection, so you'll definitely notice slower load times when surfing the web this way. That might be all the problem is. I do agree with using Ad-Aware and Spybot Search & Destroy on a regular basis.

You might also consider a free firewall. Comodo and Zone Alarm are both free. I currently use Comodo. If you do go with that, make certain you install it in basic mode. The Plus (+) mode will drive you nuts as it tries to be an Anti-Virus or Anti-Spyware client as well.


Eric the Grey