Security wanted

[gardenmad]

Help my computer only a month and a half old has sent up a message saying my Norton security has expired - and problems exist. I was Norton protected on my old computer for months and months, and had months left, what has gone wrong - I thought you could download security for nothing!!

Please help. you computer whiz kids!!

[trish432]

You`re welcome,we all have to learn. I scroll this site every day looking for new tips. Some of it is way over my head though.

[Gormless]

How important is security to you? A serious question actually. I do NO banking or credit card transactions at all on Windows, I boot up Linux from a CD (Ubuntu - it's free)

Therefore I regard Windows as a purely fun platform for gaming. It's a trade-off. All Anti-virus packages will degrade your performance, two of the commonest free ones, AVG and AVAST can hit your pc so hard as to make it unusable for 5-10 minutes at a time while they upgrade etc.

[gardenmad]

I must say I do not look every day, as I can waste so much time on this thing - it isn't something I use for work, for instance, so every time I turn the thing on, except for my better half's stuff, it's just for contacting friends or finding things out. However, I will look more regularly, now, thanks for the tip. Your views, Gormless, have confused me somewhat. What does Linux do? Is it for finance transactions? Sometimes it is easier and cheaper to get things over the net. When you say gaming, do you mean computer games or gambling? See how little I know....my grandson would know more. Anyway, thanks everyone, I'll keep looking in.

[trish432]

AVG doesn`t seem to affect my computer during startup or normal use.
Maybe this is because I have it set to scan and to update at a time when I won`t be using it.
I have had avast at one time, but can`t remember much about it, although I seem to think that it didn`t automatically scan, so I had to remember to do it.
I think that anyone using the internet needs at least an antivirus protection and a decent firewall.
Linux is an operating system, that some people use instead of windows, I tried it, but couldn`t make head nor tail of it.
I`ve been using a computer for 3 years and do online banking and a lot of buying, I haven`t had a problem up to now (touch wood)
I just use AVG, set to scan daily, and zone alarm firewall.
I think linux was mentioned because it`s not targeted as much by viruses spyware etc.
Like I said though, I am ok with windows xp or vista, but couldn`t manage linux.
I may have another try at it sometime, as I don`t like to be beaten.

[gardenmad]

I do not look at this site every day as you do, but it is a good idea - thanks for the tip, Trish. I sometimes do not put the thing on until later in the day, as I do not use if for work, but I have to look for my husband's messages. I only use it to keep in touch with people, and for finding things out on google and others, and that is what takes the time, It is time I know I am wasting, but I still do it!! Even so, I do want security and peace of mind.


You have somewhat confused me, Gormless, what is Linux - I shall look at the other questions and answers and no doubt will find out - and also - you say you use it for gaming - is this as in computer games, or gambling? See how ignorant I am! My grandson could probably tell me in a trice.....

[gardenmad]

Forget the last post!! I had not looked properly at the thing - I answered your post last night, then thought it had not gone through, forgot to scroll down to next answers - too weary last night to do it again - so put another post on this morning - how daft can you get - another thing I won't do again! (How many times have I said that through my life!)

Anway, thanks. I am now going to do 15 minute bursts at all my jobs today, or if I don't I will be playing on this thing all day - I have one or two penetrating questions about pyramids, if I don't find the answers, shall have to come back to answerbank!