Spyware Protection

[Preston_Hall]

I was going through some software on the zdnet site and ran across Armor2net. It seems to work well while serving as a pop-up blocker, firewall, and spyware removal tool. It found two spywares that neither ad-aware or spybot search and destroy found. One spyware was so embedded that I had to remove it several times to clean my system. I haven't had any tracking cookies or registry changes since I installed this. Anyway, I didn't know if anyone was using it and had any opinions. It's free for 30 days and $20 to buy it. Apparently there will be free yearly upgrades as well.

Armor2net - Check it out!

 

[Slideblues]

Hey Preston,

Sounds good thanks for the tip.

I use SpyBot 1.3 new release and Il System Wiper, both work great.

Biggest thang I did was quit usin IE for a browser and went with Mozilla FireFox,

No pop ups redirects or other IE related probs at all,

Gene

Info here:

http://www.mozilla.org

 

[TomMoorehouse]

if ya got an old computer just load it up with linux for mail and surfing..... kiss all of those problems good bye!

 

[ClayGlover]

Tom, can I download Linux, or must I buy the disk? I see stuff like "redhat" and such, is there more than one type of Linux?

 

[TomMoorehouse]

Linux is like the core set of instructions that make up the operating system. Companies and people take the linux core (called the kernel) and create their operating system around it. There are many "flavors" of linux. The different linux'es are called distributions. The linux world is generally what is called "open source" where anyone can use anyone else's work as long as they give them credit. The kernel is only 1 part of the entire operating system. When you get a linux distribution it is made up of many parts. such as the kernel, a GUI (graphical user interface), device drivers and managers, software installers, office applications.... and so on....

there is a ton more to this...... a favorite website of mine is www.distrowatch.com they keep track of all the linux distributions and what is going on with them

for a home user looking to get into linux on an old pc I recommend one of these:

SUSE

Fedora (used to be redhat)

Mandrake

Linspire

Last night I installed the newest version of SUSE 9.1 You can download a disc image for free! all you have to do is burn it to a cd and install it. also ebay is a great way to get it cheap.

so far SUSE 9.1 is awesome. the thing about these distributions is that they are loaded! they come pre installed with everything you will most likely ever need. office programs, drawing programs, cd burning, music....... on and on. All FREE!

obviously i could go on and on about this.... i really like the linux stuff...... but i have not 100% left microsoft..... but that is just a matter of time.

 

[ClayGlover]

Interesting... Thanks Tom. Been getting BSOD's lately

oh yeah, I finally made "CLUB RACER". heh

 

[Mike Broad]

Don't forget all this "free" software needs developing and this is done by humans, many of whom are impecunious students. There are several distributions that are not backed by commercial companies but by a community of software developers working in their free time i.e. Debian. Mozilla and the rest Open Source software community needs support. Please remember this when you choose to use it.

Mike Broad

 

[Mike G]

A lot of those share where programs that are called "spyware blockers" actually add their own spyware! Be very careful where you source your "free" software from.

 

[Preston_Hall]

Well, it isn't shareware and it isn't free. But it has been working for me. I would try another OS but I like to keep it simple when I can.