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Am I OK with a MalwareBytes and Avira combo?

If I do have a suspected virus, I always download more freeware AM programs (such as AdAware) and run them one by one, but I always have to delete them afterwards because my system runs too slow if I have more than one AM program at once.

(For all I know, I could be inventing my own acronym. I know AV stands for anti-virus, so I'm assuming AM will be how they abbreviate anti-malware. Am I wrong?)

No need for AdAware. Just run MalwareByte's AntiMalware and, if needed, SuperAntiSpyware. That is all for your simple anti-malware needs.

If it's one of the nasty types, just MSN me so I help you out live. I need to test my skills online after all.

Oooooh, how exciting! Live help from Manny!

I live in a state of constant paranoia that I have a virus that hasn't been detected.

I will PM you about it.

What's most depressing about this is the extra work and effort people are forced into performing as a means of dealing with massive problems inherent to Windows.

That EMail has been rendered potentially dangerous is unforgivable, never mind all the other problems, and I'm constantly left wondering how much longer this ludicrous state of affairs is going to be mutely accepted as the norm; the "oh well, you have a computer so you have to be careful" thing.
No - people run Windows, that's why all this extra work and worry exists.

What is Microsoft actually doing about this?
Nothing really; just piling on more bright and shiny things and making the mess even more convoluted.

Ok, rant over.

Well, this is the most notable thing about Windows when you get down to it, so no surprise.
What does this mean?
Sorry; that probably sounds blunt and confrontational but it's not how I mean it. Just looking for some detail.

CompTIA A+ certification is a vendor-neutral certification that basically means you can troubleshoot and repair most computer hardware and software issues. It's required for most technician jobs.

For more information, check CompTIA A+ on Wikipedia

As far as Windows having massive problems, I don't know that I necessarily agree. Yes, Windows gets patched a lot, and there are some serious vulnerabilities. But simple common sense can eliminate the vast majority of problems relating to malware and viruses. I also use Linux, and have a fair amount of experience with Apple's OSX operating system. I still use Windows for the majority of my computing

I want to switch to Linux, but I've been told it might be too hard for me.

I think I already posted about it earlier in the thread, though, didn't I? Sorry if I'm repeating myself.

Here's another problem I have, related to hardware this time: my Internet signal keeps coming and going, and I think it's down to my wireless router. (It's not the ISP that's at fault, because it did the same thing in my old house, where I had a different ISP). All that fixes it is turning it off and then back on again.

It's really annoying - I have to keep running back and forth every time it stops working. I suppose I should just buy a new router, but I'm worried I won't know how to set it up properly and connect it to my computer.

Another problem: someone I know has a hotmail account that's been hacked for some time and the hackers keep spamming everyone in his address book, including me. I've told him about it countless times, as have other people, but he insists he keeps changing his password and doesn't understand how the hackers keep doing it. This makes me suspect that his computer must have a keylogging virus which is enabling the hackers to know what the new passwords are.

Could there be any other explanation for it, and what should he do? Not that he's asking me for advice, but I'm just curious to know how it's happening.

I currently use Windows XP, Vista, Windows 7 & Linux Mint/Mandriva.
People said it might be too hard for you because people who have used Windows find it hard to use Linux as it gets confusing, I myself had a hard time using it at first. I suggest getting Linux Mint, it's similar to Windows and is easier to use for begginers .

Who are you with? Telstra? Optus? Doesn't matter, have you called up who you are with and asked for help?

As for your friend, I suggest getting him to download Anti-Malwarebytes, Spybot search & destroy.

If he doesn't have a Anti-Virus then please get him to download Microsoft Security Essentials, also if he downloads Spybot Search & Destroy, I recommend having Tea Timer on for extra protection, but it can become annoying sometimes, so turn it off if you're only doing a scan once and never again with Spybot (Some people don't always trust these scanners, sadly)~

Spybot should be able to get rid of the Keyloggers all by itself though, if not then come back to me

Ah right. That looks pretty comprehensive, and I see it incorporates some of the LPI material too. I'd considered doing that at one point but as it turned out, it wasn't necessary.
I use Linux exclusively now, aside from the occasional boot into XP for Photoshop and a couple of music-related applications. Needless to say, that XP installation is completely blocked from the WAN by the server's firewall and does nothing else.
If my circumstances hadn't changed I would definitely be the proud owner of a well-stuffed Mac Pro by now. Not had much experience with Macs but what I have had was rather nice.

Thank you for your advice, EgyptianCat. He's not my friend - he's just someone I know. I don't know if he'd welcome unsolicited advice. I've already phoned him about it once because I was shocked to get the spam and realise he'd been hacked, so I thought he'd want to know straight away so he could regain control of his account. Much to my surprise, he simply said: "oh yes, that happens all the time. I keep changing my passwords but they keep getting back in" as though he couldn't care less.



If that happened to me, I'd be freaking out!

He told me he has an AV program and I suggested he should download some more. I pointed out to him that no one program will catch them all, but he didn't believe me and told me his AV is the best there is.

As for switching to Linux, I have never heard of Linux Mint. The one I have researched is called Ubuntu. Which would be best?

I dare say one day I'll take the plunge: maybe when I get a new laptop and still have the old one to fall back on while I'm getting used to the second!

By the way: here's A BIG SHOUT-OUT TO MCalavera for helping me check my computer behind the scenes and put my mind at rest!



*grabs MCalavera and gives him a great big hug* <------but I made sure it was a gentle one. That way, he won't feel it until tomorrow when he wakes up. It's still night time in Australia.

Macs are fine, until you have to fix them. The hoops Apple makes up jump through are ridiculous, to say the least.

For example, we now have to use an Apple Diagnostic Server (A Mac mini running a specialized version of OSX Server) to diagnose all Macs in the shop. This server also phones home to tell Apple everything we're done.

This from the same company that ran the infamous "1984" ad...

Well, I've met many people like that. My sister got a really deadly virus once that disabled Registry Editor, CMD, Control Panel etc.
And the virus planted a virus in Registry Editor to disable Registry editor. In order to delete the virus, I had to get into Registry Editor to delete the Registry key that disabled Registry editor :/

AV is a fine Anti-Virus, and you're right. No single program can get rid of all viruses. I have coded in BAT & VBS and created my own little prank viruses, even real ones (Only for experimenting, never to harm actual people's computers) and it's funny to see none of my programs picking it up. From time to time Microsoft Security Essentials picks it up, or Spybot search and destroy. Anti-Malwarebytes rarely does though, hm. Oh well.

A Anti-Virus is basically like a virus itself, it's the only way it'll find the viruses on your Computer.
The creators of the Anti-Virus forever have to update it to destroy viruses.
The creators of the Viruses forever have to update it so Anti-Viruses can't detect it.

Anyhow, uBuntu is a good Linux OS
But if you're new to Linux, I strongly recommend Linux Mint first, as uBuntu is confusing to Windows users for the first time.
Linux Mint is similar style to Windows therefor will be a little easier for you. Once you get use to Linux Mint, then I suggest moving to uBuntu if you feel ready. It's up to you really. Just suggesting that Linux Mint maybe easier for you is all~♥

I hope I've helped~♥ ^^

And just remember, if you get a deadly virus one day, please don't listen to IT experts and format
When I asked for help about my friends laptop, he said, "Format"
I said, "He has a mini laptop, with no CD-Drive, and the pre-install drive is damaged"
He said, "Buy a new laptop" I said, "He doesn't have the money for that..." and then he said, "Steal a new laptop"
.....

Anyway, I used TeamViewer and fixed his laptop, took about 1 hour, wasn't that hard really, just surprised how some people fix computers/laptops :/

I occasionally receive bursts of random spam from one of my nephews as his Windows machine goes through various stages of being owned/part of a botnet and I get much the same response when I tell him his machine has yet another little visitor.
Honestly, I could really smack his legs sometimes...

Neither. Kubuntu for the better default interface of KDE. Ubuntu uses one called Gnome but that seems to have lost its way these days. (and doubtless many will disagree with that )
I think there may also be a false benefit in going for a distribution just because it's more like Windows. It isn't Windows but masquerading as it is likely to be more confusing than it's worth.
As I'd said earlier; once you've used one GUI you've pretty much used 'em all.

Heh. Yes, I've heard frustrated rants about those little games.
Yes indeed.

Gooeys!

It's those gooeys again!

I'm old enough to remember the days of DOS. And in Linux, most of my administration duties are carried out from the command line. Much faster and more efficient that way.