Tech Journal Week 2
Week 2 of tech journal:
I had intended to write another Wednesday evening entry to my newly started tech journal but I have been sick so it has waited until today. Anyway...
I have been working with several PCs lately that have had problems with viruses and spyware and have made some interesting discoveries about certain virus scanners and anti-malware programs.
AVG Anti-Virus: Though AVG is free and seems like a well maintained program I have had many beefs with it lately. My first AVG situation was a few months ago when it flagged one of the files in my Games X Copy program as a trojan. I removed the file and surprise, the program no longer worked. I went to re-install the program and found that 321 studios was no longer in business because they were sued by RIAA/Paramount/MGM etc. This made it impossible to reinstall the program because it will not run without online activation. Then, a few weeks ago I found that I had several viruses on my PC that AVG "resident scanner" never flagged. After trying to remove them with AVG several times I finally have just given up as AVG doesn't seem to be able to remove them (no memory scanner, no pre-windows launch option). If a virus loads up into system memory before AVG loads when booting, no can do to remove the virus. Needless to say, I will be reinstalling on that machine soon.
AVAST Anti-Virus: My new go to viurs scanner. Has memory scanning, user controlled or automatic updates, and a much more sensitive resident shield. It will also run before system files load at boot to clear any viruses BEFORE they make it into system memory. I have had great success with this program so far and it is still free (save for a Name and E-mail registration). I highly recommend that anyone using AVG switch to Avast.
As I stated earlier, I am not feeling so great so I am going to cut it a little short this week but I will still be keeping an eye on LJ so if anyone has any questions/concerns/whatever just comment.
Take it easy everyone.
Robert S. Roosa, A+, Netowrk+, MOS
I had intended to write another Wednesday evening entry to my newly started tech journal but I have been sick so it has waited until today. Anyway...
I have been working with several PCs lately that have had problems with viruses and spyware and have made some interesting discoveries about certain virus scanners and anti-malware programs.
AVG Anti-Virus: Though AVG is free and seems like a well maintained program I have had many beefs with it lately. My first AVG situation was a few months ago when it flagged one of the files in my Games X Copy program as a trojan. I removed the file and surprise, the program no longer worked. I went to re-install the program and found that 321 studios was no longer in business because they were sued by RIAA/Paramount/MGM etc. This made it impossible to reinstall the program because it will not run without online activation. Then, a few weeks ago I found that I had several viruses on my PC that AVG "resident scanner" never flagged. After trying to remove them with AVG several times I finally have just given up as AVG doesn't seem to be able to remove them (no memory scanner, no pre-windows launch option). If a virus loads up into system memory before AVG loads when booting, no can do to remove the virus. Needless to say, I will be reinstalling on that machine soon.
AVAST Anti-Virus: My new go to viurs scanner. Has memory scanning, user controlled or automatic updates, and a much more sensitive resident shield. It will also run before system files load at boot to clear any viruses BEFORE they make it into system memory. I have had great success with this program so far and it is still free (save for a Name and E-mail registration). I highly recommend that anyone using AVG switch to Avast.
As I stated earlier, I am not feeling so great so I am going to cut it a little short this week but I will still be keeping an eye on LJ so if anyone has any questions/concerns/whatever just comment.
Take it easy everyone.
Robert S. Roosa, A+, Netowrk+, MOS