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StarWars
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Microsoft's free antivirus available now
      #3366777 - 09/30/09 06:59 PM




Right here....


http://www.microsoft.com/SECURITY_ESSENTIALS/




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Pedestal
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Re: Microsoft's free antivirus available now new [Re: StarWars]
      #3367094 - 09/30/09 09:24 PM

Thanks for the tip.

--------------------

Hubert
---------------------------------
www.smoggybottom.org





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Clive Gibbons
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Re: Microsoft's free antivirus available now new [Re: StarWars]
      #3368335 - 10/01/09 11:45 AM

Thanks very much for the link, Rich.

Worth a try...

--------------------


A few telescopes of dubious value.
Understanding wife, two curious cats and one sadly departed.

"Semper ubi sub ubi"


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panhard
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Re: Microsoft's free antivirus available now new [Re: Clive Gibbons]
      #3369316 - 10/03/09 07:54 PM

Rich thanks I downloaded it. I am going to do a scan later.

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StarWars
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Re: Microsoft's free antivirus available now new [Re: panhard]
      #3369493 - 10/03/09 09:39 PM

Quote:

Rich thanks I downloaded it. I am going to do a scan later.




Herb


Let us know how it goes...


And does it have real time scanning...


Thanks

--------------------
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panhard
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Re: Microsoft's free antivirus available now new [Re: StarWars]
      #3379516 - 10/09/09 12:18 AM

Well it seems to be running ok. It hasn't picked anything up yet. I have scanned with other programs nothing is getting through. I run windows defender, spyware and a firewall provided by my sp.

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psonice
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Re: Microsoft's free antivirus available now new [Re: panhard]
      #3379659 - 10/09/09 03:37 AM

Rumour has it that it's pretty basic, but does fairly well in virus detection tests.

It's certainly lacking a lot of the stuff that the more established packages have, but maybe that's a good thing. The established packages tend to be huge and bloated and slow


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panhard
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Re: Microsoft's free antivirus available now new [Re: StarWars]
      #3379892 - 10/09/09 08:26 AM

Quote:

Quote:

Rich thanks I downloaded it. I am going to do a scan later.




Herb


Let us know how it goes...


And does it have real time scanning... Yes it does. I forgot to mention that earlier.


Thanks




--------------------



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rmollise
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Re: Microsoft's free antivirus available now new [Re: psonice]
      #3379969 - 10/09/09 09:02 AM

Quote:

Rumour has it that it's pretty basic, but does fairly well in virus detection tests.

It's certainly lacking a lot of the stuff that the more established packages have, but maybe that's a good thing. The established packages tend to be huge and bloated and slow




It is a good thing. It doesn't bog down the computer and hasn't--so far--caused the problems of Norton, Macafee and the rest. They are dead to me.

--------------------
Uncle Rod

Rod's New Book:
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Available now!


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panhard
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Re: Microsoft's free antivirus available now new [Re: rmollise]
      #3381286 - 10/09/09 11:14 PM

Well mine is also ticking along just fine also.

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StarWars
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Re: Microsoft's free antivirus available now new [Re: panhard]
      #3381318 - 10/09/09 11:38 PM



I would like to dump Avast and install a lighter AV ...

I wonder if it needs SP2 or SP3 ...

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BlueMoon
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Re: Microsoft's free antivirus available now new [Re: StarWars]
      #3381796 - 10/10/09 10:00 AM

To satirize Darth Vader, "Unimpressive, most unimpressive."

IMO, I'd stick to a tried and true DEDICATED anti-virus like AVAST! or the like.

Cheers.

--------------------
Jeff

Herrett Observatory, Twin Falls, Idaho.


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rmollise
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Re: Microsoft's free antivirus available now new [Re: BlueMoon]
      #3381834 - 10/10/09 10:23 AM

Quote:

To satirize Darth Vader, "Unimpressive, most unimpressive."

IMO, I'd stick to a tried and true DEDICATED anti-virus like AVAST! or the like.

Cheers.




I got tired of these DEDICATED programs when I found I couldn't install TheSky 6 Pro with one running. Oh, and the yearly fees you have to opt out of. Buh-bye!

I wouldn't have minded the gouging so much if the programs had actually worked very well. But they didn't. Not a one of them.

--------------------
Uncle Rod

Rod's New Book:
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Available now!


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StarWars
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Re: Microsoft's free antivirus available now new [Re: rmollise]
      #3382784 - 10/10/09 08:35 PM

Quote:

Quote:

To satirize Darth Vader, "Unimpressive, most unimpressive."

IMO, I'd stick to a tried and true DEDICATED anti-virus like AVAST! or the like.

Cheers.




I got tired of these DEDICATED programs when I found I couldn't install TheSky 6 Pro with one running. Oh, and the yearly fees you have to opt out of. Buh-bye!

I wouldn't have minded the gouging so much if the programs had actually worked very well. But they didn't. Not a one of them.





Uncle Rod,


May I ask which AV you use...

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astrotrf
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Re: Microsoft's free antivirus available now new [Re: rmollise]
      #3382956 - 10/10/09 10:38 PM

Quote:


I wouldn't have minded the gouging so much if the programs had actually worked very well. But they didn't. Not a one of them.




The level of intellect the programmers of these things display is often distressingly low. I remember installing an extremely popular antivirus suite some years ago on my wife's machine and telling it that I would like it to run its daily disk sweep at 2 a. m. so it wouldn't interfere with normal use of the machine.

Sure enough, at 2 a. m., it dutifully popped up a dialog box saying something like: "Beginning disk virus scan. Click OK to proceed."

So at 6 a. m., when I got up, I clicked OK and off it went ...

I'd really like to meet THAT genius.

OT: the automagic posting spell checker doesn't know "antivirus".

--------------------
Terry (astrotrf)


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astrotrf
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Re: Microsoft's free antivirus available now new [Re: astrotrf]
      #3382963 - 10/10/09 10:44 PM

Quote:

Rumour has it that it's pretty basic, but does fairly well in virus detection tests.




OK, educate me, guys. What does an AV program have to do besides scan the disk for infected files when I tell it to? I guess I can see a bit of sense in scanning incoming mail, but after that, what? My wife is running something with a main screen and 4 subscreens, each with stuff underneath 'em, and I just plain refuse to touch it. I can't *imagine* what alla that stuff is *for* ...

--------------------
Terry (astrotrf)


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panhard
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Re: Microsoft's free antivirus available now new [Re: astrotrf]
      #3383409 - 10/11/09 10:20 AM

It should provide real time scanning so a virus will never get into your hard drive. Scanning afterwards is like closing the door after the horse has run out of the barn.

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panhard
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Re: Microsoft's free antivirus available now new [Re: StarWars]
      #3383421 - 10/11/09 10:26 AM

Quote:



I would like to dump Avast and install a lighter AV ...

I wonder if it needs SP2 or SP3 ...


I am running Vista 32 bit home premium with service pack 2.

--------------------



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BlueMoon
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Re: Microsoft's free antivirus available now new [Re: panhard]
      #3383681 - 10/11/09 12:36 PM

Uncle Rod...

Quote:

I got tired of these DEDICATED programs when I found I couldn't install TheSky 6 Pro with one running.


It's not uncommon for any application to warn a user to disable their anti-virus software during an install so I'm not too surprised at your difficulty... I wouldn't be surprised if the same thing occurs with the MS offering...

Quote:

Oh, and the yearly fees you have to opt out of. Buh-bye!


Sounds like your talking about Norton and the "pay for" programs. Yeah, I quit using Norton years ago because of the recurring fees and the "heavy" nature of the application.

I feel your pain (which is why I use a different OS altogether) but AVAST! is totally configurable, services can be turned on or off as one wishes, and it's free... (the home use version at least).

Everyone has their preferences...

Cheers.

--------------------
Jeff

Herrett Observatory, Twin Falls, Idaho.


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csa/montana
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Re: Microsoft's free antivirus available now new [Re: astrotrf]
      #3383798 - 10/11/09 01:58 PM

Quote:

Quote:

Rumour has it that it's pretty basic, but does fairly well in virus detection tests.




OK, educate me, guys. What does an AV program have to do besides scan the disk for infected files when I tell it to? I guess I can see a bit of sense in scanning incoming mail, but after that, what? My wife is running something with a main screen and 4 subscreens, each with stuff underneath 'em, and I just plain refuse to touch it. I can't *imagine* what alla that stuff is *for* ...




Well, a couple of days ago, I went to an Astro Vendor's website, & Avast warned about a virus. I called the Vendor, & he said another person also had reported this. So, if I had not had the program running, guess what?

--------------------
Carol


AstroTech 16" Dob (Thanks ASTRONOMICS!)
Vixen 80MF/AstroTech Voyager
Masuyama's 7.5, 15, 25W, 35mm,
Pentaxes; 5XW, 7XL, 10XW.
14mm Meade 4000 UWA
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panhard
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Re: Microsoft's free antivirus available now new [Re: csa/montana]
      #3384427 - 10/11/09 09:39 PM

Carol I never thought of you where the type to ride a broom. An AV program worth it's salt will do that. If it doesn't it's not worth having on the computer. I had Avast on my computer at one time also, I just got tired of running out of time with it. Of course I was using the free version.

--------------------



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astrotrf
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Re: Microsoft's free antivirus available now new [Re: csa/montana]
      #3384782 - 10/12/09 02:04 AM

Quote:


Well, a couple of days ago, I went to an Astro Vendor's website, & Avast warned about a virus. I called the Vendor, & he said another person also had reported this. So, if I had not had the program running, guess what?




OK, let me be deliberately obtuse here and bite. What?

--------------------
Terry (astrotrf)


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markan
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Re: Microsoft's free antivirus available now new [Re: StarWars]
      #3384857 - 10/12/09 05:37 AM

Quote:

Quote:

Rich thanks I downloaded it. I am going to do a scan later.




Herb


Let us know how it goes...


And does it have real time scanning...


Thanks




Yes, it has real time scanning and a quick scan. I like it. It's got a nice clean interface. Goodbye Symantec.

--------------------
Sky-Watcher 100mm ED f/9 refractor
Sky-Watcher 200mm f/5 reflector
EQ5 mount, Orion SkyView AZ


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psonice
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Re: Microsoft's free antivirus available now new [Re: astrotrf]
      #3384869 - 10/12/09 06:21 AM

Quote:

Quote:


Well, a couple of days ago, I went to an Astro Vendor's website, & Avast warned about a virus. I called the Vendor, & he said another person also had reported this. So, if I had not had the program running, guess what?




OK, let me be deliberately obtuse here and bite. What?




What? The browser has a whole in it, which the hacked website exploits to run some code. There's no virus on your computer at this point, so the virus scanner sits there waiting for something to happen. The exploit code sneaks up behind the virus scanner and cripples it stealthily, so it looks normal to you but won't actually do anything useful any more. Then it downloads a backdoor, and links your PC up to a botnet for later use, while dropping a 'man in the middle' online banking attack.

A few days later, you're doing your online banking as normal, and your connection is hijacked. You don't notice any difference, but some bloke in Russia now has access to your bank account. He tells his program to go to work, and it starts making payments out of your account. The payments are fairly small, and to various accounts, and it avoids going overdrawn, so that the bank's fraud prevention systems don't get triggered. When you log in and view your account, all of these payments are removed from the screen so you'll only find out if you actually go to the bank or get a paper statement. Or try to make a payment, and it says you have no more money.

Btw, that is actually what happens, and what I've just described is what happens in current, active scams. Scary huh?


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rmollise
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Re: Microsoft's free antivirus available now new [Re: StarWars]
      #3384920 - 10/12/09 08:06 AM

Quote:




Uncle Rod,


May I ask which AV you use...




I ran Macafee and Norton OUT OF THE HOUSE!

I had stood enough of the yearly demand for MO MONEY, and couldn't stand NO MORE. I got tired of their quirks, too.

I used the free Avira for quite a while, and it worked fine, but I got tired of the pop up advertisements, and as soon as Microsoft came out with their program, I replaced it on all of our machines.

--------------------
Uncle Rod

Rod's New Book:
Choosing and Using a New CAT
Available now!

Edited by rmollise (10/12/09 08:10 AM)


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rmollise
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Re: Microsoft's free antivirus available now new [Re: BlueMoon]
      #3384923 - 10/12/09 08:08 AM

Quote:

disable their anti-virus software during an install so I'm not too surprised at your difficulty... I wouldn't be surprised if the same thing occurs with the MS offering...






As a matter of fact, I had to install TheSky 6 on one of our laptops this weekend, and it went fine with MS' antivirus program. My former program (Macafee) didn't just give a warning. It didn't GIVE any warnings. I just couldn't complete the install; it hung up. I was right put out until I figured out what was going on.

--------------------
Uncle Rod

Rod's New Book:
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Available now!


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psonice
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Re: Microsoft's free antivirus available now new [Re: rmollise]
      #3384944 - 10/12/09 08:21 AM

Quote:

As a matter of fact, I had to install TheSky 6 on one of our laptops this weekend, and it went fine with MS' antivirus program. My former program (Macafee) didn't just give a warning. It didn't GIVE any warnings. I just couldn't complete the install; it hung up. I was right put out until I figured out what was going on.




That would be mcafee detecting something going on that could possibly be bad, and stopping it. It's really annoying when it gets it wrong (and they frequently do, but they should at least warn you when there's a problem. Did you have warnings turned off or anything?) But then, when it gets it RIGHT (which is what it's there for..) it can save you from a whole bunch of trouble.

See my last post above.. there's a fair chance mcafee and the likes would catch that early and block it, while the simple "virus scan only" software would roll over and let it happen. This is the difference really - bloated, annoying, but offering fairly good protection, or fast, streamlined, and risky.


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Zoomster
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Re: Microsoft's free antivirus available now new [Re: psonice]
      #3384976 - 10/12/09 09:00 AM

I am running Nod32 and it is smooth and unobtrusive.

--------------------
Celestron CPC 1100 aka "The Marino"
Moonlite Dual Rate Focuser
WO Dielecric Diagonal
Denkmeier "Big Easy" Binos and assorted eyepieces.
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SPC900NC...not modded...yet. (eh-eh)

Is God willing to prevent evil, but not able? Then he is not omnipotent. Is he able, but not willing? Then he is malevolent. Is he both able and willing? Then whence cometh evil? Is he neither able nor willing? Then why call him God?
Epicurus


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astrotrf
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Re: Microsoft's free antivirus available now new [Re: psonice]
      #3385469 - 10/12/09 02:28 PM

Quote:


The browser has a whole in it, which the hacked website exploits to run some code.





Ah, so the program didn't detect a *virus* on the site, it detected the exploit code. I understand now.

Thanks.

--------------------
Terry (astrotrf)


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StarWars
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Re: Microsoft's free antivirus available now new [Re: astrotrf]
      #3385492 - 10/12/09 02:49 PM Attachment (6 downloads)



Looks like SP2 is required for the install...

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Orion Collimation Eyepiece
Rigel Quick Finder
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panhard
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Re: Microsoft's free antivirus available now new [Re: StarWars]
      #3405758 - 10/23/09 08:23 AM

Well mine is still running great and virus free.

--------------------



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psonice
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Re: Microsoft's free antivirus available now new [Re: StarWars]
      #3405775 - 10/23/09 08:35 AM

Quote:

Looks like SP2 is required for the install...




You're still on SP1?! Win XP was only really much good after SP2.. and it was hopelessly insecure on SP1 too. Unless it's sitting somewhere where it's never connected to any networks, you should really update it. Relying on anti-virus is like standing in a ship full of holes, and hoping a bloke with a small bucket will keep it afloat


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StarWars
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Re: Microsoft's free antivirus available now new [Re: psonice]
      #3406177 - 10/23/09 12:36 PM

Quote:

Quote:

Looks like SP2 is required for the install...




You're still on SP1?! Win XP was only really much good after SP2.. and it was hopelessly insecure on SP1 too. Unless it's sitting somewhere where it's never connected to any networks, you should really update it. Relying on anti-virus is like standing in a ship full of holes, and hoping a bloke with a small bucket will keep it afloat





My Compaq 700 would freeze up with SP1 or SP2 installed. Don't know why so I need a Anti-virus, malware scanner plus Firewall.
I make a HD backup every week and set a system restore point every two days..
My IBM T42 is running Windows XP Pro SP3 with upgraded ATI drivers..

--------------------
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MX 460 earbuds
Celestron 2x Barlow Lens
Orion Collimation Eyepiece
Rigel Quick Finder
Assorted Bino's



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LLD
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Re: Microsoft's free antivirus available now new [Re: StarWars]
      #3428154 - 11/03/09 08:06 PM

Well is everyone who installed Microsoft's free antivirus software still using it? I just downloaded it as my 60 day free trial mcafee expired . I was also thinking about Advast or AVG. Any new or updated opinions on these free antivirus downloads!

--------------------
LLD. Meade 16 inch dob. Meade 60mm Polaris refractor 76mm Bushnell reflector
Meade ETX60-BB,Meade 70MM / USB color camera


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rmollise
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Re: Microsoft's free antivirus available now new [Re: LLD]
      #3428770 - 11/04/09 08:02 AM

Quote:

Well is everyone who installed Microsoft's free antivirus software still using it? I just downloaded it as my 60 day free trial mcafee expired . I was also thinking about Advast or AVG. Any new or updated opinions on these free antivirus downloads!




Yep. Still using it. Still seems to be working. My computer has not morphed into a virus ridden amoeba, anyhow.

--------------------
Uncle Rod

Rod's New Book:
Choosing and Using a New CAT
Available now!


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LLD
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Re: Microsoft's free antivirus available now new [Re: rmollise]
      #3428919 - 11/04/09 10:10 AM

Thanks Rod! One thing i like is no pop up's and it doesn't slow my computer down so as long as it keeps the virus's and bugs away I'll be a happy camper!

--------------------
LLD. Meade 16 inch dob. Meade 60mm Polaris refractor 76mm Bushnell reflector
Meade ETX60-BB,Meade 70MM / USB color camera


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StarWars
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Re: Microsoft's free antivirus available now new [Re: LLD]
      #3429628 - 11/04/09 06:24 PM



Question about MS AV updates...

How often does the MS AV update the virus definitions..

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panhard
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Re: Microsoft's free antivirus available now new [Re: StarWars]
      #3432178 - 11/05/09 11:58 PM

Rich I will check for updates daily & let you know.

--------------------



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o1d_dude
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Re: Microsoft's free antivirus available now new [Re: panhard]
      #3434878 - 11/07/09 03:38 PM

XP and later required.

I'm still on Win2K Pro SP4.

Oddly, I've a copy of WinXP SP2 sitting on my computer desk for about two years now...maybe I should install it one of these days.

--------------------
Kit

'Don’t worry about what telescope you own, or its quality. Just get out under the night sky, and enjoy God’s wondrous universe.' - Thomas M Back


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deSitter
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Re: Microsoft's free antivirus available now new [Re: o1d_dude]
      #3437389 - 11/09/09 01:22 AM

Windows XP is actually more efficient than 2000, once you pare down the service bloat. It's worth it just to get ClearType.

I've dealt with Windows personally and professionally since 1985 and XP is far and away the most stable version.

-drl


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deSitter
Carpal Tunnel


Reged: 12/09/04
Posts: 2926
Re: Microsoft's free antivirus available now new [Re: csa/montana]
      #3437393 - 11/09/09 01:26 AM

Quote:

Quote:

Quote:

Rumour has it that it's pretty basic, but does fairly well in virus detection tests.




OK, educate me, guys. What does an AV program have to do besides scan the disk for infected files when I tell it to? I guess I can see a bit of sense in scanning incoming mail, but after that, what? My wife is running something with a main screen and 4 subscreens, each with stuff underneath 'em, and I just plain refuse to touch it. I can't *imagine* what alla that stuff is *for* ...




Well, a couple of days ago, I went to an Astro Vendor's website, & Avast warned about a virus. I called the Vendor, & he said another person also had reported this. So, if I had not had the program running, guess what?




HTML iframes are potentially dangerous and will trigger Avast.

Avast Home is still free and IMO unbeatable for security and performance.

-drl


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panhard
Mongo
*****

Reged: 01/20/08
Posts: 5200
Loc: Markham Ontario Canada
Re: Microsoft's free antivirus available now new [Re: StarWars]
      #3437680 - 11/09/09 09:30 AM

Quote:



Question about MS AV updates...

How often does the MS AV update the virus definitions..


I have checked for updates every day for the last few days. There has been an update available every day. You have to do the check yourself it is not an automatic update.

--------------------



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rmollise
Post Laureate
*****

Reged: 07/06/07
Posts: 4575
Re: Microsoft's free antivirus available now new [Re: panhard]
      #3438621 - 11/09/09 05:24 PM

Quote:

I have checked for updates every day for the last few days. There has been an update available every day. You have to do the check yourself it is not an automatic update.




If the system is on, it will update automatically at a specified time.

--------------------
Uncle Rod

Rod's New Book:
Choosing and Using a New CAT
Available now!


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