The Dean Posted August 26, 2009 Share Posted August 26, 2009 After using freebees like Spybot and adaware with questionable results, I installed Stopzilla on my computer a year ago and it has done a good job. It was inexpensive and has been well worth it for me, so far anyways. I'm the last person to ask for advice about computers though, so if someone was to say Stopzilla isn't very good I'm not going to argue with them. Spybot Search and Destroy and Adaware were once terrific products. They are outdated now, and aren't worth installing, IMO. On the other hand, Stopzilla is a borderline rogue program. It has avoided the "rogue security product" label, so far, but it is considered a program to avoid, by most security specialists. If you are happy with it, so be it. But it isn't a program I would let anywhere near my, or my clients', computers. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steely Dan Posted August 26, 2009 Share Posted August 26, 2009 There's a few options. I use a service called "Mozy" (Mozy.com). You pay a monthly fee (and get a discount for multiple months/years), and install an application on your PC that automatically ships the files you request over to the Mozy servers. This is very helpful in case your house burns down, or someone breaks in and steals your PC. However, it's less helpful in the case of rebuilding a PC -- because depending on how much data you have backed up, it could take a long time to retrieve. I also have software called Second Copy ( www.centered.com ). You can setup backup policies that backup files from one location to another. This is very helpful if you have a second harddrive in your computer, or if you occasionally plug in a n external harddrive (you can set the program up to only backup when you plug the drive in). A third option is Windows Home Server. Everyone knows I'm pretty anti-MS, but they actually got this one right. You need to build another computer and leave it on 24x7, but you can then copy your files to it (using Second Copy, for example). In addition, you install a connector on your PC and it will make an image of your PC every night. If you PC gets infected or the harddrive dies, you simply put a new drive in, put a restore DVD in the drive (with just enough drivers to let your PC talk to WHS), and it restores your whole PC in about 20 minutes. Tater would've been able to use this to, for example, restore his PC to the way it looked 2 month sago, before becoming infected. Very handy. It has the added benefit of being able to stream effortlessly to the Xbox 360, which I also like. Thanks but it's only a home computer and I it's not worth it or I can't do the things you suggested. Noadware has a very bad history, and I would remove it ASAP: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NoAdware It is no longer considered a rogue security program, but it will always be suspect to me. Besides, there are far better products to use. I like it. I can run Avira and Malwarebytes and then run Noadware and it will find things they missed. I recently had to re-install it on my computer and when I went to a download site it was Malware. I had to remove it with Malwarebytes. I emailed the company and they sent me a link to their server and it doesn't show up as Malware anymore. I also like Scotty that you told me about, that's a good program too. The registry wizard will repair the problems it finds when I run it. I like it a lot too. I own an XP paid-for update cd and a Win98 OEM cd... What's a "slipstream"? Stop the jargon...or when you ask about a problem with your Cavalier I won't tell you how to bend up the Korean hat when you need to torque a top strut tit. Or how to adjust a hood peter, or how to remove a cat walk or deal with reticent ox-head nuts. Are those like Deerballs? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steely Dan Posted August 27, 2009 Share Posted August 27, 2009 Touché In simple terms slipstreaming is merging the updates with the original XP build and/or service pack. So instead of applying each update individually you can apply them all at once But that's all theoretical, since it won't work with a 98->XP upgrade. Sorry *Edit You can't make a new install CD with your 98->XP upgrade. But you can slipstream the post-SP3 updates into SP3. Then you can run the updated SP3 after the 98->XP upgrade The easiest way is to use a program called nlite http://www.nliteos.com/ Or you can do it by command line, but that's much more tedious How'd you get that e on touche? I used to be able to do it with my Mac but I can't with a PC. I just went in to try and backup my data and it won't allow me to do it without some kind of software. Any suggestions or am I missing another way. I went to Settings, Control Panel, Performance and Maintenance and then to backup data. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steely Dan Posted August 27, 2009 Share Posted August 27, 2009 One more question. Why wouldn't doing a system restore take care of his problem? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fezmid Posted August 27, 2009 Share Posted August 27, 2009 Thanks but it's only a home computer and I it's not worth it or I can't do the things you suggested. Not worth it? Seriously? Second Copy and an external harddrive will cost you about $70. Two years of Mozy.com service will cost you about $100. How is that not worth it? Don't you have any digital pictures? Vidoes? Music? Documents? Do you only use your PC for web browsing and email...??? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steely Dan Posted August 27, 2009 Share Posted August 27, 2009 Not worth it? Seriously? Second Copy and an external harddrive will cost you about $70. Two years of Mozy.com service will cost you about $100. How is that not worth it? Don't you have any digital pictures? Vidoes? Music? Documents? Do you only use your PC for web browsing and email...??? I wasn't aware that an external hard drive was only $70. I'll look into it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fezmid Posted August 27, 2009 Share Posted August 27, 2009 I wasn't aware that an external hard drive was only $70. I'll look into it. It's generally cheaper to buy a regular drive and an external enclosure separately -- then just screw the drive into the enclosure and plug it in via USB. Just remember that you're not protected if your house burns down or somebody robs you, unless you always leave the external drive somewhere other than your house -- but then it's harder to remember to bring it home for a day to do the backups. That's why Mozy is so nice - house burns down, data is still safe. I can give more details tomorrow - for now, sleep calls. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest dog14787 Posted August 27, 2009 Share Posted August 27, 2009 My three favorites are Nod32, Avira and Avast. Avira and Avast have excellent free versions available. Avira doesn't have the fastest scanner, but it runs very light on the machine. Avira is my favorite of the three. Ran Avast (free 60 day trial) and I wish I could figure out how to get the log report from the first reboot scan just to show folks the difference between an ineffective spyware software (Stopzilla) and Avast. I had Worms, Trojans, and all kind of other creepy sounding critters. I would recommend everyone run Avast and compare it to what they have been running, thanks Dean you probably saved me allot of grief because I can actually hear the difference in my computer, Its not working near as hard and running much smoother. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jim in Anchorage Posted August 27, 2009 Share Posted August 27, 2009 How'd you get that e on touché? I used to be able to do it with my Mac but I can't with a PC. I just went in to try and backup my data and it won't allow me to do it without some kind of software. Any suggestions or am I missing another way. I went to Settings, Control Panel, Performance and Maintenance and then to backup data. touché Goggle it and c+p somebody else's. touché or let spell ck do it. Notice it's now on your quote. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steely Dan Posted August 27, 2009 Share Posted August 27, 2009 Touché, I did that with a downloaded program and not copy paste! I rule! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steely Dan Posted August 27, 2009 Share Posted August 27, 2009 Resumé Touché How about these; Ā ǖ ź I got a million of 'em!!! I reiterate, I Rule. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lori Posted August 27, 2009 Share Posted August 27, 2009 ugh!spent part of last weekend cleaning out a virus from my computer. was finally able to download spybot and after several failed attempts to run it, i changed the program's name (to fool the virus) to finally get it to run. took it three run-throughs, plus two run-throughs of malwarebytes and adaware to finally get my machine up and running. vicious, vicious, vicious. and no, i hadn't backed up (i have now, though), but it's a lesson learned and what proved to be a much wasted (not the good kind) weekend. jw Ugh. Sorry to hear. FWIW, via SJ.com -- after a freelancer lost a crapload of work thanks to a pressbox accident (kid somehow managed to drop a window, knocking the guy's laptop onto the floor), the best advice I read? Get a few flash drives and ALWAYS save the stuff you're working on before you pack up. The guy who suggested it carries one on his keychain, a couple in his laptop bag, etc. -- plenty big enough for a few Word files and .pdfs. I also have an external HD ... which, now that you mention it, hasn't been put into service lately. Time to take my own advice... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jim in Anchorage Posted August 27, 2009 Share Posted August 27, 2009 Resumé Touché How about these; Ā ǖ ź I got a million of 'em!!! I reiterate, I Rule. You know thats a cliché Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Just Jack Posted August 27, 2009 Share Posted August 27, 2009 I wasn't aware that an external hard drive was only $70. I'll look into it. This is the one I got.... Western Digital - My Passport Essential 250GB External Fits right in my pocket. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dean Posted August 27, 2009 Share Posted August 27, 2009 Ran Avast (free 60 day trial) and I wish I could figure out how to get the log report from the first reboot scan just to show folks the difference between an ineffective spyware software (Stopzilla) and Avast. I had Worms, Trojans, and all kind of other creepy sounding critters. I would recommend everyone run Avast and compare it to what they have been running, thanks Dean you probably saved me allot of grief because I can actually hear the difference in my computer, Its not working near as hard and running much smoother. Avast is not a spyware scanner, it is an Antivirus program. There is a free version of Avast available (you get a license key every year) but if you had a 60-day trial, you must have chosen the paid version of Avast. That is quite good, too. (BTW, one of the reasons I like Avira slightly better than Avast is, Avira has fairly good malware protection, too.) Stopzilla is, supposedly, an "Anti-Spyware program. Even the description suggests it is outdated, IMO. Comparing what it finds to Avast isn't an apples to apples comparison. There are very effective anti-malware programs that are far more effective (and far more honest) than Stopzilla. Two I recommend are Malwarebytes Anti Malware and SuperAntiSpyware. Stopzilla has been suspect among security experts for quite a while. It has been accused of false positives and erroneous findings (basically making up detections to seem valuable. It is marketed using fake awards and is known to be difficult to remove. Here's some discussion of Stopzilla, with the comment I find most accurate, below: http://www.techspot.com/vb/all/windows/t-5...re-product.html http://www.malwarebytes.org/forums/index.php?showtopic=1416 I believe that this one has been classified as scraping the edge of rogue for a while but not quite crossing it . Certainly it is not a recommended antimalware application . I know that it turns up on a lot of crapware sites when I go looking for new rogues . Hey, if you like it, it's your computer. But you should know it is considered to be a very ineffective product. Hell, it even gets a crappy rating (and comments) at download.com (I thought everything was rated highly there ): http://download.cnet.com/Stopzilla/3640-80...html?tag=tab_ur Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
/dev/null Posted August 27, 2009 Share Posted August 27, 2009 Touché, I did that with a downloaded program and not copy paste! I rule! Slacker I use the alt key and an ASCII map Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steely Dan Posted August 27, 2009 Share Posted August 27, 2009 This is the one I got.... Western Digital - My Passport Essential 250GB External Fits right in my pocket. Thanks. Slacker I use the alt key and an ASCII map Jackass!/Hammerhead! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stuckincincy Posted August 27, 2009 Share Posted August 27, 2009 Are those like Deerballs? No! Ox-head nuts: The lower structure of a front-wheel drive vehicle has a heavy-gauge construction coming from the firewall and mating with the EA boxes (energy absorbing boxes...they are rectangular, mounting the bumper struts, and are designed to collapse controllably upon a front-end impact). Overall, the appearance is that of the head and horns of an ox. It has mount points for the motor mounts, which today commonly have vibration-absorbing gel-filled pads. So torquing the nuts properly is a different procedure. Here's the latest thing in motor mount tech... http://www.caranddriver.com/features/09q2/...ounts-tech_dept Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lori Posted August 27, 2009 Share Posted August 27, 2009 Slacker I use the alt key and an ASCII map [ogre] NERRRRRRRRDS!!!!! [/ogre] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fezmid Posted August 27, 2009 Share Posted August 27, 2009 http://slickdeals.net/permadeal/23859/Tosh...l-Hard-Drive-54 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stuckincincy Posted August 27, 2009 Share Posted August 27, 2009 http://slickdeals.net/permadeal/23859/Tosh...l-Hard-Drive-54 Hey! Is that Linksys hard-wired thing you recommended to me and I bought, a "NAT box" or not? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
plenzmd1 Posted August 27, 2009 Share Posted August 27, 2009 [ogre]NERRRRRRRRDS!!!!! [/ogre] I totally agree. I am so lost in this discussion. But, preciate all the advice Deano and Fezmid and others dispense here, as helped me out tremendously, especially deano in the past Man, protecting your PC now gotta be 5X the cost of the damn thing!!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fezmid Posted August 27, 2009 Share Posted August 27, 2009 Hey! Is that Linksys hard-wired thing you recommended to me and I bought, a "NAT box" or not? Yup - it NATs. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Delete This Account Posted August 28, 2009 Share Posted August 28, 2009 Ugh. Sorry to hear. FWIW, via SJ.com -- after a freelancer lost a crapload of work thanks to a pressbox accident (kid somehow managed to drop a window, knocking the guy's laptop onto the floor), the best advice I read? Get a few flash drives and ALWAYS save the stuff you're working on before you pack up. The guy who suggested it carries one on his keychain, a couple in his laptop bag, etc. -- plenty big enough for a few Word files and .pdfs. I also have an external HD ... which, now that you mention it, hasn't been put into service lately. Time to take my own advice... indeed, having a flash drive and remembering or giving yourself the time to use it are two different things. i've had a few crashes in my day, the most notable was during the third period of a Leafs-Senators playoff game in Ottawa. i immediately jumped on my stringer's laptop and still managed to get the story out seconds after the game ended. that was a tough series on computers. a few games earlier, highly respected Canadian sports columnist Cam Cole had sparks flying out of the back of his machine and lost everything. talk about a meltdown. jw Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steely Dan Posted August 28, 2009 Share Posted August 28, 2009 You know thats a cliché But it does have a lot of caché. I still rule! I just went to a web search and clicked on a site that McAfee had greenlighted. After clicking it nothing came up except a box telling me I had a virus/maware and I needed to download a particular anti virus program. I exited out since this was obviously a scam of some kind. I'm running my Avira now and after that I'll run Malware. Is there anything more I really need to worry about? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lori Posted August 28, 2009 Share Posted August 28, 2009 indeed, having a flash drive and remembering or giving yourself the time to use it are two different things.i've had a few crashes in my day, the most notable was during the third period of a Leafs-Senators playoff game in Ottawa. i immediately jumped on my stringer's laptop and still managed to get the story out seconds after the game ended. that was a tough series on computers. a few games earlier, highly respected Canadian sports columnist Cam Cole had sparks flying out of the back of his machine and lost everything. talk about a meltdown. jw Sparks? Yikes. Regarding your first point, true dat. Also, considering your job description, I'd assume that most of your stories are filed long before you leave the venue; this guy had some features and advances he hadn't backed up. Still had the audio/notes from his interviews, and such, but had to rewrite everything, of course -- and I still don't know how he managed to keep from killing the kid who wiped out his laptop. As he was trying to find someone in charge so he could borrow a computer and get back online, the kid (who worked for that school's SID) said, "You know, when I have to rewrite a paper or something, it's usually better the second time." I would've thrown him out the freaking window. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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