Please read regarding Virus Software

Mark Ardito · Post by **Mark Ardito** » 1 May 2002 7:25 am

Hey guys...

I have been posting in the other thread about virus infection on people's PC's.

If you do not have a anti-virus program please purchase one. DO NOT JUST USE THE TRIAL VERSIONS!!! The trial will run out quickly and then you can not update them.

As far as updating goes...if you purchase the latest versions of McAfee (V 6.0) or Norton AntiVirus (v 2002) they automatically check for updates whenever you are on the internet. There is no more downloading DAT files to update. It just does it for you.

Guys, it doesn't get any easier than the new versions of Norton and McAfee. I know you can purchase them online and stores like amazon.com, cdw.com and others.

It is important that we help each other out on this forum and spread some knowledge that others might not have.

Mark

Steve Feldman · Post by **Steve Feldman** » 1 May 2002 7:48 am

FWIW, I've used PC-Cillin for the last 4 years and they've been really great. I automatically get updates ~2x a week, and they even upgraded my software to the latest version a year or so for free!

I've never had a virus problem that wasn't detected ahead of time. As far as I'm concerned, this is a great product from a great company.

John Hawkins · Post by **John Hawkins** » 1 May 2002 10:10 am

Mark ,

I could not agree with you more regarding the V 2002 Norton Anti Virus program !! Man it is many more times easier then the old Norton I had and as you say , it will automatically update your virus definitions even when you are running other things without disturbing or interrupting what you are doing . It is great is all I can say .

I do not have much savy about these computers! I can barely turn one on ! I do know however, that the Norton V 2002 is very user friendly in every respect .

Mark -- maybe you should talk to b0b about the open space for the computer topic administrator . Sounds as if you have a pile of computer knowledge that would be a help to everyone who needs your advice . Think about it !!

Thanks for your postings thus far .

John

Erv Niehaus · Post by **Erv Niehaus** » 1 May 2002 1:13 pm

I was sitting at my desk and my computer started chattering away and I wondered what was going on. I cancelled my screen saver (the Buddy Emmons one from Ernie!) and PC-cillin was busy checking my files. After a while I got the message that they didn't find any viruses. Praise the Lord!

Erv

Ron Whitworth · Post by **Ron Whitworth** » 1 May 2002 7:11 pm

Hi Mark;
I have to agree with what John said about you above here "Mark -- maybe you should talk to b0b about the open space for the computer topic administrator . Sounds as if you have a pile of computer knowledge that would be a help to everyone who needs your advice . Think about it !!

Thanks for your postings thus far .

John
P.S.- Mark; i looked at your profile & you have listed as your occupation
"Computer Network Administrator"
That is for sure some heavy duty credentials!!..If you have the time please do think about it..I am SURE b0b could use the help & what a great service you could provide your fellow forum members with-share that knowledge!!!....Ron

Mark Ardito · Post by **Mark Ardito** » 2 May 2002 6:30 am

John and Ron,

Thanks for the kind words!

I do have a ton of computer experience and I would love to take on the roll.

I really just want to give back to the steel community what they have helped me with.

I am a below average steel player and I find the information on this forum is priceless. If I could repay something back to the forum it would be great.

Mark

b0b · Post by **b0b** » 2 May 2002 7:06 am

Done. Mark is now the moderator of this section of the Forum.

------------------
<img align=left src="http://b0b.com/coolb0b2.gif" border="0"><small> Bobby Lee</small>
-b0b- <small> quasar@b0b.com </small>
-System Administrator

Steve Feldman · Post by **Steve Feldman** » 2 May 2002 7:44 am

Very good choice! I have appreciated Mark's input here and I'm glad to see he's accepted the Moderator position. SF

Joey Ace · Post by **Joey Ace** » 2 May 2002 9:06 am

Welcome to the staff Mark!

Feel free to email me if you need anything.

-j0ey-

Mark Herrick · Post by **Mark Herrick** » 2 May 2002 11:14 am

WoooHooo!

John Hawkins · Post by **John Hawkins** » 2 May 2002 1:51 pm

Mark ,

SUPER !!! Congratulations to you and everyone who will need computer advice in the future .

We will all benefit from your knowledge and I
always thank b0b who created this fine forum in the first place .I know he appreciates your help .

Mark , I hope some of us can be of help to you also with questions you might eventually have about the Steel Guitar so please do not hesitate to ask . There is a ton of knowledge here on this forum and everyone on here has learned from it in one way or another .

Kind Regards and THANKS for your time .

John

Ron Whitworth · Post by **Ron Whitworth** » 2 May 2002 4:14 pm

Hi Everyone;
I just got home & saw this wonderful news!!..This is great!!..I am so glad that you agreed to this job.I know that b0b really appreciates it even more than all of us do.Thanks for giving of your time & knowledge.I don't think you will get bored anytime soon around here-ha-ha.Most all of the info on theis forum is absolutely priceless- you can't beat it anywhere.
Best of luck to you & try to be patient with those of us(myself included) who are not as computer savvy as yourself..
CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!!!!!!!......Ron

Al Marcus · Post by **Al Marcus** » 8 May 2002 11:29 am

Congratulations, Mark! You can sure help us with our recording and computer problems.

And we can help you with your Steel Guitar questions. ......al

Tony Prior · Post by **Tony Prior** » 8 May 2002 2:10 pm

Mark, thanks for taking the time to advise us "geek" wanna be's !! I know enough to be real dangerous..and that is exactly what I am ...
TP
TPrior/SteelGuitarHomesite

Lou[NE] · Post by **Lou[NE]** » 8 May 2002 3:57 pm

Hi Mark,

What is your opinion of the free anti-virus scan offered by Trend Micro (the PC-Cillin folks) at housecall.antivirus.com I've been pleased with it, and the price is right. The update files would be slow to download from a dial-up connection, but that is the only problem I see.

Thank you for your services as board moderator, and for taking up the post. Sounds like you are a worthy successor to Jack Stoner.

Noticed you're from Chicago. I'm a transplant from IL - grew up near LaSalle-Peru, and lived 18 yr. in Champaign before moving to NE (love interest).

Thanks again.

Lou

erik · Post by **erik** » 8 May 2002 5:08 pm

Lou,
I've used that scan too. The thing i wonder is if it is ever updated or is it an old version. I'd like to know the answer to this.

Mark Ardito · Post by **Mark Ardito** » 9 May 2002 7:12 am

My opinion of PC-Cillin:

I have heard many great things from fellow forum members and others people that I work with the PC-Cillin is a great antivirus software company. I have visited their website for many days now, and they are constantly updating their site for new virus and staying on top of things. I personally have never used their software, but I guess it would have to go with the Norton and McAfee recommendation.

I do have a problem with just using a online scanner. The problem I see is this; you don't know you have a virus until you decide to do a online scan of your HD. Not to mention that you just let down your firewall and opened you Hard Drive to the internet. The purpose of AntiVirus software is to block the virus when it comes in either an email attachment or sometimes they are on Java Applets that load on web pages (Java Applets are those annoying popups you get on websites sometimes).

As far as the "free" versions of AntiVirus software packages; I do not care for them. Companies will release a free or demo version of their software. Sometimes they will let you know the limits of the demo or free version, but sometimes they do not. Let's take this for example: You have a free version of Widget Antivirus software and they are letting you download all the updates and you are feeling confident. Then one day you are emailed a virus and you then are told that in order to Quarentine the virus or to clean the file, you will need to purchase the "Full Version". You would hate to be put into that position.

One final point. Think of the money you spent on your computer, even think of the money you spend every month to be hooked up to the internet. Now think of the small fee it is for a "Full" version of a AntiVirus software package...I think it is well worth the money.

Mark

Erv Niehaus · Post by **Erv Niehaus** » 9 May 2002 8:09 am

You won't go wrong with PC-cillin. I have it and several times a week they are updating it to cover the latest viruses. They blocked a virus on an e-mail just yesterday for me.
Erv

Kenny Davis · Post by **Kenny Davis** » 9 May 2002 9:46 pm

I just got home from helping a neighbor install McAfee VirusScan Online. It found 115 total infected files, with 84 of them the W32/Klez.h@mm. The remainder was either it's variant (W/95Elkern)or assorted worms. That's after getting it back from the computer shop today!

Steve Feldman · Post by **Steve Feldman** » 10 May 2002 4:20 am

Mark -

PC-Cillin screens all e-mail every time you open your mail browser. I don't know anything about Java Applets (sounds like something I had for breakfast today....), but I also run ZoneAlarm. Maybe I'm just luck in this day and age, but I've never had a virus problem on my system.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » 10 May 2002 4:51 am

If you want a GREAT free anti-virus program that is no hassle to install and updates itself automatically, go to www.grisoft.com . I've been using their free version for about six months now and it works flawlessly. This software is so good, I use the professional version for all the computers at my company. The only difference between the free and the pro version are the administrative features, all the anti-virus protection is the same.

Erv Niehaus · Post by **Erv Niehaus** » 10 May 2002 7:29 am

I have PC-cillin and Zone Alarm on my computer and this morning when I opened my e-mail there was a notice that my server has also started screening e-mail for viruses and spam. I'll be so well protected that even I won't be able to receive my e-mail!

Uff-Da!

Jeff Agnew · Post by **Jeff Agnew** » 10 May 2002 8:13 am

I'll second Stephen's endorsement of AVG from Grisoft. It offers impeccable performance with far less resource consumption than Norton or McAfee.

In this case, free does not equate poor quality or lesser features. The commercial versions do offer server protection and customizable reporting and scanning configurations but those features are beyond the needs and capabilities of most consumers.