For all those who do not already Know...

[SuuT]

...If you have Down-loaded the Free AVG software, the "esc" (upper, left-hand corner of your keyboard); as well as the "F5" button are your friends. :D


Figuring-out the configuaration (when to push what) will save you a lot of frustration. :)


Ave!!!!!!!!!!!!!! ;)

[Vulpix]

I wouldn't recommend AVG, imo Avira (http://www.free-av.com/) is the best antivirus out there.

[Absinthe]

I had NOD32 but it sucked as of late (problems in updating, etc).

Then I downloaded avast! (http://www.avast.com/). It seems to be working but it slows down things so much that it's really frustrating. :....

[HawkR]

I had NOD32 but it sucked as of late (problems in updating, etc).

Then I downloaded avast! (http://www.avast.com/). It seems to be working but it slows down things so much that it's really frustrating. :....

Avast sucks ass! It must be the worst antivirus program out there, even AVG is better though it's troublesome on Vista. Besides, one does not need anythinig else than Ad-Aware and Spybot S&D:)

[Ulex]

I am using Norton, which reminds me of a funny story. I had a computer, which was completely new and empty exept from the standard Windows-features. Before connecting it to the internet, I ofcause installed Norton as the first programme. And what happened? It found a virus called Congo! What's going on at Microsoft? :D

[Ulf]

Avast is superior, upgrade your computer and stop running unnecessary applications and your system will stop lagging.

Or just get Linux. :thumb001:

[lei.talk]

...stop running unnecessary applications and your system will stop lagging.please, tell us more about this
and exactly how to accomplish it.

[Tabiti]

I'm with NOD32 since two years. No big problems at all (at least I think so). Used to be with Kaspersky, it was better finding viruses but much heavier, imo...

[Ulf]

please, tell us more about this
and exactly how to accomplish it.

Start -> Run -> type 'msconfig' -> Disable any of the autostarting processes you do not use on a regular basis, but do not stop any of the Microsoft services.


As part of the base Windows install, MSConfig has commonly not been linked to in the Start Menu or Control Panel, but is accessible by using the Run dialog to launch 'msconfig' on any system on which the user has administrator access.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MSConfig

Or use a program like Spybot S&D which has this ability.

Also regularly defragment your computer and registry; uninstall unused programs. I like these tools, some of which are free and very useful: http://www.auslogics.com/en/software

http://www.revouninstaller.com/ Uninstalls programs but also removes hidden files left by some applications after removal.

http://www.ccleaner.com/ Removes junk files.

I think that's all I used, I don't remember right now as I've stopped using Windows. I've never really had a problem with Windows being slow or lagging unless I was starting up a video game.

[Útrám]

No AV/defence programs are necessary over here, I use Debian.

[wahankh]

No AV/defence programs are necessary over here, I use Debian.

Yeah same here, all you need is debian and common sense, and you won't have much to worry about or system melt down.

[lei.talk]

No AV/defence programs (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Antivirus_software) are necessary over here, I use Debian (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Debian).no protection is neccesary
because of your location (iceland)
or your operating system?

[Vulpix]

Because of the OS ;).

[lei.talk]

...stop running unnecessary applications and your system will stop lagging.

please, tell us more about this
and exactly how to accomplish it.

Start -> Run -> type 'msconfig' -> Disable any of the autostarting processes you do not use on a regular basis, but do not stop any of the Microsoft services.


As part of the base Windows install, MSConfig has commonly not been linked to in the Start Menu or Control Panel, but is accessible by using the Run dialog to launch 'msconfig' on any system on which the user has administrator access.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MSConfigyour time, knowledge and patience is appreciated.

what are the next two or three steps
from this pop-up:


http://i43.tinypic.com/fka4wy.jpg

[Ulf]

your time, knowledge and patience is appreciated.

what are the next two or three steps
from this pop-up:


http://i43.tinypic.com/fka4wy.jpg

I'll boot up into my windows partition and take some screenshots for you after I get my coffee as I'm not confident in my ability to explain it right now. :)

[Ulf]

Alright, click the services tab and sort by Manufacturer.

http://www.theapricity.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=1843&stc=1&d=1243020988

Don't disable anything by Microsoft as those are usually the processes that make your computer work.

http://www.theapricity.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=1844&stc=1&d=1243020988

Scroll down until you find some other manufacturers and uncheck what ever you feel you don't need automatically running at startup. I usually disable everything except for my AV program as I don't mind manually starting up programs.

http://www.theapricity.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=1845&stc=1&d=1243020988

Next click the startup tab, and expand the command area so you can see the file locations. Don't disable anything with Microsoft in it or anything you don't know what it is or does.

http://www.theapricity.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=1846&stc=1&d=1243020988

Scroll down and uncheck whatever programs you don't need running at startup. Often these programs appear in the bottom right hand corner of the screen next to the time, if you want a lot of programs to stop showing up down there at startup just disable them in this screen as they slow down startup.

http://www.theapricity.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=1847&stc=1&d=1243020988

After you're done click apply and then it'll tell you to restart. If you have any problems you might have to troubleshoot which programs should run at startup and which shouldn't. I just used trial and error until I got a configuration I was happy with. Goodluck! :thumbs up

[Útrám]

no protection is neccesary
because of your location (iceland)
or your operating system?

My country of course, the fishing nets prevent viruses from coming in. It's because of Debian's robust built-in security features, as well as keeping it updated and sticking to common sense like not visiting obscure and suspicious websites.

[lei.talk]

It's because of Debian (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Debian)'s robust built-in security features...please,
tell us more about that. :)

[Útrám]

please,
tell us more about that. :)

http://www.debian.org/security/

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Debian#Security_information_and_policy

[DeusEx]

Interesting info.

[Brynhild]

I've used AVG, McAfee and Adaware (as freeware), but it seems I'm a lot more comfortable using Nortons.

[Laudanum]

I use Norton.