Anti Virus advice

[souperman]

I am getting regular popups entitled Windows Security Update telling me I am at risk from Various viruses, latest one called Beagle amongst others, and advising me to download WinantivirusPro 2006 and WinAntispyware 2006 as well as Winfixer.
I have looked at these without clicking on anything to see if they are just an advert for stuff or are they genuine (which I doubt).
I receive regular updates from AVG and thought this would be enough, anyone any thoughts on these popups ?

[MadPict]

Sounds like ads. Download, install and run something like AdAware, which should check your computer for any Adware and Spyware that might have been installed on your computer.

[weezer 316]

Yeah, most likely adware.

try adaware 6, it is free and pretty good to boot.

Might also be worth trying a pop up blocker. What browser do u use? If you use IE, you can dl the google toolbar and it has one included in it.

I would personally use another browser, like opera or mozilla, as IE has more holes than a spnge and can lead to virus infection.

On top of that, i reckon avg is gash. I use avast http://www.avast.com. Its free and has a laod of extras
Good luck

[souperman]

Thanks both for that, I do use IE and the google pop up blocker but some days it would drive you to dispair with pop-ups, I`ll give your suggestions a go, Thanks Again.

[Stargazer]

Some of these programmes like Winfixer are downloaded when you download 'free' software such as games. Then they keep reminding you they are there with popups. Popup blockers don't stop them because the program creating them is on your pc. They just want you to part with some money and are generally harmless. I go into the add/remove programmes and uninstall them. But you keep the freebies.

[pultneytooner]

Are you using norton security suite?

[souperman]

Are you using norton security suite?
Hi, no i only run with avg. I installed avast home edition this afternoon and did a full scan, it found a lot of nasties, we`ll see how it goes
Cheers.

[krieve]

I also have been using Avast home edition and i have never had a problem with it. I have tried a few others but found avast works best for me.

[norscot]

Disable the Microsoft Messenger Service and that should solve the problem.
You can learn more about this problem and download some useful tools to kill it at www.grc.cm

[souperman]

Disable the Microsoft Messenger Service and that should solve the problem.
You can learn more about this problem and download some useful tools to kill it at www.grc.cm
Hi
Much as I would love to disable MSN i would have a mutiny on my hands !! Its the last bit of bargaining power I have over the kids !

[MadPict]

It's not MSN you are disabling - it is a service intended to be used on networks by administrators. As norscot suggests visit Gibson Research at grc.com

[tommy1979]

5 Simple things to do to stop these nastys...I follow these steps and have been spyware free for as long as I can remember :grin:

1 - Use Firefox (http://www.getfirefox.com) web browser...99% of these progams get on your system due to security holes in Internet Explorer...see http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/4849904.stm

2 - Use Spybot Search and Destroy (http://www.safer-networking.org/en/index.html) regulary

3 - Use decent Anti Virus, AVG (http://free.grisoft.com) if you want it free...or NOD32 (http://www.nod32.com/home/home.htm) if you dont mind paying...DO NOT waste your time with Norton or McAfee, they are nothing but bloatware (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bloatware)

4 - Use a firewall, Zonealarm (http://download.zonelabs.com/bin/updates/znalm/za61737000AEN1023.html)does the trick

5 - DO NOT install intergrated browser search bars (http://www.pchandyman.net/spyware.htm)....with exception of googlebar or yahoo (names you can trust)