Computer Safety & Upkeep

[Gregory Matthews]

Everyone who uses a computer must keep it operational and protect it from the bad guys.  On my computers I do this with a variety of paid and free programs as well as an antivirus provided by my Internet provider.

The following are three programs that I have used for years and are free.  They may have paid options that provide additional services but, I only  use the free ones.  It should be noted that the additional paid versions may conflict with an antivirus and therefore be disabled if you have a regular antivirus that you want to continue to use.

Keep in mind that these tools can be downloaded from various sources.  But, some will attempt to get you to download other programs which may vary in their value and you may not need some of them.

1) Malwarebytes:  This is a well respected tool  that is very easy to use and to update.  It can be downloaded from various sources on the Internet.  https://www.malwarebytes.org/

2) Junkware Removal Tool (JRT):  This tool does not have to be installed on your computer.  You an run it online.  I recommend that you access it from its present owner, Malwarebytes, rather than some of the other sites and you can do a clean install from its owner's site:  https://am .malwarebytes.org/junkwareremovaltool/

3) Rogue Killer:  This is also easy to use.  It is a bit harder to download and to update as they attempt to get you to purchase the paid version.  But, the free one does a good job.  http://www.adlice.com/software/roguekiller/

You may ask why I am listing three programs?  If they are good, why not only list one?  Because no one program does it all.  All of the above and my paid programs do things that the others do not do.  They each catch programs that the  others do not catch. 

That also goes for my paid programs.

 

[Gregory Matthews]

For those who are interested, in addition to the antivirus provided by my Internet provider, I use the following three paid programs:

1) System Mechanic:  This is probably my favorite.  You can purchase it for about $15 a year, after you  have once bought it.  It also has a lifetime purchase.  For those who have an active subscription, it does well with updates. 

2) Ashampoo WinOptimizer 2012:  Ashampoo has a long list of computer programs.  I have purchased a number of them.  They often have sales with good markdowns and packages where you can select several programs from one fixed price.  They excel in keeping a personal record of your purchases.  You can access this list, see what you have purchased with individual access codes and may be able to download the program again if you need to do so. 

3) Spotmau Power Suite:  This one gives you information about your computer that is not generally provided by others.

All in all, I consider that the three above do very well in helping me to keep my computer operational.  All of them give you choices as to what you want to do and may give you additional help that is not provider by others--I really like the "Icon Saver" that one has.

[rudywoofs (Pam)]

after having my old Macbook get snookered by a trojan virus, I finally succumbed to purchasing the McAfee LiveSafe.  It's done a great job snatching up potential issues before they could infect my computer..

[GayatfootofCross]

10 minutes ago, rudywoofs (Pam) said:

after having my old Macbook get snookered by a trojan virus, I finally succumbed to purchasing the McAfee LiveSafe.  It's done a great job snatching up potential issues before they could infect my computer..

We bought a Mac Performa in 1995 ish and it still works!

its too slow to keep up with web sights and no wifi (dial up on america online)

so it hasnt been online for probably 15 years

My Buddy has been using that thing for probably 9 years writing his biblical epic tale of heroes, angels, and romance

And my sis has gone thru 4 computers in the last 8 (?) years

and i urged her to get a MAC cause they run forver

we thought

my sis asked why they dontget viruses and i told her hackers go for the masses and Macs are not as brought as PC's cause of price.

my son went into debt to get the big Mac!

 

..and now i hear this!

 

[Gregory Matthews]

Two more that I have used for years:

1)  CCleaner:

2) Defraggler:

 

Bothe are excellent and free.

 

[whbae]

The cleaner and defogger program should preinstalled from the factory in Windows.

My computer tech I use for my business told me to just use free version of Malwarebytes which I have been doing in my Windows and Mac at home.

Greg, thanks for posting this info.

[Gregory Matthews]

The free "defraggler) does something that the

Windows version will not do.

The deflagger version will do individual files which you can tag as desired.  This gives you better control over what you do.  Or, you can to the entire disk.

 

 

[Gregory Matthews]

As to the software for the bad guyes:  None are perfect.  All will allow some stuff through.  That is why I use several as each catches stuff that others do not catch.l

 

NOTE:  Remember, you can only have one antivirus that is setup to provide continuing, on-going protection for your computer.  The extra ones that I regularly use only survey my computer when I tell them to do so.

 

[Bravus]

I use Malwarebytes and AVG antivirus as my regular tools, but if I get really stuck with a virus infestation I go to the Major Geeks forums. They have instructions, and people who will help work through getting rid of it.

Another tool I use is Glary Utilities: it optimises PCs, defragments the registry and offers more control over various settings.