Sep 20, 2001 02:21 AM
19401 Views
++ UPDATED ++
Came across what could be a minor glitch with AVG. I run Windows ME and among other stuff, Internet Explorer 5.5. When using Explorer I found it very useful to be able to view the source code of a web page by selecting the View menu and then Source, especially when updating my own web site pages and also to see how other people have done what. This would throw up Notepad with the web page’s HTML code displayed. The operative word there is WOULD because it does not do that now as nothing happens. I have established that it is AVG that is causing the problem because I un-installed it and I was once again able to view the web page source code at my leisure. Installing it back again I could not view the web page source code. Ergo it must be AVG that is interfering with this facility. At least it is on my set-up. I haven’t a clue how, so please don’t ask.
For most people this tiny glitch will not be a problem but at least you now know. Whether AVG has interfered with any other functions of Internet Explorer I don’t know but I will speak up if anything develops.
++ END OF UPDATE ++
Computer viruses are the scourge of the Internet from the downright silly that are relatively harmless, to the malicious that can immobilise a computer and destroy all the data on it. With something in the order of 100,000 written for the PC platform it has become an epidemic. In fact the very latest creation to run riot on the Internet and to hit servers as well as PC’s is named Nimda – that is admin backwards. It is spread by e-mail as an attachment entitled readme.exe that purports to be a harmless audio file. The subject line of the e-mail is blank.
So to venture onto the super highway without some form of protection against the miscreants is rather foolish in the extreme. Even if a computer is never connected to the Internet or another computer it can still become infected via rogue CD’s or floppies. (For rogue read pirate) A few years ago a cover floppy given away with a computer magazine had, unknown to the magazine, been infected with a virus and the many thousands of readers found their computers doing strange things.
By popular opinion Symantec are at the top of the anti virus heap with their Norton AntiVirus utility but there are many more that are equally as good and absolutely and totally FREE. Now there is a word that will get my instant attention although as far as anti virus protection I do not mind paying a reasonable fee.
Disappointed with the way NAV2000 hogged my computer and would not allow InoculateIT to install (or maybe it was InoculateIT wanting exclusive rights to my machine) and the fact that having purchased one years virus updates I was unable to regain the update after being forced to do a “Factory Restore” and thus losing that update, I was looking for something else to give me the required protection. The reason for the enforced “Factory Restore” was that I had downloaded the free NAV2001 and discovered that the 2000 update could not be transferred to it and more importantly the FREE NAV2001 was restricted to 30 days use after being advertised as FREE and if I wanted to continue to use it I would have to buy the programme. Un-installing NAV2001 locked up my machine so that no matter how I tried I could not get past the large NAV window, not even with the “Emergency Disk” and this just left a “Factory Restore” as the only way of getting rid of NAV2001 but NAV2000 was still lurking around and no purchased updates. Symantec were extremely unhelpful as I was passed from pillar to post in my attempt to regain what I had paid for.
But fortune favours the brave (foolish) and I came across AVG, an absolutely and totally FREE antvirus programme with FREE updates for life and it can be found at https://grisoft.com
Downloading the 5.2Mb file took me about 15 minutes on my regular 52K connection and the avg6280fu.exe file was dumped into my imaginatively named Download folder after agreeing to the License Agreement and revealing a few basic details like my name, address, telephone number and e-mail address. During the download an e-mail arrived with detailed instructions as to what to do after the completion of the download and the most important serial number without which the programme would not work. Whilst waiting for the download to wend its merry way from over there to my Download folder I took the opportunity to make a hard copy note of the serial number. To those not familiar with computer terminology I wrote the number down on a piece of paper.
A double click on avg6280fu.exe had a Wizard scurrying out of his hideyhole and he assisted me in installing AVG6 and configuring it to my requirements and even offered to do a scan of my computer before disappearing to wherever it is these Wizards live. The scan of some 4 gig of hard disk took around 17 minutes, which was enough time to command the kettle to produce a decent brew and to deplete a pack of twenty by one more fag. The scan produced a clean bill of health for my machine and I was left with a tiny icon on my Start-up task bar and a larger version on my desktop. Thus each time that I switch on my machine AVG6 is up and running and offering me FREE protection from those nasty little critters.
The uninstall works perfectly and during all this activity NAV2000 got its nose put out of joint but it still languishes deep in the recesses of Windows, probably sulking because it has been relegated down the pecking order.
Since becoming enmeshed in the PC world I have been hit, but not affected, by a number of viruses and I prudently saved copies of them to a floppy before despatching the originals to oblivion. I reasoned that with a handful of little beasties I could test other AntiVirus programmes as I came across them. AVG6 identified each and every one and despatched them with alacrity. I had forgotten to write protect the disk so I have lost my test stock.
Now before everyone rushes off to https://grisoft.com to get their FREE AntiVirus programme with free updates for life there are restrictions. If you live in any of the listed continents/countries then FREE AVG6 is available to you. If you do not then there is an AVG Trial version available. I wonder what AVG have against mainland Europe?
North, Middle and South America - all countries
Europe - United Kingdom only
Asia - all countries
Africa - all countries
Australia, New Zealand
AVG supplies Professional and Commercial versions for a fee off course, but I haven’t explored that possibility yet. The updates for one version are not compatible with any other versions.
I suppose that a word or two about the web site would not go amiss. It looks good and is easy to navigate and very fast, unlike Symantec which seems to lead the surfer around in circles.
Finally, how good is AVG6. Well it dispatched my beastie stock, one of which was that Worm/Sircam thing so it has to be reasonably up to date. In fact updates seem to come out on a daily basis for users to download. It is a doddle to install and use so will suit even the newest newbie to the ‘net or computer world. It sits quietly in the background patiently waiting for something to happen, doesn’t poke its nose into other affairs and if a nasty tries to invade it will stand up and fight your corner and if for some reason it cannot win it will quarantine the invader and leave it to you to decide what to do. Now that cannot be bad for FREE.
