I have a computer/antivirus question

[Kathi]

I am changing my anti-virus company in less than a month.When should I install the new one?I want to do it before the current ant-virus expires or I will not be covered.I now have Avast and I heard it was really hard to get rid of..Thanks.

 

[tim-from-pa]

I keep telling other people to dump the virus protection all the time. "Whadda mean? I need virus protection!" Not you don't, not if you dump the Microsoft. Computers with viruses and malware are soooo last generation. Other operating systems, and the devices out there, such as i-anything, chromebooks, nexus pads, Android stuff, Linux or Linux based desktops and laptops, etc etc. will give you worry-free computing. I know. Had various types of these things for years now, and I don't remember what a virus even is any longer. It's best to keep up with the times as the old virus-ridden computers are going out like the phonograph.

 

[His_nee (Jeff)]

my 7 year old emac with an almost not usable system (on the web, it's almost too old) still is great for surfing and emails and craigslist and forums(somewhat - yahoo has really really messed up though)....
and it 4 years online with mac, and no virus and no anti-virus software, no problems. mac's are not immune, but almost - especially compared to windows, that 'updates' it's virus data-base several times a day !!!! (windows IS STUPID)......
and macs can run 'native' everything micro can,
but sometimes, have a mac tech or info person as needed .... sometimes something goes SpROnGGG!! ....(or could).

 

[Michael74]

I am changing my anti-virus company in less than a month.When should I install the new one?I want to do it before the current ant-virus expires or I will not be covered.I now have Avast and I heard it was really hard to get rid of..Thanks.

Its best not to run 2 resident anti virus products at the same time. They tend to fight each other for control of the computer. Uninstall the old one, then install the new one. Keep your computer isolated from the web and LAN during this process, if possible.

 

[Kathi]

Its best not to run 2 resident anti virus products at the same time. They tend to fight each other for control of the computer. Uninstall the old one, then install the new one. Keep your computer isolated from the web and LAN during this process, if possible.

I am worried if I uninstall the old one first I will have problems and I will not be protected.How can I install a new one without going on the web?

 

[Michael74]

When I switched products, I downloaded and saved the new product installation package onto my disk. The net can now be disconnected. Uninstall the old product, and install the new product from the disk. Then go on the web and register the new product.

 

[Kathi]

When I switched products, I downloaded and saved the new product installation package onto my disk. The net can now be disconnected. Uninstall the old product, and install the new product from the disk. Then go on the web and register the new product.

I am a major novice when it comes to computers.I don't know if I would know how to do that.

 

[His_nee (Jeff)]

See if the seller/ owner of the new program you want to install has an 800 customer service number. If so, they might guide you step by step over the phone as needed. It is still caveat emptor as always with any product. (let the buyer beware).
No matter what they say, no matter who says it, (except GOD), it might not work.

And, it might wipe out your system too. It happens every day.(hopefully small number of times)

 

[Mike S]

I am a major novice when it comes to computers.I don't know if I would know how to do that.

If you're using Windows *, you already have anti-virus running. Don't put another on your computer. If you have an older operating system, here's what I'd do. Download and save the new anti-virus program you want to use. Disconnect from the internet and reboot your computer into safe mood with networking. Uninstall your old anti-virus, and whatever other programs you've managed to get on the computer that you don't want, install new anti-virus, reconnect the internet, update your antivirus. scan your computer.

 

[Kathi]

See if the seller/ owner of the new program you want to install has an 800 customer service number. If so, they might guide you step by step over the phone as needed. It is still caveat emptor as always with any product. (let the buyer beware).
No matter what they say, no matter who says it, (except GOD), it might not work.

And, it might wipe out your system too. It happens every day.(hopefully small number of times)

That is what I think I will do.Call them and tell them my dilemma.Express to them how to do this safely.
Thanks for your replies everyone

 

[Kathi]

If you're using Windows *, you already have anti-virus running. Don't put another on your computer. If you have an older operating system, here's what I'd do. Download and save the new anti-virus program you want to use. Disconnect from the internet and reboot your computer into safe mood with networking. Uninstall your old anti-virus, and whatever other programs you've managed to get on the computer that you don't want, install new anti-virus, reconnect the internet, update your antivirus. scan your computer.

Good idea.....

 

[Eugene]

I am changing my anti-virus company in less than a month.When should I install the new one?I want to do it before the current ant-virus expires or I will not be covered.I now have Avast and I heard it was really hard to get rid of..Thanks.

Hi dear Sister Kathi, you didn't mention what operating system you're using such as Windows HP, Windows 7 Pro. or whatever, but you can Google for information as how to uninstall your present anti-virus. I.e., How do I uninstall Avast from Windows whatever system, and it will take you right through step by step. Once you reach the list of programs you simply highlight it and click uninstall, and it does it for you. Actually, Avast is rated number one among free Anti-virus programs.

You probably have what is known as a Firewall in your operating system you want to leave there. WikiPedia describes it as "A firewall establishes a barrier between a trusted, secure internal network and another network (e.g., the Internet) that is not assumed to be secure and trusted.[1]

I have no idea which anti-virus you want to use, but this URL gives a list of preferred Free Antivirus programs available.
http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2388652,00.asp

 

[Kathi]

Hi dear Sister Kathi, you didn't mention what operating system you're using such as Windows HP, Windows 7 Pro. or whatever, but you can Google for information as how to uninstall your present anti-virus. I.e., How do I uninstall Avast from Windows whatever system, and it will take you right through step by step. Once you reach the list of programs you simply highlight it and click uninstall, and it does it for you. Actually, Avast is rated number one among free Anti-virus programs.

You probably have what is known as a Firewall in your operating system you want to leave there. WikiPedia describes it as "A firewall establishes a barrier between a trusted, secure internal network and another network (e.g., the Internet) that is not assumed to be secure and trusted.[1]

I have no idea which anti-virus you want to use, but this URL gives a list of preferred Free Antivirus programs available.
http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2388652,00.asp

I have Windows/Vista.It is an older PC.I wanted to install and buy bit defender.Maybe I should stay with Avast and not go through the hassle?

 

[Eugene]

I have Windows/Vista.It is an older PC.I wanted to install and buy bit defender.Maybe I should stay with Avast and not go through the hassle?

If you're into using unsafe sites, some of the paid anti-virus programs tested better, but I've had no problems with mine for quite some time. I had a lot of trouble with McAffee some years past, and Norton slowed everything down to some degree even though I can get it free with Comcast which I use. Once you play with anything for a bit, and Google the instructions you can become quite the professional at installing and removing programs, but if you're like me, by the time I next have to do it I have forgotten the procedure again.

 

[Kathi]

If you're into using unsafe sites, some of the paid anti-virus programs tested better, but I've had no problems with mine for quite some time. I had a lot of trouble with McAffee some years past, and Norton slowed everything down to some degree even though I can get it free with Comcast which I use. Once you play with anything for a bit, and Google the instructions you can become quite the professional at installing and removing programs, but if you're like me, by the time I next have to do it I have forgotten the procedure again.

I have had bad experiences with McAfee and friends have had bad experiences with Norton.My daughter told me that Avast was really good so I went with it.I have the paid version.As I see Bit defender is even better but changing might be a challenge.I need to get rid of malware.I don't think Avast does that.How can I get rid and clean my computer of that garbage that seems to slow my computer down?

 

[Eugene]

I have had bad experiences with McAfee and friends have had bad experiences with Norton.My daughter told me that Avast was really good so I went with it.I have the paid version.As I see Bit defender is even better but changing might be a challenge.I need to get rid of malware.I don't think Avast does that.How can I get rid and clean my computer of that garbage that seems to slow my computer down?

I have had trouble when downloading a program such as Firefox, and it had many things that came with it that continually presented pop-ups suggesting for me to clean my computer of whatever. Using my uninstall programs, I could notice the date something was installed that came along at the same time I installed Firefox and just uninstall it. I hope you find the problem.

 

[Kathi]

I have had trouble when downloading a program such as Firefox, and it had many things that came with it that continually presented pop-ups suggesting for me to clean my computer of whatever. Using my uninstall programs, I could notice the date something was installed that came along at the same time I installed Firefox and just uninstall it. I hope you find the problem.

That is very interesting.I did the same thing.When there was that warning about getting off of IE,which is my browser, I downloaded Firefox.I was getting constant popups after that.It was awful.I had to go into my computer and uninstall about 10 programs that were junk.I can do that but my computer ability doesn't go much farther than that.

 

[His_nee (Jeff)]

I have had bad experiences with McAfee and friends have had bad experiences with Norton.My daughter told me that Avast was really good so I went with it.I have the paid version.As I see Bit defender is even better but changing might be a challenge.I need to get rid of malware.I don't think Avast does that.How can I get rid and clean my computer of that garbage that seems to slow my computer down?

MAC ! (when feasible)

 

[His_nee (Jeff)]

I use firefoxee ee ee ee .... (just plain firefox) ... and it's much better I think than ie aol etc et al .... and none of those popups --- (I bought avast for the laptop with windows 7 and it's okay - updates 3 or 4 times a day ---- compare the MAC --- no updates in 3 years, no viruses. GREEEEEAAAAAT !)

oH,,, with firefox, get ABP adblockerplus and NOSCRIPT. on both MAC and windwoes

 

[Kathi]

I use firefoxee ee ee ee .... (just plain firefox) ... and it's much better I think than ie aol etc et al .... and none of those popups --- (I bought avast for the laptop with windows 7 and it's okay - updates 3 or 4 times a day ---- compare the MAC --- no updates in 3 years, no viruses. GREEEEEAAAAAT !)

oH,,, with firefox, get ABP adblockerplus and NOSCRIPT. on both MAC and windwoes

I am using both now but I find it almost impossible to cut and paste with Firefox.Where it is really easy with IE.