www.CostaRicaTicas.com

I will add my 2 cents. I've been a fan of AVG and Avast! for quite some time. AVG has some nice boot time scanning. However over the years they've both become very intrusive. I now recommend and use MSE (Microsoft Security Essentials) It's good, its very light weight, it's free, and works as well as the rest. Now if you ever get infected I install and use all of them (not at the same time). And I still use the AVG boot scanner. I also recommend installation of CCleaner, Malwarebytes, Adaware (though this is becoming less useful) alongside MSE.


The paid for stuff I dont bother with so I have no opinion. I can usually clean up ANY system with some smarts, the tools above, (and some other tricks).

If you just have to throw away money, Kaspersky Anti-Virus (which can be had from COSTCO for $15.00). There is really no point in spending the money however with Microsoft Security Essentials being free and oh so effective.....

want to test your anti virus?

copy: "X5O!P%@AP[4\PZX54(P^)7CC)7}$EICAR-STANDARD-ANTIVIRUS-TEST-FILE!$H+H*" (do NOT include the quote marks) into a .txt file or a word document....whatever.....see does your chosen anti virus identify the file you've just created as being harmful when you attempt to save the file. If it detects the file, your stuff works (at least as far as malware goes....). If it does not, you're in trouble.

The string of characters I have provided is harmless so don't be frightened by the test. DO IT, however. Read about the string of characters here: http://www.eicar.org/86-0-Intended-use.html

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"Actual happiness always looks pretty squalid in comparison with the over-compensations for misery. And, of course, stability isn't nearly so spectacular as instability. And being contented has none of the glamour of a good fight against misfortune, none of the picturesqueness of a struggle with temptation, or a fatal overthrow by passion or doubt. Happiness is never grand."
- Aldous Huxley, Brave New World, Ch. 16

Here's a trusted source for reviews,opinions and downloading various free/paid stuff: http://www.cnet.com then <download> and <scroll to your flavor>
most excellent advice given in this Topic. congrats to all
Use Chrome or a remix? Free bonus: http://download.cnet.com/8301-2007_4-57 ... =mncol;txt from their blog

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"A man accustomed to hear only the echo of his own sentiments, soon bars all the common avenues of delight, and has no part in the general gratification of mankind"--Dr. Johnson
"Amen, brother"-ED

double post. Sorry.

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"A man accustomed to hear only the echo of his own sentiments, soon bars all the common avenues of delight, and has no part in the general gratification of mankind"--Dr. Johnson
"Amen, brother"-ED

Blue devil had hit all the essentials! You need to monthly checks not just for malware and virus protection but to clean up all your cache files, registries and see if you need a defrag. Most people just let the crap build up until their entire operating system bogs down. I love CCleaner!

Any advice for mac users?

Throwing in my two cents....I run Avast, Malwarebytes, CCleaner and Glary Utilities.

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I aim to misbehave. -Capt. Malcolm Reynolds

is that billable?

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im way deep into nothing special
riding the crest of a wave breaking just west of hollywood

Avast antivirus has been extolled here by DGD and 5 others for good reason. Great news-a new and greatly improved version has just been released. Here's an impartial review and download place:
http://download.cnet.com/Avast-Free-Ant ... =mncol;txt

While we're on the subject (sort of), look into PrivDog for its "Do Not Track", cookie-blocking and other functions: http://download.cnet.com/PrivDog/3000-2 ... ag=mncol;1

_________________
"A man accustomed to hear only the echo of his own sentiments, soon bars all the common avenues of delight, and has no part in the general gratification of mankind"--Dr. Johnson
"Amen, brother"-ED