Was on MSN the other day and clicked on Fox to check out the Michigan Nascar race. Done with a little reading and closed out. All of a sudden these errors start flying around and some write code about the hard drive popps up. All my screen icons go away. So today i bring it in and he powers it up. Ha you have a virus. From MSN?? He replys yup from anywhere now a days.

See my similar post from a few days ago. Virus came in when I clicked "OK" on a fake Adobe update notice.

Do you have an up to date anti-virus program?
That same thing happened to me several years ago (but it was from a far less known site), several windows started opening up, I couldn't close them, I couldn't get out of anything, they kept coming so I just pressed the power button to turn it off. Of course when I turned it back on the desktop icons were all gone. I had to re-install Windows. My anti-virus program was no longer valid, I let it run out. After that I make sure its renewed each year and I do an update each day.

I mean no offense to anyone, and not to MCA, but the comment on expired Anti-Virus got me thinking. There are quite a few good anti-virus programs out there that are free. Of course one can pay for the more professional versions or pay for other brands.

I know many people do get new computers with various programs included but never realize that these are trial versions.

I guess being frugal as I am, I wonder why one would pay for an anti-virus program when you can get several brands free? Is there something the paid versions give a typical average user that the free ones don't?

And on the Adobe thing, funny as it may sound, but lo and behold an update popped up for me to install...not sure if it is valid, usually I get reminders that updates are available like I get for MS Security patches or Java updates and so on. I turned the reminders off...for as much as I use Adobe, I guess I wont install this one.

I pick up my laptop late today... Two different companies recommended the Norton (fee based) anti-virus to me. Said Windows Essentials isn't catching the baddies. When I said I've had SHITOLA experience with Norton, they both said Norton's gotten A LOT better in recent years. They also said they have seen a number of Essentials protected PCs come in infected, and never a Norton machine.

I have not had any problems (knock wood) using the free version AVG.

Our experience with free programs has been nearly perfect. Avast and AVG both offer paid versions that have a few more features, but I feel safe with the free ones. Sure we could make some cash reselling an A/V like Nortons, but we recommend the easy to use and renew Avast to all our customers.

The one and only time I got hit was my own fault. Tried to close a pop-up and ended up activating it. It happened again a few times, but I found just closing my browser kept me clean.

MOST infections are caused by the "clicker finger" on the mouse, or opening a link in an e-mail from an unknown source.

Pennypincher, it's highly likely you caught a redirect virus from an e-mail. Then when you went to MSN you ended up on a spoof site that caused the havoc. These folks have even spoofed MicroSoft sites.

Look HERE for a list and discussion of the Best Free Anti-Virus software. I've been using Avira for years without any problems, but I'm thinking of giving Avast a try.

Adobe just released legitimate updates for Adobe reader and flash player. You should install them. Just open reader, click help and "check for updates".

Also, leave the notifications for all these programs ON. Java in particular is one of the absolute least secure pieces of software you can possibly install, assuming you do not keep it up to date. There have been some very serious security flaws found in older versions.


As for antivirus, I've had excellent luck with MSE. I've had no serious infections since I started using it about 4 or 5 years ago.

Exactly what I was saying up until a few days ago...