Looking for cheap combo program

[David Baxter]

Hi group,

I build systems for newbie / amature computer users. Part of the
software I install is AVG Anti-Virus Free Edition, CCleaner, AdAware,
Spybot S&D, and Spyware Blaster.

This poses a problem for a lot of my users. They seem to get on well
enough with AVG, and most with CCleaner, but even after 30 minutes
explaining the three anti-spyware programs, most of them never look at
them again. And firewalls just go right over their heads.

So I'm looking for a free or cheap program I can offer my users that
combines the functions of, ideally, all the programs listed above. But
just the anti-virus and anti-spyware programs would be useful. I guess
I'm after something like Norton Systemworks, but for viruses and spyware.

Any suggestions?

Cheers,
Dave

 

[Mich]

Hi group,

I build systems for newbie / amature computer users. Part of the
software I install is AVG Anti-Virus Free Edition, CCleaner, AdAware,
Spybot S&D, and Spyware Blaster.

This poses a problem for a lot of my users. They seem to get on well
enough with AVG, and most with CCleaner, but even after 30 minutes
explaining the three anti-spyware programs, most of them never look at
them again. And firewalls just go right over their heads.

So I'm looking for a free or cheap program I can offer my users that
combines the functions of, ideally, all the programs listed above. But
just the anti-virus and anti-spyware programs would be useful. I guess
I'm after something like Norton Systemworks, but for viruses and spyware.

Any suggestions?

Cheers,
Dave

I can tell you from years of experience... first don't let them con you
that they are poor/broke... They do not want to know what needs to be
done, it is not as important as it is to you and me..
Do what you can for them, I think you have that locked up.( My customers
mostly just uninstall the firewall I install for them ).. and wait for your
phone to ring...
By the way charge them for your service, even though you would do most of
it for free 'cause you love to work on PC's

cheers from Holyoke Mass USA.

Mich...

 

[null]

Hi group,

I build systems for newbie / amature computer users. Part of the
software I install is AVG Anti-Virus Free Edition, CCleaner, AdAware,
Spybot S&D, and Spyware Blaster.

This poses a problem for a lot of my users. They seem to get on well
enough with AVG, and most with CCleaner, but even after 30 minutes
explaining the three anti-spyware programs, most of them never look at
them again. And firewalls just go right over their heads.

So I'm looking for a free or cheap program I can offer my users that
combines the functions of, ideally, all the programs listed above. But
just the anti-virus and anti-spyware programs would be useful. I guess
I'm after something like Norton Systemworks, but for viruses and spyware.

Any suggestions?

What version(s) of Windows do you put on?

I know of no suite that conveniently combines (more or less) complete
detection and offers a "one updates does all". You might consider a
different approach to the problem.

I know for a fact that if users "keep their noses clean", use decent
internet apps, and have just a tad of a "safe hex" clue .... they are
unlikely to take hits by spyware and malware. Frankly, there's nothing
much you can do for click-happy and "download and run everything"
idiots.

There are some things you can do for customers who understand they
must make some tradeoffs. You can make Mozilla the default browser
and email app. Or use the Firefox/Tbird combo. Delete OE. Tell users
to only use IE for Windows Updates and rare trustworthy web sites that
may not cooperate with their Gecko based browser. Install a good
text-only newsreader such as Free Agent. They can upgrade to Agent
themselves if they want more features.

The internet port protection arena depends on the customer and his
needs. At one extreme, some "mom and pop" users may not be
interested in file/printer sharing with other machines. You can harden
the OS (close all ports) for such users. But merely installing a
software firewall alone is not good, since people are prone to
disabling them. So you are faced with the additional cost of supplying
a router/firewall in the more general case.

Needless to say, I hope, you install all the critical security
security patches and service packs for the OS and for IE 6.

Finally, have the customers read this:

http://www.claymania.com/safe-hex.html

Art


http://home.epix.net/~artnpeg

 

[Conor]

Any suggestions?

Install Firefox and get them to use that instead of IE. Only install
Adaware. Installing three programs that do the same thing and trying to
explain the differences is self defeatist with newbies.

 

[What's in a Name?]

Hi group,

I build systems for newbie / amature computer users. Part of the
software I install is AVG Anti-Virus Free Edition, CCleaner, AdAware,
Spybot S&D, and Spyware Blaster.

This poses a problem for a lot of my users. They seem to get on well
enough with AVG, and most with CCleaner, but even after 30 minutes
explaining the three anti-spyware programs, most of them never look at
them again. And firewalls just go right over their heads.

So I'm looking for a free or cheap program I can offer my users that
combines the functions of, ideally, all the programs listed above. But
just the anti-virus and anti-spyware programs would be useful. I guess
I'm after something like Norton Systemworks, but for viruses and spyware.

Any suggestions?

Cheers,
Dave

I hear what you are saying. Try explaining a little at a time. I am
working on a website to deal with your(and my)users' issues.
http://home.neo.rr.com/manna4u/keepingclean.html
-max

 

[nemo]

I hear what you are saying. Try explaining a little at a time. I am
working on a website to deal with your(and my)users' issues.
http://home.neo.rr.com/manna4u/keepingclean.html
-max

Many peoples' eyes glaze over when you ask them to plough through websites,
and read learned papers, about viruses or, indeed, almost anything. Ask
them, instead - "If someone broke into your house tonight and stole your
computer, would it, IN ANY WAY, inconvenience you, TO THE SLIGHTEST DEGREE?"
If they answer "Yes" - and they have no real alternative, of course - then
point out to them that a virus will have the same effect, that a new
computer costs (whatever, locally) and that firewalls are free and that
anti-virus costs about 15 sterling a year.
(CA's EZ Trust, AVG Grisoft and AVAST! now offer a year's free protection.)

If, after that, they still don't protect themselves, let them stew.

That's if they have funds. As to the others, I so agree with an earlier
poster - they're not as broke as they tell you. Do they smoke? Do they
drink? Do they have an animal pet they feed? Do they plant flowers/shrubs
in their garden? Where do they get the money for that? Do they have no
relatives who can shell out on their behalf?

If, however, they really are completely indigent, then there *must* be
support services for them, and anyway, what are they doing with a computer?

(I speak as someone who is retired and spends most of his time writing
websites and online databases in support of the UK charity and voluntary
support area.)

 

[David Baxter]

(e-mail address removed) wrote:

(snip)

Apologies for the late reply!

What version(s) of Windows do you put on?

Depends on the hardware. Usually 98 or 2k as the licences are fairly
reasonably priced. I'll stick XP on if a customer is willing to pay for
it. I personally prefer XP - it's current, it keeps the customers happy
and it has that l'il firewall built in.

You can make Mozilla the default browser
and email app. Or use the Firefox/Tbird combo. Delete OE. Tell users
to only use IE for Windows Updates and rare trustworthy web sites that
may not cooperate with their Gecko based browser. Install a good
text-only newsreader such as Free Agent. They can upgrade to Agent
themselves if they want more features.

Firefox is always put on systems I build. Tho when I get callouts, I
usually find the user has reverted back to IE because (insert some page
here) doesn't work in Firefox... yet randomly, it works fine while I'm
there...

But merely installing a
software firewall alone is not good, since people are prone to
disabling them.

Or in the case of ZoneAlarm, they either turn the settings right down
(or as you say, off), or uninstall it completely. Then they wonder why
their system gets infected with crap.

So you are faced with the additional cost of supplying
a router/firewall in the more general case.

Not gonna happen. A few of my customers are still on dial-up, and I very
much doubt the ones on broadband will want to pay more for extra
hardware, even if it is in their interest to do so. Plus, I've found
when a customer is paying £100 for a system, they don't want to spend a
penny more. I've had a few ask me for stuff like USB2 or firewire PCI
cards, but they won't pay for them...

Needless to say, I hope, you install all the critical security
security patches and service packs for the OS and for IE 6.

Certainly do!

Thanks for your reply!

Dave

 

[David Baxter]

Ask
them, instead - "If someone broke into your house tonight and stole your
computer, would it, IN ANY WAY, inconvenience you, TO THE SLIGHTEST DEGREE?"
If they answer "Yes" - and they have no real alternative, of course - then
point out to them that a virus will have the same effect, that a new
computer costs (whatever, locally) and that firewalls are free and that
anti-virus costs about 15 sterling a year.
(CA's EZ Trust, AVG Grisoft and AVAST! now offer a year's free protection.)

And AVG Free Edition gives totally free protection.

Interesting line, tho. I think I'll start using that - thanks!

If, after that, they still don't protect themselves, let them stew.

Yup. More callouts for me.

Dave