You could buy one. But no since antivirus utility is 100% effective, and
some even cause problems with other programs or Windows XP itself. I
recommend not opening any unsolicited attachments, even if they're from
people you know, because many the latest worms replicate themselves and use
the infected system's address book for email addresses to send to. AND,
NEVER open an attachment that purports to be from Microsoft, asking you run
the attached file. Microsoft does NOT send unsolicited files. But, I DON'T
RECOMMEND BEING WITHOUT AN ANTIVIRUS UTILITY. I've been using the FREE
EDITION of AVG antivirus for more than one year. That along with the above
tips, and staying away from pirated software, IRC, and Kaaza, have kept my
system clean. You can download the FREE EDITION of AVG Antivirus (NOT THE
TRIAL VERSION, but the FREE EDITION, which Grisoft says they'll support for
life, and upgrades virus definitions just as often as Norton, and can be
automatically updated by right clicking the icon in the Notification
Area/System Tray, then left click Run AVG Control Center, click the Update
Manager tab, click the Update Now button. If new virus definitions are
available they will download and install. FREE doesn't always mean
inferior) at:
http://www.grisoft.com/us/us_dwnl_free.php
After years of having to deal with Norton bugs and fixes, then Symantec
removing the news server, which was a good alternative to Symantec's
support, just as this group is a VERY GOOD alternative to Microsoft Support
(I've dealt with MS Support people who don't know much about concepts, and
whose knowledge is limited to typing the problem into the database, and
reading whatever hits come up on their screens) It was nice to find a Free
alternative to Norton Antivirus, that's user friendly and REALLY works. At
first glance Norton looks impressive. But a great deal of later versions of
Norton is extraneous windows dressing that hogs system resources. (e.g. Why
would you need Norton email or internet protection or Office plug-in if
Norton Auto-Protect is already running in the background and is supposed to
catch worms and viruses before they are allowed to infect a system?)
Forgive my anti-Norton rant. I've been really down on Symantec ever since
they discontinued the Norton Antivirus news groups and replaced them with
that user unfriendly forum at their web site, where you have to go through
link after to link just to post, and have to be real lucky to get a timely
answer with the correct fix for your problem. The one positive thing I can
say about Symantec/Norton Antivirus is their SARC web site, which I consider
indispensable if you've already been infected with a worm/Virus:
http://www.symantec.com/avcenter/
Even if you don't own a Norton Antivirus, you can download tools from the
above site which will automatically remove certain viruses or worms. If a
removal tool isn't available for the specific worm/virus you've been
infected with, there's usually detailed manual instructions for removing
that virus/worm. There's also a list of latest threats, along with a
encyclopedia of all Norton know viruses and Worms, plus a good search engine
if you're not sure exactly which virus/worm you've been infected with. I
have saved many a clients' system with tools or info from the above SARC
site. But, before going out and purchasing an antivirus utility, try the
AVG FREE EDITION. After all it is FREE, and if you don't like it, you can
cleanly uninstall it from Control Panel/Add and Remove Programs. That's
more than I can say for most Norton Products. Typically a Norton product
does not do a clean uninstall. You might even have to go to the
Symantec/Norton web site, and download a utility to clean your system of the
what the uninstall missed. Check out the hundreds of posts verifying that:
http://groups.google.com/groups?hl=en&lr=&ie=ISO-8859-1&q=uninstall+norton+g
roup%3Amicrosoft.public.windowsxp.general+group%3Amicrosoft.public.windowsxp
..general&btnG=Google+Search&meta=group%3Dmicrosoft.public.windowsxp.general
Symantec/Norton rant over... But try AVG, I think you'll be pleasantly
surprised by its ease of use, its effectiveness, and its lack of strain on
system resources
