Forget Virus; Beware AntiVirus
Yes, it's that time of year again. Those fine companies and legal manufacturers have created new methods of infiltrating our innocent little PCs. This time, it's Blackworm. It was actually created last month, but it's spread and effects are only now getting attention.
My advice? Stick with Norton Antivirus. Make sure it's up-to-date and outfitted with the latest features (not a good idea to use the 2003 version to fight off new viruses and spyware when, say, 2006 might work better). If you get a pop-up saying, "Download THIS software to block the Blackworm virus!" don't do it. WinAntiVirus and all others like it are nothing but posers. Worse, they're in fact related to the WinFixer virus, a medium-risk problem that can send your precious IP information all over the net. See what I'm saying? They say it will cure your system of a problem it does not have when in fact it exposes you to bigger problems. In short, it's a trap.
Like most naive computer people, I had to learn this the hard way. I foolishly downloaded WinAntiVirus. And then I proceeded to spend over an hour cleaning up the mess it made with Norton's help. "This product is free, accessible, and 100% certified as bug and spyware-free." Lies. All dirty, rotten lies.
The one thing I'm most afraid of, however, is that if Blackworm really takes off around here, Furman's Computer Department could use that as incentive to make the use of F-Secure antivirus software mandatory. And I despise F-Secure. The one time I tried to download it (which was only because Clean Access Agent went on the fritz) it froze my operating system to a crawl. I'm sorry, Furman, but if your so-called protective software causes me to wait 15 friggin' minutes just to open Internet Explorer, you can keep it. Think I'm wrong? Mere coincidence, you say? The second I uninstalled F-Secure from my programs list, my computer was up and running like nothing had ever happened. And I'm not a student of coincidence. If that's not instant cause-and-effect, I don't know what is.
But Furman still seems to believe in the quality of F-Secure. I'm just grateful for their tolerance of Norton. Which as I said, could change if they use Blackworm as a marketing tool. Is it any wonder the Bookstore sells a version of Norton Antivirus that's nearly three years out of date? I had to car-trek over to the Wal-Mart on White Horse Road to find the latest version. So hopefully, that won't turn out to be a waste of time. I'll stick with what works.
Anyway, I apologize for the mini-tirade. Forgive me for getting so uptight about stuff that ultimately means little in the big scheme of things. I'm a very spoiled person.
Song of the Day: Bebo Norman - "Amazing Love"
Verse of the Day: "Listen, my dear brothers: Has not God chosen those who are poor in the eyes of the world to be rich in faith and to inherit the kingdom He promised those who love Him?" - James 2:5
My advice? Stick with Norton Antivirus. Make sure it's up-to-date and outfitted with the latest features (not a good idea to use the 2003 version to fight off new viruses and spyware when, say, 2006 might work better). If you get a pop-up saying, "Download THIS software to block the Blackworm virus!" don't do it. WinAntiVirus and all others like it are nothing but posers. Worse, they're in fact related to the WinFixer virus, a medium-risk problem that can send your precious IP information all over the net. See what I'm saying? They say it will cure your system of a problem it does not have when in fact it exposes you to bigger problems. In short, it's a trap.
Like most naive computer people, I had to learn this the hard way. I foolishly downloaded WinAntiVirus. And then I proceeded to spend over an hour cleaning up the mess it made with Norton's help. "This product is free, accessible, and 100% certified as bug and spyware-free." Lies. All dirty, rotten lies.
The one thing I'm most afraid of, however, is that if Blackworm really takes off around here, Furman's Computer Department could use that as incentive to make the use of F-Secure antivirus software mandatory. And I despise F-Secure. The one time I tried to download it (which was only because Clean Access Agent went on the fritz) it froze my operating system to a crawl. I'm sorry, Furman, but if your so-called protective software causes me to wait 15 friggin' minutes just to open Internet Explorer, you can keep it. Think I'm wrong? Mere coincidence, you say? The second I uninstalled F-Secure from my programs list, my computer was up and running like nothing had ever happened. And I'm not a student of coincidence. If that's not instant cause-and-effect, I don't know what is.
But Furman still seems to believe in the quality of F-Secure. I'm just grateful for their tolerance of Norton. Which as I said, could change if they use Blackworm as a marketing tool. Is it any wonder the Bookstore sells a version of Norton Antivirus that's nearly three years out of date? I had to car-trek over to the Wal-Mart on White Horse Road to find the latest version. So hopefully, that won't turn out to be a waste of time. I'll stick with what works.
Anyway, I apologize for the mini-tirade. Forgive me for getting so uptight about stuff that ultimately means little in the big scheme of things. I'm a very spoiled person.
Song of the Day: Bebo Norman - "Amazing Love"
Verse of the Day: "Listen, my dear brothers: Has not God chosen those who are poor in the eyes of the world to be rich in faith and to inherit the kingdom He promised those who love Him?" - James 2:5
posted by david @ 10:46 PM
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