Security on computers

[johntywino]

I have free AVG security giving anti virus/spyware, e mail scan link scan resident shield.. Do I also need Windows Firewall,virus protection and automatic updates as I have automatic updates on AVG ? Thanks in anticipation I use it for the odd bit of banking and buying and thats it.

[VHG]

You need a firewall, but the Windows one is not that great and a product like ZoneAlarm would be better (free).

You have virus protection already (AVG)

You need automatic updates because this is for downloading the latest WINDOWS files (and maybe other Microsoft products)

The AVG automatic updates are only downloading the latest AVG code.

[johntywino]

Thanks for that, but the thing is, with windows it keeps wanting to download an update, and when I do it takes AGES and when I swith the computer off then back on I have to use the emergency start thing then have to reset to an earlier day... It's happened at least three times in the past couple of months and I'm getting cheesed off with it. Any ideas? (I'm on the wrong side of 70 so don't be too technical!!! Thanks

[ACtheTROLL]

got a bit of a bell ringing .... (and not at the spelling mistake;)
"when I swith the computer off then back on"

tell me that's just a turn of phrase!
you do mean when you restart the machine ... or when you shut it down ... then switch it on?
(as in start | turn off computer | etc)

it's not a good idea not to do the updates ... especially if you swerf the net ... (the updates tend to block the holes that the baddies crawl through)

bit it's an equally bad idea just to switch the power off to the machine ....

I'm on the wrong side of 70 also (52) .... just I'm on the other side ;)

[RAYMAN]

Take the avg program out of your computer and re-down load from cnet. also download firewall from pc tools,thats all i,ve got.

[johntywino]

Hi, I'll come back when Iv'e worked out the drift

[johntywino]

Oops...That was for AC the Troll!!!!

[VHG]

>with windows it keeps wanting to download an update, >and when I do it takes AGES

Sometimes Microsoft release something called a Service Pack.

This is a round up of all their fixes, and the files can be huge. Depending on your broadband speed it could take an hour or more to download it.

One option is to set the update going then spend the evening watching TV, the other option is to set it going just before you go to bed and leave it running all night.

If you leave it long enough then eventually it will download.

[johntywino]

VHG thats ok, I dont mind the downloads but it does the starting up in every time. resetting the computer to an earlier date is a BIND. Thanks anyway.John