# The Anti-Virus is worse than the damn Virus!! **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [December 11, 2004, 12:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-anti-virus-is-worse-than-the-damn-virus/279233 "2004-12-11T00:56:34Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 19\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![BarnOwl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e95f7d/32.png) [@BarnOwl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BarnOwl)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2004, 4:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-anti-virus-is-worse-than-the-damn-virus/279233/61 "2004-12-17T16:17:06Z")
> [@Lynne\_kilii](#): > > I have received nothing but frustration from Norton and McAfee. While good programs which do a passable job of protecting against viruses, they are poorly compiled and a general headache. I, as well, recommend AVG Antivirus. Get the file for the free version [here](http://free.grisoft.com/softw/70free/setup/avg70free_296a409.exe). > > [Virus Bulletin](http://www.virusbtn.com/vb100/archives/products.xml) is a service that rates and periodically tests the miscellaneous virus programs. AVG scored low, which means that it has a higher possibility of generating “False Positives” (it looks like theres a virus when there isn’t) or missing a virus. My machine contracted a particularly nasty virus that AVG couldn’t catch. Once. I still use AVG. It is unobtrusive and has a feature called Resident Shield that actively protects. Best of all, it is well compiled, so once you install it, you don’t even have to look at it. And it’s free. > > The highest rated software out there is Eset’s Nod32. My roommate uses it (and I actually used it to clear out that one nasty virus), and has had no complaints. Apparently it is as unobtrusive as AVG, while being substantially more effective. The major con for Nod32 is price: $39 first time then $27.30 per year after that. Still paying for Norton? Consider switching to Nod32. > > I saw Avast! listed in the thread. It got nearly the same rating AVG did by the Virus Bulletin. \*\*Lynne - and anyone else who cares to comment. \*\* I have Mcafee 's VirusScan and Firewall. At the advice of another Doper in this thread, I have ordered the company’s Uninstalller to get rid of them both. I bought the CD - as opposed to the download - and my question is, should I go ahead and download AVG’s or ESET’s software before I remove the McAfee software? Or must I wait until the Uninstaller arrives and cleanses my system. Or, do you suggest other approaches? Thank you - and all other contriburtors - for your excellent inputs. ---
**Author:** ![Eve](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/9e8a1a/32.png) [@Eve](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eve)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2004, 5:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-anti-virus-is-worse-than-the-damn-virus/279233/62 "2004-12-17T17:12:31Z")
> [@E-Sabbath](#): > > Wait, that’s Christmas. Eh, no matter. Either this weekend or next Sunday. (26th) > > You’ve still got my e-mail? That’s awfully sweet—but that would be an awful schlep for you, esp. this time of year. Is it anything you could talk me through on the phone? I will be home Sunday the 26th, and if you did come over this time we could find a less gag-inducing restaurant, but if we can do a phoner I’d be happy to save your wasting all day on trains and subways. ---
**Author:** ![E-Sabbath](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/e19adc/32.png) [@E-Sabbath](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/E-Sabbath)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2004, 5:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-anti-virus-is-worse-than-the-damn-virus/279233/63 "2004-12-17T17:51:12Z")
I’m afraid not, Eve. It’s one of those things where, sadly, any number of small things could go wrong, leaving your computer in a fairly sad state. Not to mention my hope of an improved replacement for certain things for you. To start with, a new web browser… the latest version of Firefox. It should be a delight and joy for you, for many reasons. It really won’t take too long, and it will get me out of the house, always a lovely thing. Besides, I enjoyed the chinese. Antiochus - Feel free to download them, but do NOT install. Having two virus scanners running at once is remarkably like having people pedalling in opposite directions on a bicycle built for two. ---
**Author:** ![Eve](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/9e8a1a/32.png) [@Eve](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eve)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2004, 5:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-anti-virus-is-worse-than-the-damn-virus/279233/64 "2004-12-17T17:59:01Z")
Ah. Well, in that case, I will be delighted and grateful to hostess you on the 26th, and take you to lunch. E me and we’ll arrange details! I can even spend the 23rd–25th scrubbing the apartment so you won’t know what a ghastly housekeeper I am. With everlasting gratitude— ---
**Author:** ![Eve](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/9e8a1a/32.png) [@Eve](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eve)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2004, 6:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-anti-virus-is-worse-than-the-damn-virus/279233/65 "2004-12-17T18:02:18Z")
P.S. Can’t find your e-dress—can you get mine through my web site or profile? ---
**Author:** ![Eve](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/9e8a1a/32.png) [@Eve](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eve)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2004, 6:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-anti-virus-is-worse-than-the-damn-virus/279233/66 "2004-12-17T18:39:02Z")
P.P.S. Since we’re both “unlisted,” I asked **Cajun Man** and **Ukelele Ike** to send you all my e-dresses and phone numbers. I’ll whip up a train schedule to get you in and our of NJ with a minimum of fuss and trauma! ---
**Author:** ![E-Sabbath](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/e19adc/32.png) [@E-Sabbath](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/E-Sabbath)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2004, 6:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-anti-virus-is-worse-than-the-damn-virus/279233/67 "2004-12-17T18:52:17Z")
I believe I retained yours, I’ll simply have to check upon arrival homewards. As I recall, it’s really no big thing to get there. Train to city, hop to Penn, change at the new joint, then ride the Last Unsafe Train Line till your house, wherever tis. It cheers me up every time I get on that train line. There really is no demarcation between train tracks and the ground. Not even raised tracks or gravel. Some things have yet to be child-proofed in this world. Oh, by the by, I found this amazing antique radio/phone store on 34th… Somewhere before America’s Best Hobbies, as I recall, but I misremember the name. ---
**Author:** ![Eve](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/9e8a1a/32.png) [@Eve](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eve)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2004, 7:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-anti-virus-is-worse-than-the-damn-virus/279233/68 "2004-12-17T19:09:52Z")
Or, you can do the PATH train from Hoboken (I find that simpler, myself). In the _other_ direction from which we walked last time, there’s an actual 1920s railroad-car diner at which we can eat, or an Italian joint—I’d _never_ take anyone to that godawful Chinese place again! I’ll be away this weekend, but will be back Sunday P.M. and we’ll chat or e. _Thanks_ again!! ---
**Author:** ![stegon66](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ee59a6/32.png) [@stegon66](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/stegon66)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2004, 12:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-anti-virus-is-worse-than-the-damn-virus/279233/69 "2004-12-20T00:29:46Z")
Thought I’d ask this here to see if anyone can help. Does anyone know how to get rid of the download.trojan virus? My computer is currently infected with it and getting rid of it is proving to be very tough. I’m running with Windows XP and have followed the instructions on how to get rid of it, but to no avail. I’ve tried Norton and AVG. ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Blue\_Sky](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d26b3c/32.png) [@Mr.Blue\_Sky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Blue_Sky)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2004, 12:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-anti-virus-is-worse-than-the-damn-virus/279233/70 "2004-12-20T00:32:56Z")
> [@stegon66](#): > > Thought I’d ask this here to see if anyone can help. Does anyone know how to get rid of the download.trojan virus? My computer is currently infected with it and getting rid of it is proving to be very tough. I’m running with Windows XP and have followed the instructions on how to get rid of it, but to no avail. I’ve tried Norton and AVG. Have you tried [this method (scroll down halfway)?](http://securityresponse.symantec.com/avcenter/venc/data/download.trojan.html) ---
**Author:** ![stegon66](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ee59a6/32.png) [@stegon66](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/stegon66)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2004, 12:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-anti-virus-is-worse-than-the-damn-virus/279233/71 "2004-12-20T00:45:32Z")
Tried that twice but no-go. ☹ This is the object name if it helps: C:\WIND…\MWRLE8EMB35Y4I.TLB ---
**Author:** ![E-Sabbath](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/e19adc/32.png) [@E-Sabbath](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/E-Sabbath)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2004, 3:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-anti-virus-is-worse-than-the-damn-virus/279233/72 "2004-12-20T03:03:20Z")
Mmm. Ad-Aware 6 with Giant Spy…whatever and a bit of Spy Sweeper might do it. Ad-Aware will tell you the file names. Then boot from your CD (Assuming 2K or XP) in Recovery mode, boot to recovery console, and manually delete the files. ---
**Author:** ![Eve](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/9e8a1a/32.png) [@Eve](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eve)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2004, 3:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-anti-virus-is-worse-than-the-damn-virus/279233/73 "2004-12-20T15:11:10Z")
**Sabbath** , as we still on for the 26th? I found a retro diner, and decent Chinese and Italian places to choose from for lunch—_promise_ not to subject you to that horror “dinette” from last time! Gimme a call if you still want to come out, I’ll give you train/bus schedules, as well as my undying gratitude. ---
**Author:** ![JSexton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/96bed5/32.png) [@JSexton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JSexton)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2004, 9:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-anti-virus-is-worse-than-the-damn-virus/279233/74 "2004-12-21T21:47:29Z")
> [@Eve](#): > > **Sabbath** , as we still on for the 26th? I found a retro diner, and decent Chinese and Italian places to choose from for lunch—_promise_ not to subject you to that horror “dinette” from last time! > > Gimme a call if you still want to come out, I’ll give you train/bus schedules, as well as my undying gratitude. Let us know how this turns out, if you don’t mind. I’m hoping that you’ll end up embracing your computer as a warmer, friendlier box than it was before. ---
**Author:** ![Eve](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/9e8a1a/32.png) [@Eve](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eve)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2004, 12:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-anti-virus-is-worse-than-the-damn-virus/279233/75 "2004-12-22T00:07:45Z")
> [@JSexton](#): > > I’m hoping that you’ll end up embracing your computer as a warmer, friendlier box than it was before. Puh-_lease!_ ---
**Author:** ![rjung](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/45deac/32.png) [@rjung](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rjung)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2004, 7:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-anti-virus-is-worse-than-the-damn-virus/279233/76 "2004-12-22T07:29:25Z")
You need an [iFruit](http://homepage.mac.com/giantmike/pics/ifruit/4.gif) for that. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![hyjyljyj](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/0ea827/32.png) [@hyjyljyj](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hyjyljyj)\ **Post date:** [January 5, 2005, 3:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-anti-virus-is-worse-than-the-damn-virus/279233/77 "2005-01-05T03:41:39Z")
I tried uninstalling Shorton (My Lifespan) using the instructions given. Going to add/remove programs, I see a file called CC\_ccStart…right below AVG 6.0 Antivirus FREE version, which I didn’t even know I already had. Anyway, I click on Norton Internet Security and hit Remove. It gives me a plethora of error messages, the jist of which is that it…can’t find a file called CC\_ccStart! And I’m supposed to BROWSE through the electronic haze of my PC to find this magic file, or else “Try Again”. Which I of course do, like an idiot. Several times. Because I like feeling like an idiot so much, I simply have to keep re-experiencing the sensation. The picture of maddening futility. It won’t…let…you uninstall. Won’t let you. I’m having my nerd come by on Friday to Kramden Norton way up where the sun don’t shine. To the moon, Alice! ---
**Author:** ![AHunter3](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ahunter3/32/368_2.png) [@AHunter3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AHunter3)\ **Post date:** [January 5, 2005, 5:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-anti-virus-is-worse-than-the-damn-virus/279233/78 "2005-01-05T05:08:44Z")
You have to deal with this stuff and we don’t, nanner na na naaaah naaah! [/obnoxious Mac zealot mode] ---
**Author:** ![BarnOwl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e95f7d/32.png) [@BarnOwl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BarnOwl)\ **Post date:** [January 5, 2005, 3:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-anti-virus-is-worse-than-the-damn-virus/279233/79 "2005-01-05T15:29:47Z")
As previously posted, I bought the McAfee ‘Uninstaller’ program to rid my computer of all McAfee software. (You cannot do this properly in Control Panel’s “Add and Remove Software” applet. Ar least I couldn’t.) ‘Uninstaller’ was ok with purging McA’s VirusScan, I think, but I must have really screwed up by allowing ‘Uninstaller’ to make a backup copy of the antivirus program. Then I couldn’t uninstall the backup. ‘Uninstaller’ is also useless for dumping McAfee’s Firewall and Security Center. Went to the company’s help site and got directions for uninstalling everything. They ask for your OS, I told them Windows XP Pro and they then gave me Windows 95 (or whatever the hell) instructions on how to access and then backup the Registry before editing. So I Googled, got the right scoop on these Registry matters at… [http://support.microsoft.com/kb/322756#2](http://support.microsoft.com/kb/322756#2) …and did the deed. It isn’t hard if you follow McAfee’s uninstalling instructions to the letter. And I had the satisfaction of learning how to get into the Registry, backing up the relevant portion, and doing the edit. I am now in a 30 day trial of Nod32, but these folks… > **[Antivirus & cyber security for Windows, Android or Mac | ESET](https://www.eset.com/int/)** > > Best IT security solutions for your home and business devices. Try ESET antivirus and internet security solutions for Windows, Android, Mac or Linux OS. …don’t seem to want queries on their products. If they are unresponsive to sales questions, I don’t see them caring too much about tech support, either. What seems to be wonderful about NOD32, however, is the speed of the scan. While McAfee ties up the computer for an hour or more doing a virus scan, NOD32 does it in seconds. But, I think I might try AVG Anti-virus as recommended earlier in this thread. They are at… > **[AVG Free Antivirus Download | Virus Protection Software](https://www.avg.com/en-us/free-antivirus-download)** > > Download FREE AVG antivirus software. Get protection against viruses, malware and spyware. Easy-to-use virus scanner for PC, Mac & mobile. Download TODAY. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-anti-virus-is-worse-than-the-damn-virus/279233.md?page=3)