The off Topic Anti-Malware Thread ;)

good read Corrine.. that helps explain much

Looks like we are back to the classic discussion. It is easy for us to say: "Choose your own and take what you like", but most people are completely lost when it comes to make a decision based on useful criteria. In that, articles like the one that Corinne linked above are a help - although it still take quite some understanding to make sense of the verse.
Therefore I think it makes sense to recommend certain products based on our own experience and research. And to constantly repeat the best virus protection which is careful surfing. I use MSE on some of my systems (although it has disappointed me a couple of times) and I am a real fan of NIS that I also use because I still have a key good for more than 2 years to come. NIS has never given me any problems, but in earlier years it was a bit heavy handed.
But even with the best AV program and most careful approaches one can catch malware. I therefore protect myself with daily images. That is also useful in case of any other irregularities. And those are the final recommendations that I tell my students at the local computer club:

The minimum you should do

 Install your AV
 Secure your router (if any)
 Install one scanner and use it once per week
 Create a data partition and move all your own folders there
 Once you have your initial installation done, the programs you usually use installed, the system settings made, create an image (possibly on DVD) for easy recovery in case of disaster. After that, image as often as possible.

malexous said:

win7clutz said:

the continuing MSE recommendations here are...beginning to border on nonsense!

It seems that at every given chance someone recommends MSE even when the OP is using a competent alternative and has expressed no displeasure with their current solution.

There is no real reason why someone cannot suggest an alternative. I'm all for giving people alternative programs to use and making the person aware of those alternatives.

As long as the alternatives are not shoved down the persons throat then I think its all good.

Take this chances but where's the thread starter go

Corrine said:

(. . . As Jan very politely put this thread back on topic.)

I'm sorry, maybe a bit off topic again... I just have to comment this:

malexous said:

It seems that at every given chance someone recommends MSE even when the OP is using a competent alternative and has expressed no displeasure with their current solution.

Out of personal interest, could you please explain to me, how do these recommendations to use MSE differ from you openly advertising Norton?

You recommend and advertise Norton in 100% of your posts, also those which have nothing to do with security, by having a link to their "Deny Digital Dangers" campaign.

Keenly awaiting your answer,
Kari

stop visiting doggy sites and downloading XXX material and you will be fine

Well they do have desires and temptation which they can't handle. But be ready to face the consequences