Avast

[Alistair D]

This is the second laptop that this problem has occurred on.

What happens is that the toolbar icon disappears and clicking the desktop icon says that Avast .exe cannot be found. I had to re-install the software to get my AV working again. The worry is that I don't for how long it has been missing as no warnings were issued.

Windows 10 and Avast users need to check their computers now.

Al

[Amie]

From a while back....

https://www.pcmag.com/news/the-cost-of-a...our-clicks

[ppppenguin]

I use the free version of AVG which is annoying me at the moment by popping up far too many messages, mainly trying to persuade me to move to the paid version. Not sure what the current view on best free AV is, but remember that nothing is perfect. I've heard that the latest version of Windows Defender is adequate for W10.

Or use Linux. Not 100% proof against malware but a lot better than Windows.

Also remember to back up your own files and keep them on a device that's not permanently connected to your PC. That will save you from most malware, as well as failure of your hard drive and theft of your computer. It's easy enough to re-instal the OS and programmes but your own data is precious.

[Raditechman]

Use Windows 10 own protection. Uninstall Avast and Windows security will start automatically.
It has been fine for me on 4 PCs and is unobtrusive.

John

[Murphyv310]

Hi.
Dual boot your laptop between Linux mint & Windows.
Use Linux for emails, online banking and other sensitive items, always do the updates including the Kernel ones.
Use Windows for what won't run on Linux and restrict Internet use to a minimum.

[ppppenguin]

If you want to use both Linux and Windows Trevor's method will work but you can't do a quick switch between them. If you instal Linux as the main OS you can run Windows as a virtual machine using Virtualbox.

It looks quite spooky at first when you see a VM booting up in a window right in front of you but it works. Apart from Linux host with Windows as guest I've used Windows XP VMs to run older software that won't work in W7 or later. I've also used a W98 VM to run even older software. I've played with Dosbox to run DOS software but for my purposes all my ancient software has been OK in an XP or W98 VM.

[Murphyv310]

Yes Virtual box works quite nicely. I did have issues with USB though and eventually settled on dual booting. Admittedly it is a nuisance switching between Windows and Linux but in the main I use Windows for SDR software, Zoom and Fiat Multiecuscan to reset my service lights on the car and add extra features, zoom I find tends to Echo on Linux and the SdrPlay is better supported on Windows, I still prefer Linux Mint though and their updates don't take a fortnight to complete.

[ppppenguin]

I wonder how many levels you can do with virtualisation. Say you start with Linux, run W7 in Virtualbox. Then instal VB on the W7 virtual machine and run (say) Linux again. And so on. I know it's a daft idea but I wonder if it's possible.

[Murphyv310]

I think you'd need to put the CPU in liquid nitrogen.

[BusyBee]

I have had problems with anti virus software in the past. My feelings are that additional anti virus software as well as the microsoft software may well interact or even create a security issue with their lack of integration. My worst ever virus attack (a denial of service) occurred on a company Windows laptop with their additional daily updated supposed quality anti virus software. It was hard work that day but I quickly moved to take out the threat by hand / low level. From this, and other issues with big name anti virus software at home, I have little faith in them and tend to rely more on my wits. The Microsoft Windows 10 setup seems to work without more than the occasional offline scan help (which seldom finds anything at all).

Tracy