Very slow start times for all programs

[Rydian]

Macs get Fake AVs nowadays too.

Thank god I've never run into one, I don't know OSX good enough to know where to check and all that crap. Hell, I struggle to find my way into the application library folder half the time.

 

[Foxi4]

The argument is over? (looks at remaining popcorn)...

Someone say something about macs not getting viruses!

Here you go. You're welcome.

 

[zhaul]

This is If you suspend the "defrag" process.

 

[Foxi4]

This is If you suspend the "defrag" process.

Even with the defragmentation process is not suspended or disabled, it won't magically defragment the drives if you don't schedule it. That, and the built-in defragmenting software is nasty anyways.

 

[jonthedit]

With I/O slowdown, the most common culprit is the antivirus, but there's other possibilities. In the task manager go to the Processes tab, go to the View menu and choose "select columns". In the new window check all of the "I/O" entries and press okay, then take some screenshots so we can see what's up in those columns.

^^ This. I get people complaining all the time that their computers are too slow ("I think it must have a virus or something?") and nine times out of ten it's because their antivirus program is making everything slow as molasses. That entire industry has become a big scam, convincing people that they need something they don't and purposely underperforming so their "upgrades" seem worthwhile.

TL;DR version: get rid of avast.

Avast has never caused me problems. The only issue i have with avast is that they now are starting to become like Norton > .>

 

[Sterling]

Any opinions (verifiable, experience or otherwise) on Microsoft Security Essentials?

 

[Rydian]

It seems to do the same basic virus protection as other softwares (lock I/O until scanned and such), while being one of the less annoying ones in regards to popups and such.

 

[WiiUBricker]

Rydian, rumours are something that you can't prove because if you do, they become facts. I didn't call AV companies spreading viruses a fact.

 

[Originality]

But that rumour reeks of the same BS as the one where America wanted 9/11 to happen. It's better off not being said.

 

[WiiUBricker]

@tueidj, there is a new worm floating around that you get by clicking at this URL:

http://sendspace.com/pro/dl/ma8kdm?image=CENSORED

I have censored the last part because people would get infected. You can figure it out with google. According to reports you have to overwrite your MBR and install windows from scratch again. This worm apparently is currently not in any AV databases listed, but it will shortly I bet. If you still think an AV is not needed feel free to click the link.

 

[tueidj]

This is what google tells me:
- the link is being sent from random strangers over skype.
- you have to actually download and run the worm, visiting the link does nothing.
- it steals your skype login details, uses your account to spam other people with new links (this is how it spreads itself).

I don't use skype. Problem avoided.
I don't follow links provided by random strangers in IMs. Problem avoided.
If someone did send me a message that said "Are these your pics?" and it led to an executable program, why would I download and run it? Programs are not pictures. Problem avoided.

 

[Sterling]

This is what google tells me:
- the link is being sent from random strangers over skype.
- you have to actually download and run the worm, visiting the link does nothing.
- it steals your skype login details, uses your account to spam other people with new links (this is how it spreads itself).

I don't use skype. Problem avoided.
I don't follow links provided by random strangers in IMs. Problem avoided.
If someone did send me a message that said "Are these your pics?" and it led to an executable program, why would I download and run it? Programs are not pictures. Problem avoided.

You're not an average user obviously. The average user may not have the same sense as you. These are the types of people that AVs should be used with.

 

[tueidj]

That was not the point:

If you still think an AV is not needed feel free to click the link.

Clicking the link does nothing. You have to actually download and run an unknown program, if a user is willing to do this there is no AV strong enough to protect them from their own stupidity.

 

[Sterling]

That was not the point:

If you still think an AV is not needed feel free to click the link.

Clicking the link does nothing. You have to actually download and run an unknown program, if a user is willing to do this there is no AV strong enough to protect them from their own stupidity.

The point is that the AV will detect it and warn the user. If that's not protection then what is? If someone purposely ignores the warning, then yes, they're the idiot then.

EDIT: When the AV gets updated to be able to detect it I mean.

 

[tueidj]

Then they will download and run the next undetectable worm. Or the next. Or the one after that...

 

[Sterling]

Then they will download and run the next undetectable worm. Or the next. Or the one after that...

Well, if there was no protection, then we'd be running into this all the time. Undetectable is only until AV developers get a hold of it and make an update for it. Until then, every average user will be vulnerable to it. Did you get that? People like you and me aren't who's being targeted.

God forbid people use condoms when they could just pull out.

 

[WiiUBricker]

Oh I have been told by peeps using Skye (I don't have Skype) that you get the worm just by clicking at this link. I googled more information and according to them the worm messes up your folder permissions and may leave a backdoor in your system. Everybody advises not to click this link and if you did, you have to install Windows from scratch again. Nobody mentioned a file you have to execute.

Edit: You are right. It really is a file you have to run.

 

[tueidj]

God forbid people use condoms when they could just pull out.

 

[Foxi4]

God forbid people use condoms when they could just pull out.

 

[tueidj]

So you're only entitled to complain when you do something stupid and your AV fails to stop it? That's fine because I'm not complaining about anything...

Personally I haven't used any AV for over 20 years with zero infections, currently running a win XP box that was setup in 2006 and a win7 box setup in 2010.