"Zone Alarm" security program pop up ad

[clarencebunsen]

Interesting. I know that for the last decade or so I've been using the free security programs. I thought it was because I'm cheap.

[Swimmy]

Jun 15, 2011 3:42:19 GMT -5 Ralph said:

The netbook I worked on several months ago had Zone Alarm on it (the paid version).
It neither stopped the Trojan that was able to get by it from entering the system, activating itself and didn't help to get rid of it. Matter of fact it got in my way more than anything else and I went through hell to get rid of it!

Almost all newer versions of anti-virus programs as are as hard to get rid of as the very things they are supposed to stop in the first place.
And I have found that most of the free programs out there are easier to work with and stop more "baddies" than the paid versions.

Go figure.

I had similar problems with ZoneAlarm. When it first started out, it was a great piece of software. But as it grew and sold out to corporatism, the produce died. It missed allowing someone gain backdoor access to my computer and locking me out of the damn machine. Once I fixed that, I tried to get rid of zonealarm and ended up spending hours in the registry trying to get rid of all instances. Unfortunately, one of the registry entries messed up the whole system. So, I decided to reformat and reinstall windoz. I used to be a an AVG fan, they had a good product for a time.

Now, I'm an avid Linux user and use clamav for my anti-virus software and Shorewall for my firewall. Has not failed me yet. And none of my ports are access able, unlike in windoz which always had port 5555 or 8080 open.

[dgriffin]

I have to say I have found a paid anti-virus program I like and happily pay $53 per year for licenses on two computers. Prevx works for me. It even sends me emails when I get a not so dangerous virus, asking me to run my scan and then log on to my account at Prevx central for more information.
And once, while working on the other side of the room, an evidently more dangerous virus entered my system. I heard a claxon-like sound and turned to look at the PC which displayed a bright red screen and graphics that made wonder if I had a nuclear reactor on the premises and I'd let the cooling tower get clogged with grass clippings. I was impressed.

But the best thing about Prevx? It does not automatically whack my credit card each year. Instead it sends me a suitably courteous note asking if I'd like to renew. That's a lot different from McAfee who would not allow me to cancel my subscription online, but insisted I call and talk to customer service, where I was told by an automaton that the wait for a human would be about 40 minutes.

[chris]

I use to pay for all my programs....now I just go to Majorgeeks.com and pick and choose my free stuff. One stop shopping. ;D

[Ralph]

Wow....according to the Prevx stats my PC's should all be infected beyond belief.

But then you can't invade what you can't see. BWAAAAAHAHAHAH!!!!