ChristiansUnite Forums

I am a computer 'dummie' for the most part.  I just got internet service at home last December for the first time ever.  At that time I had some form of Norton previously on the computer and it expired shortly after I got my internet service (it was just coincidence). 

Anyway - the problem that I incurred at that time was my IE browser just kept opening window after window.......... 

After futile attempts from well meaning ppl nothing corrected the problem.  Apparently someone suggested I go out and get Norton since it had expired. 

Okay, so 'dummie' here didn't realize all that was available to me.  I decided to get Norton Internet Security - it solved the problem. 

Okay, now it's year is over and will be expiring - It does slow down my system immensely - but I have enjoyed have it prevent hackers and and keeping my browser from going beserk.   

I still have IE 6 (I cannot download IE 7 - okay I don't have a legitimate Windows - my system was configured and given to me by someone I know).
  So I don't know what I really need at this point and have even considered going out and purchasing a cheap system with everything installed (yet not sure if my budget will allow it).

I want to do what I can in the interim without spending more money than I necessary.

I have Spybot S&D Ad-A-Ware, AVG spyware, ERUNT, Reg seeker

I currently have my Windows firewall off as I have Norton's firewall on.

I think that about sums up most of my situation (except my cd rom doesn't work either).   

Any help????? ???

Hi EarthenVessel,

Welcome to Christians Unite.

Norton is expensive and quite large. I suggest using Avast instead. It is a free antivirus program that can be downloaded off the internet. It doesn't take as much to run it and it works excellently.

I also suggest using FireFox for your browser. It is also a free download and is less of a security risk than IE. It has a lot fewer problems than IE like the one you spoke of. There are also a lot of free extensions that you can get for it to make it even better.

Thank you! 


Okay, sorry I want to make certain I undertand because a lot of the jargon is unclear to me.   

If I were to download Avast for viruses and FireFox then I would go ahead and let Norton expire?

Do I then just turn on my MS Windows firewall? 

Will I have to learn how to use FireFox and will I need to notify the ISP for my settings?   

Hello Beloved,

I see that you are new, so WELCOME!


I sincerely hope that you enjoy Christians Unite.

No, you don't have to notify your ISP of anything. Using a different browser and other software makes no difference to an ISP.

In terms of various software, everything is really a matter of personal opinions and preferences. I used Norton and other expensive security software for years and just couldn't afford it after I retired.

SO, I read reviews and started using the highest rated FREEWARE. I really like the FREEWARE better than the commercial programs, and I won't go back even if I can afford it. I use Avast for virus protection and think it is the best. Others might disagree, but I've been using it for over a year and really like it. You should uninstall the expired virus programs and install Avast. Again my opinion, Norton was a resource hog on the computer, and Avast is not. Avast does the job great and automatically updates itself with all of the latest virus protection.

Reference Windows Firewall, I don't like it and think it causes all kinds of problems. There are several excellent FREEWARE firewalls that do a much more complete job as a firewall and don't cause the problems that Windows Firewall does. ZoneAlarm FREE for personal use is a good example of an excellent FREE Firewall.

Reference Firefox, I also use that and think it stands head and shoulders above Internet Explorer 7. Firefox is also FREE and has over 2,000 FREE add-ons that make it one of the most versatile and best browsers there is. Firefox has been consistently rated number one. Don't uninstall Internet Explorer. Leave it alone, as many other programs still depend on it. Install Firefox and simply click the Firefox button to browse instead of the Internet Explorer button. Firefox will gather what it needs and should run just fine with very little input from you.

I hope this helps some.

Love In Christ,
Tom

2 Corinthians 3:2-3 NASB  You are our letter, written in our hearts, known and read by all men; being manifested that you are a letter of Christ, cared for by us, written not with ink but with the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of human hearts.

Yes, that helps somemore.   I'll have to uninstall Norton. 

Okay, 'currently' one thing I'm don't understand is what is the firewall for?   Is that what blocks the hackers/intruders?   

Sorry, I tried to warn you I was a computer dummiie - LOL 


Thank you all for the warm welcomes. 

Hello Beloved,

You are most welcome. Yes, you have a pretty good understanding of what a firewall is. Most of the highest rated FREE Firewalls work just fine with default settings, and that's what I would suggest for someone who doesn't know a lot about computers. Don't be embarrassed by that at all, as huge numbers of people fit in that category. You can read reviews for the best FREE firewall software on nearly all of the major software distribution sites (i.e. CNET, Tucows, SnapFiles. SoftPedia, etc.). I think that you will find ZoneAlarm FREE near the top on all of the ratings, including the ratings for commercial software. It also has an automatic install for folks who don't want to bother with hundreds of settings.

Love In Christ,
Tom

Titus 3:4-7 NASB  But when the kindness of God our Savior and His love for mankind appeared, He saved us, not on the basis of deeds which we have done in righteousness, but according to His mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit, whom He poured out upon us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that being justified by His grace we would be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.

I agree with Brother Tom, ZoneAlarm is the best free firewall and it is better than the one that comes with windows. I also agree that you shouldn't feel bad for not knowing much about computers. It takes a lot to learn it all and then even more to keep updated on all the constant changes.

We are happy to help all we can.

Yes, thanks I know some stuff - but there is so much to learn and I still haven't figured out why they don't offer milk with the cookies (just kidding).   

Well, I went to the website of my ISP and it didn't state that HS Internet was compatible.   

Just like me to wait until countdown to do something about this.   : ;D

I'm also looking for a firewall. I was thinking about getting "Comodo Firewall". I used to own Kerio, but is buggy. I want to try Zone alarm, but i hear rumor that: It is not good for Dial-up and it might caused BSOD!

So does anyone had try Comodo? 

Edit: Use Avast like Roger said. AVG failed to protect my PC, it let virus in and then it killed my PC.  :'(
I did try Norton before, but I don't like because it slow my pc, mostly time it found virus, but it fail to delete; and others thing i forget.

I've used ZoneAlarm for years with a dial up connection and had no problems. I have the free version on one computer and the pro version on another. It does take a little while to configure it when you first install it as it keeps asking you whether it should allow programs to access the internet, but once you get it set up it runs fine.

I've also used AVG antivirus for several years since Norton expired. You should note that ANY antivirus program can let a virus through if it happens to hit your computer before the company gets a copy of it and upgrades the definitions. AVG updates definitions daily whereas Norton only did once a week. You should download the definitions and keep it updated, otherwise you might as well not bother.

I also use Spybot, AdAware, and Windows Defender, but seldom run into spyware other than tracking cookies as ZoneAlarm blocks them, and I don't visit risky sites.

Yes!   I wanted to thank each of you - I love the Zone Alarm and the Avast and Firefox
Wow, my computer boots up so much quicker now.   

The only problem I'm having otherwise is my keyboard gets very sluggish and slows down and typing becomes difficult at times. 

Also, My Yahoo msgr logs out on me now - but otherwise I'm much happier!

 ;D

Beloved, you have been given wonderful advice here. I used Nortons for a number of years and got on well with it, but it was bloated and slowed my computer down, especially on start up. I have been using Kaspersky (which is rated one of the best on the market) this past year and find it excellent. But my renewal is up very soon and after reading so many glowing reports about avast, i am tempted to install that and use it. I may as well save a few £'s if i can.

The Zone Alarm firewall is once again very good and i actually think the easist one to use. Once you have it configured to your liking, it never bothers you again. And i used it with dial up a while back and it gave me no problems.

As for the firefox browser. I just cannot recommend it enough. I use them all but firefox is my default browser and 99% of my browsing is done with firefox. I run firefox with NoScript continually running, which makes it even more safer and secure and like Brother Tom said, there are many many extensions you can add, which improves your internet experience.

One other excellent program that i'm not sure if anyone has mentioned is spywareblaster. This free program actually stops spyware etc getting onto your computer in the first place. I know spybot, adaware etc removes these nasties but spywareblaster actually stops many of these itelms getting onto your PC. IMHO, a must have program.