If you want to try out Linux, download Knoppix. It runs entirely from a CD. I haven't used it in a while now but I remember it being easy to use.

 

I switched over to Mac for my home puter. At work I'm still stuck with a Windows. I have no problems at home and the work computers are always having problems. Very unstable. Of course that could be the ridiculous firewalls screwing things up at work, but I have no regret for switching my home unit to Mac. It's a little different but mostly just little things. Just minor learning process.

ps. What's a virous anyway? I forgot.

 

One thing about Mac OS X, it's already had a worm, so it's not invinsible.

While I thought I'd NEVER be saying this, I am the owner of a Gateway I got back in April. Before that, I've run Windows PCs for various reasons in my office.

I've never gotten a virus, even though I've been ALL OVER the Internet, downloading, file shareing, you name it.

I've gotten adware, through my own stupidity.

I do not use any anti-virus software.

The only thing I have is Microsoft's adware/spyware thing. I think, come to think of it, I haven't seen it squawk about anything lately. Now I'm wondering if it's still there

 

yeppers...

1. If you're having issues with viruses, you need to re-think how you surf and open mail- along with what anti-virus program you're using. I can't remember the last time I got nailed with one.

2. Wifey's got a Mac. It's kinda cool... and stupefyingly expensive for what it is.

3. XP is about as bulletproof a OS as there is. This machine has been running for 2 years- solid. As in, never turned off. As long as the kids don't go somewhere they shouldn't and fubar stuff up, no problems to report.

I use a combination of adaware and spybot- seems one always finds what the other misses. Macafee for anti-virus.

 

Word of warning on viruses, and anti-virus software.

I am currently auditting a large company's network after they were hit with (almost) the same virus 2 weeks apart.

They are very diligent with virus pattern updates, use the best software (for them), etc.

NOTHING has caught this virus (twice!) before many many machines were infected.

Why? Because the anti-virus companies do not have signatures for these viruses, their software doesn't detect them.

The first virus was caught within a week, anti-virus software company notified, they generated a pattern for it.

Two weeks later, SAME virus, slightly different signature, gets right on through that first pattern and infects everyone AGAIN!

What happens is until someone gets infected with the virus and reports it back to the AV company, the virus can't be detected.

My point? The most virulent and dangerous viruses go UNDETECTED FOR WEEKS until they've done enough damage someone notices.

Anti-virus software is a "catch up" type of thing. They play catch-up with EVERY virus out there.

So run all the anti-virus software you want. If you want to catch 1-3 week-old viruses. If you want to stay away from the BRAND NEW ones, use the typical anti-virus mentality and DO NOT open ANYTHING unless you are expecting it.

 

Good advice krewat. One other program I use is 'The Cleaner' not for its A/V check, which is so-so, but for the 2 resident programs it can load, TCActive & TCMonitor. TCA is like DLLshow. It monitors running tasks in real time so you know when something gets added and it also gives you an easy way to kill a task if Windows stalls. TCM monitors important Registry folders and system files for changes. You can edit what it monitors but it comes set up pretty well. This will tell you instantly when a program tries to change something. I will also show you what was changed when you load a new program or remove one. I find them both helpful and have them start at bootup. They take little memory to run.

 

Besides using a regular antivirus, I also use an online antivirus. I have only had one virus, but I've had to fix some others machines....(censoring the rest)
Now on at least one occassion (that I am TRYING TO FORGET), the antivirus program was infected, and if it wasn't for the online one, they would have been out of luck.

 

I currently have a MAC and PC. My opinion may be prejudiced towards the MAC because I just recently bought the PC after 12-13 years of using a MAC only.

The MAC is a very stable and user friendly platform. My 4 year old MAC is always running and has never crashed. Viruses are virtually non-existant and the ones out there are removed with a simple re-start. I've never had a virus tho. The only draw back is software. Not much for the MAC...yet!

My PC is unstable and not very intuitive. Crashes are common and I use the latest protection for it but I spend way to much time on updates and such.