Posted on 03/08/2008 9:52:50 AM PST by processing please hold
I've been searching for a free download version of adware/spyware removal. The sites I find says free but after turning a couple of pages on the site, dollar signs are always at the end of the article.
Is there a truly FREE download, no bait and switch?
BUMP FOR LATER READING
How hard is it to click the update notification on the screen, enter a password and click the button to install all the updates?
Ubuntu is far easier to maintain than Windows. Working with Linux takes a different mindset, but it is not any more difficult than Windows or OSX. It is just different.
All of the software is available from one menu. It is one or two clicks to install anything. There isn't any spyware or virus problem.
I have the CCleaner but there are too many things I can do wrong with it if I check or uncheck the wrong thing on it.(we computer illiterates are easily intimidated by such programs)
I'd suggest running at least two of the three.
I'll remember that.
I sure hope it's changed since the original incarnation called Microsoft Antispyware. I beta tested that when it originally was going to come out and while software wise it seemed fine administration was questionable.
Several well known spy/ad/malware outfits dropped some cash or something and got M$ to flag them as low risk so that Antispyware just ignored them by default.
You could go in and change the settings on them on a manual scan, but the next autoupdate from M$ would change your settings back to low-risk/ignore on those companies ads.
In short I do not trust M$'s version of anti-spyware software to even bother downloading a new incarnation.
Whoa, thanks for the post. That’s exactly what I was doing, going down the list of free programs on google.
Be sure to see the post 53 about getting the real Spyware Terminator from Crawler.com
Well, sometimes we do but there is a backup site for FR when that happens. :)
By the way, I’m like you, I don’t know much about computers. All three are easy to use. If I can make them work anyone can.
I didn’t even have to get my grandchildren to help me install them.
Thank you. Post #53 is noted.
Lots of free ones at download.com. I love that site.
Run both. First one then the other.
You don't know me. lolol As I've said before on FR, Murphy's Law is my co-pilot. That, or the Simpson cartoon family was based on my real family. :)
I have it bookmarked now and will start going over it. Thanks.
Most of the Linux tutorials are pathetic, written in authentic geek techno-gibberish. People who are not comfortable with command line interfaces should avoid Linux like the plague.
After 30 years of experience on PCs (including 24 years on Macs and 12 years on Linux), I am absolutely certain that most computer users would be much better off running Mac OS X instead of Windows or Linux.
Notice on that list all the “Adware XXXX” rogue stuff. That’s why you have to be careful downloading Ad-aware. A lot of rogue software use similar names of legit software to fool people into downloading them.
Generally speaking if you get a pop-up that says “your computer is at risk download our software”...don’t do it.
I'm going to see how much damage I can do to my computer by trying to fix it. If I'm not back on FR for a couple of days, send up a smoke signal so I can find it. lol
It's been suggested to continue to run the installed (older) Ad-Aware product on Millennium Edition (Microsoft Me) and olderlike mine, which is running just fine, thank you!
:)
Umm, ok, my mother who is 72 has never had to touch the command line interface in the three years she's been running a Linux desktop. While I'm sure you're right about 'most tutorials' - the ones actually designed for endusers usually come with pretty pictures and explain what to do step by step.
After 30 years of experience on PCs (including 24 years on Macs and 12 years on Linux), I am absolutely certain that most computer users would be much better off running Mac OS X instead of Windows or Linux.
Pretty awesome, 24 years. Guess you could say I was an AppleFanBoy too. My first Apple // is in a museum, my old Mac Lisa (changed to Mac XL after the lawsuit) is a clock at JPL, my first NeXT is still online and running (don't ask me how...), the //GS 'Woz' edition is being used to boost the height of a monitor, my first Mac II was a pre-production piece.
Eh, the list goes on and on. Basically, I've programmed in assembly on every Apple product up to the Newton. I've homebuilt Apple clones, and repaired Apple systems for six years (ahh, the fun of crackin' the case and grounding the flyback..)
Man, starting to feel my age, I guess. Anyway... I'm absolutely certain that most computer users would be better off running Windows 98, but since that legally can not be installed anymore (ahh, revoked licensing..), the vast majority can run a Linux install like Ubuntu (or even PuppyLinux) just fine.
Both have their word processors, their web browsing, their abilities to play music or videos, and most importantly - Solitaire, the most used application ever. Because people pay hundreds of dollars to play with virtual cards.
See, one thing that 28 years of dealing with endusers has taught me. What they'd like to do with their computer they'll likely never get around to. Now, maybe '78 was different, but today, people want to write Aunt Sally asking about that recipe, maybe check the television listings, watch that funny video on youtube that everyone at work was bragging about, and play solitaire.
Outside of the apps customized for Ubuntu, most Linux software will need more than a couple of clicks to get installed properly. Most computer users do not have the expertise needed to configure Linux software. We still have to recompile the Linux kernel to get it working right.
Linux is great for servers, and great for hobbyists who enjoy fiddling around with the guts of an operating system. But it's a poor choice for most computer users.
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