Question about AVG anti-virus.

Shadow Wulf · Post by **Shadow Wulf** » Fri Mar 21, 2008 11:27 pm

I was wondering what if this software will delete important system files from my computer. It so happened that it detected my Doom3.exe as infected somehow (I dont know why or how).So yeah, has anyone who has had this software for well over 3 months know anything about this?

Kaebora · Post by **Kaebora** » Fri Mar 21, 2008 11:34 pm

Some virus programs detect files as "potential threats" which means they could possibly be used in combination with other programs by hackers to access your system. Recently some programs I've had on my computer since early March were reported as such by Norton Anti-Virus. Considering that they were programs made by someone I know, it may be because the programs access my IP without security reinforcement (which takes coding skill that said person doesn't have).

It's all up to you to decide if you should do something about it. I suggest you uninstall it and remove all instances of it from your registry, as well as any temporary caches. Then reinstall it, and run the virus scan again to see if it comes up the same. Also, be sure to research the type of virus it reports it as, so you can better understand how your virus protection wants it handled.

Shadow Wulf · Post by **Shadow Wulf** » Fri Mar 21, 2008 11:40 pm

Yeah, I think I might do that. I have had a history where my own antivirus turned against me and began to delete files that were vital. I have been trying to search for the viruses, but they dont really make it clear and easy to find out about like spybot does.

Kaebora · Post by **Kaebora** » Sat Mar 22, 2008 12:50 am

That's why I got Norton Anti Virus. It explains what type of threat it is, how threatening it is, and gives you the option to not remove it if it is a lower threat level. Sometimes I tell it to ignore it so I can manually remove it and replace it with the backup file. Always back up your entire system regularly after every successful virus scan if you have the money to afford the external hard drives. Not necessary if you don't have data important enough to warrant the cost.

I do a lot of online digging into 3D design and coding data, so I occasionally come across files or programs released by a smart-a** hacker that turn other programs against you. So these backup methods are handy.

Confidential · Post by **Confidential** » Sat Mar 22, 2008 4:33 am

Kaebora wrote:That's why I got Norton Anti Virus.

Same here. (NAV2007 version 14.0.4.1)

JoshuaMadoc · Post by **JoshuaMadoc** » Sat Mar 22, 2008 7:38 am

I use Avast. I think it does automatic scans or something.

RedEye · Post by **RedEye** » Sat Mar 22, 2008 8:10 pm

Most Anti-virus stuff does automatic scans...it's like the housekeeping function in your O.S., in that it checks for stuff that isn't what it says it is and watches for unauthorized attempts to log online by your computer.
If there is an attached firewall function, then you're in pretty good shape.

Stay away from the Adult Porn sites: according to my AV system, these sites are loaded with all sorts of things like viruses and door-openers for your system. Most of them are door-opener types that let some third party use your compy as part of a SPAM system by downloading 'netware and then running it when you're asleep (or away for a specific amount of time). The best way of dealing with these is to turn your machine off when you're not using it (many people don't).

Now this is NOT AN AD!...but AOL provides an adequate security system free to their customers. It's Norton Antivirus, the cheap version; but it does upload new viral descriptions on a daily basis and has a decent firewall. In a way, it sort of makes up for the rest of AOL's decidedly sucky performance (it's still the slowest ISP around). I use AOL because my access provider has it as their ISP system.

The best way to avoid viruses (I've found) is never open anything you don't recognize or don't know who it's from. IF you get a wierd e-mail from a friend, ask them if they sent it before you open it. Almost got stung that way, but I did ask; and no, she hadn't. Her computer had, though; and she had a bad infection from a nasty date-sensitive virus that did the chain-mail thing with her "friends" list. We got it in time-before the date it was set to go off (barely).
The other way is to avoid sleazy, sloppily kept websites. They may not have been viral-trapped by their creators; but that doesn't stop hackers from using under-watched websites as launching-areas for their little surprises.
That won't happen here.

"We're paranoid for your protection."