How often should I run other scans

Viruses and worms
1

Here is the gist of my question. All I do right now is let avast keep its definitions up to date every day, so, I was wondering if someone give give me a list and/or schedule a “maintence list” of sorts to keep my computer in tip top shape.

For example, should I run a boot time scan? If so, weekly?
For example, should I run a system wide scan, including flash drives? If so, weekly?

So like a list of…
“scan A” - weekly
“scan b” - bi-weekly
etc.

Should I use OTL as a scan?
Are there others I should use as a scan that I need to add to my repertoire?

What should I do when my computer gets slow, even when I have cleared the cache, and emptied my recycle bin? I can seem to get pages that normally open to open. The give me a square kind of sad face and it says reload, but then it still won’t even though other pages seem fine.

Also, this is a biggy for me…Is there a good AD Blocker out there that anyone would reccomend? Some of my adds are driving me nuts…

Okay, so I am thinking that this might be the last question…I know that we should back our computers up, but I have no idea how to do that??? Do I do it to a cloud? Disks? flash drives? external flash drive?

And then what about pictures? Right now all the pics on my computer are in Picasa, that as I have read keeps them forever and safe??? but should I take the ones on my computer and put them on a disk anyway?

I am SO SORRY for all the questions, I just don’t know where to go, and as my laptop ages, and I get sicker, I need it to last me during all my trips to the hospital for all my surgeries and tests. I just can’t afford to have problems with it.

I do have my old desktop that I am re-setting up and it is going to have to be cleaned of all the nasty stuff on it. So helping me know what scans to use will help me with that project[size=10pt] as well. And since I am too sick to leave the house, might as well start a new project.

Thanks to all!!
Amy
[/size]

2

I am also having problems with plugins, I go to chrome:plugins and it gives me a page of 21 of them some are disabled some are not, but how does one know which ones you need and the ones you do? I am so confused??

3
For example, should I run a boot time scan? If so, weekly?
no, boot scan is not meant to be used as a regular scanner, you use this if avast find something and tell you to run it you avast program have realtime protection, meaning evry file that moves when the computer is on is checked so a quick scan a week is plenty, and if something is detected then run a full you may activate screensaver scan, then you don have to think about doing it it starts with the screensaver and stop when you interupt it... it will remeber where it stopped and continue from there whe screensave is on again

for USB drives i recomend installing this MCShield usb protector. www.mcshield.net
also recomended as extra scanner Malwarebytes www.malwarebytes.org

Should I use OTL as a scan?
NO ... only if you are infected and need help here. http://forum.avast.com/index.php?topic=53253.0

OTL is a diagnostic tool and will do nada … a fix must be created to instruct the program what to do
this fix must be made by a removal expert and is based on the log you post here

4

To block ads, use Adblocker +. Use MCShield and you can get Malwarebytes anti-Malware as well

5
Okay, so I am thinking that this might be the last question...I know that we should back our computers up, but I have no idea how to do that??? Do I do it to a cloud? Disks? flash drives? external flash drive?
do you have a Gmail or outlook account (hotmail) if so you can backup to Gdrive or skydrive
6

Hi,

For example, should I run a boot time scan? If so, weekly?

Boot scan is intended to remove infections that cannot be removed from active Windows (not all, but majority). It is logical, when infection isn’t active and its protective modules aren’t active it is easier to be removed.

For example, should I run a system wide scan, including flash drives? If so, weekly?

Why would you do it? Anti-virus scans and monitor your system all the time, so there is no need to do this.

Avast has the module that scans flash drives, but like any antivirus it is not fully effective. For another layer of defense, you can use MCShield → www.mcshield.net

Should I use OTL as a scan? Are there others I should use as a scan that I need to add to my repertoire?

OTL is tool made for Malware Removal Experts, you should not use it without supervision.

What should I do when my computer gets slow, even when I have cleared the cache, and emptied my recycle bin? I can seem to get pages that normally open to open. The give me a square kind of sad face and it says reload, but then it still won't even though other pages seem fine.

Then you probably have diverse adware and junkware software on your PC. You can use Adwcleaner that will clean majority of them.

Also, this is a biggy for me...Is there a good AD Blocker out there that anyone would reccomend? Some of my adds are driving me nuts...

I am using Adblock, the best ad block extension…

Okay, so I am thinking that this might be the last question...I know that we should back our computers up, but I have no idea how to do that??? Do I do it to a cloud? Disks? flash drives? external flash drive?

And then what about pictures? Right now all the pics on my computer are in Picasa, that as I have read keeps them forever and safe??? but should I take the ones on my computer and put them on a disk anyway?

I am SO SORRY for all the questions, I just don’t know where to go, and as my laptop ages, and I get sicker, I need it to last me during all my trips to the hospital for all my surgeries and tests. I just can’t afford to have problems with it.

I do have my old desktop that I am re-setting up and it is going to have to be cleaned of all the nasty stuff on it. So helping me know what scans to use will help me with that project as well. And since I am too sick to leave the house, might as well start a new project.

It proved good to backup your system from time to time. Only prevention and “cure” for cryptolocker infection is backup, so yes, you should backup your system at least once in a month. There are majority of good software for Backups, they have schedules or real-time backups, so if you’re affraid for youd data, I think it is good idea to install another hard disk, that will serve only to store backup. As I said, Backup software monitors your system all the time, and it backup every change on other hard disk. Acronis offers cloud storage for 50$ per year + 25$ for their True Image software. Good combo if you’re paranoid :slight_smile:

7

How do I find out if Pondus is online or essexboy so I can ask them a quick question

8

you see a green dot above my/essexboys avatar when online :wink:
we dont have to be online for you to ask…

9

Thanks that gave me a good laugh. I just wanted to, ok well see I am a talking person so typing everything is very hard for me because it gets chaotic and jumbled in my head and I get lost fast and I get angry and then just son’t know what to say. Sooo, all that to say it is easier for 1 person contact on simple little things. So I think I understand everything now, I just need to reiterate it on my end to solidify it and then I should be good to go. But I will get to it later I have a bunch of stuff to work on.

Thanks,
Amy

10

if you have any questions, the forum is open 24/7
if we dont see it that day …we see it next day, or somone else will help you :wink: