Not a clue

General Topics
1

After my local computer store, destroyed my computer because they thought it was a virus why my monitor wouldn’t stay on, (and it was just the monitor)…they deleted nearly $1000 worth of software. Including Eset 4.67 S Security, 00 defrag, Microsoft 2007 Enterprise, DVD burner…on and on…and left me w/a bear bones compouter.

I’ve always had Eset. Okay, I knew I needed SOMETHING and i heard AVAST was “THE BEST FREE AV Software”…So, first I downloaded a firewall (zone alarm free) just to be safe, and get that out of the way, and then AVAST. However

  1. I rec’d a free 3 year version of AVAST?
  2. Just now (a day later) I saw I had to register. SO I registered and it said I should sign up for a free 1 year membership and download AVAST. But I already downloaded it yesterday. I Downloaded it and then didn’t install it.
  3. Then I went and signed up…and sure enough, my AVAST Expiration Date went from April 2013 to April 2011? DO You Understand this?
 My second question is:
  1. I’ve had the other AV program for so long…I haven’t a clue (and Ive read all the instructions). I used to get STOPPED sometimes 2-5 times a day by previous Firewall/AV program, Saying something is it’s QUARANTINE and or DELETED. That’s hasn’t happened once. TO BE HONEST>…I haven’t a clue as to what is going on with AVAST 4.8.

FOR EXAMPLE:
A. I only use GMAIL- Does AVAST PROTECT THAT?
B. When I go to shady websites, will it TELL ME there’s a virus and to “GET OFF THE SITE”…in other words, does the free version STOP THE VIRUS BEFORE YOU’RE INFECTED, or ONLY AFTER YOU RUN THE SCAN? Because That wouldn’t be good at all…by then, it will destroy computer…I throughout I THOUGHT ALL A/V programs were in REAL TIME…and if you wanted to, you can run a scan at the end of the day or week?

 IF you can just answer those questions...I'd really appreciate it.

And I found out why they deleted my ESET…coincidentally, TimeWarnerCable…coincidentally, THAT DAY, just had changed my IP which is DYNAMIC, although they only change it MAYBE 2X a year and so…i went to AVAST. Is AVAST just as good as nod 32? Look, I don’t know what I’m doing…i wish there was customer service…I’m not touting any other product as ESET had many problems too (high load of RAM, etc)…but it was costly…and i still have password…BUT I DO NOT KNOW HOW TO USE AVAST.

 I used to have about 6 years ago a program that came w/computer and I just let it do it's thing but nowadays, you really need to be on top of things.  They said, "You stopped getting Window's Updates because of Virus"....and ESET was infected....even though that wasn't even an issue?


  Again, just those basic few questions....so I Can learn to get comfortable....w/AVAST or do you think i should find a my old AV on line and just delete everything and put back the serial number (Still good for 3 months 1 week) and then I wouldn't be able to afford it again anyway, so I may as well get used to AVAST?  And use ZAlarm since both are free.

  But I'm sure, I also had the AVAST PRO...for a trial...and now that's gone...and it said good until 2013?  In other words, i may have downloaded both the PRO and the FREE and ddn'[t register and now i Just just regular?

  And the directions, and if its working or not is absolutely unknown to me?   I go to rapdishare share sites and for movies....and that's all and i'll never know if I go to website, and a virus is in a program until AFTER THE FACT or if i go to an ADULT SITE?...................JCatguy (don't do torrents)....which I think Avast protects?

                          Sorry for length...homebound and cannot afford to make another mistake. 
                                          THANK YOU, JCatGUy (I would send you my gmail account but i dont even know if I'm writintg to a BB or a CUSTOMER SERVICE?
2

[quote] I’ve always had Eset. Okay, I knew I needed SOMETHING and i heard AVAST was “THE BEST FREE AV Software”…So, first I downloaded a firewall (zone alarm free) just to be safe, and get that out of the way, and then AVAST. However

  1. I rec’d a free 3 year version of AVAST?
  2. Just now (a day later) I saw I had to register. SO I registered and it said I should sign up for a free 1 year membership and download AVAST. But I already downloaded it yesterday. I Downloaded it and then didn’t install it.
  3. Then I went and signed up…and sure enough, my AVAST Expiration Date went from April 2013 to April 2011? DO You Understand this?/quote]

I don’t understand what ur saying exactly.

I don’t nknow for 100% if avast works in gmail, but it should.

.

When I go to shady websites, will it TELL ME there’s a virus and to “GET OFF THE SITE”…in other words, does the free version STOP THE VIRUS BEFORE YOU’RE INFECTED, or ONLY AFTER YOU RUN THE SCAN? Because That wouldn’t be good at all…by then, it will destroy computer…I throughout I THOUGHT ALL A/V programs were in REAL TIME…and if you wanted to, you can run a scan at the end of the day or week?

If your on a website and avast detects a virus on teh site you’ll be given teh option to abort connection. avast is real time.

[quote]And I found out why they deleted my ESET…coincidentally, TimeWarnerCable…coincidentally, THAT DAY, just had changed my IP which is DYNAMIC, although they only change it MAYBE 2X a year and so…i went to AVAST. Is AVAST just as good as nod 32? Look, I don’t know what I’m doing…i wish there was customer service…I’m not touting any other product as ESET had many problems too (high load of RAM, etc)…but it was costly…and i still have password…BUT I DO NOT KNOW HOW TO USE AVAST./quote]
Customer service. (tickets are e-mails to alwil software) http://support.avast.com/index.php?languageid=1&group=eng

3

Maybe when you installed your NOD32 your computer was already infected then when you install it,
so NOD32 is also infected together or else you haven’t updated your NOD32 then a virus bypass your antivirus and your computer got infected without you to know.

It is good to have an antivirus but you should keep it up to date before surfing the net also :slight_smile:

4

I’m going to have a go at addressing your questions/issues, not necessarily in order.

First, welcome to the forum. It’s a BB, run by Alwil (manufacturer of Avast), not customer service, per se, but pretty much serves as customer service for the free (Home) version. There are also employees of Alwil regularly visit the forum; it’s quite a significant part of the program.

1. I rec'd a free 3 year version of AVAST? 2. Just now (a day later) I saw I had to register. SO I registered and it said I should sign up for a free 1 year membership and download AVAST. But I already downloaded it yesterday. I Downloaded it and then didn't install it. 3. Then I went and signed up...and sure enough, my AVAST Expiration Date went from April 2013 to April 2011? DO You Understand this?
1) Nope. It's not the "real" Avast. 2) Nope. The real Avast will give you several days (depending on the version) before it prompts for registration. See [url=http://www.avast.com/eng/home-registration.php]Here.[/url] 3) There's something not right either about your installation, or your computer date/time. (Check that.)

I recommend a full uninstall/re-install from scratch. (Of course, if you prefer, you could re-download the exact same version of Eset you had, insert your still-valid license key, and use that for another 3 months.)

This assumes you are using MS Windows.

Steps:
1- Go to Avast home download, download the full setup file. It is titled “avast! Home Edition - English (40.75 MB)” and about halfway down the page. Save it to your desktop.Do not download the universal setup file (300Kb)
2- Go Here and download the Avast uninstall utility.
3- Disconnect your computer from the internet.
4- Do you have a blue ball with an “a” in it in your system tray? If so right click it and select “program settings>troubleshooting” and then disable the Avast self defense module. If not, proceed to step (5a).
5- Go to the control panel add/remove programs, select Avast, and uninstall it. If this works proceed to step 6.
5a- Restart your computer in safe mode and run the Avast uninstall utility.
6- If you did not need to reboot into safe, run the Avast unisntallutility now. Reboot.
7- Restart into normal mode (if applicable), and install Avast from the installer file.
8- Reconnect to the net and get updates. As part of the install process you may be prompted for a boot scan. This can take a while, and can be skipped for now, but given your history I recommend you run one, sometime soon.

Insert your registration key for Avast Home as directed in the above link just below your quoted text. You should be all good to go.

I can’t recommend ZoneAlarm. I’ve read about some issues with it, and have never used it. If you are happy with it, hang on to it.
I also recommend installing and scanning with MBAM.
This is an excellent free demand antimalware scanner. Given your indicated predilection for downloading software via rapidshare the chances of malware on your computer are very high. It’s only one step removed from downloading cracks/warez, and, unless you personally know and trust the source, an excellent way to get infected.