Bell Sympatico's Freedom Anti-Virus & Firewall Package

[jwmorrice]

I have a friend who's on Bell Sympatico and running their Freedom anti-virus and firewall package. I've still ended up having to help him to reformat and reinstall a couple times because of an unbelievable number of pop-ups that have hit his machine. It gets so filled with this crap that it can barely boot up. He seems to have visited just too many Russkie porn sites for his own good.

I'm thinking of advising him to switch protection to Norton or McAfee. However, is it just my impression or is this Freedom package really a piece of crap?

jwm

 

[Peeping Tom]

For AV, go with Norton. For firewall, use a NAT router (not a hub). Security wise, the only more effective procedure would be to not use the intarweb. Note that this does not prevent damage caused by willingly using malicious sites.

 

[jwmorrice]

For AV, go with Norton. For firewall, use a NAT router (not a hub). Security wise, the only more effective procedure would be to not use the intarweb. Note that this does not prevent damage caused by willingly using malicious sites.

Thanks Peeping but this fellow isn't going to go with a router. He is a self-described 'techo-dud' and I'm not into that much hand-holding. No, I'd just like to find out whether there are some reviews or views on the Freedom package and then I'll take it from there.

jwm

 

[Rivera]

I am running McAfee Enterprise 7 for virus protection and use the Google Toolbar pop up blocker. Have not had a single pop up in over two years...plenty blocked, though.

Google Toolbar is free and, in my opinion, the best blocker out there. Well worth a try. And yes, do have him switch to McAfee or Norton (I like McAfee better).

http://toolbar.google.com/

R.

 

[dickydoem]

I have Sympatico high-speed but don't subscribe to their anti-virus or firewall package and have no pop-up problems. I use the free Zone-Alarm firewall and AntiVir virus protection (also free). I use both IE and Netscape. With Windows XP and its ServicePack2 you can set IE to block all pop-ups and Netscape also allows you to choose to block pop-ups as well (under Tools). No need to spend the extra money on these services.

 

[wikiwild]

I don't believe Anti-virus programs will help with pop-ups, cuz pop-up or spyware programs aren't viruses.

go to download.com and download Ad-Aware. Problem solved.

 

[Rivera]

I don't believe Anti-virus programs will help with pop-ups, cuz pop-up or spyware programs aren't viruses.

go to download.com and download Ad-Aware. Problem solved.

Ad-Aware and Sptbot S+D are excellent for removing spyware, but do not block popups. They work after the fact and not proactively like the various popup blockers available for free. Even with a decent popup blocker, it is wise to get Ad-Aware and Spybot. I'm still trying the blocker in SP2. All of this in addition to a good antivirus program should keep you safe...or buy a Mac.

 

[365724]

freedom = crap

It's heavy, takes forever to load and fails to do its job. Stay away from it and save $7 per month.

 

[antaeus]

I second what dickydoem says: same situation, no problems

plus a spybot sweep and as problem free as it's gonna get. Nothing so far.

But... in terb parlance, he needs to use protection in his hobby. Tell him to
stay away from the Ruskie porn. Try thehun.net, good for minimal popups, etc.

 

[joebear]

I have a friend who's on Bell Sympatico and running their Freedom anti-virus and firewall package. I've still ended up having to help him to reformat and reinstall a couple times because of an unbelievable number of pop-ups that have hit his machine. It gets so filled with this crap that it can barely boot up. He seems to have visited just too many Russkie porn sites for his own good.

I'm thinking of advising him to switch protection to Norton or McAfee. However, is it just my impression or is this Freedom package really a piece of crap?

jwm

There are better freee alternatives out there for firewall and antivirus protection. Firewall: Sysgate, Zone Alarm, Outpost. Antivirus: Kasperky (sp?), etc.

tell him to get rid of IE and move to Firefox or Opera.

As for popups the above browsers have their own built in pop up blockers.

There are two types of popups, one tries to open new browser windows and the other tries to use Windows messenger.

Most people dont know they are running with all of their ports open making easy for worms to get in.

 

[pussylicker]

Norton Sucks

I have a friend who's on Bell Sympatico and running their Freedom anti-virus and firewall package......I'm thinking of advising him to switch protection to Norton or McAfee. However, is it just my impression or is this Freedom package really a piece of crap?

jwm

Norton 2004 let me down twice last year. We found 14 & 17 viruses inbedded in the system when it went down. Several trogans, nexter, and others missed by Norton, and scanning was done 3 times a week.

Just my 2 Cents worth

 

[Esco!]

Truth is there is no perfect antivirus program out there.
I'm running Mcafee and AVG free simultaneously and so far have had few virii and only one autodialer.
Thats good enough for me