Blocking the Alureon viruses?

[Aardvark154]

Although I’m quite conscientious about updating my antivirus and anti-malware software I recently picked up one of the Alureon viruses (hey don’t ask this is TERB after all)

My question: is there a security program which will block such damn malicious software from downloading?

What if I ran Linux as the o.s. on an older cpu I have?

 

[wollensak]

Easy and Nice

Although I’m quite conscientious about updating my antivirus and anti-malware software I recently picked up one of the Alureon viruses (hey don’t ask this is TERB after all)

My question: is there a security program which will block such damn malicious software from downloading?

What if I ran Linux as the o.s. on an older cpu I have?

I never worry about viruses when running Linux. Same basic architecture as Apple OS, both derived from Unix. Separate and secure partition for executable software. All data downloaded goes into the data partition where nothing is executable - hence viruses cant be executed.

Download Ubuntu 10.10, burn it to a CD and try it. You can try it without loading it to your harddrive. If you don't like it, just remove the CD. If you like it, load it as a dual boot, gives you windows and Linux on the same box.

None of this is hard to do. You don't have to be a tech head to use Ubuntu - really.

 

[islandman4567]

I never worry about viruses when running Linux. Same basic architecture as Apple OS, both derived from Unix. Separate and secure partition for executable software. All data downloaded goes into the data partition where nothing is executable - hence viruses cant be executed.

Download Ubuntu 10.10, burn it to a CD and try it. You can try it without loading it to your harddrive. If you don't like it, just remove the CD. If you like it, load it as a dual boot, gives you windows and Linux on the same box.

None of this is hard to do. You don't have to be a tech head to use Ubuntu - really.

ditto. I got tired of picking up malware/spyware etc. with windows. Tried Ubuntu a couple yrs ago and haven't looked back. I'm currently using Mint , which has a windows 7 look and feel. I tried it out because whenever I suggested Linux to people they were a bit reluctant to switch from windows because they didn't want to learn another OS. The ones that did try it are very happy.

The other ones still ask me to re-format /re-install windows now and then. I keep telling people to at least try it , it won't cost you a cent. And you have dual boot option to keep using whichever windows programs you absolutely need and just can't give up. Also, there's the option of running it from cd or a flash drive.

 

[WoodPeckr]

It's nice to be Windows Free

What if I ran Linux as the o.s. on an older cpu I have?

This is the best way to begin to free yourself from all the bugs attacking M$. Linux runs great on old PCs or brand new ones.

wollensak and islandman4567 post excellent advice on your options.

I pretty much did the same a little over 4 years ago. Got fed up with all the security scans you have to run with M$ to keep it clean and bug free and decided to give Linux a try on advice from a buddy at work. It was the best advice I ever got. Now 4 yrs later all self taught, it's not that hard, I am totally Windows free. Can do everything needed with Linux. It is far more secure than Windows and have never had any security, virus, malware attack. Ubuntu is easier than ever to use now compared to 4 yrs ago. Ubuntu help Forums are massive and huge to answer any questions needed.

All my PCs are dual booted so I still can run Windows if desired but lately Windows is only used to do needed M$ updates and AV updates. Setting up a dual boot is easier than ever now. You just have to do a little reading on the Linux sites to get familiar with totally different way of doing things with Linux. As you move along you will see Linux is laid out in a very logical efficient manner. Definitely worth giving a try since it runs great and won't cost you a penny.....

 

[islandman4567]

just one thing I'd like to add. If you're going to dual boot , make sure you install windows first. I tried it the other way once and it was a bitch to get the dual boot to work. It is possible , but it was such a pain in the ass that I just started over and installed windows first.

Linux installs smoothly to allow dual boot , but windows will screw up the boot loader if you install it second and you'll have to run some code to recover the linux partition. That stuff was beyond my capabilities and I didn't want to go through the trouble of figuring out. It was much easier to just start over.

 

[WoodPeckr]

just one thing I'd like to add. If you're going to dual boot , make sure you install windows first.

+1

If Windows is already installed and running well, you just have to add Ubuntu as a second OS. This is the easy way to do it.
Some guys on the Ubuntu Forums posted what they have to do if they try doing things the other way around by installing Windows as the second OS on their PC that already has Linux on it and it gets pretty complicated to make it run right. You need to run command line to redo the bootloader.

 

[Aardvark154]

Thank you everyone, I think I'll try messing around with it over the weekend.

 

[Aardvark154]

I've tried running Ubuntu from CD today, can't say I'm particularly impressed since when using Firefox it seems to routinely freeze (which from what I read Linux supposedly never does). This has been both a freeze, and also the screen turning black and white from color, and although the pointer still can be swirled around nothing you click on does a damn thing. Is this any better when it is installed on the hard drive? Right now I'm wondering why everyone thinks it's so great.

 

[islandman4567]

I've yet to have that happen to me , and I've installed Ubuntu on more than a handful of pc's now. Maybe try a different linux OS like Mint. Which version of Ubuntu are you using? You could always try a different version. Ask Woody for more advice, I'm no expert but I got it to work.

 

[WoodPeckr]

Aardvark154

It may depend on how old that PC is you are using. Whenever you run Linux off a Live CD it will run slower because you are running Linux off the CD and not the HDD. That 'slowness & freeze' has happened to me in the past on old PCs. When it is installed on the HDD, Linux runs full speed and much better/faster. Also all Linux features may not run when using Live CD. This depends on your PC configurations.....some are set up better than others in this regard. When installed on HDD all features should become functional.

 

[WoodPeckr]

I've yet to have that happen to me , and I've installed Ubuntu on more than a handful of pc's now.

It has happened to me with old PCs in the past but when installed on the HDD so Linux can run full speed, that slowness/freeze went away.

My 13 yr old P2 would freeze alot when running Linux off Live CD. But it ran fine once Linux was installed on the HDD. That 13 yr old PC would take a l-o-n-g time to boot, off Live CD also.