Computer Advice Needed?

[Blade Bacquin]

So here it goes.

I'm looking into getting a second computer not sure if it will be a desktop or a lap top yet. The reason for this is I'm sick of surfing the internet just about anywhere now days and getting spyware, malware, or what ever with my current windows vista system that my anti virus software can't seem to detect or get find after getting infected. In last month alone I got attacked by the same malware virus 6 times and the only way around it was to go an older save point on my computer.

It's a big old waste of my time really you pay for anti-virus software and it doesn't do it's job. So I have been looking into a second computer one I hope to install different OS on like Linux and hopefully use it for web browsing rather then this Microsoft crap that keeps getting attacked.

I have heard most Viruses are geared towards the MS OS so other operating systems are fairly safe. What I don't know is what OS to go with? Weather it's better to partition a drive and leave windows still on the system or just clean sweep it with what ever OS I use?

For reference the only Linux OS I have used was Red Hat back in the day. I haven't partitioned a drive for dual operating systems in 8 years. So to say the least I'm pretty much rusty on everything.

So really what I am looking for here is suggestions of any kind on what to do?

I'm think of a second computer rather then just changing my current one because all my games and saves are this one. That and I don't know how well a different operating system will respond to the games or if they will even work.

[Morgan Evanar]

Linux is really easy to use now, get ubuntu and it will hold your hand the whole way through. Further, a second hard drive is way cheaper than a whole additional computer.

[Darth Turbogeek]

How on earth are you getting a virus or malware? Are you using IE to browse? Firefox + extentions should see you quite fine.

[Yog]

Yeah, I echo the comment above how you get so much viruses. You must have some rather unhealthy habits to achieve that. Especially with things such as UAC, windows firewall (you have those enabled, right?) and virus scanner. Do you run executable files you don't know what is, or visit questionable sites? Do you frequently run sites with javascript, ActiveX, flash etc. Do you use IE? What virus scanner were you paying for, if you don't mind me asking? I have not seen a virus or malware for over a year, using NOD32.

I am planning to make a dual boot with windows 7 and openSUSE (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/OpenSUSE) when my new hard drive arrives. openSUSE allows you to switch desktop environments such as KDE, Gnome, Xfce, LXDE or whatever takes your fancy. You will still need windows if you're into games.

I would not recommend you build a whole new machine just for a fresh install of windows. Just buy a new hard drive, and transfer the saves and files to the new drive. If you're using Steam for games (you should), you can simply copy and paste the entire steam app folder, and it will work with saves and all on the new drive.

[Acacius Blade]

How on earth are you getting a virus or malware? Are you using IE to browse? Firefox + extentions should see you quite fine.

Heed this advice, and ye shall be set free.

If Firefox doesn't support it, it probably ain't worth the trouble of IE anyway.

[Darth Turbogeek]

How on earth are you getting a virus or malware? Are you using IE to browse? Firefox + extentions should see you quite fine.

Heed this advice, and ye shall be set free.

If Firefox doesn't support it, it probably ain't worth the trouble of IE anyway.


Hell, even MICROSOFT support Firefox fully now - There should be not a single site worth a damn that requires IE now.

Ubuntu is the best Linux running around right now but frankly Windows 7 kicks it's ass and also is quite secure

[Blade Bacquin]

To answer a few of the questions being asked as best as I can answer them.

First the firefox vs IE. I do use Firefox as much as possible but there is one problem I often have with the browser. Today for instance I can't get the dam the browser to open so I have to use IE or Chrome. I have this issue with Firefox allot the browser won't open but tommarow it might work just fine. So yes I use firefox for the most part but there are days it wants to be a pain in the ass so I have to use something else.

The particular Malware virus I got:

http://www.softsailor.com/how-to/37848-how-to-uninstall-remove-security-suite-virus-removal-guide-2.html

(This is a link to how to remove the particular ransomware/malware virus I got several times in the month of august.)

The virus rootkited (I beleive that is the proper term.) it's self into my computer. As stated it is noturious for being able to hide itself from antivirus software witch I was running norton's as of a few days ago I switched to Kaspersky and also there internet security software. I aslo reinstalled AVG free anti virus as back up. So far so good anyway.

As for microsofts firewall protection I have to meh it isn't the best. The firewall software that came with my router was much better only problem with that is the router itself only want's to work for a few weeks at time before it decides I don't have internet connection when in fact I do. But that's another problem altogether.

As for questionable sites there is only one I visit and it is a torrent site. Yet I have been going there for over four years now and this is the only problem that has come up in those four years.

As for running excutables that I do not know what they are no I do not. In fact in the last month I can probably tell you every excutable I hit and they where all video games or the internet browser. Since over the last month I pretty much played WoW, CoH, starcraft, and starcraft 2 wich have taking up most of my time and the rest of it was coming here or to facebook or to download TV shows from that one questionable site I go to.

I have gone to a few sites that have Flash and I am aware Flash can be bad news. However If the site ask me to update flash I don't I leave the site Because I know if I need to update flash Adobe would have had a pop up message from there downloader appear on my start up.

[Darth Turbogeek]

Flatten, reinstall, load Firefox and the proper extentions. Torrent sites are exactly the place to get a drive by installs but frankly Firefox + adblock + flashblock + Noscript is goign to fix those buggers.


Why on earth are you running Vista anyway? Reinstall with Win7

[Lilaena De'Ville]

I'm running Vista because Win7 costs MONEY and its something we're not rolling in. I'm sure that's the same reason anyone is running it.

[Blade Bacquin]

Flatten, reinstall, load Firefox and the proper extentions. Torrent sites are exactly the place to get a drive by installs but frankly Firefox + adblock + flashblock + Noscript is goign to fix those buggers.


Why on earth are you running Vista anyway? Reinstall with Win7

Running Vista because that's what the system came with and until recently I didn't have much money. Since I bought a new car this year plus other things I needed desperately but was putting off. So honestly I haven't had the time and money to invest in my computer this year until now. So that's why Vista is still on this system.

[Xavier Synik]

^upgrading to 7 will be a lot cheaper then buying a new rig. Unless there are other reasons you want a new computer.

I upgraded my lap top from Vista to 7, and am SOOOOOOOOOOOO glad I did. it has it's quirks at first, like all new systems, but it is so much better then all previous versions of Windows. Not that that is hard to accomplish.

[Darth Turbogeek]

^upgrading to 7 will be a lot cheaper then buying a new rig. Unless there are other reasons you want a new computer.


Yes, this. New computers are in general now a waste of time - got enough memory, you are fine. External drives are cheap and fast.