Novice Computer Question

[95Honda 486]

OK, I really don't know a whole lot about computers, so sorry if this sounds stupid.

A few months ago our old HP tower became so infected with viruses and trojan horses that I couldn't keep up with getting rid of them. I had some software guys from work install a ton of virus protection, but it just kept getting all messed up every few days (it was almost 10 years old) so I said hell with it and bought a brand new computer.

Anyway, new computer works great, I use Norton because we get it free being in the military.

Basically, here is my question. I had about a 1000 jpegs on the old computer, right now I have it sitting in the corner, stand alone, burning the jpegs onto CDs. Do I need to be carefull before I put those CDs in the new computer and download them? Is there a safe way to scan the CDs with the new computer?

Any help would be great. I won't stick the CDs into the new computer until I am sure I know what I'm doing.

[RobClay 20]

although viruses can hide in picture files, im sure norton will catch them if there is any. and when you do actually put the cd into your new computer go to Start>Computer> right click the cd picture> click scan with norton antivirus

[slim2fattycake 85]

Make sure to keep the norton protection updated with new virus definitions.

[Jmac 24]

It's extremely rare to find virii in pictures, especially if they're pictures you took yourself.

[95Honda 486]

Thanks guys. I appreciate the help.

The Norton is set up for constant updates.

[shizzzon 461]

That computer you had constantly getting infected, sounds to me liek they didnt install the right software to prevent that from happening.

Whereas there is no "End All" protection out there.... based on how one uses a computer, software can be installed to appear that there really is an "End All" solution!

ESET's Internet Security along with Spybot(freeware) as a backup solution prevents anything nasty from happening that has this combo.

Only under rare scenarios where people constantly go to porn and illegal download sites do they need a special software called Rollback RX which prevents virii and any form of x-ware from staying on the pc after a shutdown or restart. This is the same type of software used in colleges, libraries, etc...

When you say a TON of security on the pc, you dont need multi software packages as they will all just conflict with each other.

A full internet suite from ESET(it checks for updates every 30minutes!)

A backup x-ware checker - Spybot

A Full system Protector - Rollback RX

[95Honda 486]

Thanks!

[RobClay 20]

ye i use Eset nod32 antivirus, and spysweeper. i never get any viruses. norton caused trouble in the past, slows down your comp quite a bit

Edited November 9, 2008 by RobClay

[Wall_Breaker 0]

I don't use norton but I am pretty sure you can scan them using Norton. But I don't see why you would have a problem unless you have reason to think your jpegs are infected. But I am over cautious so I would scan the disk before you rip anything onto your computer.

[ABXX49 20]

All of those are good choices. I use AVG and Ad-aware primarily. Most good routers now-a-days have a good firewall in them to prevent a lot of things. Although, in my opinion the best defense is being smart. Be careful what you click on, and always be careful with email. An email came from my dad the other day that was way too suspicious for me to click on. So I called him and he told me that he never even sent that email!

EDIT: To answer your question (lol) you should be fine putting a disk into your old computer and moving the files. Also, I used to have three separate partitions on my main hard drive. I have my Windows, my music, and my pictures. This way, although no fool proof, if something goes wrong with my Windows partition I can format it without losing my music and pictures. NOW I have three separate HD's for this task, which I believe is the best thing I've done.

Edited November 9, 2008 by abxx

[shizzzon 461]

true with the multi-partition.

However, a router does NOT make a person's pc safer, not even 1% safer when it comes to being infected with virii, trojan, x-ware, etc...

Router is good to prevent from being hacked internally or externally. It is a firewall, not an active preventer of damaging software.

The best security is rollback software like the Rollback RX, you need NO security whatsoever except for that software but if you plan on saving things to your hard drive, then you have to disable it. It is a VERY strong piece of software, too strong for most.

If you don't use multi-partitions, you can always use Acronis TrueImage to do low priority partition backups of your master system so if u cant boot or your drive fails, as long as the hidden recovery partition is error free or on another hard drive, it will recover your entire master system in minutes.

[///M5 2,833]

I would definitely think about using something other than Norton's. I personally use Avast which is free, but there are probably a lot of options.

[95Honda 486]

I had AVG installed on my old computer, but it still got infected. I also had a program (can't remember the name) that found and deleted trojan horses. Well, you know how that worked out...

To make a long story short, the only thing I use the computer for is speaker design programs, hotmail, ordering from Partsexpress and typing work papers. My wife uses it for Myspace. So I think I'll be good with the new computer for a while. We don't do any chat, online gaming, downloading of media, etc....

I burned the CDs on the old computer, stuck them in the new one and virus scanned each one. Like you guys said, there was nothing found on the discs, but I'm glad I checked anyway.

The Norton is free for us in the military, as long as we are in, so that is why I use it. I wouldn't probably notice if it slowed things down anyway, this website is probably the toughest thing I have it do... LOL...

[shizzzon 461]

Just a guess, if your wife likes to go creative with her page by using 3rd party profiles and graphics, then that is most likely how you got infected.

AVG wouldnt be suited for fixing that anyway.

The majority of things you will be infected with is spyware and other forms of x-ware along with trojans. Virii will usually only be seen by downloading illegal files.

[dlink 0]

Norton is crap, Avast is the best. Google it, use the free home version. Put the pics on a flash drive, use avast to scan before moving to your new tower if you are paranoid. Chances are the virus/trojan is on some system files, not picture files.

Protection for the novice (noobs):

0) Enable WEP on your router

1) Avast

2) Spybot

3) PeerGuardian*

4) Firefox

4.1) adblock plus

4.2) no script

5) Stop hitting "yes" and "ok" to every window that pops up online.

You will be fine.

* If you don't want to bog down your computer with another program, you can change your Hosts file.

c:\windows\system32\drivers\etc\hosts

open that with notepad.

copy and paste everything here >> http://www.mvps.org/winhelp2002/hosts.txt and paste it OVER what is in notepad. save. enjoy.

Edited November 12, 2008 by dlink