Topic: Got rid of Google Chrome today (I think)

[Scott S]

 After getting a couple of nasty viruses a while back, I decided to try, first, Firefox and then Chrome. Firefox was OK but there was something about it I didn't like (can't even remember now...), so I went to Chrome.

 Chrome was great!...for a while. It had become intolerably slow and crashed all the time. Web pages become unresponsive, scripts are not compatible or stop running, Shockwave crashed on a daily basis. My computer would get so slow it was all b t unusable. I could even hear the hard drive running while nothing happened, or happened s l o o o w l y . It also would not remember my username and/or password on several sites/forums I belong to.

 No amount of updates, file cleaning, scans, re-starts, defrags, cache' cleaning, etc. would help. The ONLY thing that helped was re-starting the computer. It would run great again....for a day or maybe three, then start all over.

 Today, I went back to IE. I guess I'll take my chances on the viruses in exchange for a faster, more pleasant browsing experience.
 Two questions, though:

 1) How can I be sure I don't get a virus again? I don't go anywhere that I shouldn't...meaning those really nasty, freaky websites that all but guarantee you a virus....and I run AVG, MalwareBytes and CC Cleaner.

 2) While running CC Cleaner after the restart this morning, a balloon popped up and told me to "Exit Google Chrome or the sweeping process will be skipped". I did NOT uninstall Chrome, just in case they ever fix all the faults and I wanted to give it another shot. I DID make IE my preferred browser. Why ids CC Cleaner recognizing Chrome? Do I need to completely uninstall it?

[333]

You probably should, just in case whatever is affecting it hasn't rewritten some of the program.  You can always reinstall it if you feel the need to try it again.  You should look at Firefox again.  They've released some new versions lately.

But here's another bit of advice.  Look up Bleepingcomputer.com.  In there is a list of good and bad start up programs.  Then, with Ccleaner, use the "Tools" button on the left, then "startup", and referencing the list on Bleepingcomputer, check each one, and disable the bad ones.  Good luck.

[Scott S]

 Thanks, 333. I went to CC Cleaner and turned off a ton of unnecessary stuff. I'll see if that helps.

 I also made a couple of changes after my first post and now am back to IE. I'll wait just a bit before removing Chrome, but I'll probably get rid of it eventually.

[Goldbug]

1) How can I be sure I don't get a virus again?

95% of viruses/malware/spyware have the user's permission to be installed. Watch what you click 'Yes' or 'OK' on.

I use AVG Free and Firefox and haven't gotten a virus since like 2003.

[TrueSpin]

I use Firefox 3.6~ with something called AdBlockerPro (I believe - the icon for it is a stop sign), and the idea of a virus never crosses my mind. I don't even keep an up to date virus protection program. I also haven't had any problems in the life of this computer.

[coldwave007]

For what it's worth, I work with computers for a living and TBH, it doesn't much matter what browser you use.  All of the big three (IE, Chrome, and FF) have vulnerabilities that can and do get exploited.  I've gone from Netscape > IE > Mozilla > FireFox > Chrome > Firefox > and back to IE again. 

I'd say if you're running at least IE8 (preferably 9) and are happy, then keep at it!  Dump what's left of Chrome and carry on.  If IE eventually gets twitchy in a year or two, try FF or Chrome again. 

[Scott S]

 One question: Now that I'm back on IE, if I click on a link it opens a new browser window. I'd prefer it to open another tab on my current window. Is that something I can change in my preferences somewhere?

[coldwave007]

If it's IE9 > Click Tools (or the gear at the top right) > Internet Options > click the "Settings" button int eh "tabs" group.  At the bottom, click "A new tab in the current window".

Should do the trick.

[Scott S]

 It's IE8 (I have XP and that's the latest IE it will let me upload).
 My setting already are on " a  new tab in current window". Why is it opening nearly every link in a new window?

[Skunk Stripe]

Oh you poor bastard, stuck with IE 8. You need to get 7 and then ie9. 9 is SO MUCH better than 8.
As for av, I run microsoft security essentials. It is free, works very well, and updates daily and if for some reason you iss and update, auto updates that windows does, will install it. AND it is very light weight.

[Honda Brat]

been using Firefox with XP for ages and have always been happy, as with Win 7 on my Laptop.  For a while now Firefox has been slowing down and start up times have gotten worse and worse, fresh installs never did anything nor did updates, infact this made the situation worse.  I installed Google Chrome and it has been fantastic, no probs and everything is working fine and pretty slick.

I try not to use anything by Microsoft as it is usually very large in size and slows things down a great deal after a short time, especially Essentials.  I stick with a malaware cleaner and use a free anti-virus/firewall and these work fine.

[Skunk Stripe]

Essentials has not bloated in any way on my system. Currently, my essentials is using about 36MB of ram. Conversely, When I got rid of avg, it was using over 50. It also has not slowed anything down, it has been virtually un-noticeable. It also ranks very well when compared to avera, avast, and avg. And is just as free.

[Honda Brat]

i'm not saying its bloated as in size of programme but Microsoft products always tend to slow down a system, run similar programmes on an Apple and pc and there is a big difference - apart from the obvious.  With a pc running Microsoft based op systems there is a need to do fresh installs every so often as they have too much crap left over in the background, you can wipe a lot of these out with specific programmes but it will never remove 'traces' left behind from uses over time. 

[Skunk Stripe]

Not sure how you use a pc but I do not have that issue. My windows 7 machine has yet to crash or lock up. If I remember to, I might run a virus/spyware scan maybe every 6 months. I run ccleaner every so often. I have 0 bloating. My macbook pro, with an i7 cpu and 8 Gigs of ram crashes more than my 5 year old gateway with a centrino duo and 2 G ram running 7 does.
It is no longer the old windows 98 days or even the xp days. 7 is nice and fast and super stable. Even ie9 is shaping up to be a good browser with excellent web compliance.

Read some of the tech reviews on security essentials. It rates very well against any of the other free scanners.

[Honda Brat]

never had a problem with Win 7 I was relating it to XP.

[333]

I'd characterize Security Essentials as a bit more "free" over the others mentioned.  With those others, you are just getting the free versions, and are nagged, even if only once a year when you have to remove and reinstall or buy the full versions.  With Security Essentials, you are getting the full version.  And I believe that Microsoft has a vested interest in keeping your machine virus free.  After all, most of these virus' are written against Microsoft.

Which brings me to a question  I've always wanted to know.  Why do these hackers have to be such dicks?  I can't believe they're all disgruntled former employees.

[Goldbug]

Which brings me to a question  I've always wanted to know.  Why do these hackers have to be such dicks?  I can't believe they're all disgruntled former employees.

They are not former employees. The majority of viruses are aimed at somehow getting money. Whether it be by selling you software that supposedly gets rid of said virus or getting your logins and passwords to various things to be used at a later date. Some viruses simply win ebay auctions with stolen accounts from your computer so the IP address is traced to a random individual (you) rather than the perp himself. There's lots and lots and lots of reason why viruses are created and very few of those reasons are vengeance against an employer or a hacker making a name for himself (although these tend to be bigger and more crippling of systems across the globe, but usually only for a short time).

If you get a virus I'd seriously consider reinstalling the OS and changing every password for e-mail and anything involving money like ebay, paypal, banking, credit cards, etc.

[Skunk Stripe]

Aside from sensitive info, using a sandbox program is a very good idea. I use bufferzone at home. What it does, kinda like chrome if I remember right, is separates your browser into a protected area where it cannot access your system files to infect anything. You can technically still download things and you can choose what programs to run in it. I can't say how well it performs as I do not go actively searching virus infections and have not had a virus in a long time. But, check this out: http://freeware.wikia.com/wiki/Lists_of_freeware_sandboxes

[DJ_AX]

After struggling with that #$%* for many years, not just viruses but also incompatibilities and file corruptions ...(15+ in www dev) the most effective solution that I have found is.... getting rid of Windows and using a Mac. I did that about 7 years ago and haven't had a problem since. ... 

[Goldbug]

In five years 95% of home computers will not function as we know them today. They will be more like cell phones. They will boot from the motherboard and file storage and software operations will all be completely severed from the operation of the OS. I, for one, welcome our new Google overlords.

I'm sure that will be exploited as well (cell phones already can be if you allow 3rd party aps) because like I said, the computer is just the tool, it's the user that is usually targeted. And human error knows no bounds.

[DJ_AX]

In five years 95% of home computers will not function as we know them today. .... .....

Five maybe Ten...?
I don't know about all that "...... ......."
but what happens with technology in the next 20 years that will be really interesting!

[faux fiddy]

In five years 95% of home computers will not function as we know them today. .... .....

Five maybe Ten...?
I don't know about all that "...... ......."
but what happens with technology in the next 20 years that will be really interesting!

Heavy.Like the  whoele night tonight,. 444 in the morni-ing herey'know.

[Goldbug]

but what happens with technology in the next 20 years that will be really interesting!

We'll jack directly into wireless computers with devices impanted our brains, we'll be able to do our jobs in our sleep and have an incredible amount of free time.

No but seriously, in 20 years it will be some sci-fi #$%* compared to today, just like today is to 20 years ago.

[dave500]

i drive a rubbish truck/skip bin/dumpster whatever truck,the other day i pulled from a bin,still brand new,never opened a dell printer scanner,the machine is still wrapped up tight in the clear plastic,all the inks are still in their foil wrappers,the cable is coiled and wired,the booklet and driver disc is still shrink wrapped,the shipping date on the carton was 2007,shall i keep it and put it on ebay in 30 years time?

[faux fiddy]

i drive a rubbish truck/skip bin/dumpster whatever truck,the other day i pulled from a bin,still brand new,never opened a dell printer scanner,the machine is still wrapped up tight in the clear plastic,all the inks are still in their foil wrappers,the cable is coiled and wired,the booklet and driver disc is still shrink wrapped,the shipping date on the carton was 2007,shall i keep it and put it on ebay in 30 years time?

Use the ink an return it from whence it came.