Antivirus protection not found?

sunnydays_2

Hi could someone tell me why my security centre on the computer says antivirus protection not found? I either must have no protection and if this is the case what is the easiest way to fix this? I am not to skilled in the techie department, as you've read.:o

superscaper

Presumably because you haven't installed any anti virus software. Read the stickies on this board or Martin's article on free software. Personally I think your choices are NOD32 or Kaspersky if you want to buy the AV app or AVG or Avast if you want free ones. Only install one anti virus program though and read Martin's article and these threads for other security software you need (anti spyware, anti adware, firewall etc).

If you've been online without any AV protection then you should go through the malware removal sticky on this board to make sure your pc is clean.

PaulK_3

Personally I would download the tools as soon as possible, take the PC offline and scan it before going back online. Do you run any form of firewall?

shammyjack

Download NOD32 30 day trial from here

http://www.eset.com/download/registered_software.php

Install it and let it update then do a full system scan.

If you wish to continue with it £23 a year is a small price to pay for what is in my personal opinion the best AV of them all .


shammy

nullogik

I second what the other posters have said.

Paid for security suite: NOD32 or Kaspersky Internet Security

Free security: AVG Free, Spybot Search & Destroy, Adaware, Comodo Firewall...

Since it appears you are a newbie to the security suite world, I would suggest you probably buy a complete suite that way you get official support if you don't understand something and all round protection. Once, you've got the hang of it and you're years subscription is up, then also consider the free stuff.

Conor_3

sunnydays wrote: »

Hi could someone tell me why my security centre on the computer says antivirus protection not found? I either must have no protection and if this is the case what is the easiest way to fix this? I am not to skilled in the techie department, as you've read.:o

The probabilities are:

1) You've not installed any.

2) You've installed one that doesn't integrate with the Windows Security Centre so Windows incorrectly reports it as not there.

3) You've got one of the viruses going around that disables certain AV programs such as Norton/Symantec and McAfee.

sunnydays_2

Hi the firewall says on so does automatic updates but it does say windows does not detect all antirus programs. How would I know if I have one installed? The thing is my ex used to do all this now I am doing it myself and not sure what protection/security he may have put on. Thanks to the people so far who have helped me. :hello:

sunnydays_2

PaulK wrote: »

Personally I would download the tools as soon as possible, take the PC offline and scan it before going back online. Do you run any form of firewall?

Hi yes it says firewall on. Hope this is right one.

sunnydays_2

Conor wrote: »

The probabilities are:

1) You've not installed any.

2) You've installed one that doesn't integrate with the Windows Security Centre so Windows incorrectly reports it as not there.

3) You've got one of the viruses going around that disables certain AV programs such as Norton/Symantec and McAfee.

Hi I did try last night to install a trial 30 day one that windows say it approves of but it still came up as antivirus protection Off even though I am sure I installed it properly. After that I uninstalled that Panda one as I thought it may confuse me more as it didn't show up as antivirus protection On anyway in my windows security.

sunnydays_2

superscaper wrote: »

Presumably because you haven't installed any anti virus software. Read the stickies on this board or Martin's article on free software. Personally I think your choices are NOD32 or Kaspersky if you want to buy the AV app or AVG or Avast if you want free ones. Only install one anti virus program though and read Martin's article and these threads for other security software you need (anti spyware, anti adware, firewall etc).

If you've been online without any AV protection then you should go through the malware removal sticky on this board to make sure your pc is clean.

Oh I know I sound like a real dafty but how do you back up important documents, emails, photos etc? As to start the Malware removal thing I have to do that. I don't even know what malware is, maybe I should phone out a local PC person who can do these things.:o

superscaper

Backup: Various methods, even if everything is running smoothly you should still be backing up. To start simply, do you have a CD or DVD writer (should be in your pc specs when you bought it). Easiest and cheapest thing is to copy your important documents to CD or DVD. That should be sufficient backing up to begin with (there's another sticky on backing up if you want to see all the methods people use).

Malware: is any piece of malicious code, such as a virus, spyware (hides on your pc and sends data on what you're doing back to someone else), adware (annoying popups you have no control over).

Just go through posts 1 to 4 of the malware removal sticky and if you get stuck (no pun intended) just ask and we'll try and explain it step by step or point you in the right direction.

In this case the best way of learning is through experience. I'm an electronics engineer but just about everything I've learned about pcs (hardware and software) has been self taught. And once you learn it (in theory) you can do it again and again yourself, rather than paying someone for every single callout etc.