McAfee problems (1 Viewer)

[d.steeley]

Hi all. just bought a new Dell 5150 desktop which came with McAfee Security Suite pre-installed. I've set up an e-mail for myself and one for my wife but find that the Spamkiller 7 keeps changing the incoming mail server to 127.0.0.1 and I can only retrieve my messages by changing it back to my TalkTalk account. This seems to be a very common problem with McAfee and Norton. I've tried suggested setup actions outlined in other forums to no avail. I've disabled SK7 but it still interferes with outlook express or pops up messages asking if I really want SK7 to remain disabled. The easy option would be to uninstall SK7 but there is no reference to it in ADD/REMOVE section in control panel. Just a McAfee uninstaller tool which I guess would just uninstall itself if I press the Add/Remove button. Please give me your opinion on the following action: I would like to uninstall McAfee totally including Firewall and anti-virus system. I would then download avg and enable the Windows XP firewall. Do you think that would give a sufficient level of cover for a casual surfer? My other option would be to change from OE to Outlook, but not sure of the benefits. Sorry about length of post but your advice would be very welcome.

Dave

 

[Andrew Rowlands]

Dave, you should be able to disable it using the 'msconfig' tool available from the Start > Run menu.

I don't remember the details as it must be a fortnight since I've disabled it on someones machine - in the startup tab there's likely to be one occurrence and in the Services tab (tick the box to hide all Microsoft services) there will be another.

Cross-reference each file you disable with eg, the list at http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/startups/ before you decide any action.

You can also remove references to Quicktime, Adobe Reader and Realplayer as they are merely running just to check for updates. In fact, I'd advise you uninstall Adobe reader entirely and install and use Foxit Reader instead - it's tiny and much faster (http://www.foxitsoftware.com/pdf/rd_intro.php).

If you want to try to get rid of more of the trialware installed on (clogging up) the Dell, you could use:-
"The PC De-Crapifier is designed to remove a specific list unwanted software in an unattended fashion. Before running, the user may select exactly what software should be removed. Currently, it is targeted for use on most Dell machines; however it will theoretically run on anything that has the software listed below." - http://www.yorkspace.com/pc-de-crapifier/

ZA, Comodo or Kerio would all be fine firewalls. AVG, Comodo, Avast or AntiVir would all be good A/V's.

You should also use Spywareblaster http://www.javacoolsoftware.com/downloads.html and a good hosts file to get some extra passive protection http://www.mvps.org/winhelp2002/hosts.htm - it goes into C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\DRIVERS\ETC. the instructions and a batch file for automating it should be on that page. Also use ie-spyad. It puts over 5000 sites in your restricted zone so you'll be protected when you visit innocent-looking sites that aren't actually innocent at all http://www.spywarewarrior.com/uiuc/resource.htm

Use Spybot's immunise feature too, that'll help and Arovaxshield will protect against hijackers etc http://www.arovax.com/products/arovaxshield/download.html

Switch to Firefox or Opera for your main browser.

I think that's enough for you to be getting on with - most of these apps are linked from http://www.majorgeeks.com/page.php?id=20 exept Comodo - http://www.comodogroup.com/ - all these are free and are likely to give you better protection than you have now and have less of a slowdown effect on your PC.

Cheers,

Andy.

 

[d.steeley]

Dave, you should be able to disable it using the 'msconfig' tool available from the Start > Run menu.

I don't remember the details as it must be a fortnight since I've disabled it on someones machine - in the startup tab there's likely to be one occurrence and in the Services tab (tick the box to hide all Microsoft services) there will be another.

Cross-reference each file you disable with eg, the list at http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/startups/ before you decide any action.

You can also remove references to Quicktime, Adobe Reader and Realplayer as they are merely running just to check for updates. In fact, I'd advise you uninstall Adobe reader entirely and install and use Foxit Reader instead - it's tiny and much faster (http://www.foxitsoftware.com/pdf/rd_intro.php).

If you want to try to get rid of more of the trialware installed on (clogging up) the Dell, you could use:-
"The PC De-Crapifier is designed to remove a specific list unwanted software in an unattended fashion. Before running, the user may select exactly what software should be removed. Currently, it is targeted for use on most Dell machines; however it will theoretically run on anything that has the software listed below." - http://www.yorkspace.com/pc-de-crapifier/

ZA, Comodo or Kerio would all be fine firewalls. AVG, Comodo, Avast or AntiVir would all be good A/V's.

You should also use Spywareblaster http://www.javacoolsoftware.com/downloads.html and a good hosts file to get some extra passive protection http://www.mvps.org/winhelp2002/hosts.htm - it goes into C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\DRIVERS\ETC. the instructions and a batch file for automating it should be on that page. Also use ie-spyad. It puts over 5000 sites in your restricted zone so you'll be protected when you visit innocent-looking sites that aren't actually innocent at all http://www.spywarewarrior.com/uiuc/resource.htm

Use Spybot's immunise feature too, that'll help and Arovaxshield will protect against hijackers etc http://www.arovax.com/products/arovaxshield/download.html

Switch to Firefox or Opera for your main browser.

I think that's enough for you to be getting on with - most of these apps are linked from http://www.majorgeeks.com/page.php?id=20 exept Comodo - http://www.comodogroup.com/ - all these are free and are likely to give you better protection than you have now and have less of a slowdown effect on your PC.

Cheers,

Andy.

Wow!! That will keep me busy. Many thanks for the advice Andy.

Dave

 

[Andrew Rowlands]

Decide which route to take first - if you want to go with free tools, start with downloading them so you can install them offline, if needed - then run the De-crapifier to remove your choice of installed software.

Take your time Dave, you need any more help just gimme a nudge :t:

Andy.

 

[Katy Penland]

Andy, will the Foxit Reader read my legacy Adobe-created PDF files? I absolutely LOATHE how huge Adobe's Reader is and how long it takes to load each time, so Foxit would be wonderful if it'll do the job. Beaucoup mercis! B

 

[Kentbloke]

Thanks for the Foxit tip Andy - super fast! :t:

 

[Andrew Rowlands]

Andy, will the Foxit Reader read my legacy Adobe-created PDF files? I absolutely LOATHE how huge Adobe's Reader is and how long it takes to load each time, so Foxit would be wonderful if it'll do the job. Beaucoup mercis! B

Yes, it should read them fine, Katy.

I'd unzip it to its' own folder in Program Files (call it Foxit Reader?), then start it by double-clicking the exe file - this should bring up the a box that asks if you want to use it as the default app. for .pdf files - ensure it's ticked and ok it.

Next, I'd uninstall whichever version of Adobe Reader you have - you'll feel good about dumping a 60 - 95Mb app. for a 2.5Mb one .

Once Adobe is uninstalled, you may need to reboot (to 'lose' the files that are loaded with Windows and IE) - then test Foxit again by double-clicking a pdf. If Windows has lost the association with Foxit, use the browse tool or 'open with' function to point it to the Foxit application - it should be fine from there on.

I once came across a pdf that needed extra viewers to be read completely, Foxit just popped up a box to ask if I wanted to visit the site to download the neccessary files - just a couple of extra Mb that downloaded easily and quickly.

Go for it!

Andy.

 

[Katy Penland]

Oh, man, what a difference! You're my hero, Andy -- again! Now I'm going to go run down your recommended "startups" checklist of programs. I've already dumped 1.5 GB of programs I either have never used or don't plan to. Since I own a Dell, the "PC De-crapifier" is also next on the list. What a way to spend a beautiful Sunday!

I see a defrag session in my future.

Thanks again. :flowers: