Anne K. Wellings on fri 8 oct 04
I cannot renew my Norton 2001 subscription for virus updates because the
software is now considered obsolete. I cannot upgrade to a new version of
Norton because I use Windows 95 and it is not supported by the current
software by the major companies. I can't afford a new computer or to
upgrade to a newer version of Windows. I could borrow a disc for Windows
98 or higher from a friend but am not sure I want to get into that, or
whether it might cause problems with my other old software that came with
the computer.
Does anyone know of a good antivirus program, and also things like
firewalls, that are up to date and will work with Windows 95? Any
suggestions would be appreciated. Except for this, the old computer and
the things on it work well enough for my purposes.
Anne Wellings
Sunrise Beach Pottery
Olympia, Washington
John Rodgers on sat 9 oct 04
Anne,
A couple of things ...... unfortunately your computer and your version
of Windows is now in Dinosaur land. It is getting left further and
further behind. And it going to get worse with the passage of time.
That said, you should be able to upgrade to Windows 98 or maybe even
Windows 98 SE. The SE I think contained the absolute last version of the
old DOS that Microsoft used to build their software on. But there is
still a good bit of software out there that will run on it. You might
find a later version of Norton that will run on it. If not, go to this
web site http:\\www.chaseandsam.com. Read through their security
section. You will find a lot of help there and some software that you
can download for free that will help you a lot.
As for browsers and e-mail programs you really should try Mozilla. Go to
http:\\mozilla.org and read what they have to offer. I have used Windows
Explorer and Netscape and had nothing but problems. With Mozilla, all
the problems went away. With it, Ad-aware 6, Spy-bot, and BHODemon, I
get absolutely no popups, trojans, etc. I do use Norton for virus
protection, but I have found it not so effective against trojans, worms
and other ad-ware, thus the use of some other programs.
If you decide to download the Mozilla browser and e-mail programs, be
sure to download a program called Backup dot exe ( replace the word
"dot" with a period. This is the little backup program that lets you run
a backup on all your e-mail and browser settings. Worth its weight in
gold electrons.
There is another browser out there called Opera. I haven't used it, but
the interface looks good, and a lot of people swear by it. Not a freebie
however.
Good luck in your efforts.
Regards,
John Rodgers
Chelsea, AL
Anne K. Wellings wrote:
>I cannot renew my Norton 2001 subscription for virus updates because the
>software is now considered obsolete. I cannot upgrade to a new version of
>Norton because I use Windows 95 and it is not supported by the current
>software by the major companies. I can't afford a new computer or to
>upgrade to a newer version of Windows. I could borrow a disc for Windows
>98 or higher from a friend but am not sure I want to get into that, or
>whether it might cause problems with my other old software that came with
>the computer.
>
>Does anyone know of a good antivirus program, and also things like
>firewalls, that are up to date and will work with Windows 95? Any
>suggestions would be appreciated. Except for this, the old computer and
>the things on it work well enough for my purposes.
>
>Anne Wellings
>Sunrise Beach Pottery
>Olympia, Washington
>
>______________________________________________________________________________
>Send postings to clayart@lsv.ceramics.org
>
>You may look at the archives for the list or change your subscription
>settings from http://www.ceramics.org/clayart/
>
>Moderator of the list is Mel Jacobson who may be reached at melpots@pclink.com.
>
>
>
piedpotterhamelin@COMCAST.NET on sat 9 oct 04
Hi
I am concerned that your memory and cpu are insufficient for the current antispy and antivirus programs. Maybe your machine should be fully examined to see if the components can handle these memory hungry programs.
Rick
--
"Many a wiser men than I hath
gone to pot." 1649
Mary Meyers on sun 10 oct 04
AVG is free and good I use it and firewall offered by Zone Alarm is free
Mary Meyers
pottery_lady@sbglobal.net
----- Original Message -----
From: "Anne K. Wellings"
To:
Sent: Saturday, October 09, 2004 1:13 AM
Subject: Need antivirus help so I can read Clayart safely
> I cannot renew my Norton 2001 subscription for virus updates because the
> software is now considered obsolete. I cannot upgrade to a new version of
> Norton because I use Windows 95 and it is not supported by the current
> software by the major companies. I can't afford a new computer or to
> upgrade to a newer version of Windows. I could borrow a disc for Windows
> 98 or higher from a friend but am not sure I want to get into that, or
> whether it might cause problems with my other old software that came with
> the computer.
>
> Does anyone know of a good antivirus program, and also things like
> firewalls, that are up to date and will work with Windows 95? Any
> suggestions would be appreciated. Except for this, the old computer and
> the things on it work well enough for my purposes.
>
> Anne Wellings
> Sunrise Beach Pottery
> Olympia, Washington
>
>
____________________________________________________________________________
__
> Send postings to clayart@lsv.ceramics.org
>
> You may look at the archives for the list or change your subscription
> settings from http://www.ceramics.org/clayart/
>
> Moderator of the list is Mel Jacobson who may be reached at
melpots@pclink.com.
Anne Wellings on sun 10 oct 04
Thanks to everyone for the helpful suggestions on this. Sounds like there
are still some things that will work with Windows 95 and some of them are
free, so I will check them out.
Yes, I know my computer is in "dinosaur land", as one person put it, but
like I said, I cannot afford a new one, and for the most part, it works for
me, and I can read Clayart on it, which is pretty important, right? But
even if I solve this problem, maybe I can find a way to upgrade.
Also, my email program, one of the cheapest, has improved and is now
screening messages for viruses, which it wasn't before. But I will check
into the ones mentioned. Thanks again!
Anne
Gail Phillips on sun 10 oct 04
Anne -
Yes, as was already mentioned, AVG is a free software download for antivirus protection. It is compatible with Win 95. You can get it at www.grisoft.com.
- Gail Phillips
>
> Does anyone know of a good antivirus program, and also things like
> firewalls, that are up to date and will work with Windows 95? Any
> suggestions would be appreciated. Except for this, the old computer and
> the things on it work well enough for my purposes.
>
> Anne Wellings
>
Janet Kaiser on mon 11 oct 04
I am a great believer in the down-under philosophy, "If it ain't
broke, don't fix it". But having said that, oh to have the
necessary know-how plus back-up to go the way Craig and others
suggest! I have toyed with installing Linux for years... One day
I will, but like most users I know, it is the jump into the dark
with no hand to hold which really stops me. With no Linux users
in the family or around to help when it all goes pear-shaped...
Which I can guarantee it would do to accident-prone old me! It is
yet another project for the day we have house & home sorted
out... I will then take our oldest PC and try. But not until
then! Certainly NOT with the PC we rely upon for all our needs!
Before I throw in my tuppence worth about your specific
problem... What capacity CPU do you have and how much free space?
Also RAM, because although not of great importance, it can
influence the efficiency of programmes. If you run Windows 95 the
space you have available is no doubt a lot less than many/most
are used to thinking about, let alone use! Any of the combined
browser and e-mail programmes take space to install and of course
you cannot uninstall either Internet Explorer or Outlook Express
to free some extra. Unless you upgrade to Windows 98 and find a
copy of the programme which was marketed to strip them both out
(and a lot more unnecessary code)... I forget what it was called.
Anyone? But even if you have enough capacity, check out ALL your
hardware and software before you even think of upgrading to
Windows 98. Although I have never seen programmes which worked on
Windows 95 not working in a Windows 98 environment, it does not
mean that they do not exist. Same goes for scanner, printer, etc.
You can usually download drivers from the internet, but check it
all your hardware out first.
Mozilla is almost 12 MB and Opera slightly less at little over 11
MB although both started out as pretty small packages. I do not
recall what the minimum RAM is that they recommend, so check that
out before you download too. If you have the space, then they are
both worth using... Both have free versions. Both have good
integral e-mail programmes which you can set up to suit yourself
(with a bit of time and patience). You can pay $39 to remove the
advertisement banner on Opera, but a full version is free to try
out first and will uninstall totally if you are not happy with
it. I no longer even notice the banner and the adverts seem to be
exclusively from large international companies, not odd or weird
sources.
I have spoken to many (including the Opera users forum) who rely
on their own set-up to be the best first line of defence and more
reliable protection when it comes to worms, viruses and other
Nasties. This is naturally why everyone is advising you to go
that way. It beats the anti-virus programmes which in turn rely
on you updating them either manually or "automatically". Having
said that, you still need the antivirus programmes. BTW, an MS
accredited engineer and PC doctor I know, laughs when he hears
"Norton". Swears it is only good for telling you that you are
*already infected* but does sod all to prevent infection! We use
AVG which is produced in the Czech Republic. See
http://www.grisoft.com "Bullguard" is their marketed product, but
try the freebie version, which is excellent and works with
Windows 95
Trend Micro are behind a product which will check over your PC
whilst you are online. This is also free and saves you
downloading and installing a lot of unnecessary software. As they
say in their bi-monthly newsletter, "If you would like to scan
your computer for HKTL_JPGDOWN.A (this is the latest malicious
code) or thousands of other worms, viruses, Trojans and malicious
code, visit HouseCall, Trend Micro's free, online virus scanner
at: http://housecall.trendmicro.com/ There is someone on Clayart
who swears that HouseCall finds malcode that others miss.
And do sign up for the newsletters from ALL these anti-virus
programme providers, because they will inform you of new threats,
what signs to look out for and/or symptoms of infections.
Everything you are trying to protect yourself from... An
excellent early warning system!
BOTH the above browser options will definitely work with Windows
95! We have three PCs. The oldest (and most reliable) is a 1995-6
tabletop Mesh, runs Win95 and a first generation QMS laser
printer made in 1983 or thereabouts. It is stable and all the
bits and pieces (modem, printer, scanner) work, so I have little
intention of "upgrading" to anything even if capacity would allow
(which it does not)... It has AVG installed, Calypso (e-mail
client) and Opera (browser). All are compatible and working fine
and (touch wood) not a cough or sneeze for months.
And one final thought... Do not leave your PC on-line for hours
on end. Get into the habit of "pulling the plug" when not in use
or on-line. Your PC will be far more "invisible" than any
firewall could make you and you then avoid the problems
associated with conflicts between old technology and new
programmes.
That is my personal opinion, worth just what you have paid! Good
luck!
Janet Kaiser -- Back from the forest and sitting repleat
following a plate full of chantarelles harvested in the foothills
of Snowdonia! Life is good!
*** IN REPLY TO THE FOLLOWING MAIL:
>As for browsers and e-mail programs you really should try
Mozilla. Go to
>http:\\mozilla.org and read what they have to offer. I have used
Windows
>Explorer and Netscape and had nothing but problems. With
Mozilla, all
>the problems went away. With it, Ad-aware 6, Spy-bot, and
BHODemon, I
>get absolutely no popups, trojans, etc. I do use Norton for
virus
>protection, but I have found it not so effective against
trojans, worms
>and other ad-ware, thus the use of some other programs.
*** THE MAIL FROM John Rodgers ENDS HERE ***
***********************************************************
The Chapel of Art : Capel Celfyddyd
8 Marine Crescent : Criccieth : Wales : UK
Home of The International Potters' Path
Tel: ++44 (01766) 523570 http://www.the-coa.org.uk
************* Virus Protection by AVG *****************
************************************************************
Bob Masta on sat 16 oct 04
Anne:
Sorry to be so late to weigh in on this.
I am a full-time independent software developer,
who has been using computers since before the PC days.
I use an old 200 MHz Windows 95 system for all my
on-line activities: Email, Web browsing, Usenet
newsgroups, and FTP to update my Web site. It sits
right next to my Windows XP system that is 13 times
faster, but which I only use for software testing.
I see computers as tools, and believe in using the
appropriate one for the job. Your Win95 system
is ideal for your needs; don't replace it.
One of the ways it's ideal is that it isn't very
vulnerable to some of the modern viruses and worms that
can attack a machine that is simply connected to the
internet. It lacks some of the "advanced features" that
the malware exploits. The other advantage you have is
that you are probably using a dial-up system (as am I).
That means your internet presence is mediated by an ISP
that assigns you a different "IP address" each time you
connect, which makes it harder for the bad guys to find
you and makes you pretty much useless to them even if
they do.
Now about anti-virus software: You are probably better
off without it. It is like a high-tech condom that
purports to allow willy-nilly unsafe sex with everyone
you encounter. Sooner or later it will fail, and it
doesn't offer anywhere near the protection that a little
common sense and restraint provide. I have never used
anti-virus software, never been infected, and don't
expect to. It's not dumb luck; it's common sense.
First of all, let's talk about Email: You can't be
infected if you are just reading plain-text messages.
You have to run some executable code, which can be in an
attachment with an extension like .DOC, .EXE, .VBS, or
.PIF. Or the code can be in malicious HTML if your Email
program opens your browser (and especially if your
browser has Javascript enabled).
So, don't do those things! Here is where you might need
different software, since Microsoft products tend to go
out of their way to "help" you by automatically launching
anything they encounter, with all the trimmings. (Not to
mention being specifically targeted since they are so
common.) I use a free Email program called Pegasus Mail
(PMail), which doesn't do those things unless you ask it.
PMail will allow you to safely read HTML mail without
opening a browser. (You may be able to set up your
program the same way; you'll have to root around in the
options.)
One quick note about attachments: Those with non-
executable extensions like .TXT or .JPG are inherently
safe, but you have to be *sure* of the extension. Malware
writers have noticed that in most Email programs, the
default box that shows the name of the file you are being
prompted to open is not very wide (assuming you *are*
being prompted because you disabled the auto-launch).
So they use file names like:
'BeautifulSceneryPhoto.jpg.vbs'
in the hopes that the '.vbs' (which is the true extension)
will be beyond the window. Always scroll to the end to
make sure.
There's another nice feature in PMail that many Email
programs lack: Selective downloads. With most programs
you have to download all the mail from the host before
you can see the titles and From addresses. If you get a
lot of spam, or have ditzy friends who insist on sending
huge .JPGs of their cat, or you get sent a huge "Official
Microsoft Patch" virus, you have to wait while they come
across the slow dial-up connection into your machine in
order to even see if you want them. With Selective
Download you start by downloading only the headers, which
are very tiny so they download at about one per second.
Then you inspect those and mark all the obvious rejects,
and only do the actual download on what you want to see.
This saves a lot of time, and a lot of gnashing of teeth,
compared to waiting many minutes just to discover you
have downloaded a bunch of trash.
OK, so you are now safe from anything that comes via
Email. Usenet newsgroups are pretty much immune, as is
FTP since you have to initiate it. That leaves the Web.
There are two threats: Downloading and running infected
programs, and malicious sites that attack through your
browser. I can't help you much with the first one; you
just have to stick to trusted sources if you are going to
download software. This is the only area where anti-virus
software could be helpful, since it can scan downloads
before you run them. But I'm guessing this is not going
to be a problem for you, since you are obviously not the
"gotta have it!" type that always needs the Next New
Thing to "enhance your computer experience", blah, blah.
Malicious sites are another matter. Internet Explorer is
a favorite target of malware authors, though if you have
an old version it may not be so much of a problem. But
Opera is small, fast, and free (demo version), and it
works just fine on Win95, so why take chances? I use
Opera and an old version of Netscape. I keep Javascript
disabled in Netscape for extra safety (not to mention
speed) for general use, and I keep it enabled in Opera
for visiting trusted sites that need it.
Firewalls: You probably don't need one of these with
your system. If you aren't sure, there is a good free
test you can run from your browser. Visit
and run the Shields Up! online test. If your system and
ISP setup are like mine (and I bet they are), you are
already in good shape.
That's my free advice, and worth every penny!
Bob Masta
potsATdaqartaDOTcom
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