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I am a Mac girl but I purchased a personal computer because I am trying to obtain at home employment. The computer I purchased had threats of viruses and pop ups. I do not understand what is the problem. Why are brand new personal computers so prone to viruses? I've never had an issues with my Mac. I need a computer under $600.00 with the following specifications:
3.0 GHZ Processor (minimum of a Pentium 4 processor or equivalent processor running at a clock speed of 3.0 GHZ)
2 GB of RAM for Windows XP, Vista users* or Windows 7 users
12 GB of Available Hard drive space
I would appreciate any help. I would also like some information on anti virus software. The last computer I purchased was equipped with Macafee software. I returned the computer because of the issues it had within using it for only four hours. This is so frustrating.
most of those popups are spam from websites. Use firefox and install adblock plus and perhaps noscript to stop the incessant popup crap. Even then watch out when installing flash or java, make sure to uncheck all the extra stuff they want to install. If you forget, download "malwarebytes" software and clean it up.
I've never gotten a virus or trojan and have been using windows all my life. Not saying it can't happen though if a person just downloads every instant messaging program or piece of software.. but mostly it's just adware designed to cost you money, not actually steal your financial information.
I would recommend Microsoft security essentials. It's free and mostly stays out of your way.
Quote:
3.0 GHZ Processor
Clock speed is a poor performance indicator and even the budget CPUs will blow away a Pentium 4. Iif you don't need anything fancy, get a PC with one of the Haswell Celerons. They're cheap, consume little power, and are quite fast compared to the previous generations of Celeron processors.
most of those popups are spam from websites. Use firefox and install adblock plus and perhaps noscript to stop the incessant popup crap. Even then watch out when installing flash or java, make sure to uncheck all the extra stuff they want to install. If you forget, download "malwarebytes" software and clean it up.
I've never gotten a virus or trojan and have been using windows all my life. Not saying it can't happen though if a person just downloads every instant messaging program or piece of software.. but mostly it's just adware designed to cost you money, not actually steal your financial information.
Really. What brand of computer do you have? I have to install Java to use special software. I got this message in red telling me my computer may be infected. I took it to geek squad and he told me that it was not infected but on the verge of being infected. I decided to return it. I need to purchase one to get a telecommuting position.
I would recommend Microsoft security essentials. It's free and mostly stays out of your way.
Clock speed is a poor performance indicator and even the budget CPUs will blow away a Pentium 4. Iif you don't need anything fancy, get a PC with one of the Haswell Celerons. They're cheap, consume little power, and are quite fast compared to the previous generations of Celeron processors.
I am a Mac girl but I purchased a personal computer because I am trying to obtain at home employment. The computer I purchased had threats of viruses and pop ups. I do not understand what is the problem. Why are brand new personal computers so prone to viruses? I've never had an issues with my Mac. I need a computer under $600.00 with the following specifications:
3.0 GHZ Processor (minimum of a Pentium 4 processor or equivalent processor running at a clock speed of 3.0 GHZ)
2 GB of RAM for Windows XP, Vista users* or Windows 7 users
12 GB of Available Hard drive space
I would appreciate any help. I would also like some information on anti virus software. The last computer I purchased was equipped with Macafee software. I returned the computer because of the issues it had within using it for only four hours. This is so frustrating.
Unless to can find a used computer on craigslist, your spec list cost is going to be nearly double using name brand computers. I've used Norton Internet Security and Norton Utilities and never had a problem with mu computers.
As a Mac user Win7 will be much easier to get used to.
If you need to shop at BestBuy, then from what I see for desktops is :
If you uncomfortable doing the swtup, dont let geek squad touch it. Take it over the Staples to clean off the garbage software and load the stuff you need. If you also need office, look on online for the student version 2010.
I am a Mac girl but I purchased a personal computer because I am trying to obtain at home employment. The computer I purchased had threats of viruses and pop ups. I do not understand what is the problem. Why are brand new personal computers so prone to viruses? I've never had an issues with my Mac. I need a computer under $600.00 with the following specifications:
3.0 GHZ Processor (minimum of a Pentium 4 processor or equivalent processor running at a clock speed of 3.0 GHZ)
2 GB of RAM for Windows XP, Vista users* or Windows 7 users
12 GB of Available Hard drive space
I would appreciate any help. I would also like some information on anti virus software. The last computer I purchased was equipped with Macafee software. I returned the computer because of the issues it had within using it for only four hours. This is so frustrating.
All computers are prone to viruses. Doesn't matter if they are new or used.
Mac probably has fewer people creating viruses for them, since Macs aren't used as much as PCs.
When you buy a new Windows PC, before you browse the internet, make sure you have anti-virus software running, and make sure Windows Firewall is turned on and protecting your PC.
Microsoft has very good free anti-virus software for Windows 8 called "Defender". It was previously called "Microsoft Security Essentials" or "MSE".
When you browse the internet, you may see advertisements or pop-up ads which try to get you to click on links to buy programs to "fix" your PC to make it run faster, or "protect it" from threats such as viruses.
These types of advertisements play on your fears, by scaring you into thinking you have problems.
They are just advertisements meant to make other people money by selling you software you probably don't need. I would just ignore them.
Just install a good anti-virus program like Microsoft Defender, and you should be fine.
I've been using MSE for years on Windows XP, and never had issues. I now use Defender on my Windows 8.1 laptop.
All computers are prone to viruses. Doesn't matter if they are new or used.
Mac probably has fewer people creating viruses for them, since Macs aren't used as much as PCs.
When you buy a new Windows PC, before you browse the internet, is make sure you have anti-virus software running, and make sure Windows Firewall is turned on and protecting your PC.
Microsoft has very good free anti-virus software for Windows 8 called "Defender". It was previously called "Microsoft Security Essentials" or "MSE".
When you browse the internet, you may see advertisements or pop-up ads which try to get you to click on links to buy programs to "fix" your PC to make it run faster, or "protect it" from threats such as viruses.
These types of advertisements play on your fears, by scaring you into thinking you have problems.
They are just advertisements meant to make other people money by selling you software you probably don't need. I would just ignore them.
Just install a good anti-virus program like Microsoft Defender, and you should be fine.
I've been using MSE for years on Windows XP, and never had issues. I now use Defender on my Windows 8.1 laptop.
I use Mozilla Firefox as my main browser. I highly recommend it. It has many 3rd party plug-ins available for blocking ads such as Adblock-Plus.
When I purchase the computer, do I download defender from the internet or do I need a cd? Should I remove mcafee? Do you prefer a particular brand of computer? Thanks for breaking it down in layman's terms.
When I purchase the computer, do I download defender from the internet or do I need a cd? Should I remove mcafee? Do you prefer a particular brand of computer? Thanks for breaking it down in layman's terms.
You can download Defender for free from Microsoft's website, if it already isn't present on your PC. No need for a CD.
Microsoft will then automatically update (via the internet) the Defender virus definitions on your PC whenever new ones are available.
Microsoft will also automatically update Windows (via the internet) as well, whenever any new updates to the OS are available.
Yes, I would remove McAfee. Just run Defender by itself.
As far as Windows based computer brands go, Dell is very good. HP/Compaq is also good. Both have been around for many many years.
ASUS has for a long time been an excellent brand of motherboards and video cards. Now they make tablets and PCs, so I would recommend them as well.
Acer was previously a great brand for computer monitors. Now they make computers. I would also recommend them.
Sony has been around forever, so another great brand.
Lenovo is a relatively new company, and I think more of a budget brand of computers.
The thing about computers, is you get what you pay for. The more money you spend, the more you get.
If you spend less, you'll get a slower PC running a budget processor such as an Intel Celeron processor, with minimal graphics capabilities (likely built into the motherboard), and minimal RAM memory, and a small hard-drive. These types of computers are good for people who just want them to browse the internet, use word processors, and other business type uses.
If you spend more, you'll get a faster PC, with a fast processor such as an Intel I7 Quad Core processor, a high level graphic card, more RAM memory, and a large hard-drive. These types of computers are typically used by "gamers" who require fast PCs for playing the high-graphics types of games being created today. They are also used by people who require fast PCs for other types of graphic demanding applications such as CAD and photo editing.
So just decide what you plan to do with your PC, and go from there.
My personal preference is Dell.
Last edited by RD5050; 04-25-2014 at 07:49 AM..
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