Bill's Notes

Malware
For the second time in a year, I've had to bring my computer into the shop after malware got past all my anti-virus, anti-spyware and anti-malware programs. Just got clipped for another $100+. Sick of it.

Questions:

Will getting a Mac avoid this problem?

Am I better off keeping my existing machine and using Linux? Will Quark, MS Office work well with Linux?

Is there another solution I'm not seeing?

Any suggestions would be most welcome?

Thank you. The management.
Rob2 (mail) (www):
As an avid Linux user, I would like to recommend it, but honestly, unless you are happy to waste a lot of time cutting your teeth, it's not worth the effort. Office will probably work alright with Crossover Office, but it will cost you. I am not sure about Quark.

I'd say the mac will likely give you the best user experience with the least hassle.

But I am curious, how did you get bitten twice? It seems that if you are keeping your anti virus up to date and not going around the seedy places on the net, you should be alright even on a PC.
9.10.2009 9:10pm
Bill (mail) (www):
Thanks for the suggestions. I have done some work with Linux and Unix about 10 years ago, so I thought I maybe it was a little more user-friendly. A Mac might be a better idea.

My anti-virus is not up-to-date. That's part of the problem. As far as how I got them:

The first time, and I'm not making this up :), someone else staying at my house used my home computer while I was on a business trip and the malware was there when I returned.

The second time, I was on a political site, but nothing extremist. BTW, my work computer once got a serious virus that required expert-level repairs on frontpagemag.com, which is a political site run by David Horowitz.

I should update that anti-virus software in the meantime ...
thanks again for your suggestions.
9.10.2009 10:38pm
Paul Burgess (www):
Bill, I've been a happy user of Linux for six years now— I first installed Linux on my old IBM ThinkPad six years ago Labor Day weekend. It's certainly one solution to malware, and to various other issues as well; though I'll second the caveat that Linux does involve a significant learning curve.

On the other hand, if you have some previous experience with it, Linux is generally more user-friendly today than it was years back. More or less, depending on which distro you go with.

As for software, there's tons of software available for Linux. Though I must confess that, at this late date, I'm far enough removed from my days in Windows that I can no longer say just what corresponds, and how well, to what.
9.11.2009 9:02am
Bill (mail) (www):
Thanks, Paul. Nice to hear from you. You've made a good case for Linux. I once heard it's like buying a jet, and they tell you that you have to assemble your seat yourself. If you know how to do it, no problem. In my experience, Linux was very cool, but wasn't quite there yet as far as apps. But that was 2000; a lifetime in tech terms. Cheers.
9.11.2009 10:06am
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