Computer virus question

[ldj]

In today"s world a computer is a tool so here goes.

For my newly formatted and installed operating system restore I was putting everything back. First thing I did was to install AVG virus program. Later I downloaded a video player VLC that I had used several years and like it. AVG caught it and indicated it had a virus. I downloaded it from 3 other sites and each time AVG didn"t like it. Then I remembered I had a over 2 year old download of it on my laptop. So I scan it and it came up clean. I put it on a thumb drive and went to the desktop and scanned it, again AVG said it was clean. So I decided to install it and it installed perfect and AVG never caught anything wrong.
What is going on the new version, is it really bad? Did the download sites put something there? I would like to have the new version of the player because it has some good things but I am afraid to install it. Would you install it or leave it be?

 

[Butch(OH)]

I'm probably the last person that should be answering a computer question but I do know that videos and even JPGs, meaning the ports they use are prime avenues for unwanted intrusions. When you say "caught it" explain? I run the freeware version of AVG and it will always stop a download and prompt me to manualy allow certain programs to run and all downloads. This is differant warning than saying there was an actual attack or problem with the program as maybe you allready know?

 

[730d se]

I am no computer expert either, but I can also add a demension to the "anti virus" topic.
Several very well known and popular anti virus programs actually create issues if and when you delete them or unsubscribe to their product.
Nothing like creating your own "market" for your product. It is almost impossible to prove but I have had several very good computer techs tell me the same story, and none of them know each other.
Beware of those "free scans" too. They place cookies on your PC that takes a tech to find and erase. And, like anything that is "free" they are not really free. They "claim" to handle some of your problems, and then try to bait you in to buying their porduct so that they, out of the kindness of their own hearts, can fix the rest of them.

 

[Allan in NE]

Amen to that!

There's a reason that they are "free". :>)

Allan

 

[MrFixit]

interesting. I"ve never experience these problems with anti-virus software.

 

[MrFixit]

ldj, when downloading a file from a public domain other than the publishers own website allows viruses to creep in. VLC player is an open source software meaning there is no specific owner. Anyone can rewrite the software to suit their needs. AVG like other anti-virus programs I use scan a file for any indications of a virus. many viruses disguise themselves as harmless programs. It could be a false trigger on AVGs part. I know WhizKid used VLC player before. you can ask him where he got his.
ESRepair

 

[730d se]

I cannot name names for obvious reasons, but you know one of the very well known ones that comes on a lot of PC's with a free period.
When the free period is over, do not subscribe AND go and delete all of their files and see what happens.

 

[MrFixit]

They do have removal tools to remove their software, I've used them when restoring computers. you cant just go deleting files. The registry had changes made that need restored, files are hidden to prevent deletion or tampering.