Community poll forum: Do antivirus software developers create viruses?

was told by a i*m retired executive( SOFTWARE) , n*rT*n was created only after it created the firsit v.

IM ONLY SLIGHTLY OLDER THAN DIRT, AND BEFORE NAV, THERE
WAS NOI MENTION OF VIRUS ONLINE
GWW HICH CAME FIRST THE CHICKEN OR THE EGG

was told by a i*m retired executive( SOFTWARE) , n*rT*n was created only after it created the first v.

IM ONLY SLIGHTLY OLDER THAN DIRT, AND BEFORE NAV, THERE
WAS NOI MENTION OF VIRUS ONLINE
WHICH CAME FIRST THE CHICKEN OR THE EGG

Yesterday my mother's computer caught this Bloodhound.w32.ep virus

I have downloaded a tone of spyware programs to track this thing down but none of them have. I have cleaned out as much as I possibly can without buying everything available but nothing seems to be getting to it. Also, in the process, her internet explorer link went dead.

Can anyone tell me how to fix either of these problems or both preferably or recommend a reasonably priced program that will work effectively and fast.

she has Windows XP Home Edition Version 2002.

PLEASE HELP!!!

Hannah
Hankbarrett@hotmail.com

Some of my friends was at a party some years ago .
At the party there was a guy who was workin at a anti-virus compagny - I do not remember wich .
The guy told that he was workin with virus, and when startet to pump him for informations , he told that the compagnies makes virus , to win prestige - and to be the first to crack the virus again.
- that's why I usea free ( avast) antivirus program, and thats why I votet for "Definitely".

"anther mensa candidate
did youz belivev averting youz is told?

Obviously so let me tell you that you should to learn to spell. "

Please take your own advice.

I am following the thread as much as he was when ''He wrote that as a swipe at the guy he replied to''. I just don't like to see one person make fun of another person when that person is guilty of the same thing. People who live in glass houses should not throw stones.

You are entitled to your opinion; we can agree to disagree. I do not intend to get into an ongoing argument with you.

Dear Insidious sidey,

Are you related to ''King Guru''? Any chance your middle name is ''Flamer'', or maybe ''King Flamer''? I know this will probably provoke another ''foaming at the mouth'' post, but oh well you deserve it.

The only thing she was pointing out is that ''King Flamer a er King Guru'', has spent more time voraciously hunting down posts of people he can cut and chop on than posting intelligent, responsible posts with any coherence. His attack mode is always turned on, much like yours!

Now I don't want to say anything bad about ''Symantec'', least I offend someone who used to work for them, and is a tiny bit sensitive to this whole subject. I will say that there are a few good companies in this business, but like the acting and music business, there are whole lot more pretenders than legitimate ones.

Greed it seems, rules this World of ours, and this is evidenced by the list of more than suspect ''Anti-Virus'' and ''Anti-Spyware'' programs:

http://www.spywarewarrior.com/rogue_anti-spyware.htm

***The link for ''Bogus and Supect'' Anti-Virus Programs'' was deleted from my ''Bookmarks (Favorites)''!*** Oh well!;)

***I will add that among the small list of respectable anti-virus companies listed were as follows:
Grissoft AVG Anti-virus, Anti-Vir, eTrust-EZ Antivirus, Bitdefender, Kaspersky Anti-virus, McAfee Virus Scan, Norton Anti-Virus, TrendMicro Anti-virus, Panda Anti-virus, ShieldPro Anti-Virus.***

Most all of the companies listed were hit (in reviews) for Questionable Marketing Practices, except for eTrust EZ Anti-Virus, which actually under markets itself. Is a newer company and at one time gave it's full year updates free, if you found it through Microsoft's site. I don't believe any of these excellent referral deals is available any longer from any other companies or from Microsoft. But eTrust still does not use any high presure sales, bogus reviews n referral ploy, cut down free version (as in "Your Not Fully Protected, You Need to Buy Me") incentive, download n shock-scan sales ploys (You're infected Buy Me now).

Note: Anti-Vir was purchased by (you guessed it) Symantec. I guess Norton's was missing something. But before they get corrupted by their new owner you can download ''Anti-Vir Personal Classic'' beta: ***Beta***
http://www.free-av.com/antivirclassic/av7beta.html

***Many of the above listed programs run far too many processes, that tend to slow your system down in their own interest. A few of these run as many as 8 processes (a few of those are hidden). Such as fraud control DRM type programs etc.(that seem to be a favorite these days). Of course we all know we're the criminals in their eyes and if you aren't paying for their service, you should be locked up and get your hand spanked very hard.

Well if the ''Angry Twins'' read this far maybe they've discovered some useful information and won't be so quick to cut n chop for the slightest perceived wrong, mispelled or shorthand mistake contained post. Oh yea ''Remember'' only pure form english should be spoken here. How dare YOU make a mistake! King Guru or evil twin ''sidey'' won't allow it!

But my bet is we'll see a scathing rebuke after this one, indicating they didn't have a clue what this post was all about and will continue to rant n rave about how messed up everyone else is except them.

There are far too many virus's not in the wild. If you read the virus definitions on any of the big name virus software sites, you will see that there are quite a few virus's that are listed as "not in the wild" meaning that someone manufactured this virus and then created a virus definition for it.
Ed
web/gadget guru

I would have to think that the anti-virus software
engineers do not create viruses, but one never knows.
All you can do is hope and pray that the anti-virus
companies screen out those who want only to make a
name for themself.

If you stop and think how some virus writers are ultimately found and punished, I would think an anti-virus company would be risking so much if it were to get involved in writing the software so they can show how good they are at catching it. I'm not sure in this world of extreme greed that any company mission would put itself at that much risk, think of its stocks crashing, its reputation going to hell...well then again look at all these puke CEOs ripping everyone off for money they can NEVER spend.

Ooh plz... not everything is a scam...
Zonealarm, spybot, ad-aware are free and they do their job (rather well i might add).

and even Norton has its hit and misses.

I use Spybot, HiJackthis, and A-squared, all the free versions, with no conflict and no hassles. Also run NAV for viruses and Panicware. I think of it as checks and balances, and if one misses something, the other will find it. Each of them covers a slightly different area, like overlapping circles.
Some spyware will conflict with other spyware, so it's best to pick and choose carefully, but the best way to find quality stuff is to read, not the manufacturer's claims, but user comments. They have no axe to grind, and no need to promote a bad product.

Not everything thats free is a scam. Sadly many good apps that start out being free end up costing money to buy, but thats business I suppose.
But I do agree with your point about Norton. In terms of an AV it does its job. Just wish it wasnt so damn greedy with the resources and thats why I moved to AVG.

Business is business, and the anti-virus industry is BIG business. I've had my suspicions for a while, since my computer kept getting viruses even after I scaned it nine different ways. I concluded that the same people that "protect us", are the same people who "infect us". Money talks and Bull$#!+ walks.