Windows Live OneCare is Dead - Alternatives?

[FONT=&quot]Windows Live OneCare is in terminal mode.....Alternative applications?[/FONT]

[FONT=&quot]In the latter part of 2008, Microsoft announced that the subscribed services of WLOC are to be terminated in June 2009 in favour of new, free anti-malware software for Windows, tagged Morro. As of 6 June, my installed WLOC software [see screenshot below] will cease performing its functions on my Laptop ......So, faced with that prospect, I am left with no choice but to look for and install, other protective etc. software or tools that will provide similar, or better protection than that provided by WLOC.[/FONT]




[FONT=&quot]WLOC is a package of software that provided me with the following protective and PC efficiency measures;[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]Virus and Spyware monitoring and scanning, Firewall protection, SmartScreen filter in IE8, Performance Plus Tuneup [/FONT][FONT=&quot][Removal Temporary Internet Files, Defragging etc], Check for Security Updates from MS and for Files needing backup, and automatic incremental Backup to an External Hard Drive. [/FONT]

[FONT=&quot]
I currently have the following User-run protective and housekeeping software, programs or tools installed;[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]Malware Protection; Windows Defender [[/FONT][FONT=&quot]needs updating and reactivating, as it has been disabled because of conflict issues, since WLOC was installed two years ago].[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]Firewall Protection; Windows Firewall [[/FONT][FONT=&quot]alsoneeds updating and reactivating, as it too has been disabled because of conflict issues, since WLOC was installed two years ago].[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]Spyware scan and removal; Spybot - Search and Destroy.[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]Efficiency and tune-up; CCleaner, Defraggler and Recuva[/FONT][FONT=&quot]. From ‘Piriform’s’ stable of software.[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]Backup and Restore; Acronis True Image Home v11 2009.[/FONT]

[FONT=&quot]
I am wondering if I can improve my setup further by replacing a couple of the existing Windows installed programs with the following;[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]Malware Protection; Malwarebytes, [/FONT][FONT=&quot]in lieu of Windows Defender...........or do the additional functions of Windows Defender [eg. Add/Remove Startup programs etc.] make this a questionable move?[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]Firewall; Comodo Internet Security – Firewall only [Free version],[/FONT][FONT=&quot] in lieu of Windows Firewall. Any issues here to avoid?[/FONT]

[FONT=&quot]
The only stand-alone software I’m missing is a good anti-virus program, preferably free. Here I’m tossing up between the following;[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]Avast AntiVirus Home Edition [Free version], [/FONT][FONT=&quot]or,[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]Avira Antivirus Personal [Free Version].[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]Although, having said said that, there could be a strong case to argue for the installation of [/FONT][FONT=&quot]SUPERAntiSpyware – Pro [/FONT][FONT=&quot][full coverage for $US29.95], as a multi-function program to run in tandem with Windows Defender.[/FONT]

[FONT=&quot]I need comment, advice on pitfalls, recommendations or verification for what I intend to do, including advice about how to manage this radical change in my system’s protection software setup, and installation.[/FONT]

[FONT=&quot]A final comment. I find it ironic that MS continues to solicit for prepaid annual subscriptions for WLOC [see screenshot above] , when they have already clearly made public statements indicating that they have every intention to terminate its existence in the next few months, starting end-June 2009. There is not one CD hardcopy to be had at any Computer Software retailers, and the Microsoft website itself is selling WLOC as bargain-bin software discounted by 40%. Kinda tells you, don’t it?
And in the meantime I have to endure a yellow 'Fair' status icon in my task tray, and be reminded of the fact each time I open WLOC. Blah!
[/FONT]

Hi mate, I have not used WLOC or anything similar for that matter.
Having snooped around the forums and had advice from friends, I ended up going for Avast.
Defender is also activated and the same as you I have Spybot Search and Destroy. I am not even close to being a computer expert but I have been running Avast and Spybot for 12 months with no problems and am very happy with it.

germantechnology said:

Hi mate, I have not used WLOC or anything similar for that matter.
Having snooped around the forums and had advice from friends, I ended up going for Avast.
Defender is also activated and the same as you I have Spybot Search and Destroy. I am not even close to being a computer expert but I have been running Avast and Spybot for 12 months with no problems and am very happy with it.

Click to expand...

Thanks Mate.

I'm no computer expert either, having had this Laptop for just 2 years, and with no other previous experience whatsoever before buying it. WLOC, I subscribed to and installed at the very beginning and I'm pleased that I did because in a way, WLOC has given me a two year tutorial on systems management; Tuneup and Backups, Virus and Malware detection and removal, Defragmentation of Hard-disks etc. etc.

The most important thing that I have learned though, has been the absolute need to keep everything up-to-date.

I presume that you also make use of Windows Firewall as well? If that is the case, than all I need to decide is my choice of anti-virus program.

And because this will really be the first time that I will uninstall one lot of protective software before installing a new AV setup, I need to plan my angle of attack and set priorities in the uninstall/installation process. [For example, should I be disconnected
from the Internet Network as I carry out these changes?]. Has to be said though, I will miss WLOC - it has served me well.

Hello again sassofalco, it's a pretty simple task to uninstall WLOC. Just go to control panel>programs>uninstall. Select prgrams to uninstall and follow prompts.
Do all of this before installing your new antivirus.
There is no way to install an antivirus such as Avast without going on the net as that is where you will need to download it from.
I have had only 12 months experience at this, but somehow manage to keep learning.... as I am a set, forget and give me no hassles person, I have found Avast to have been terrific.
If go to http://www.avast.com/eng/download.htmlou you will find Avast download. It's a very simple, few minute operation.
By the way I use Windows Firewall.

Good Luck,
GT.

G'day again GT,

I've got no problems with the WLOC uninstall, but I am intending to first, download Avast from the website, and save it to my desktop.

After WLOC is uninstalled, I'll do a restart and then reactivate Windows Defender and Windows Firewall, restarting the Laptop after each event.

I'll then run and install Avast from the Desktop.

What I'm uncertain about is when to check for updates to Defender and Firewall, as since both have been disabled for the past two years, it's likely that there are a few outstanding, and of course most of the individual updates require a restart. Soon find out though.

I'm set to spend a bit of time on getting it right, and when all is done, will probably throw in a SpyBot S&D check, and an initial Avast scan, just for good measure.

Fingers crossed.

Hello Sassofalco,

You can still use the WLOC. As I found out on this site Windows Live OneCare safety scanner: Free online tool for PC health and safety there is still possible to download the free trail and get the subscription. By the way the Microsoft will support all current subscribers until their subscription expire.

Currently I'm using the MCAfee Total Security, but I plan to swich to the new and free WLOC successor when available in the second half of the year. As you mentioned, known by Morro code name.

Btw, the Avast is great and free I used it on my desktop.

Cheers...

sassofalco said:

G'day again GT,

I've got no problems with the WLOC uninstall, but I am intending to first, download Avast from the website, and save it to my desktop.

After WLOC is uninstalled, I'll do a restart and then reactivate Windows Defender and Windows Firewall, restarting the Laptop after each event.

I'll then run and install Avast from the Desktop.

What I'm uncertain about is when to check for updates to Defender and Firewall, as since both have been disabled for the past two years, it's likely that there are a few outstanding, and of course most of the individual updates require a restart. Soon find out though.

I'm set to spend a bit of time on getting it right, and when all is done, will probably throw in a SpyBot S&D check, and an initial Avast scan, just for good measure.


Fingers crossed.

Click to expand...

Hi mate, sounds like you've got it covered...FYI a friend recently had a second hand laptop given to him. There was a swag of Windows Updates for Defender and others that needed updating.
From memory there were around 70 updates.
It was simply a matter of checking for available updates in Control Panel>Security>Check For Updates...... and then downloading and installing in one hit.

No dramas.

All the best.

germantechnology said:

Hi mate, sounds like you've got it covered...FYI a friend recently had a second hand laptop given to him. There was a swag of Windows Updates for Defender and others that needed updating.
From memory there were around 70 updates.
It was simply a matter of checking for available updates in Control Panel>Security>Check For Updates...... and then downloading and installing in one hit.
No dramas.

All the best.

Click to expand...

Geez Mate....

No Dramas huh? Looks like they've rewritten the Manual, and the specification sheet for Windows Defender. No worries though, I'll just set to and do what I need to do, to keep a stable setup. And you can bet your bottom dollar that I'll be creating Restore Points, left, right and centre, each step of the way.

One thought that has crossed my mind.......with WLOC currently still installed and active, is it possible in the meantime to save all the Windows Defender updates that I've missed for the past two years, to my Desktop, and have them ready to run as soon as I've uninstalled WLOC and reactivated Windows Defender?

Or do I need to have Windows Defender active and running before checking for updates? I'm thinking here of the 'anti-virus, malware etc.' conflict issues.

Thanks for input.

sassofalco said:

germantechnology said:

Hi mate, sounds like you've got it covered...FYI a friend recently had a second hand laptop given to him. There was a swag of Windows Updates for Defender and others that needed updating.
From memory there were around 70 updates.
It was simply a matter of checking for available updates in Control Panel>Security>Check For Updates...... and then downloading and installing in one hit.
No dramas.

All the best.

Click to expand...

Geez Mate....

No Dramas huh? Looks like they've rewritten the Manual, and the specification sheet for Windows Defender. No worries though, I'll just set to and do what I need to do, to keep a stable setup. And you can bet your bottom dollar that I'll be creating Restore Points, left, right and centre, each step of the way.

One thought that has crossed my mind.......with WLOC currently still installed and active, is it possible in the meantime to save all the Windows Defender updates that I've missed for the past two years, to my Desktop, and have them ready to run as soon as I've uninstalled WLOC and reactivated Windows Defender?

Or do I need to have Windows Defender active and running before checking for updates? I'm thinking here of the 'anti-virus, malware etc.' conflict issues.

Thanks for input.

Click to expand...

Hi sassofalco, I'm really not sure if Defender Updates can be saved to Desktop.

What I would do is get Defender up and running, then download updates, then Install Anti-Virus, then admire my handywork and pop open a beer.

I need to pop out....let me know how you go.

Cheers,
GT.

There are free programs that are better than Microsoft Onecare (1-star standard certification). Personally I would shoot for a 3-star certified Advanced+ program, but 2-star is ok.
Download here:http://www.vistax64.com/system-security/162362-antivirus-scanners-internet-security-tools.html

Recommended advanced free apps:
Avira
Avast

Thanks for your input rive0108, sassafalco is user you need to contact...or hopefully he will see your post in forum.

Cheers,
GT.

I'm using AVG, but I think that finding a good security software suite that works well with your OS and that you can work with is important.

Here's a link to the Windows preferred security software providers for Vista, just for reference: http://www.microsoft.com/windows/antivirus-partners/windows-vista.aspx.

Cheers,
Ron
Windows Outreach Team

[FONT=&quot]Windows Live OneCare is Dead – Alternatives.[/FONT]

[FONT=&quot]To the various and many, thanks for all the input so far. Now it’s crunch time![/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]
OK. So now I’m all psyched up, read up, revved up, fed up, and about ready to go ahead to uninstall Windows Live OneCare, and install avast! 4 Home Edition in it’s place, as my antivirus program.[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]
Before I do so though, I just need confirmation that my planned sequence of uninstall, install, reactivate and update is correct, and that it will provide me with the minimum of exposure to an unprotected system, as I carry out this process.[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]
This then, is how I plan to carry out this changeover;[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]
1.[/FONT][FONT=&quot]Create a new Restore point.[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]2.[/FONT][FONT=&quot]Download and save avast! 4 Home Edition from; FREE antivirus software with spyware protection: avast! Home Edition, to my Desktop.[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]3.[/FONT][FONT=&quot]Uninstall Windows Live OneCare from my system.[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]4.[/FONT][FONT=&quot]Restart the Laptop.[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]5.[/FONT][FONT=&quot]Reactivate Windows Defender – [already installed but deactivated because of WLOC].[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]6.[/FONT][FONT=&quot]Reactivate Windows Firewall – [already installed but deactivated because of WLOC].[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]7.[/FONT][FONT=&quot]Run and Install avast! 4 Home Edition.[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]8.[/FONT][FONT=&quot]Restart the Laptop.[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]
I am well aware that there will be quite a few Updates to be made for Windows Defender, and maybe also Windows Firewall, but what I’m uncertain about, is at which stage do I do all the updating! Or will this be done automatically with reactivation of these two programs?[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]
Additionally, do I at any time as a safety precaution, need to disconnect completely from the Internet?? If yes, then recommended method [eg….. disconnect ethernet and other points.][/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]
Does the above plan outline appear to be in the correct order? If I should need to change the order, please advise by sequence numbers, for example – change sequence to; 1.3.4.2.7.8.6.4.5.4….etc.[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]
Are there any other pitfalls not mentioned here that I should be aware of or recognise?[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]
Right! I’m rearing to go![/FONT]

sassofalco said:

[FONT=&quot]Windows Live OneCare is Dead – Alternatives.[/FONT]

[FONT=&quot]2.[/FONT][FONT=&quot]Download and save avast! 4 Home Edition from; FREE antivirus software with spyware protection: avast! Home Edition, to my Desktop.[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]3.[/FONT][FONT=&quot]Uninstall Windows Live OneCare from my system.[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]4.[/FONT][FONT=&quot]Restart the Laptop.[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]5.[/FONT][FONT=&quot]Reactivate Windows Defender – [already installed but deactivated because of WLOC].[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]6.[/FONT][FONT=&quot]Reactivate Windows Firewall – [already installed but deactivated because of WLOC].[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]7.[/FONT][FONT=&quot]Run and Install avast! 4 Home Edition.[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]8.[/FONT][FONT=&quot]Restart the Laptop.[/FONT]

Click to expand...

Hi sassafalco, I gather from most people it is best to have no other ainti virus program on your computer when installing another antivirus, as they can react to each other.

Personally I would...Create a Restore Point, activate Defender, Firewall and download updates. Do a restart, perhaps twice.

My theory is, have all available updates installed before moving forward to install/uninstall anti virus program. This way you have a clean slate to work with.

Then uninstall WLOC.
Then Install Avast.

Hope this helps,
GT.

germantechnology said:

Hi sassafalco, I gather from most people it is best to have no other ainti virus program on your computer when installing another antivirus, as they can react to each other.

Personally I would...Create a Restore Point, activate Defender, Firewall and download updates. Do a restart, perhaps twice.

My theory is, have all available updates installed before moving forward to install/uninstall anti virus program. This way you have a clean slate to work with.

Then uninstall WLOC.
Then Install Avast.

Hope this helps,
GT.

Click to expand...

Mate,

That's just the very part that I'm really uncertain about. If I recall correctly, at the time of installing WLOC from a CD, I needed to first of all, disable both Windows Defender and Firewall, because of the conflict issue.

I'll wait-out to see if any others come to the party to suggest otherwise.

[FONT=&quot]Windows Live OneCare is Dead!.....Long live avast! antivirus 4 Home Edition.[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]So I got impatient just waiting, and took the bull by the horns.[/FONT]

[FONT=&quot]I’m pleased to say that everything went like clockwork, and the small ‘a’ ball icon is now busily spinning like crazy in my Notification tray…..and what a nice colour blue it is too![/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]Here is what I did that led to a very successful installation and initial scan by avast! 4 Home Edition.[/FONT]

[FONT=&quot]First of all, I had a few good looks at this excellent video which has some great tips; YouTube - How-To Install and run Avast Anti Virus[/FONT]

[FONT=&quot]With confidence on the improve, I followed these steps;[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]1.[/FONT][FONT=&quot]Created a new Restore point.[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]2.[/FONT][FONT=&quot]Turned on Windows Defender, and checked for the latest Definitions and Updates. These were all downloaded and installed automatically.[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]3.[/FONT][FONT=&quot]Restarted Laptop.[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]4.[/FONT][FONT=&quot]Turned on Windows Firewall. No requirements for new Definitions or Updates.[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]5.[/FONT][FONT=&quot]Restarted Laptop.[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]6.[/FONT][FONT=&quot]Under Control Panel>Programs and Features, uninstalled Windows Live OneCare.[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]7.[/FONT][FONT=&quot]Restarted Laptop twice.[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]8.[/FONT][FONT=&quot]In Internet Explorer 8, downloaded avast! antivirus 4 Home Edition from here; FREE antivirus software with spyware protection: avast! Home Edition [/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]9.[/FONT][FONT=&quot]Restarted Laptop.[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]10.[/FONT][FONT=&quot] At the the restart after installing avast! It did an automatic boot scan, and when finished, my usual Desktop appeared.[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]11.[/FONT][FONT=&quot]Just to be really sure, I did another restart.[/FONT]

[FONT=&quot]The video mentioned above is a great help as it outlines all steps in the avast! installation, and gives a guide on Registration of the software, and how the Licence key is activated. Without these, avast! will not get automatic updates.[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]Finally, after having a little ‘play’ with it, avast! would seem to be very simple to follow and very User friendly. Time will tell.[/FONT]

Your a natural.

Nice work sasso.

GT.

Sassofalco, that was a really good informative post.

Glad you got it all happenin,
GT.

NOD32, norton AKA symantec has too large of a footprint for my liking. I like my PC to use my system resources not struggle because my AV software (norton) is hogging them all. Avast is great for a free program I use it on 3 PCs currently and I recommend it to those that do not want to purchase AV software.

Perfect example I just bought a brand new laptop around 1 week ago with Vista64bit came preloaded with NortonAV360. I went out found the brute force removal tool and removed it completely from the computer and installed Avast.

Remember though an AV program can do a lot, paying attention to what you are doing, browsing and downloading can be as much of an asset to keeping your PC virus free as that AV software.

Element said:

Remember though an AV program can do a lot, paying attention to what you are doing, browsing and downloading can be as much of an asset to keeping your PC virus free as that AV software.

Click to expand...

Agree. But also add vigilance with checking and installing updates as they are posted. Therein lies the reason I believe, that I had very few minor issues with Windows Live OneCare when I had it installed, and I was really disappointed when Microsoft announced that this suite of software was being withdrawn. In essence, WLOC taught me a lot about security, protection, tune-up, backup systems and functions, in the two years that I have had it.

However, I'm happy to have negotiated the process of getting avast! installed instead of WLOC antivirus, especially since I won't need to fork out $99.95 each year, just for the priviledge of WLOC protection etc. Not sure how this will effect the monthly update and running of Windows Malicious Software Removal Tool though, but I'll face that next 2nd Tuesday of June.