Does sweeping kill your computer?

S

scorpionqueen

New member
I am not great with computers to begin with, so I freak when anything different pops up. This morning I was attempting to get on SA and a virus alert popped up. It gave me choices to click on, but none of them worked. My computer is also freezing sometimes up to 4 times a day and has been very sloooowwwww. I'm worried that I am slowly killing my computer. My husband does virus scans, crapcleaner etc, but I still notice it's getting worse daily. Sometimes my email even gets screwed up! All I know is my husband is gonna be one very unhappy camper if I kill our computer. I keep trying to tell him it's for the big win, he's not sharing my same enthusiasm. I have only been doing this for 2 months, at this pace my computer will be kicking the bucket in a month or so. So my question is......if you decide to sweep do you have to just accept that it will slowly kill your computer or are there ways to protect it? What kind of protection or safeguards do you use? :scratch:
 
on a bad virus that won't go away if you can do a system restore that usually will take it out depending on the type if spyware software doesn't work or virus tool removal.
 
:headbang: Lee always gives good computer advise. Sweeping doesn't kill computers. I have been doing this for at least 12 years online and have never killed a computer. My computer is just as fast today as it was when I first set it up.
 
:wave: scorpionqueen :wave:


Sweeping won't kill your comp, as pmeek noted, but NOT practicing "safe" computing can :error:


Ensure you are up to date, have at least the basics for safeguarding your computer:


amyshulk said:
The basics for safegaurding your computer:

Firewall
You can enable the one in XP, d/ld a free one, or buy one, but you MUST use one to surf & sweep safely!

Antivirus
Another must have. Either d/ld a free one (well, they do appreciate donations! 8) ) or buy one. Like the Firewall, it needs to be on when you are, and you need to ensure they are updated.


Adware, Spyware, Trojan, and Hijacker Scanners
If your anti virus program finds nothing and you are experiencing virus like symptoms or unwanted advertisements, these programs may help.
There are TONS of progs out there; free, free with a catch, free trials, and those you buy.

Go here to ensure the prog(s) you already use or are thinking of using isn't on the Rogue Spyware list:

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

Rogue Spyware is spyware that actually calls itself a spyware remover. Some are simply false positives to force you to buy them, so that it will "remove" the spyware. Actually, all it does is register that you've paid money and stops telling you the false message. :twisted:
Others actually ADD spyware to your computers. :twisted:


If you want to d/ld any of the free progs, you can go here for the links:

http://forums.g4tv.com/messageview.cfm?catid=64&threadid=192397

They have MUCH more than the basics I named, but if you use those, and run an online scan on occasion - especially if you have recently cleaned out a virus - you may see a marked decrease in your spam, and other problems.
Click to expand...



We have more tips in this thread:

Need Computer help? Links, advice, etc...
http://www.sweepsadvantage.com/smf/index.php/topic,8372.0.html
 
I don't know if it's sweeping or not, but my computer has gotten incredibly slow too. It kind of takes the fun out of sweeping to wait and wait...I've run all the scans, have a great Norton program, removed photos, and done everything else I can think of. Good thing I bought a laptop with the $1,000 I won from Kewl Cash - I think I'll have to start using it for sweeps. Tell hubby you're trying to win a laptop :laughing:
 
Thanks for the info. I'll look into the things recommended and make sure we have them. I'm glad to know I can keep sweeping. My husband will thank me when I (we) win Big!!!! :)
 
mtejen said:
I don't know if it's sweeping or not, but my computer has gotten incredibly slow too. It kind of takes the fun out of sweeping to wait and wait...I've run all the scans, have a great Norton program, removed photos, and done everything else I can think of. Good thing I bought a laptop with the $1,000 I won from Kewl Cash - I think I'll have to start using it for sweeps. Tell hubby you're trying to win a laptop :laughing:
Click to expand...

Have you defragged lately? Also, every prog you install takes up space - maybe do some spring cleaning? :laughing:
 
CCleaner, Wise Registry and Wise Disk cleaner are great for keeping your computer and registry clean which makes for faster computers!!(side note-updates are available for those that use these)

No matter what anti-spyware you choose to use it doesn't find everything that needs deleting. Running a cleaner(especially after uninstalling a program)will find the leftover bits and dispose of those as well, making for more room on your computer as well as allowing it to run faster than before.

Deleting your cookies and often will help tremendously. First thing I do after entering the majority of my sweeps is always run the cleaner and delete all cookies. For instance I am a heavy morning sweeper so I'll enter all of my saved sweeps, new sweeps, and expiring sweeps and then run the cleaner.

I use CCleaner, Wise Disk cleaner, Wise registry Cleaner(if you install one also install the other. They work better using both of them together)Super Anti-Syware, Spyware Terminator, and AVG 7.5(I use AVG for virus protection only).

Scorpion-the best thing to do is take the time to learn about the different programs by doing some research on them. You'll be able to decide what is best for your computer and what programs are compatible with each other AND your computer. I have a basic Compaq without a lot of RAM so I am cautious about what I download.
 
Okay yesterday my husband emails me from his work (he is a Network Administrator) and says the laptop has been infected by one of your sweeps- I was like what? It seems to be working just fine- when he got home he said some site I went to opened dowloaded a spam program -I didnt even have to install it- just by going there- He took care of it when he got home BUT- when I first strated in March my husband was like all negative and says well see how long it takes you to get a virus or something doing this and break the computer and I never have!!!! He broke one first by getting a new camera and when he had to download the pictures there was a USB power surge!!! That shut him up about that whole thing!!!
 
Oh wow! Does he remember what site and what the name of the program was that attempted to download?

I just ran all of my software last night and none of them found anything so I'm sure I'm good to go. I'm just curious is all...
 
I was talking to him at lunch today and asked him if he could tell which site it came from and he said that he could only tell that it came from my side of the computer. Meaning his side has administrator rights and mine does not. But he said that most people have administrator rights to thier own computers- he just took me off there as a precaution so I cant change or ruin anything major on the computer. As you can see I dont know alot about computers! But I asked him how he knew from work that the laptop was infected and he said that his virus software emails him when there has been an infection of some sort. He could go on and on and on about that stuff and I dont care just as long as the computer works!!! He said that know websites like ford sweepstakes (just an example) are probably safe (although they can get infected to) but the little guy websites I should be careful on (like I would know which one has an infection) And not to give little sites a bad name!!!! I guess you just need a GOOD virus software and then have to know what to do with it. He used to have his own business and I cant tell you how many people got viruses etc and ruined their computers BUT they were not sweepers either so it can happen to anyone!!!
 
:wave: Hey thanks for all the info and it must not hurt them or my would have already died.

I have the anti-virus,Firewall and others through AT&T and I think I am covered.

I clear my files and history everyday not my cookies 'cause some sweeps won't let you

enter without cookies.I was told I need a get off the computer pill but I don't think so. :laughing: :wave:
 
At the risk of sounding stupid :crazytongue: how do I go about getting the CCleaner and others you mention? Is there a cost for these?
 
I have a mac. laptop. I assume that my .mac takes care of security, or do I need to go see the geniuses?
 
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