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Avast! Antivirus has recently released an update that seems to prevent Updox from starting!

Based on many conversations with Guardian Angel support, they strongly recommend against using Avast. They recommend Microsoft Security Essentials. That is what I have been using, for some time now, and I have had no problems.

Dear Dr. Mel,

Here's one of a number of comparisons of anti-virus programs that found Microsoft Security Essentials well-nigh worthless for protection against viruses:

http://www.av-test.org/en/tests/home-user/windows-7/julaug-2013/

Microsoft Security Essentials is at the bottom of the list of 26 tested anti-virus programs for Windows 7 in 08-2013.

In the left-hand protection column, MSE scored an abysmal 0.5 (zero point five) on a 6.0 scale, lower than any other program tested.

In comparison, AVG 2013 Free edition scored about 4.5 on the 6.0 scale. (AVG 2013 has been updated to 2014.)

Cheers,

Carl Fogel

Carl, This link that I came across is quite interesting if you want to get a different perspective on antivrus programs.

http://www.knowbrainer.com/forums/forum/messageview.cfm?catid=4&threadid=17564&enterthread=y

Dear Doctor Mel,

Short version, Microsoft itself admits that users should get a real anti-virus program if they have Microsoft Security Essentials.

Long version, from the thread that you mention:

"Microsoft: Security essentials covers the basics only"

"Microsoft has admitted Windows users should install antivirus above and beyond its own Security Essentials, describing its protection as merely a 'baseline' that will "always be on the bottom" of antivirus software rankings."

"Microsoft launched Security Essentials in 2009, raising complaints from antivirus rivals that such software shouldn't be bundled with Windows for competition reasons."

"However, the most frequent complaint about Security Essentials is that it's not good enough: it flunked a pair of tests earlier this year - including one from Dennis Technology Labs, a testing firm affiliated with our sister magazine's publisher."

"Now, Microsoft has said it sees Security Essentials as merely the first layer of protection, advising customers to use additional, third-party antivirus - although the company stressed that wasn't because the product wasn't good enough to stand on its own."

http://www.knowbrainer.com/forums/forum/messageview.cfm?catid=4&threadid=17564&enterthread=y

Cheers,

Carl Fogel

Hi Carl,

You omit comments on the rest of that post. Others point out the problems with various anti-virus programs interfering with Dragon, as they can with AC. It appears that there is no ideal solution. One needs to avoid excessive exposure to outside sites on their work computers.