Lots of computer questions.

[Shari]

Okay so I have a lot of questions and I figured you guys would be the best to get information from.

I'm closing my AOL account (I know, yay!) But I don't really want to change over my email to another provider. Does anyone know if so long as you have AIM, you're allowed to access the email to that SN?

If you can't...what would be some email providers you guys would recommend going to?

Furthermore, are there any FREE, GOOD Spyware remover programs, and anti-virus programs anyone can recommend? Or do I need to bite the bullet and purchase something?

Any info is great, thanks!

[Warriorbird]

Gmail.

[Wezas]

You will lose your e-mail access to your AOL account.

And I beleive since your AIM screen name is your AOL screen name, you can't just use the @aim.com mail service.

That's the whole reason I had to change my screen names/e-mail to legendwezas instead of lordwezas. I closed my AOL account.

[Skirmisher]

Okay so I have a lot of questions and I figured you guys would be the best to get information from.

I'm closing my AOL account (I know, yay!) But I don't really want to change over my email to another provider. Does anyone know if so long as you have AIM, you're allowed to access the email to that SN?

If you can't...what would be some email providers you guys would recommend going to?

AOL has I believe changed their policy on retaining your email address after cancelling your aol account. They also have made email accounts available to all who use aim I believe. I would call AOL tech support if possible and ask them just to be sure.

A quick websearch brought up several responses:
http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,14439467
http://answers.yahoo.com/question/?qid=1006031305054



Gmail seems to be excellent as a free alternative where your complete email archives are available to you everywhere you have computer access.

[Skirmisher]

Ooof, are you sure Wezas?

Hrm, well that would stink if you are right.

[Bobmuhthol]

Gmail.

And Spybot/AdAware.

[Czeska]

Gmail, yep.
Invitations still needed? It's been awhile.

[Leetahkin]

Panda Software also has a program (Panda ActiveScan) to search for malware on your system. I went the easy route and paid for 6 months of their cleaning-up service. The free scan tells you the location of the problem files on your system, if you choose to delete them yourself.

http://www.pandasoftware.com/home/particulares/default

It's on the left hand side, towards the bottom. Only thing is I have a hard time navigating around their website.

[Apotheosis]

AVG defender. The IT company that I contract with uses it. It's sexy.

http://www.grisoft.com/doc/1

[Wezas]

Skirm, I'm not positive. I closed my AOL account years ago and if they've changed policy recently then it's entirely possible that she may be alright. I agree with calling Tech Support. Or you can do what my mom does and pay $5/month (I think they still have that plan) if you bring your own connection.

[Augie]

I know that you can access your AOL account through the web because I cancelled our old one about 6 months ago but can still get to the mail/web pages/etc.

As far as Gmail goes - it still is by invite or you can enroll yourself via your cell phone. If anyone wants a gmail invite, let me know. It's pretty much unlimited invites now.

And I'll throw my vote in for Spybot, Adaware, and AVG. They rock

[DeV]

Congrats on ridding yourself of the nightmare that is AOL. I'm in the process of convincing my folks to get rid of it.

I swear by Ad-Aware by Lavasoft. It's the only spyware program I use and I've never had a complaint. It gets the job done.

[Numbers]

It's best to use an array of spyware programs. Ad-Aware and Spybot are decent. You may also want to throw in SpywareBlaster, SpywareDoctor, and Microsoft AntiSpyware. Blaster is an app that'll block spyware before it even gets on your computer, AntiSpyware has realtime protection, and SpywareDoctor routinely picks up stuff that Ad-Aware and Spybot misses.

[Sean of the Thread]

I use both Ad-Aware SE (personal) with custom search AND Spybot S&D ftw.

Both free and when used together both kick ass.

[Skirmisher]

Augie, so for sure you have been able to use your aol email accounts since closing your aol acct?

I'm also considering ridding myself of the last vestige of aoldom but would also like to keep my ail email.

On the spyware front I use Adaware(free version) and Webroot Spysweeper(not free but only about 20.00 at costco). Both seem to work well together each catching things the other missed.

[DeV]

Inconsequential stuff....Remove AOL. Install WOW. That is all.

[Shari]

Okay, so these programs everyone is suggesting...if I just google search it, will I find them?

[Sean of the Thread]

Sorta how the world works. (google)

http://www.safer-networking.org/en/download/ spybot


http://www.lavasoft.de/software/adaware/
http://www.download.com/3405-8022-5153545.html?part=dl-ad-aware&subj=dl&tag=top5 ad-aware

[Numbers]

http://www.lavasoft.com/

http://spybot.com/en/index.html

http://javacoolsoftware.com/

http://www.microsoft.com/athome/security/spyware/software/about/overview.mspx

http://www.pctools.com/spyware-doctor/

[Bobmuhthol]

http://68.112.253.181/Files/aawsepro.exe

AdAware SE Professional install file.

[Gan]

Man, I dropped AOHELL back when the only residential connection available was a 56Kbps modem. And yet people (knowledgeable) are still using it just frightens the soul. :spaz:

Skeeery stuff that AOL.

[Augie]

Augie, so for sure you have been able to use your aol email accounts since closing your aol acct?

I'm also considering ridding myself of the last vestige of aoldom but would also like to keep my ail email.

Yup - I can still access my email accounts. Also when you call them to cancel your account, make sure that you are 100% adamant about cancelling the service with them.

They give you a huge bullshit shpeel that they run you around in circles trying to keep you in one way or another but I just told them NO WAY I don't want your crap quit tryin to sell me shit I don't want you anymore.

They got the hint after the THIRD time I had to call. You can call them and double check for sure in regards to keeping your email but I know I can still access mine, although I choose not to. I wanted to be 100% rid of them.