overhard, sorry to hear about your recent issues. That's why for almost 2 years I've been telling members of various forums to include a 100% Free, no strings attached, monthly scan (at a minimum, I do mine weekly) with the ESET Online Scanner, here.
ESET Online Virus Scanner | ESET
Every time I've ran it since running Windows Defender, it's found at least 2 or more items that needed to be removed. ESET Smart Security 5 is my normal security app of choice, it just isn't "Windows 8" ready yet, but will be prior to retail availability. The OS's that I've ran it on, has never been infected, except that SuperAntiSpyware finds some tracking cookies.
Newegg often runs deals on either ESET NOD32 or Smart Security for as little as $24.99, however $29.99 for 3PC's is the norm.
Another place, as bad if not worse than CNET, is Giveaway of the Day for it's "free" offerings, their "giveaways" are often either older versions or "SE" versions of the full product, & are loaded with unwanted junk, on Windows 7/XP, ESET Smart Security 5 rejects these as soon as they come through, so does MBAM Pro.
The bad news is that it's not going to get better. The popular developer app, Visual Studio (the newest one, 11 Professional), has gone up in price by $400 to $500, some earlier versions were free. Read this article carefully, this has huge implications to us all.
No-cost desktop software development is dead on Windows 8 | Ars Technica
It means that more crapware than ever, some as you've stated there was no option for, is going to be shoved down our throats, when we get free software. The developers hands are tied in this deal. This blood is on MS's hands, not the developers. MS is going to do their best to have an Apple like operation, giving us less & less Free choices. Who knows, this may be the hidden agenda behind the $39.99 promo.
This is why I refuse to give up my Windows 7 installs, I can afford to be out of $40, if Win 8 turns out to be a money racket with an app store. My Windows 7 installs, I have a lot more money in ($180 in Windows Anytime Upgrade keys from 7 HP to Pro) & know what I have. There is no App Store tied to Windows 7, nor the formerly named "Metro" UI.
BTW, many users of Google Chrome has reported issues with Windows 8 RP. Waterfox & Aurora, Mozilla's 64 bit browsers, requires 64 bit Java & Flash, as well as 64 bit Silverlight to work. They're all below & from safe sources. However, if you're going to run Java 64 bit, you need remove the 32 bit one first, there is no benefit of having both. In fact, you won't be able to update the 32 bit version, even by removal first, as it'll tell you that you have 64 bit Java. Same with Silverlight. Remove the 32 bit versions of both before proceeding.
Download Java Runtime Environment 1.7.0.5 (64-bit) - FileHippo.com
Download Flash Player 11.3.300.257 (Non-IE) 64-bit - FileHippo.com
Downloads: Silverlight.NET
For some reason, I've been having random freezing myself, this is with WD as my AV. Firefox web pages just freezes & becomes unresponsive, so does Opera (my second choice), so does Windows Explorer (on my desktop). So far, I've been lucky with my notebook (the one listed in my specs below), but then again, it has far superior hardware than this piece of crap for a desktop made by HP. Takes 3 to 5 attempts to reinstall the OS when needed, it's not the install disk, my notebook is running fine. After the initial install & reboot, it gets to 74% complete & BSOD's on me. It must be the wireless card (Atheros AR5007EG), that's the only non-working device on the desktop. However, Win 8 CP didn't have this issue, it did work, & only took 1 attempt at install to get going.
I tried to update the driver from Win 8 CP's DVD, since it worked, but to no avail. Still getting random BSOD's & freezing, as described above. This began with RP, though most of the apps didn't work, CP's desktop was fine. I couldn't have asked for more out of this desktop. Must have been so for plenty, as it kicked off the consumer version of Win 8 betas. Trying to restore backup images for some reason, is useless on the desktop, as it goes into an endless "repair" cycle that never "fixes" anything.
If by chance, MS does force it's Windows 8 users to buy apps from their store, that we were getting for free, then I'll no other option than to stick with 7, & consider Ubuntu or Mint as an alternative. As you already see, Windows Defender isn't doing it's job (otherwise, why are you getting infected?). I have no issue with paying for security, but do have one with paying for everyday apps that's been free for years.
No, MS is NOT going to get another $50 to $100 yearly out of me for apps, I cannot afford that kind of money, as apps are always updating, those will require payment also.
It's not like I have zero experience with Ubuntu (or Mint), my use of them has been put on the back burner to learn Windows 8. I never had any intention of totally giving those up. But forget Mac, all that it is, & those who knows what I speaking of does, is a Unix/Linux variant anyway, just a far overpriced version of it.
Hope that you have better luck soon.
Cat
Bookmarks