Any advice on the best anti-virus for home office??
Posted By: Infected MT on 2009-05-27
In Reply to:
I've got Norton 360 installed on my PC and kept getting a popup all day yesterday that said my PC was infected and that I should click "here" to download Personal Antivirus. Yeah right! I ran a Norton scan and it said my PC was clean, but this popup box came up over and over to the point, I had to call Dell because I couldn't download software from their site.
Anyway, I finally downloaded Malwarebytes (free version) and it found and removed 12 Trojans!!!
I'm definitely going to keep the Malwarebytes, but need a really good anti-virus. I've done my research, but have read good and bad about all of them. AVG 8.0 didn't have the good reviews that the 7.5 had, but I found out last night that AVG 8.5 is now out. Anyone use it?
Norton sucks! As soon as I find a decent AV program, it's gonesky!
Thanks!
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AVG anti-virus...
and also Microsoft's own Anti-Spyware are good. www.microsoft.com (downloads) and Google in AVG and go to their site...
anti-virus programs
AVG free was recommended to me by 3 friends of mine who work in the IT field and by the IT dept at both of companies I work for.
I run it, AdAware and Pest Patrol on a weekly basis.
AVG anti-virus is great and free!
www.grisoft.com
What is the best anti-virus program for Vista?
As you know if you have Vista, it has a pretty good security system built right in, the Windows firewall and Defender antispyware. Is it necessary to go with a antivirus program with this system? Have never had good luck with them. Years back my computer crashed and it slowed it way down and actually brought more bad on board than did any good. What is a good one that is cheap or free and uses very little system reserves? I know this is kind of a technical question but any feedback would be appreciated.
wrong. the virus protection and anti-spyware
are only as good as the updates and are NOT 100% all the time. NO program is 100%. Hackers are finding new ways to compromise computers every single day and no program can protect from all of them. The longer you are up and running, the more chance of being invaded. don't fool yourself into thinking antivirus and antispyware are fool proof, because they are not. You have to think smart and protect yourself too, by shutting down when not in use and allowing new updates to take effect. duh.
Great free anti-virus and antispyware programs...
Oh, also... you do need to make sure that you have a great antivirus and anti-spyware program running at all times on your computer. I personally use AVG free version antivirus and SpyBot Search and Destroy for spyware. Check with the repairman you just used for a reliable site to download these (or what he recommends you use) and instructions on how to run them. They have saved my behind numerous times since my crash. (Didn't have them before.)
Wrong. That is why you have virus protectection and anti-spyware. To protect 100% of the time.
:P
Office politics. That is why I enjoy working at home. In the office,
people are in other people business. Just mind your own business.
She came around as an anti-Britney, anti-Christina bad girl a few years back
http://images.google.com/images?q=avil+lavigne&hl=en&lr=&sa=N&tab=ii&oi=imagest
and I like her music. At least it's really her music rather than some oversynthesized Britney crap. Christina can sing but she's too slutty. Avril is a nice in-between IMO. Hillary Duff is another person of that genre who actually has talent but doesn't act like a scumbag.
My virus protection keeps catching emails with the blackmail.F virus. That
has been going around for a few days and different variants of that are popping up. Don't know if it is related as I have not had time to research it. Watch out for that one too.
at home vs office - i am in office
well, I really was referring to the MONSTER MANAGER that I have, who has her favorites here, and she assigns them the easy doctors who say the same thing over and over, you know. I have to do something. I am losing my SELF at this point, with no church and no family. The stuff on here about running out of work, my lack of computer savvy, all has me just frozen. MOre about in-office. Do you have little habits like talking out loud to the dr? Someone will complain about you. Do you ever say a cussword? Someone will complain. Do you ever sigh? Complaints. About age - I was offered 2 trans. positoins in San Diego before I came here. I had gone to a seminar about how to look for work over age 55, had revamped my resume and my "presenting" self, and it made all the difference. Things are way different than they were evern 10 years ago, you will be judged by someone younger than you, but in this line of work they do appreciate experience and reliability. And the computer doesn't care if you're pretty. It's not your age unless you are sickly. Don't give up!! if that's what you want.
If you had your very own office at home,
How would you decorate it? Anything specific you'd get? Wall color? Flooring? Curtains? Light fixture? Any feng shui motivational tips on color or spacing? It's your fantasy here, so let it out.
Where is your home office?
Mine is in my dining room. I have my computer on a desk in the corner of my formal dining room. I am thinking of moving it to a bedroom for less traffic and noise. I am curious - where is your home office and is it working for you?
Your home office
Do you have a room in your house that is solely dedicated to your work space, or do you work in another room that actually has another purpose as well (such as a bedroom)? If you have a multi-use room, do you feel that you have enough space to do your work efficiently?
You want Office XP pro or home at least
I just bought a new Dell and they didnt give me Word and told me something similar about works. I blew a gasket and then offered to return the computer since they didnt see fit to include the program as promised and they very quickly changed their tune and sent me Office XP Pro for no charge.
so stick to your guns and have them give you a copy when you buy your computer.
home office ?
I plan to use TurboTax Small Business this year since many of you seem to be satisfied with it. I will take a home office since I work exclusively at home as an IC. Have any of you had any problems with the IRS and taking a home office ? I have not taken one in the past because they said I could not even receive personal e-mail or surf the web if I did so in my office. I use the same e-mail for work and personal so I don't have to toggle between two different e-mail accounts. Besides, I only have one computer so would have to receive personal business on that computer even if separate accounts. I hope they change some of these ridiculous rules since I have no other place to work and have to use my own electricity, internet, etc that is unreimbursed by the company I work for. I use high-speed internet (required) also for work. Is this just lumped in with utilities? Last year I was an employee, so that is why I have so many questions (IC). Thanks in advance !
home office
My tax woman told me years ago that if I did not have a dedicated room, I could figure the amount of space -- say your computer and the usual thousand or so reference books, paper, storage, printer, file cabinets, plus the phone bill, or anything else like cleaning bills for a person or supplies -- as a percentage of the square footage of home. Deduction is the percentage. IMPORTANT: Good friend is a tax attorney, and he tells me it drives HIM nuts because the IRS changes the rules every year. So, be sure to get the most up-to-date regulations from the IRS, themselves. After all, where do the CPAs get their info? Rosie
I have my own decorated home office
And I LOVE it. Husband just painted it a sunny yellow not too long ago for me and I totally redecorated with a corner desk with hutch that I bought that is situated where I have a great view out my window to our front yard and road. My office is all done in a tropical theme, with a cute tropical valance and bamboo shade on my window. I have a wicker chair and trunk, tropical hanging greenery basket hanging from my ceiling, decorative shell ceiling hanger, a big palm tree sitting in a corner, 3 piece palm/mirror wall hanging, a live bamboo plant on the top shelf of my desk, palm tree designed vase and two big candle-holders. I also have a cute table top palm tree lamp.
I absolutely love my office and everyone that enters does as well. :D I spend SO much time in here I wanted it bright, cheery and something I would enjoy - and that I do. :D I feel very lucky.
I have a patriotic home office and
many houseplants.
Reasons for home office
I too have home office for tax purposes. Also, with friends and family knowing I work in an office at home, they seem to take my job more seriously. I am not just sitting at the dining room table "playing" at the computer.
Can you take home office deduction if you are sm
an employee and how would one guestimate if they would qualify? Looking into this option this year.
Home office deduction
No, but unreimbursed work-related expenses may be deduced on Schedule A.
nix the home office deduction
If you plan on selling your house later on. The deductions you claimed in previous years will be lost when you try to sell. So, if you were planning on selling for $150,000, but you claimed $500 a year in home-office deductions, per year, over ten years, that's $5000 you'll lose out at the end.
home office tax question
Doing taxes. To measure the square feet of my my home office, which is 10 x 12, do I just multiply, which would give me 120 square feet? Thank you!
My IC home office deductions came to only sm
$1100 because I own my house outright and, like you, have no real expenses because I work at home off the Internet. My health insurance premiums are low because it's lousy insurance.
People with high mortgages will have a higher deduction based on that. They may travel each day to get their work, etc. Every person's situation is different.
I think you did okay!
BTW, if anyone uses H&R Block, I strongly urge you to get the Peace of Mind benefit for $27. Mine came in handy for 2004 when the preparer made a big, big mistake caught by the IRS (I'm going to end up getting a refund of what the preparer said I owed in 2004!!!) This may be my last year with the blockheads, though. I should say I've gotten excellent service in the last 25 years, except for that one preparer last year and Block messing up on its own tax preparation.
home office and interruptions
I work out of my home doing medical transcription and have for quite some time. I love it except for the interruptions! I can't seem to get into the "zone" because of it and my production is down. Here is an example of what I find hard to deal with: Phone calls, contractors working on the house (one-time thing but still..), husband running the microwave (can't hear my voice files), husband in an out of the house on his days off, husband mowing the lawn right outside my office window. You get the picture. I have thought of moving my office to an upstairs bedroom but I really don't know if I would be gaining that much for all the trouble. A sound proof room would be nice!
I'm very discouraged right now. I would like to earn more money but it seems like an uphill battle! I have a hard time concentrating as it is (probably menopausal) and after so many interruptions in a day I feel like throwing in the towel!
How can I set up boundaries and keep them in place?  Any suggestions would be welcomed!
home office location-sm
I will take another look at another location for my office but I do like it where it is because it is handy for me (when there is no visitors), convenient to the kitchen, bathroom (I only have1), and I can start the evening meal and still work, etc. Why can't anything be easy?
Work in office and home
The office provided me with software in order to hook up to the office over my DSL line. Just connect to the company's software and the computer works as if I was in the office exactly the same way. And anyone in the office can see what I have typed instantly! I love it! I would much prefer working at home than at the office however!!
Home Office Deduction
I rent my apartment. I have a home office, which is a room used soley for the purpose of an office, which is the restriction, cannot be part of living room, etc. I deduct portion of rent, all supplies, telephone, cell phone, electric, gas, and oil heat. I don't think your name has to be on the lease, just that you live there and use that room solely as an office. Also, if you travel to and from your job you can deduct mileage, oh and internet connection, which I use mainly for work. Hope that helps you.
Home Office vs In-House
What about transcription done in-house in an office or dept. where there is high traffic from MDs to janitors?
My dog watches me type and horror of all horrors, I usually have the dictation on speaker phone.
home office lighting
 Any advice about the new full spectrum lighting that supposedly resembles daylight? I rent my house, so can't install ceiling fixtures; can only use floor lamps and desk lamps. I also have pretty severe seasonal affective disorder and need as much light as I can get here in the gray midwest. The regular (incandescent) lights I've been using put off way too much heat in the summer and really don't provide good light in the winter. The compact flourescent bulbs don't seem to be bright enough. I'm thinking of trying the BlueMax full spectrum line. Any experience from you guys out there?
home office lighting
Thanks! I checked out the website and have emailed them for info. 
Working from home and not going to the office
I work for a local hospital and I have worked from home for 20 years now.
I would never never go back to an office setting unless there no other at-home jobs were out there.
I have a separate office and can watch my house from thieves, throw a load of laundry in, put supper on early, etc. I do take my two 15 minute breaks and 30 minutes for lunch just like I am in the office. If I need to run a short errand I save my breaks and lunch and combine the two and have an hour to get back.
I have three grown children but I still get phone calls all day and have a separate phone line for them if they need me and screen other calls on regular phone line.
You just have to learn to kind of pace yourself. I do sometimes type in my PJs but not too often because my husband runs his business from our home and Fedex and UPS come here all of the time.
Just set a space aside if you can from the other part of the house. I try to stick to a rule for everyone "if they see my door closed to my office, then they try not to bother me unless it is absolute necessary."
You will love it if you ever try it.I really do not miss the office and its politics.
Sometimes being at home we home MTs do not get the necessary information like we should have. Also I can count part of one phone line and my office space and books and whatever it takes to do my job on income tax. Hope this helps. I do not think that you would regret it.
Home Office Deduction
I have 2 jobs, one as an employee and one as an IC. I was living in a house with a separate room for an office. I have now moved to an apartment. Will I still be able to deduct some portion of my rent and utilities if I don't have a separate office? I would still be able to deduct office supplies and a percentage of internet and cell phone charges, correct? Thanks in advance for your advice.
Need some advice on home decorating
We're moving into a rental that has blue carpeting. Yeah, I know...blue. ughh. But, it's a brand-new carpet, very nice, and thick pad. Our furniture is a sand colored, microfiber, with light maple colored coffee and end tables. Our lamps are like a dark copper color. I want to paint the walls so they aren't just plain white, but what color would go good with the furniture and blue carpeting?
At-home transcription advice
Hi! I'm a fulltime, working Transcriptionist with a Certificate in Medical Transcription from a local, accredited schoool and nearly 4 years of Clinic experience. I want to keep my fulltime clinic job but I would also like to start up my own at-home transcription part-time for extra income. I was hoping somebody could give me a little advice about start-up equipment and supplies/cost if any. I'm not looking for my own accounts, just working for/contracting with a company on here PT for right now.
Thank you for the work at home advice
I changed my phone number! I also signed up for a www.grandcentral.com #. I can give it out and change to voicemail when I am working.
Honestly we have had the best few days! :) We have had more time to homeschool and go out to play. I am getting my shifts in with less prep time.
 
Thank you for the encouragement and advice.
Another problem with home office deduction
It has to be exclusive use, so you can't take it if you use the area for other activities than strictly work. Also, I did the depreciation thing with my home and it can come back to bite you if you sell the house and make a profit.
In-office work is different than working at home. That's just the way it is. If it seems too
rigid to you, maybe you should stick to working for the nationals.
Working at home is harder than in office
Because we are our own housekeeping, tech support, errand runner, no cafeteria, ect. I have no idea why they are passing around this WAHM myth. I don't understand the savings idea either because our utility bills are higher. In an office you get paid 15 min breaks 2x a shift too. You are also paid for all the stuff you deal with that you have to deal with to work. Like talking to supervisor, sending an email, reporting a problem, ect.
Slums of Calcutta home office :)
aren't ya just tempted to send em a pic of one of the starving children in Africa for your photo and the slums of Calcutta for your home office? :) I bet that would get a rise out of em.
I also took home office expenses as an employee, but --
You can only get any good out of it if you are also a homeowner with a lot of mortgage interest or have a lot of medical expenses, etc., that would make it higher than the standard deduction.
deducting home office expenses -
For the home office expense - You would measure the amount of space you actually use to work (your desk area) and figure the percentage of that square footage to your total square footage. Then you would use that percentage of your utilities costs, etc., to count on your taxes.
tax return-home office credit
Don't you claim a home office on your tax return. I claim a home office and I always get a huge refund at least when I was working as an employee MT and not an IC. But I can still claim my home office and should not have too pay much but no refund either.
need advice /home-based hospital job
I was offered a home-based MT job as a direct employee of the hospital with an extremely good per-line-rate. But yes, apparently it was too good to be true! Apparently on further consideration, the administrator now says it is too costly (technically) for home set-up; mentioned something about the Lanier DVI desktop and how costly etc. etc. and some other MT has the license (?what's that about?); also mentioned "Cquence" transcription software program. They presently already have 5 other off-site MTs. Anybody out there with opinions and/or constructive advice...please.  Thanks in advance.
"close" your home office before you sell your house...sm
then you don't have to do anything with the tax depreciation, etc.
I started too but home office got moved to bedroom. sm.
Now have to use earphones when husband is sleeping. I actually prefer the earphones just because my speakers weren't the best but it worked well the other way too.
home office expenses are still deductible if you are an employee - nm
x
Question on Income Taxes and Home Office
I need some input, please, on our tax situation. I moved to a new state and am having a new tax guy this year. I always declare my home office and a percentage of my utilities - have done so for 10+ years. This new tax guy said that my home office deductions won't matter, as they aren't higher than the standard deduction we are allowed as a married couple, and he can't believe I have never just filed a fast simple tax form without itemizing. My old tax guy never said a word - he would just get all my home office figures for me each year and said he "entered them" on my taxes. He also charged me around $350 to "itemize" each year, just for these home office figures. They are always about $3000 a year total. So now it seems I've been throwing my $$ out the window with my old tax guy? I always thought our home office deductions were able to be written off, so to speak, separate from that individual standard deduction. So, either my new tax guy doesn't know what he's talking about, or my old guy didn't. I have a feeling the new guy is right, though, the way he explained it. Does our home office deduction have to be more than the regular old standard deduction? Or does our home office cost count separately on taxes? Thanks for any help, as I don't want to hire a THIRD tax guy to check the other two. Thank goodness I never did Turbo Tax - I'd be even more lost.
Not stay at home, but opposite shifts. My advice:
Make sure you always say thank you. It's a MUST for a man. My husband and I decided to work different shifts years ago so that the kids wouldn't have to go to daycare. Now I'm at home, but he still works 3rd shift for the same company that he's been with for 7 years because he likes it.
I've always thanked him. I'd get home from work and he'd have dinner cooking and I'd say, "I"m so lucky to have you!" And even if I didn't care for the dinner choice, I'd shut up and eat it. :)
Even just little things now, like if he washes the dishes or vacuums because he knows I'm on a deadline, I'll always say, "Thank you for doing that, you're such a big help."
Trust me, boost the old ego and those pots and pans won't sit in the sink. Complain one time that he missed a spot and you'll be scrubbing the broiler pan.
Editing at home is tough. No comparison to the office, and much, much harder
than transcribing at home, especially with kids. Wish I could help, but I can totally sympathize with you!
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