You’re quite correct.
I haven’t investigated Linux yet because I think it might prove rather difficult to understand.
And you must realise that I’m a little thick.
No comment.
Malwarebytes does do it but I think you have to download the free rootkit package from the link below.
It probably has the package in the paid for version as well.But this one is free.
You download, then do the update, then run the rootkit checker.
It takes a while because it burrows deep & covers all of you drives.
I would advise doing it once a month.
Is it dangerous not to do it?
Yes, Rootkit packages can be dumped in your pc and do nothing for a long time - then they come to life and nick all of you stuff!
enjoy!
Thanks Ted.
Downloaded, updated and it’s running right now.
I look forward to what it tells me when it has finished. I’ll let you know.
(Incidentally, as it recommended I downloaded it to my desktop, but when it has finished doing what it’s doing I’ll save it with the other Malware things in Windows/Programmes.)
Well, it seems to have finished. That didn’t take long at all.
“Scan finished: No malware found!”
It’s nice to know that there’s nothing nasty lurking down there too, although I do keep a very clean computer. I’m a very clean person!
Thanks again.
Hi Ted
Malwarebytes Free has rootkit scan in the Scan Options, but you have to switch it ‘on’ … is it the same as the antirootkit you mentioned above?
I was wanting to switch the rootkit scan ‘on’, but not sure if I should as it comes with it’s switched ‘off’.
But, thinking about it, you mention ‘antirootkit’ and I’m talking about a ‘rootkit scan’. 
What say you please, I’m confused?
Wasn’t the original Apple code based on a branch of Unix too?
Modern versions of Linux are as easy to use as Windows. I have Linux Mint on an old XP machine set up as a dual boot.
The original Linux distributions were a pain to use for non-geeks relying heavily on typed commands in a console window. The latest iterations are a lot more civilised and come supplied with lots of free software.
Android is a branch of Linux which puts Linux as the most used operating system. Most servers on the internet run Linux too. All in all, a good operating system.
Nothing to fear except fear itself…covers a lot of things these days…as it happens.
Last time I used Linux it was Ubuntu, which whilst it saved a dying PC, I never could figure out how to make some programs I used back then work
I’ve been looking at installing Mint on the heap of junk I’m using now. Just got to find an empty USB stick and some time
Hi Pesta!
The one included in the malwarebytes package is the standard offering and works well.
The downloadable one is a Beta version which means that it has new advanced coding but has nor yet been fully tested in the big world.
Soon, the Beta version replace the current version - as long as the Beta has no problems in field trials.
I suggest that those most users would stay with the current version and get the new version when it is released fully.
Do you reckon that Mint is the easiest to get used to? I have a couple of old laptops and I keep saying that I’ll give Linux a try on one of them…
when I get a round tuit.
I am using Linux Mint 18, you can try it on a ‘Live CD’ without installing it.
The live CD will be painstakingly slow if I remember correctly but will give you a feel for it.
There are ways and means of rating the different Linux operating systems that suit would your needs…Try [U]THIS[/U]
That’s what I intend doing. My PC is old and can only fit 4gb ram and Windows 7 is just about killing it. I don’t need a new PC as I mostly use a tablet now so Mint it is
I may be wrong here, but is it not the case that Linux cannot run certain Windows programmes?
The ones I have in mind, and which I use regularly, are Adobe Photoshop and IMSI TurboCAD.
Microsoft Office probably won’t work on Linux, but LibreOffice (which I occasionally use) certainly will and can do just about everything that MS Office can.
You are correct
But yes it works with LibreOffice and gimp
I just need a basic word processor and something to organise pictures and music and that’s it
So,as long as my printer drivers are found I shall be happy enough
Yes, I tried Gimp, but I found it rather unintuitive.
Good luck with the printer drivers. That’s another thing I’m not sure about: whether various drivers are made available by manufacturers for Linux.
I prefer it to Ubuntu, it has a cleaner and brighter look IMO. I put Ubuntu on and old (now defunct) Netbook. Because of limited memory and speed, that particular version had a series of panels on the screen rather than the familiar WIMP environment. Clicking on the panels took you to a specific program - imagine it as a forerunner to Windows 10. 
Some of the more enlightened printer manufacturers supply printer drivers but for the most part they are written by Linux developers. My Samsung ML printer is supported, but then it’s a black and white only laser printer.
Linux won’t run Photoshop or TurboCAD. Some Windows programs will run under ‘WINE’, ‘Crossover’ or similar but I haven’t found doing this 100% successful. Using a virtual machine is another way (install Windows in its own environment within Linux and then install Windows programs on that). I haven’t tried doing this but it seems to defeat the object of switching to Linux to me. Some do run their Windows programs that way though.
Some programs that come pre-installed with Linux Mint 18.2:
LibreOffice.
Thunderbird.
Firefox.
Rythmbox.
Media Player.
Font viewer.
Image viewer.
Gimp.
Pix.
Screenshot.
Programs I’ve found good to add:
Chromium (browser).
Amarok (music program).
Skype.
Inkscape (good for making greetings cards, scalable images etc.).
Simple Scan.
Steam Games (many Linux compatible games are now available).
Kpatience (Solitaire with a good graphical interface).
Printer drivers are usually in Linux’s driver library. If the driver is there, Linux installs it very easily. My HP Envy 5530 was catered for and was no problem to install.
Best not to have the idea that Linux Mint will run on just about anything. As with Windows, the better the computer the better it will run. I have it installed on an HP laptop computer with an Intel i5 4 core processor and 8 gigabytes of RAM. GeForce 949M graphics card or Intel Graphics (can be switched between one or the other). Linux Mint 18.2 with the Cinnamon Desktop runs OK on this computer.