Posted on 12/16/2014 7:42:15 AM PST by CharlesOConnell
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I switched to Microsoft Security Essentials several years ago. Its free AND I’ve never had a problem since.
Yep.
But almost ALL of break-ins will be self-inflicted. In 99% of the cases I have seen, the operator gave permission to be infected. It’s nearly impossible to get around that problem.
I always ask for their street address so I can send the popos over directly.
I keep my most personal and important stuff in a hidden an invisible cloud.
Nobody can get stuff out of a cloud. Even if they fly around and look for my cloud, it is invisible so they will never find it. It’s a big sky. And if they find which invisible cloud my stuff is in, my stuff moves to a different cloud all by itself. In fact, my invisible cloud can share or “back up” my information in other invisible clouds. This way I can never lose it.
My son asked me which cloud is ours up there. Hee Hee. I had to explain that it was invisible. That’s why it’s so safe.
ALL FREEPERS NEED 3 THNGS
Avast Antivirus (free home version, but they are so good I pay them for the upgrade)
MalWareBytes - anti-malware
CCleaner
download all of their free versions and run their scans (overnight if you have to, the first time) Your system will run better than new and be very safe
If you ever get one of those ‘rootkit’ viruses 9they hold your computer hostage until you pay them) you can clean it with malwarebytes. but you wont get one in the first place if you use those 3 things
If you DO- NEVER PAY THOSE IGNORANT F#$CKS - make yourself a bootable thumbdrive that has malwarebytes on it and fix it yourself
-ALSO- if someone calls on the phone and gives you instructions to go to a website so he can remotely ‘clean’ your computer - WASTE AS MUCH OF HIS TIME AS POSSIBLE but do not do it. Play dumb and make him repeat himself until he gives up. I had one guy so mad he was screaming over the phone when I started laughing at him
Correct. Social Engineering. There is no technological fix for stupid behavior. Not meant as an insult, but if you don’t understand what is happening ask for help. I’d much rather spend a few minutes with my clients explaining what they are seeing and making sure they do not get infected than hours cleaning up behind an infection. Even though the latter puts more money in my pocket.
Current computer protection is very good. Witness the fact that the bad guys have mostly resorted to social engineering and other behavioral methodologies.
That’s why I tell people to put their older clients on Linux. You have to provide the root password to install anything and there are fewer Linux viruses. I use Mint and have yet to run into a problem.
Dell is pushing System Mechanic now. Making it essential free. I’ve yet to install it for clients, because I am not sure what the pluses are. I understand it allows you to control the changes it makes, but what happens when a client just lets it do its thing and it destroys the install of complex, uncommon software. Cleaning up the mess and reinstalling can take hours and sometimes you have to reload the operating system to get there. I’ve had too much experience with CCleaner damaging software installations.
I’m curious as to why Dell has decided this is a good application to push to their customer base.
bump for later
Yes, and for those who have to use Windows, they should create a second user account and give it Admin privileges. Then, the current account they are using, they should demote to Standard user and run off of that account. That way they have to provide a password if something tries to install.
” ...then they are bundled with Intel computers...”
Isn’t McAfee owned by Intel now?
KYPD
That would work IF the user knows not to enter the password.
I did see some cheap refurbed Macs on NewEgg.
Its good if you are setting up a childs computer or an elderly parents, and you don’t tell them the password.
This x1000. And that's true for any OS, not just Windows. ALWAYS run with the fewest privileges necessary; do NOT use an account with "admin" or "root" rights for any day-to-day activities.
People unnecessarily go through stuff like this. If people would use Virtualization technology, they’d have NOTHING to be concerned with.
The perfect setup for most folks would be to run a Linux OS on their PC, and run a couple of Windows Virtual Machines. One for any real work you might need to do that depends on Windows Apps, and the other VM for internet/email use.
For the one you use for internet/email, just revert back to a pristine ‘snapshot’ every time you shut it down. Doing so, IF you get some bad code or ‘infection’, it’ll be history the next time you boot up. (if you need to save any data, just use a removable drive). It would be simple to setup, and you’d almost have to TRY to get ‘infected’ or hacked for such a thing to happen again. lol
BFLR
I run paid avast and like it. Viper would be my second pick.
Malwarebytes has saved the day more than once.
I’ve been a system mechanic user for years and love it. CC cleaner works good too.
I keep very little on a drive and make an image every so often.
Which means they can never update Flash or other installed software.
Me too. And while MS is on the FR sh!tlist, I don’t feel bad using it at all....
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