Thank you.
I'm talking about a separate firewall--before traffic even gets to your computer. Not the firewall on the computer itself.
Chromecast via a Chromebook eliminates all the approved and unapproved on line thieves.
Best is MacOS
Norton is malware.
windows ping
We use Malwarebytes — it has worked well for us, but I’m no expert in this area.
I've been using the basic Windows Defender for a number of years and haven't had any issues.
No matter what defenses are being used, the only sure way to insure against hacking is to be totally stand-alone with zero connectivity and single-user access to the device....when defenses are being used, one has to cooperate by not getting complacent and totally trusting the defenses...
Webroot and their techs rock.
Get a backup of your data.
Do a clean load of windows.
Get diskimaging software such as Clonezilla. Backup your clean system to an external disk.
Make sure Windows Defender and Firewall are enabled.
Only go to reputable websites and don’t open strange emails.
Good Luck!
Eh. It is just a constant struggle. It is pretty much an ongoing thing like real warfare.
Bad people come up with bad things to kill people and systems.
Good people come up with things to counter the actions of the bad people.
Wash, rinse, repeat.
We are all vulnerable, no matter what system you use, unless you have it untethered from any network and locked in a room. Some operating systems may be better or worse in some respect than others, but all are vulnerable in some way.
So you have to struggle with it. We all do.
Sorry I don’t have a better answer for you.
As has been suggested - firewall, here free -
https://www.zonealarm.com/software/free-firewall
And
Malwarebytes, free for a week or two, but it’s worth paying for it - it’ll save a lot of headaches:
https://www.malwarebytes.com/premium
and a free antivirus program - several really good ones, but AVG is a good old standby -
https://www.avg.com/en-us/free-antivirus-download
There is no one “best” solution, you have to use a combination.
Windows Defender + MalwareBytes Anti-Malware + Sophos Anti-Rootkit is a pretty good combo if you want a free solution.
Craig Peterson’s website and Tech Talk might be another good resource in addition to posts on this thread.
Can I ask what router you use and when you bought it?
Try spywareinfoforum..sign up for an account and follow instructions. Wait for someone to help you, don’t try it on your own..sometimes it takes a pro to clean up an operating system..
I use a Mac, and while it is less vulnerable in many respects to viruses and malware, it is still vulnerable. All systems are. And you are completely vulnerable to social engineering approaches to hacking, so you have to be smart about that...good password habits, vigilance for emails, etc.
I have been using Macs since 1987 and only used virus software twice. The first time the virus software was as bad as a virus and I got rid of it. The second time it didn’t seem to be problematic...I currently use Norton for work, and it isn’t a problem.
What you can and should do is find a way to do backups or clones. I prefer clones, because if my system burns up in a fire or gets completely hosed, I can take my clone, plug it into any Mac, and boot from it.
I use a utility to create a clone on an external drive, which I disconnect and store in a remote location in a safe at a relative’s house. I clone once a month, or if I make changes I don’t want to risk losing, I will back up again.
At the same time, I also do a second clone to an internal hard drive, which I unmount after doing so.
Taking the disks offline is good protection for them to avoid infecting them.
The key for me is ensuring that I have key backups. I don’t do them every day.
Comcast’s router acts as a gateway but has a hardware, built-in firewall.. The router which I use has a built-in, hardware firewall. In addition, I have software firewalls and anti-virus programs on the computers. I haven’t had any issues in years and years. Nothing, and I mean NOTHING gets into these computers unless I say so!
My offhand guess would be that you or someone else clicked on a bad site and/OR answered a suspicious email.
I have always liked Trend Micro at corporate above anyone else’s product. Since I have enough licenses I have never had to use the consumer product but some people like it. They may be offering it up for free right now for a period.
Being off line with the computer you actually work with.
They’re cheap enough these days enough to use a second for where you may be vulnerable.