I've been hacked!!!!!!

[Caddyman]

put malwarebytes on your machine and run a scan. your thumbdrive is what is infected though, scan and clean it.

Malwarebytes

A Guide to fix the Thumbdrive Virus; RavMonE.exe Part 2! « StyleZ.BLOG @ Republic Polytechnic

 

[Rift]

Instead of throwing your money away on an overpriced computer why don't you get yourself a real copy of windows 7, and do a clean wipe and install Microsoft security essentials after. Your gonna save yourself a ton of money. This notion that macs are more secure is pretty funny cause its simply not true. You have a perfectly good computer just get a legit OS, and set it up right saving yourself some extra several extra Benjamin's for your next date.

 

[Frick]

Microsoft Security Essentials routinely tests comparable in detection to any paid virus protection, and it's free. It doesn't offer a million options, but the protection is legit and you can't beat the price, and it's very lightweight resource-wise.

A regular Malwarebytes scan is also essential. Make sure you allow it to update before every scan.

 

[shooter59]

Good answer rift.
Exactly what I did to all 4 of my comps. Best move I ever made.
Also have a lot of faith in Malwarebytes and spybot search and destroy. These are on my thumb drive when I go to rescue my friends from unwanted bugs.

Instead of throwing your money away on an overpriced computer why don't you get yourself a real copy of windows 7, and do a clean wipe and install Microsoft security essentials after.

 

[caged]

You really need to invest in anti-virus software.

BTW, you still need anti-virus with MACs so don't simply assume you're safe if you go that rout. While malware writers have traditionally preferred to go for windows based PCs due to the volume, malware and viruses are on the rise for MACs as their popularity increases and users are likely more naive of the issue since they haven't had to worry about it as much in the past.

Just saying, don't assume MACs are more secure than PCs are because they are not.

 

[caged]

Ms. Slim, I never trust norton anti-virus... I've fixed alot of people's comp that were infected to hell and back that norton said was ok..... I suggest avast (free anti virus program) and spybots search and destroy (also free) for spyware.... You'll be surprised what you might find hidden....

Virus/malware protection is never as effective when running on a computer that's already been infected. They are more effective at preventing the virus in the first place, which means the anti virus software needs to have been installed before the virus or malware hits.

 

[caged]

No problem Ms. Slim. I suggest deleting norton, it just wastes resources....

I would not recommend doing that unless it's replaced by a different active anti-virus suite. Prevention is much more effective than removal.

 

[ctourtelot]

+1 for Malwarebytes. My bf runs a computer repair business and handles virus removal almost daily. He recommends Malwarebytes (free copy does manual scans, $25 one time fee for constant protection) as well as Viper for anti-virus. Norton will not only miss a lot of viruses, but once they are in the system, it will protect them. Not to mention, it's a major resource hog.

 

[pmos69]

Anti-virus/malware software is no replacement for good practices.
On the other hand, bad practices will get your computer infected, no matter what protection software you use.

 

[profection]

Does anyone use superantispyware? (my computer guy installed it) I have it and malwarebytes and it seems to pick up more than malwarebytes.

 

[caged]

Anti-virus/malware software is no replacement for good practices.
On the other hand, bad practices will get your computer infected, no matter what protection software you use.

So you're saying Leaford needs to stop visiting dirty websites?

 

[Rift]

So you're saying Leaford needs to stop visiting dirty websites?

No Leaford needs to stop buying computers with janky Chinese installs of windows that have all sorts of god knows what else installed along for the ride.

 

[Gardner808]

No doubt for Chinese built Windows the viruses and spyware are a feature.

And I would like to throw my voice in for Avast! and for the removal of Norton as soon as Avast! is installed. In my opinion, Norton is a virus.

 

[caged]

No Leaford needs to stop buying computers with janky Chinese installs of windows that have all sorts of god knows what else installed along for the ride.

So he can continue to visit those site then. That must be a huge relief.

 

[Gardner808]

Of course he can. He just needs to learn which ones to visit and which ones to avoid. Not all dirty sites are created equal.

 

[Rift]

Exactly. Nothing beats good practice =)

 

[pmos69]

He can just use a browser in protected mode to visited them, or better yet, a nonpersistent VM just for that.
But of course, he should use an OS that doesn't include rootkits in it's default instalation.

 

[starsong]

Nobody has mentioned McAfee. I used to have Norton, but as previously stated, it was a huge resource hog. So I got rid of that and my IP offers McAfee for free, so I'm using that now. Any opinions on it's effectiveness?

 

[Rift]

As far as Anti Virus scanner are concerned the simpler the better really. THe problem with most of these programs is that they serious bog down your computer because there always doing some kind of crap in the background.

Up until recently I used AVG free that was a simply light weight antivirus, but alas they bogged it down, and its just not the same anymore. I now use Microsoft Security Essentials. Its free and does the job without harassing me every two seconds, and eating up all my CPU cycles. Any program that has a billion different parts to install is inevitably going to run a bunch of crap in the background, and bother you every two seconds.

For years before that I ran nothing at all because I needed all the performance my computer could give me, these days though that inst such a concern. I have never had a virus on my computer. The best defense you can have is practicing safe web browsing its really as simple as that. If you know where and what your doing and not clicking on obviously infested links then there is no reason for a virus to ever get on your computer.

The majority of the AV products out there are bloated and just going to make you frustrated and drain your wallet. The simpler the better is my opinion and just keep in mind what your doing when your browsing the web.

 

[shooter59]

The last three virus chases I went on happened because McAfee missed them. Once cleaned them I switched all three of my friends computers over to MS Security Essentials.
Years ago it was one of the top programs. From what I've seen lately, it is turning into another bloated spam hound. IMO

Any opinions on it's effectiveness?