[Josy]

Originally Posted by Ryan57

AVG and Malwarebytes aren't strictly the same. Would be better to have MalwareBytes and an anti virus program similar to AVG.

Yes that's what I posted above, you need both not just one.

And malwarebytes definitely does not substitute as an antivirus.

[Josy]

Sorry Ryan never noticed your post.

[Toy Soldier]

If you know what you're doing online and keep to a few basic safety rules, it's highly unlikely that you'll be hacked or pick up a virus, unless someone is deliberately targetting you specifically (which is highly unlikely unless you're someone high profile, or someone with the ability to do it has some sort of grudge against you).

That's without any anti-virus or anti-malware software, of any kind.

Basic rules:

- Never use the same password (credit card, bank etc.) on any other sort of website (like this forum, facebook, etc.)

- Double check the address in the browser bar before entering any information on a financial site (to avoid being phished)

- Don't use "dodgy" sites (unless you know what you're doing)

- Don't accept download requests / app install requests / browser add-on requests that you don't recognise.

- Don't even open emails that you are unsure about. If you do, definitely don't click on any attachments in those emails.

Oh, and facebook users: DON'T follow an external facebook link and then type in your password when it asks you to "confirm" it. Far too many people falling for this sort of thing. Mainly because we live in an age where people who barely know how to operate a mouse are spending half of their life online.


I haven't bloated out my computer with AV programs beyond MS Security Essentials for over 10 years. I also haven't had to clear a virus or malware in longer than that. ... and I do download from "dodgy" places

The number one reason that people fall victim is because they don't know what they're clicking on, and because they have a habit of blindly clicking "OK", "Yes", "Accept" on anything that pops up on their screen.

[Kazanne]

Originally Posted by Josy

Kazanne your avg should be warning you of any dodgy email attachments

I think it might be out of date Josy,not noticed anything like that so may download Avast,Can you tell me what is the difference between Malware and anti virus ?

[Josy]

Originally Posted by Kazanne

I think it might be out of date Josy,not noticed anything like that so may download Avast,Can you tell me what is the difference between Malware and anti virus ?

Malwarebytes is handy for finding some viruses, malware, malicious programs and files etc you would run that maybe once a week or so its entirely up to you but an anti virus you need to have running constantly, that picks up all sorts of viruses.

[Vicky.]

Originally Posted by Josy

Yes that's what I posted above, you need both not just one.

And malwarebytes definitely does not substitute as an antivirus.

It blocks me going onto suspicious sites, and blocks downloads it thinks are dodgy..I thought thats what an antivirus did

[Josy]

Originally Posted by Vicky.

It blocks me going onto suspicious sites, and blocks downloads it thinks are dodgy..I thought thats what an antivirus did

Yeah it is but malwarebytes won't pick up certain things, heres a quote from Malwarebytes website

Malwarebytes Anti-Malware is not meant to be a replacement for antivirus software. Malwarebytes Anti-Malware is a complementary but essential program which detects and removes zero-day malware and "Malware in the Wild". This includes malicious programs and files, such as virus droppers, worms, trojans, rootkits, dialers, spyware, and rogue applications that many antivirus programs do not detect or cannot fully remove. That being said, there are many infections that Malwarebytes Anti-Malware does not detect or remove which any antivirus software will, such as file infectors. It is important to note that Malwarebytes Anti-Malware works well and should run alongside antivirus software without conflicts. In some rare instances, exclusions may need to be set for your specific antivirus product to achieve the best possible system performance.

[Kazanne]

Originally Posted by Josy

Malwarebytes is handy for finding some viruses, malware, malicious programs and files etc you would run that maybe once a week or so its entirely up to you but an anti virus you need to have running constantly, that picks up all sorts of viruses.

Ah ok Josy,the malware was blocking the Avast download so I have exited the malware just while Avast downloads,so I can turn it back on and it should be ok,Yes?

[Vicky.]

Oh dear. I have used this for years thinking it was effective

Never managed to get a virus though on any of my comps. Gav goes on his for like 5 mins and the thing is riddled

[Samm]

Will it attack my phone too

[Ryan57]

Avast is highly regarded and offers a free version if you're interested, Vicky.

[Kazanne]

Originally Posted by Ryan57

Avast is highly regarded and offers a free version if you're interested, Vicky.

I'm downloading Avast now Ryan,might be better than AVG.

[Samm]

I'm confused how can it get on your computer

[Toy Soldier]

Genuinely wouldn't let Avast or AVG anywhere near my precioussss... . They're bloatware. You might as well allow the malware itself!

Microsoft Security Essentials ( http://windows.microsoft.com/en-GB/w...tials-download ) is absolutely more than enough unless you're stumbling around the darkweb clicking every link you can find, or opening every email about Nigerian princes containing 25 attached files.

And whatever you do, don't let yourself be scammed into installing Norton or McAfee! Especially Norton. If anyone wants to MAKE a virus, they should hire the guys at Norton. I can clear most viruses off of a PC within half an hour. As yet, I have NEVER managed to successfully remove Norton, without completely wiping the hard drive. It's a parasite. It's the single worst piece of malware I've ever encountered.

But yeah. MSE + no dodgy porn + don't click stupid phishing links, and you're fine.

[Samuel.]

#MacbookLife

[Vicky.]

LOL. I had that problem with norton too a while back It never leaves

[Josy]

Originally Posted by Kazanne

Ah ok Josy,the malware was blocking the Avast download so I have exited the malware just while Avast downloads,so I can turn it back on and it should be ok,Yes?

Yeah you don't need to run malwarebytes constantly btw just use it to scan every week or so

Originally Posted by Vicky.

Oh dear. I have used this for years thinking it was effective

Never managed to get a virus though on any of my comps. Gav goes on his for like 5 mins and the thing is riddled

Stuarts parents are the same, I tell them don't download anything you aren't sure of then next time I go on theres all sorts of speed booosters and crap like that, his dad will say 'oh that flashed up on the screen saying click here to boodt performance on your pc so I clicked it'

[Josy]

Microsoft Security Essentials

Wouldn't use that if it was the only thing available tbh.

[Toy Soldier]

Originally Posted by Samuel.

#MacbookLife

"Macs don't get viruses" is a complete myth, by the way. It used to be somewhat true, mainly because 90%+ of computer users were on Windows PCs so no one bothered to actually MAKE viruses targetted at Macs, but in recent history it's far from true. The opposite is true. Since Vista, Windows has had mandatory user account controls (those little pop ups that appear whenever you try to install something) and programs have digital "signatures" certifying them as genuine, so basic malware has a tough time getting onto even an unprotected windows PC.

OSX still doesn't feature this, and malware can sneak onto a mac "silently". Mac viruses have also become much more common because laptop use has increased significantly, and mac laptop owners tend to have:

- less technical knowledge than PC laptop owners,
- probably more money, because the things are wildly overpriced.

Those combine into a massive juicy target for someone looking to hijack some bank details. Mac viruses are much more common these days.

[Ryan57]

MS Security Essentials isn't as good as it once was. Avast is widely regarded as superior when it comes to a free anti virus program.

MS defended it at one point, yet have given up themselves.

[Josy]

Yeah Microsoft even admitted last year that it was bottom rung stuff and you should never use it alone without another antivirus.

[Toy Soldier]

Originally Posted by Josy

Wouldn't use that if it was the only thing available tbh.

It's literally the ONLY virus protection that isn't pointless bloatware.

I personally go bareback on my main PC. No AV at all since 2007

[Josy]

Originally Posted by Toy Soldier

It's literally the ONLY virus protection that isn't pointless bloatware.

I personally go bareback on my main PC. No AV at all since 2007

See above.

Not that I would ever use it anyway but when the software creators admit it themselves then it's got to be awful eh.

[Toy Soldier]

Originally Posted by Josy

Yeah Microsoft even admitted last year that it was bottom rung stuff and you should never use it alone without another antivirus.

It's scaremongering. You don't need antivirus at all unless you're being reckless.

[Josy]

Originally Posted by Toy Soldier

It's scaremongering. You don't need antivirus at all unless you're being reckless.

Hmm I would disagree with not needing one at all.

And tbh most people are very wreckless online these days anyway