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What malware should I get for my home pc? We got hacked and I am not trusting anyone but hatrack to tell me what I need.
Posts: 204 | Registered: Aug 2001
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Well, you shouldn't be seeking malware to start with!
What Operating System do you use? And what do you mean you got hacked? Someone is controlling your computer or you are getting pop ups? Details?
Posts: 2445 | Registered: Oct 2004
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My husband got a pop up saying he got a virus and not knowing got suckered into buying "anit-virus" program... (we are already dealing with the bank on that) Now we are getting it cleaned but I want to make sure it doesn't happen again. I need to know what to do. we have windows xp older pc thanks
Posts: 204 | Registered: Aug 2001
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You need to get Spybot search and destroy, Malwarebytes, spywareBlaster, and make sure you have a good anti-virus program suck as AVAST running at all times.
All of those are free, and most can be found at cNet.com, MajorGeeks.com, and other free web sites.
Posts: 15082 | Registered: Jul 2001
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quote: My husband got a pop up saying he got a virus and not knowing got suckered into buying "anit-virus" program... (we are already dealing with the bank on that) Now we are getting it cleaned but I want to make sure it doesn't happen again.
Actually you answered your own question. Don't click on pop ups....ever. That is far more effective then any anti virus program.
Good internet habits are much more effective then any program.
Don't download any program a persona hasn't recommended. Don't use peer to peer software like Kazaa. And DON'T EVER click a pop up ad or warning. That should be good.
There are basically two types of protection software for malware. There are anti-virus programs like Avast! and anti-spyware programs like Spybot and Ad-Aware. You should only have ONE anti-virus program, but you can stack anti-spyware programs.
Really tho, I haven't used anti-spyware in years and my anti virus is an afterthought. I just keep my security updates current for Windows and have good browsing habits.
EDIT: the programs I linked to are all good and recommended. If you only have one type of protection, make sure you have the anti-virus--tho your problem wasn't a virus and would have probably installed anyway since you clicked on the link, hence my previous advice.
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When I were a Windows user, I used to pay for Kaspersky Internet Security. A quick search tells me that even now it's regarded as a top notch anti-malware solution. It's quite afordable too.
Posts: 1785 | Registered: Oct 2003
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This thread is timely. I was on a site this morning and while on the site ZoneAlarm started asking if certain .exe files could access the Internet. I kept clicking on "deny" but when I closed Firefox, my desktop background was replaced by a virus warning. Then I got popups saying I needed to download this particular virus protection (in my mind, the one that gave the computer the virus). One popup couldn't be closed (wanted me to download an antivirus program and only had an OK button).
I also couldn't access ZoneAlarm when this happened. So, my husband had to reformat the computer today. Lovely.
I'll be checking the recommendations in this thread.
Full disclosure: I had Yahoo, Gmail, Twitter and Wrongcards.com open. I'm pretty sure it was Wrongcards.com that caused the problem. I might try the site again with an old computer we have laying around, just as a test. I did do a search to see if that site is reported to have a virus, but no luck. And I'll be changing my passwords again, just in case.
Posts: 2034 | Registered: Apr 2004
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