Two Questions about Viruses (1 Viewer)

Kits

Picture Picker

Social Media Editor

• Nov 1, 2010

• #1

These may seem a bit of a numpty's questions, but they are genuine.

The PC had to be cleared of a virus ten days ago, and the hard drive wiped and Windows reinstalled.

1. How do viruses get past the protection - McAfee in our case? Seems a bit pointless in having a Firewall and protection if they let stuff through.
2. Related to the first question; McAfee ran a scan last night and reported that 2502 files had been infected by viruses, but not to worry as they had cleaned and deleted them. So - how on earth did 2502 files get infected in seven days, and why didn't McAfee stop it?

Before the Apple lovers tell me to get a Mac - I shall be doing so in December, but in the intervening 8 weeks, I am interested to know how to protect Windows. :gh:

Thanks!

 

D

davercox

Dave Cox

Supporter

• Nov 1, 2010

• #2

It's a constant race between the bad guys and the AV writers; maybe on this occasion the virus got through before McAfee had been updated to recognise it. (And, once the virus is in, infecting 2500 files in no time is what they do).

 

M

miketoll

Well-known member

• Nov 1, 2010

• #3

It is not pointless to have protection from a firewall and a security product despite getting a couple of viruses. How many more did not get through in the past? Don't believe all the hype about Apple either, they are not immune even if under less attack than Windows and there are other ways to attack you like phishing attempts to which everybody is open.

 

Kits

Picture Picker

Social Media Editor

• Nov 1, 2010

• #4

Thanks, guys. Yes, I suppose it is a constant battle, and yes, I guess other nasties were stopped, but I don't want any at all!

 

bkrownd

Well-known member

• Nov 2, 2010

• #5

There is no perfect security. The best security measure is user education and vigilance. Also, it helps if you have one computer that is only used for the most serious and trusted things, and another expendable machine that you use for more questionable activities such as untrusted web sites, testing shared files and graphical e-mail or webmail. If it gets infected, simply wipe it and re-install.

 

alan_rymer

Well-known member

• Nov 2, 2010

• #6

In my experience McAfee is not very good in stopping virus attacks at this time. I am currently working at a large company as I.T. support and we get laptops in frequently with Virus/Trojan/Malware problems which McAfee has not and does not pick up.To check for, and remove these, we tend to use tools available free on the web. But it often comes down to a rebuild. I have ID'd a couple of these Trojans by accidentally infecting my usb stick and bringing it home and having AVG, or Avast finding and removing something that an updated McAfee didn't.
It says something when I will not log onto any website that requires my personal passwords at work!

 

phil baber

Clipped Wing

• Nov 6, 2010

• #7

AVG and Malwarebytes are free.

Download and try them. They will pick up a Hornet's Nest for you!

PS Don't download anything, or click on anything with .exe after it. Unless you know it is absolutely trustworthy!

 

Last edited: Nov 6, 2010

GR Triever

Well-known member

• Nov 6, 2010

• #8

alan_rymer said:

In my experience McAfee is not very good in stopping virus attacks at this time.

Click to expand...

Exactly.

Two apps I can recommend, in addition to the previously mentioned AVG and Malwarebytes, are Microsoft Security Essentials and Norton 360 (who's very nicely cleaned up their product).

 

C

Christina

Active member

• Nov 18, 2010

• #9

GR Triever said:

Exactly.

Two apps I can recommend, in addition to the previously mentioned AVG and Malwarebytes, are Microsoft Security Essentials and Norton 360 (who's very nicely cleaned up their product).

Click to expand...

I had AVG on my last computer which was perfectly satisfactory but my new one had Avira already installed which seems even better. It updates & scans more quickly and when I checked last night what threats it had prevented in the last few weeks I was well impressed
'

 

C

Chris Oates

Why does a Black-headed Gull have a brown head...

• Nov 19, 2010

• #10

GR Triever said:

Exactly.

Two apps I can recommend, in addition to the previously mentioned AVG and Malwarebytes, are Microsoft Security Essentials and Norton 360 (who's very nicely cleaned up their product).

Click to expand...

After many years of subscription protection I've settled on MalwareBytes, Spybot and incredibly Microsoft Security Essentials.
I never thought I'd rely on Microsoft for anything but after putting MSE on my Netbook it's now on everything including PCs at work.

Also highly impressed with Live Mail - I'd avoided it until it came installed on a new Windows 7 PC.