Computer security

When I said - "do they have the IP address" I meant that is what I ask. I know they haven't but it sounds like you know a bit about computers if you ask this. I think they rely on people not knowing much and assuming they really can "see" your computer. My friend used to let them drivel on then pointed out that in fact he didn't own a computer (which was true!)

You should also check that your WiFi router is using the latest level of security.

This short Video explains all and demonstrates how many of us are poorly protected. (We do have a vested interest in this video - we bred the presenter !)

Hello Rockgran - I'm pretty sure the scammers don't go by I.P addresses. Perhaps only the telephone directory. I agree with you so much about how to stay safe. No security program will stop a computer from becoming infected if the user is tricked into inviting the malware in ..and staying up to date with patches also plays a big part.

I read a lot of computer forums and some security minded people don't update their computers on the grounds that some updates might break their computers (software-wise). However these people really make a study of computer security and lock things down so tightly that malware is very unlikely to make inroads into their un-patched computers. Some also put doubt on the merits of having an AV program installed too.

I'm not as clever as they are though, so patch the computer as updates become available. I can't bring myself to not have an AV program either and always have one program or another installed.

As regards Norton, I found it was quite good but I read there was a time it was bloated and buggy. Those who did remember the troubles they had back then tend not to go near Norton again.

Symantec has just been reborn yet again with a program called purely 'Norton Security', which as brought all of its detection technologies into one program. It has also become very much cloud-based and this makes it very light on computer resources. It is getting some initial very good reports.

My wife's Windows 7 computer still has Norton Internet Security on it and it seems trouble-free.

I run BT NetProtect Plus which include McAfee, 24/7, update daily.
I also run :-
SlimCleaner weekly
Malwarebytes, anti malware weekly

If I get a virus etc, flagged, I will run all the above to ensure my system is clean.

Hello Rider. I too like computers and enjoy learning more about them. I use AVG on my windows computer - I tried Norton years ago but trying to renew it made me lose the will to live! I think it is a bit of a rip off. When renewing AVG you have to be careful to tick the free box or you can end up with the paid version. The main danger on any computer is the operator! Just using common sense increases safety. Don't open email attachments unless you know what you are doing and keep things (like your web browser and operating system) up to date. I agree that the scammers can't know what you are doing on your computer - I tell them I have eight computers so which one do they mean? Do they have the IP address? This usually confuses them. Or else say you have "Apple".

We've had a few phone calls from a 'Windows Support Team' in the last couple of weeks saying that we have malware on our computer. I think they must go round in areas getting telephone numbers. A neighbour has had a couple of calls too.

Actually, even if we had malware on the computer, the scammers can't know that. Reading what I've written above might at least say I'm a bit careful about computer security. I [i]know[/i] I don't have any malware. Quite right to just hang up the phone.

Hello Riverwalk - I have tried:

Norton Internet Security.
Sandboxie (I put a fair degree of faith in sandboxing).
Emsisoft Anti-Malware.
AdwCleaner.
AVG.
Bitdefender Internet Security.
Microsoft Security Essentials (perhaps OK if used with other measures).
Comodo Internet Security.
Kaspersky Internet Security.
Avast (but not recently).

What I'm currently using has already been mentioned.

Just another point. I am a new member, having only made a few posts in the 'Tech stuff' forum. Discussing security programs isn't a back door of some kind into computers.

Just for the record, I use a combination of security programs. One is a relative newcomer called Qihoo Total Security (free), much discussed on a well-known security forum. The program is disliked by some because it includes a cleaner/optimiser, also a little because of its country of origin. I have never had a problem with using it but some say is a little too efficient as regards cleaning and this has caused them problems.

If I hadn't mentioned that, somebody might one day have tried Qihoo because of something read, used the cleaner functions and experienced difficulties afterwards. At least by mentioning this in a post, it says caution might need exercising. Discussion of programs can highlight such things.

Also used on my computer is Hitman Pro (free) and Malwarebytes Anti-Malware (paid).

Back to Qihoo, it includes a sandbox that isolates the computer from any zero day malware that might be encountered while browsing the Internet (zero day means something that hasn't been in the wild long enough for your AV program to know about it yet). A sandbox provides a good layer of computer security as regards this.

However, if you feel it's a risk to be discussing programs and security measures, I suppose that's fair enough. I can just go away again.

Tell us what you've tried Rider.

I have just had the phone call supposedly from Windows about the security on my Computer , as she couldn't tell me which of 4 that are here I put the phone down

I ask because computers and computer security are both an interest. I've tried quite a few security programs over the years and thought it might make a topic here. Security programs are a subject widely discussed over the Internet. Nothing sinister intended.

What would * you* recommend, rider?

Norton 360. I think it was on discount when I bought it with the computer, but Which rated it quite highly. I've just renewed mine and it was a bit of a rip off renewing by clicking on the window. I paid £65 when it only cost £37 to renew last year via a website I'd found (76% inflation). I couldn't find the same site again this year. I found numerous sellers offering it for about £30 on Amazon, but I'm not sure how to tell whether you're buying the latest version, or even whether it just downloads the latest info anyway when it's installed.

It's a bit quirky at times, but I don't have experience of anything else to compare it with. Occasionally it will go from green to an amber warning and say that I need to run a scan, which makes me wonder why don't you just get on with it, then. Other times it will show that the last scan it performed was autonomous, without my input.

Sometimes the Google search page has Norton logos by the side of each hit to show whether the site is safe, but then on other occasions it doesn't.

A lot of people rate the free ones, but I'm never quite sure how comprehensive they are, and I don't suppose there's anyone at the other end of the phone if anything goes wrong either. When I first bought Norton it wouldn't install, it just kept saying there's some sort of problem and "click here to fix" but I just went round in circles for a whole morning. Eventually, I rang the call centre and someone did it for me.

I think that Rider has posted before but infrequently.

One of mine is not to tell strangers what security measures I take. I don't tell strangers how I choose my passwords either. Why do you ask?.

The reason for both these policies (and I do use other security) is because this is an open forum, and I, like many others, have details in my profile and my posts which could make it possible to identify me.

Knowing who I am, where I live, what my interests are and how I maintain my personal and financial security would make it easier for it to be breached by criminals.

So I am sorry to disappoint you, Rider I am not going to reply to your question, and I shall advise anyone else against replying too.

When did you join, but the way? i have not seen you post before. Incidentally, if this is a question from a security firm, you should have gone through the right channels to Gransnet before posting.

Yes I think those questions need an explanation before I consider answering.

Why do you ask?