Macrium etc Free Software--How to avoid CNET Virus/Adware/malware prog

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  1. mjf
    Posts : 5,969
    Windows 7x64 Home Premium SP1
       #21

    whs said:
    Never buy an Asus system. They have this habit of encrypting the C partition. It is a real pain. Had to send it to their service centre so that they can flash a new 8.1 on it. Now we have a second Asus at a friend with the same problem.
    This potential encryption issue appears to be worth its own discussion thread.
    Do other OEMs do it?
    How to address it?
    WHS I'm confused because you support an ASUS here
    Looking to buy a new computer
    My son is probably looking for a laptop in the near future and I thought ASUS was a decent OEM.
      My Computer


  2. whs
    Posts : 26,210
    Vista, Windows7, Mint Mate, Zorin, Windows 8
       #22

    Michael, You might want to have a look at these 2 threads that I started recently:

    BIOS with no boot options

    Why would Asus encrypt the C partition
      My Computer


  3. Posts : 6,330
    Multi-Boot W7_Pro_x64 W8.1_Pro_x64 W10_Pro_x64 +Linux_VMs +Chromium_VM
       #23

    DavidE said:
    There was a recent SF thread about downloads and trusted sites.
    MajorGeeks is still one of the trusted sites, I've been using it for years.
    If I can find the thread link, i'll post back with it.

    Downloading anything, well, seems to be getting worse ...
    The user really has to pay attention and read everything ...
    I found the thread, whs is the thread starter, and here it is:
    Deceptive download sites

    A couple of quotes i found interesting and helpful in the article linked to in that thread

    Safe software download sites

    So we then come to the question – which are the safe software download sites. Well today, if I have to download freeware, I usually prefer to download it from the developers website. This ensures that I get the latest version too. But if I have to visit a download sites, I prefer and trust the following:

    • Majorgeeks.com
    • Softpedia.com
    • TechSpot.com
    • Filehippo.com See this.
    • SnapFiles.com
    • fileforum.betanews.com
    • downloadcrew.com
    Don’t press the green Download Now button blindly

    When you go on to download some software, you may see a big Download Now button. Most people will typically click on this button, and end up downloading the download sites installer, which is ad-supported and may include third-party offers. Most don’t see them and keep clicking on Next > Next, and end-up with software they did not want on their computers. Fortunately, for those who are sharp enough, you can see a Direct Download Link too. Its very small, but its there on most sites, including CNET.All Download.com Installer enabled products now have this Direct Download Link that you can use instead of the Installer. So remember to click the small Direct Download text link instead of the large Download Now button or link.
    Source: Safe software download sites – Beware of deceptive download links & PUPs
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  4. Posts : 350
    Windows7 Professional 64bit
    Thread Starter
       #24

    TITLE: Response to "Add what to your browser"


    Hi everyone! Trying to catch up!!!

    On the question that SWI2
    asked me earlier, I did not ignore it, just got busy replying to everyone else!

    SWI2 said this

    SIW2 said:
    Adding what to your browser?
    Answer coming up......

    It started when whs gave me the following advice!

    whs said:
    This was the result when Virus Total checked the installation .exe of Macrium from Major Geeks.

    https://www.virustotal.com/en/file/6...3241/analysis/
    THEN whs provided a link for more of "total virus" help for websites like these..

    whs said:
    If you follow that link... there is a page (see screenshot below) that directs one to add Virus Total to Firefox (but no other browser)

    That was what I was referring to..... good to remember to ask someone again... why only Firefox browsers can add an extension to use this tool directly (otherwise have to remember I have it installed on computer and recall how to access it when downloading from strange sites (something I don't do every day or week, etc so I would forget these helpful hints I'm trying to find better notes than adding to my stacks of post it notes all over computer screen, etc)

    OFF TOPIC!:
    Will try to catch up on everyone else's great suggestions... trying to follow the UI conversation and ASUS computer has no unencrypted C: Boot section (sounds like something I definitley want to avoid----but where is everyone finding the funds to get new computers? I can't keep up!!) (will repeat my bewilderment in a new thread maybe---tooo many quesitons in this thread already!!!)(I followed links to $164 refurbished computer, thanks but no thanks.... brand new I have problems and most critical review of it says it died out of the box.. I don't need extra problems---but I will copy and paste all the relevant items so I can ask it properly (not for the WIndows 7 laptop, new one needed for all of the OLD XP's chugging along out of warranty/help with 100000's of programs and 100000's of expired product codes no money for new ones but I'm getting off topic here again... stop me before I write more!!!)
    Attached Thumbnails Attached Thumbnails Macrium etc Free Software--How to avoid CNET Virus/Adware/malware prog-w-7-forum-virus-total-into-firefox-ps17146.jpg  
      My Computer


  5. Posts : 350
    Windows7 Professional 64bit
    Thread Starter
       #25

    More to thank in this thread


    Thanks so very much DavidE for the links and information and connecting everything !

    (and the RED letters, I forgot I could do that too in my posts ---have to read how to also do those red boxes and arrows in how to post here as well so I can point to things in future postings! Its really easier on everyone if I could just do that ---I know I know I read the how to do it, but reading and doing for me are 2 different things)

    Now back to DavidE's great posting here it is in total (quoted too much but all of it is GREAT!)

    DavidE said:
    DavidE said:
    There was a recent SF thread about downloads and trusted sites.
    MajorGeeks is still one of the trusted sites, I've been using it for years.
    If I can find the thread link, i'll post back with it.

    Downloading anything, well, seems to be getting worse ...
    The user really has to pay attention and read everything ...
    I found the thread, whs is the thread starter, and here it is:
    Deceptive download sites

    A couple of quotes i found interesting and helpful in the article linked to in that thread

    Safe software download sites

    So we then come to the question – which are the safe software download sites. Well today, if I have to download freeware, I usually prefer to download it from the developers website. This ensures that I get the latest version too. But if I have to visit a download sites, I prefer and trust the following:

    • Majorgeeks.com
    • Softpedia.com
    • TechSpot.com
    • Filehippo.com See this.
    • SnapFiles.com
    • fileforum.betanews.com
    • downloadcrew.com
    Don’t press the green Download Now button blindly

    When you go on to download some software, you may see a big Download Now button. Most people will typically click on this button, and end up downloading the download sites installer, which is ad-supported and may include third-party offers. Most don’t see them and keep clicking on Next > Next, and end-up with software they did not want on their computers. Fortunately, for those who are sharp enough, you can see a Direct Download Link too. Its very small, but its there on most sites, including CNET.All Download.com Installer enabled products now have this Direct Download Link that you can use instead of the Installer. So remember to click the small Direct Download text link instead of the large Download Now button or link.
    Source: Safe software download sites – Beware of deceptive download links & PUPs
    I have many free/paid programs I've not installed or even downloaded since many led back to the CNET download page....

    My task is to find them and post them here only if I cannot find the "direct download" button/link that now I'm aware of...

    I think some did not have any way to do that, plus some sites do not have any "contact us" as free ware means "don't bother us with questions" so I never used them..

    Now I have to go find them...

    Just wanted to thank DavidE for the info and post it later in the thread here so when I find it I'll refer to this Post (I think its number 25 now)

    OFF TOPIC A BIT:

    Will reply to some more too... one by one... need more research on UI vs GUI (looked both up... I did do some web site design, but not the XTML/HTML programming for it... have to see what I can add or help with that conversation here............ and poor visibilty they referred to... getting ahead of myself..)
    Oh well.. here is the post I'm trying to help whs and SWI2 with:


    The UI is one of the things that gets the most praise. Though I understand your particular difficulty with visibility.
    You must be kidding me. Light yellow writing on a fair blue background for error messages cannot be read. Even my wife whoi has 20/20 eyesight could only read it with the magnifier. And the rest of the UI is hardly readable also. It is just too tiny.
      My Computer


  6. whs
    Posts : 26,210
    Vista, Windows7, Mint Mate, Zorin, Windows 8
       #26

    Oh well.. here is the post I'm trying to help whs and SWI2 with:
    I appreciate your support in the matter. But the ball is in the court of the AOMEI developers. I just today had another mail exchange with them. They don't want to give me a date by when they will improve the UI.

    In their attempt to keep the UI simple (which it is) they confuse simple with tiny and no contrast. Even a simple interface must be readable. Try OneKey for yourself and you will see. With luck you will get some error message in yellow writing on a light blue screen. That's the acid test.

    They have to understand that people will use their products on all kinds of devices. I tried it on a 10" tablet - no chance.
      My Computer


  7. Posts : 350
    Windows7 Professional 64bit
    Thread Starter
       #27

    whs said:
    Oh well.. here is the post I'm trying to help whs and SWI2 with:
    I appreciate your support in the matter. But the ball is in the court of the AOMEI developers. I just today had another mail exchange with them. They don't want to give me a date by when they will improve the UI.

    In their attempt to keep the UI simple (which it is) they confuse simple with tiny and no contrast. Even a simple interface must be readable. Try OneKey for yourself and you will see. With luck you will get some error message in yellow writing on a light blue screen. That's the acid test.

    They have to understand that people will use their products on all kinds of devices. I tried it on a 10" tablet - no chance.
    Ah thanks whs for the information.... thought it was something I might have something to contribute here to this Forum...

    I hate being the one always with hand out here asking for help, help, help and having no up to date knowledge base of my own to share and help others out here..

    I like the idea of AOMEI's One Key Program...
    but
    but
    but

    I can see myself in future, struggling to follow "way A" or "way B" and just all I have to do is make one small single error and lose everything or corrupt everything so not even computer experts can help me out..

    Sure, just follow the screenshots..

    Remind me (I"m typing a HUGE posting no one will read I'm sure about similar item) that
    yes, I can follow the instructions..... but like I say with "phone support" where I get step by slow step live help------- I always seem to get something on my computer screen that does not match what the screen shots or instructions show..

    OF COURSE all of you computer experts in this Forum know exactly what is going on!!!

    OF COURSE I'd like to resolve problems myself, but I follow instructions (my favorite was an ISP/Internet problem... where I was simply asked to generate (I think it was called CBS.log from sfc.scannow refused to generate it! Everyone on the "other" you know the Regular Microsoft Site was trying to help but without generating a cbs.log no one could help me and to this day I've never seen a cbs.log on this laptop... shows you that every computer is different enough.... to cause me problems trying to follow others questions and help files and even the Microsoft Knowledge base....

    OK enough ranting.... don't have to help on that old topic-----yes----- I've given up.... it had to do with VM.... I've switched to Oracle Virtual Box and I"m sure the problem is still there in background I just don't use whatever it was that was causing it in Windows 7 Professional's VM ( remember that's how I got my name here).....to do all the errors I got back then.....
      My Computer


  8. whs
    Posts : 26,210
    Vista, Windows7, Mint Mate, Zorin, Windows 8
       #28

    Regarding the cbs.log, I had made a little video tutorial for a guy on another forum. Maybe that can help you. The quality of the video is not too god. I must have done something wrong in my Camtasia settings. But I think you will get the message. I had to edit a portion out where I made a mistake. Just ignore my later comments about it.
      My Computer


  9. Posts : 350
    Windows7 Professional 64bit
    Thread Starter
       #29

    I try i try i try


    Thanks whs for trying again!

    (trying to get my cbs.log to work!) (I know EVERY computer but this one has one!!!)

    Its not the subject of this post so maybe will put this aside until I get my new HDD and make a backup copy...

    I really should not be fooling around with computer much until I get a backup copy again.... mine is too old....

    That was the purpose of my first earlier posting ( Need a new Backup & Storage program ) which led to this one remmeber? (You helped me on that one too)

    Thanks for reminding me also of several things...

    Camtasia.. I think was a free download that only came from a site like CNET or a virus laden one, so I never got one as could not get a clean copy without loading freebie tool bars etc to mess up the computer....

    And Florida... thanks for sharing you are from Germany and Winter in warm sunny Florida.... I did that too for most of my life.. two places, always one somewhere in Florida, various cities all around... Nice place you got there.... Not anymore, suffering under a foot of snow here.... at least I got electricity!!! (for the computer)

    So for the moment I'm not going to fool around with fixing the computer until I get the Macrium or a FFS (Free FIle Sync) Or just copy and paste whole C Drive over to new HDD, but I'm still writing a

    HUGE (sorry!)

    Question filled thread about that suggestion.... not posted it yet... its not ready.... sigh... tooooo long for initial questions no one will read it I'm certain of that!

    But I'll bookmark this section and come back and repost your suggestion and Camtasia video...
    Anyway... for those who care..

    I already have the Command prompt on my Start Menu (thanks for idea) set to administrator check box was new... I always checked "run as administrator" choice on right click, your method saves me a step and it says it protects computer from unauthorized use-----I hope so---

    Here is a screenshot of my results:

    I also tried something else I remembered someone said to try...and when I did make that change...

    I got this FINDSTR: Argument missing after /c

    So something is very very wrong here...

    Thanks again whs.. will put off fooling around before I get another BSOD!!!
      My Computer


  10. mjf
    Posts : 5,969
    Windows 7x64 Home Premium SP1
       #30

    DavidE said:

    ..... Fortunately, for those who are sharp enough, you can see a Direct Download Link too. Its very small, but its there on most sites, including CNET.
    Hmm I don't see it. Even on the Macrium website I see no link for a direct download of their free version.

    When I download the downloader reflectdl.exe from majorgeeks and cnet they are byte for byte identical. I'd bet the same reflectdl.exe is what Macrium distribute to them all.
      My Computer


 
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