spyware operation

[mattys]

I got a message that McAfee shut down but it didn't give a reason. McAfee turned itself back on and I did a system check and everything seemed fine. However on the report it have several cookies it could not remove. Is this a problem? I am worried I picked up spyware and McAfee can't see it. This is my first time using McAfee so I am not sure how good it is. Any information anyone could provide on how viruses, spyware, malware, etc. and how McAfee stops them would be helpful.

 

[Mike Connor]

If you are worried, then download this;

Malwarebytes

and run a FULL scan.

If you want to learn something about viruses etc, then you are going to need to use a LOT of time and effort. For most people it suffices if they never get any.

Very difficult to discuss the relative merits or shortcomings of various anti-malware, there is just too much subject matter, and quite a few things are subjective.

You might like to read this;

http://www.sevenforums.com/system-security/155367-time-has-come-walrus-said.html

while your scan is running.

Regards....Mike Connor

 

[mattys]

mcafee

Thanks for the response. I know it is a big topic. I am trying to learn more about it now because I just got my computer and want to protect it. Any thoughts on McAfee. From what I have seen on this site people feel it is mediocure at best

 

[Mike Connor]

Thanks for the response. I know it is a big topic. I am trying to learn more about it now because I just got my computer and want to protect it. Any thoughts on McAfee. From what I have seen on this site people feel it is mediocure at best

Did you run the scan?

I don't think the McAfee product is very good at all. In my opinion, you would be much better off using Microsoft Security Essentials;

Microsoft Security Essentials | Protect against viruses, spyware, and other malware

There are also a couple of other good ones, but you should only use one. Using more causes problems. Some also don't work well with the Windows firewall or other Windows systems.

Regards....Mike Connor

 

[mattys]

I ran several full scans and McAfee says my machine is clean. However it says there are severel cookies that it can't remove. I don't know what to think

 

[Mike Connor]

I ran several full scans and McAfee says my machine is clean. However it says there are severel cookies that it can't remove. I don't know what to think

Just forget McAfee for a moment, and download the free version of this software;

Malwarebytes

Just click on the blue link above.

Install it and run a FULL scan. If it finds anything, then post the log here.

Cookies are not usually dangerous, so don't worry about them.

Regards....Mike Connor

 

[mattys]

I just downloaded malwarebytes and it is running a scan now. It will be interesting to see if it finds something when the other A/V didn't

 

[Mike Connor]

I just downloaded malwarebytes and it is running a scan now. It will be interesting to see if it finds something when the other A/V didn't

Well, I was hoping to resolve this, but I am just too tired to do any sensible work right now, so I am off to bed.

Somebody else may step in and assist you if the scan finds anything.

Regards....Mike Connor

 

[mattys]

Thanks for your help.

- Matt

 

[Golden]

Hi Mattys,

I'm posting here to provide some additional support in repsonse to your post about the music lyrics site on the "Walrus" thread of Mike's.

The problem with malevolent sites that they look completely innocous at first glance, but hide code in the form of trojans, worms or droppers for example. Its hard to distinguish a legitimate site from one that is not ..... unless you have some tools to help you. There are a lot of useful tools to make browsing that little bit safer, one of which is WoT (Web Of Trust).

Look at the examples below : they are both the same search for screensavers in Google, but one doesn't have the WoT application active in my browser, whilst the other does.

Without WoT:



With WoT:



Notice that in the second image, using WoT, sites either have a green circle (good), orange circle (not so good) or red circle (not good). This is a visual clue as to the trustworthiness of a site based on 4 criteria:

- trustworthiness
- vendor reliability
- privacy
- child safety

If I click on the red circle of one of the sites shown in the list, it gives me more information on the issues that have been identified on this site:



WoT, in my opinion, is one of the more useful tools making web browsing that little bit safer. As you can see, without it, or without a similar tool, its a bit tricky working out which site might be malicious.

In your arsenal of weaponry for fighting malicious digital content, some form of browser security is a must. Many software suites also develop their own, so there are many choices available.

Hope this helps.

Regards,
Golden

 

[Borg 386]

I don't think the McAfee product is very good at all. In my opinion, you would be much better off using Microsoft Security Essentials;

I have to agree, I had nothing but bad performance with McFail and it frequently missed viruses on my FD that MSE caught right away.

Better to go with MSE or if you go for a paid version, Norton or the AV of your choice