Suspect hacking on my computer

[peterbower]

Can any one recommend a good anti hacking/blocking programme for my desk top windows 8, also to clean up the disc of errors and hacking warnings.

Thanks

Peter

[kipper]

i use ccleaner free and malwarebyte and they work for me. i do run mcafee as virus protection but use the other two to clean up. peter

[bor64]

Same as above with AVG free antivirus and Zonealarm as free firewall on top of the windows firewall.

Cheers Rob

[peterbower]

Thanks guys, I will try these.

Peter

[Charlie Hall]

I thought I had read that only one firewall should be active eg. if you have an add on firewall, the built in Windows one should not be active. I have no idea why.
Regards,
Charlie

[Deleted]

have you tried AVG anti virus free software mate?
richie

[peterbower]

Hi Richie, yes I have AVG free down load installed and also a Malwarebytes freeby installed. Microsoft phoned me up to tell me that on their Microsoft Defender programme which comes with windows 8.1 the 'blocker' shows 'off' and may have been hacked because my PC showed an abnormal number of error and warning messages. I'm off to PC world today. Charlie, you may be right but I will see what PC world say. I think I will go back to steam radio, much safer.
Peter

[exprog]

Peter
Are you sure the call was from Microsoft, They would NEVER make a cold call. I believe you have had a SCAM CALL call re errors. This is a well known call. There are always errors reported in the system events. Hope you didn't give any card details or pay over any money.
Chris

[dragonman]

Hi Peter

I get repetitive calls from what appears to be an overseas call centre. I checked with Microsoft, and they told me that they would never ever cold call a customer, and that these people are either
1. trying to sell you software
2. trying to access the data on your computer.
If they ask you to log in and visit a certain site, or whatever, never do it !

Cheers
Richard

[kipper]

Nov 20, 2014 9:43:06 GMT dragonman said:

Hi Peter

I get repetitive calls from what appears to be an overseas call centre. I checked with Microsoft, and they told me that they would never ever cold call a customer, and that these people are either
1. trying to sell you software
2. trying to access the data on your computer.
If they ask you to log in and visit a certain site, or whatever, never do it !

Cheers
Richard

this has happened to me a few times scammers. peter

[noelford]

Definitely a scam, Peter. If you gave them ANY of your financial details, contact your bank immediately.

[Tone]

Hi Peter

Yes, it certainly sounds as if you've been the target of scammers who call you saying they're from 'Windows Technical Department,' 'Microsoft Support' or similar, all of which are false. As Richard says, Microsoft will never cold call you.

This is a very common scam and if you Google 'Windows Support Scam' you'll find out all about it and what the scammers are trying to do (basically trying to get money out of you). There are also some quite funny videos of 'customers' knowing what's going on and turning the tables on the scammers.

I've been plagued by these calls for ages - I had four in one day last week. Depending on my mood I either put the phone down, tell them where to go or string them along until I get bored.

Cheers.

Tony

[peterbower]

Hi all

Your right about the scam, just been down to PC World where they have confirmed its a scam and also confirmed that Microsoft would never cold call.
I strung them along for a bit as they seemed to know what they were saying but never gave any bank details.

Peter

[sixchannel]

Thank goodness you didn't give them your bank details.
Do you not have Caller Display on your phone? Anything on mine that says "unknown", " out of area" or one of those strange 5 or 6 digits computer generated (and false) numnbers gets killed off without answering.
I have had two calls about mine.
I think they've stopped bothering now.
The two questions which stop them in their tracks are -
"Which computer is it? I have 2".
"What IP address are you reading?".
Ian

[allclaphands]

Nov 20, 2014 13:14:37 GMT peterbower said:

Hi all

Your right about the scam, just been down to PC World where they have confirmed its a scam and also confirmed that Microsoft would never cold call.
I strung them along for a bit as they seemed to know what they were saying but never gave any bank details.

Peter

Hi Peter
This sort of thing is become more common now and they keep on trying new methods to get through to people
some sort of thing should be set up to combat these sort of people and the problems they cause.

Pete

[peterbower]

According to Microsoft they are working on it, read the article in computerworld.com Word Support scammers

Peter

[fenderbullits]

Hi All

I've used AVG anti-virus and Zone Alarm both the free versions for years and touch wood so far I haven't had any problems.

Regards
Martin

[Ed Cornish]

Peter, I am also a user of both ccleaner (used to be called cr*pcleaner would you believe) and AVG. Both very adequate. Used to run Zonealarm as well but I didn't like the way they fiddled with it. As for the scam calls, I have tried everything from putting them on hold to being downright rude. You may expect more calls as it doesn't seem to put them off!

Ian, I didn't think to ask which computer, or IP address - that's brill - I shall have to try that.

Ed

[Deleted]

Hi Peter. I fix a lot of local computers that have been infected. I recommend useing the Win 7/8 built in firewall, with Microsoft Security Essentials for Win 7, it is built in to Win 8, named Windows Defender. You don,t need any add on antivirus/firewall programs, they just interfere with the built in ones. Also, get the full version of Malwarebytes, covers 3 devices, it is a hueristic program that needs to be running at all times, protecting your computer in real time. It detects malicious websites etc, and blocks them. It's a good idea to have the full version of SuperAntispyware, which finds other kind of nasties before they infect you.

This setup has served me well, and my friends.

Regards,

Duncan.

[peterbower]

Thanks Duncan, I already have Windows Defender on my 8.1, but loaded AVAST free down load and MALWARWBYTES inc Heuristic free down load.

Its interesting to note that AVAST will some times block supposedly innocent down loads such as peoples pics or a You Tube saying the down load may be infected, so I guess its doing its job, but I hear what you say, different fire walls can clash!
Let me know what you think. I'm am reluctant to pay for Norton as I do not wish to pay Irish VAT, as its already a rip off.

Cheers
Peter

[Deleted]

Hi Peter. The free version does Not protect you in real time, you can only look for trouble when it's often too late. The full version works all the time, protecting you.
Avast will be hindering Defender, and I would suggest removing it now to let Defender do it's work with SuperAntispyware. These two work together. You tube is a very safe site. Sounds like false alarms to be honest. The trouble with having two antivrus's at the same time !, and will slow your computer noticably too. Microsoft security is very light on proccessing power.
If you have these, you are extremely well protected and should not need Norton, but you MUST have the full version of Malwarebytes to be protected, doing a full scan every week or so after running ccleaner.

I've been building computers for decades now, and have gained a fair bit of knowledge about how they work. Total security has not yet been developed, but this setup is about as good as you can get.

p.s. Your phone call's are much more likely to be the result of some retail company selling your details to anyone willing to pay them.

Trust me, I'm a Doctor

Duncan.

[George Lewis]

Hi Peter,
I would trust what Duncan says.
You don't need more than 1 each for anti-virus / firewall and the standard Windows 7 and 8 are well up to the pace.
Also, most Routers (ADSL, 3G etc) already have quite good firewalls activated by default.
Malwarebytes is also my choice.

However, what none of these do is protect you from stuff that is "legitimate" even though dodgy. Your phone calls are a good example as are the countless emails etc claiming to be from your Bank, Nigerian Heiress, Save the Children fund, FBI etc !
And free "additions" included with software downloads unless you specifically exclude them.

They all trade on the fact that most people are trusting and can't believe they are being conned. The baddies have the HUGE advantage of no morals.

In general, do not respond to any popup or email or phone call that says you ...
Are at risk from ... something.
Have been especially chosen to participate in ...
Can have a free scan of your PC to make sure it is safe and up to date.
etc etc etc.
Need to have the latest drivers etc ..

No matter what the HUGE, HUGE, HUGE marketing forces say, if you haven't asked for it .. you don't need it. If and when you do, YOU will know it.

The best Internet defense is "NO". (Especially to all pop-ups)
2nd best defense .. hone your "grumpy old man" skills and demand anyone who wants to "help" you, really earns that right !

cheers
George

[peterbower]

Thanks chaps, will assess your advice and recommendations and set up my PC as suggested.

Cheers
Peter