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Virus and Malware programs ?
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Colin B
Burleigh Heads
44 Posts
(Offline)
1
June 11, 2014 - 11:05 pm

Hi Jim, I couldn't find anyway to add an attachment in the Virus Forum.
Sop here is the Software I downloaded from your page.

It looks as if you recommended it?
It is NOT free as implied...Oh yes, the download is free !!!!!
It scans and tells me my computer is virtually stuffed full of malware and viruses. Whwn the "fix" button is pushed it takes you to a "pay me now" site!!
Not really free.
I've scanned my computer with various Malware removal programs and have come up clean.
No viruses reported by three of my virus tools.
Which can/should I believe?
And should I trust these ads that are on your site?
Ta, ColinFor-Jim.jpgImage Enlarger

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Jim Hillier
2700 Posts
(Offline)
2
June 11, 2014 - 11:20 pm

Hi Colin,

These are third party ads and definitely not recommendations.

Unfortunately, the ads are the only means we have for generating income to keep the site going. If not for the ads, there would be no site at all.

Also unfortunately, through Google's Adsense program we have very little control over what is being advertized, only over frequency and placement.

I do apologise for your inconvenience mate and I'm going to pass this on to Dave (the owner) to see if he can keep these types of misleading ads off the site altogether. I'm not sure if this can be done but I'm sure going to try.

Cheers... Jim

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Colin B
Burleigh Heads
44 Posts
(Offline)
3
June 13, 2014 - 1:19 am

That's Ok...
This Forum/group is worth it.
I took my computer to town today and got it checked for the "threats" that were found according to Sparktrust.
I was informed that I have no Malware or viruses and my computer certainly does not need a tune-up.
So in a way it was a good thing as it made me get my computer checked!! Maybe a list of suspect sites could be given so fools like me don't click away with gay abandon :)
The guy at the shop said there are heaps of sites like SparkTrust ???
I certainly hope not?
Cheers Colin

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David Hartsock
1117 Posts
(Offline)
4
June 13, 2014 - 9:15 pm

Colin,
Just to add to Jim's response...

The ads are targeted by Google based on page content - Google places ads that are relevant or similar to the page content, so while it may be possible to block that specific ad it would be pointless because it would be immediately replaced by a similar one.

Usually Google's method provides good results and readers are presented with relevant ads, but in this specific case it looks to be less than perfect. I apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused you.

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Colin B
Burleigh Heads
44 Posts
(Offline)
5
June 13, 2014 - 10:33 pm

Hi David...
Thanks for that explanation..
Can you or someone maybe point me to a list of "beware of these sites"?
Especially with something as important as virus and malware removal.
I guess others have been caught out?
Or would it be detrimental to your fine site and cause problems with the moola?
But maybe somewhere there is a hidden webpage with outcomes?
Colin.

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Marc Thomas
Argentina
271 Posts
(Offline)
6
June 17, 2014 - 8:11 am

Hi Colin
If it helps you, as a rule of thumb I tend to steer clear of programs/websites that offer hotlines, show photos of supposedly satisfied customers with their first name and an initial, certifications by companies such as Microsoft et al.
I agree with Dave, it would be almost impossible to block certain ads and if you are in any doubt, I think you'll find that Malwarebytes and Super-antispyware have proven themselves to be effective time and time again.
Furthermore, these two do not ask for money to complete the job if you are using their free version. They just work and I've been using them for years.

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jayesstee
Kent, England
32 Posts
(Offline)
7
June 17, 2014 - 2:54 pm

Colin B said

Hi David...
Thanks for that explanation..
Can you or someone maybe point me to a list of "beware of these sites"?

Colin.

Hi Colin,

I use two browser "add-ons" to help me avoid the nasty sites:

1) Web Of Trust (WOT) Safe Browsing Tool.
This is available for Firefox, Chrome, IE, Safari and Opera.  It can be downloaded from: https://www.mywot.com/en/download

and

2) Bitdefender TrafficLight.
This is available for Firefox, Chrome and Safari.  This can be downloaded from: http://www.bitdefender.com/solutions/trafficlight.html

The use of these and a modicum of common sense should keep you safe.

When I really feel the need to visit a site that either (or both) these add-ons flag up as dodgy, I use a browser inside Sandboxie.
Jim Hillier is a great advocate for this program and has written several DCT articles about it.  
For starters, try: https://davescomputertips.com/sandboxie-why-everyone-should-be-using-it/

Hope this helps!  https://davescomputertips.com/wp-content/sp-resources/forum-smileys/sf-cool.gif

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Colin B
Burleigh Heads
44 Posts
(Offline)
8
June 25, 2014 - 9:08 pm

Thanks, Jayesstee and Marc for the replies.
Pretty bad that one is more or less forced to decipher good from nasty !
This applies to any site I guess..
I'm still wondering if the Speed Test on this site is safe to use as it uses JAVA (?) which apparently is a "nasty" thing according to this site !!
Not sure what nasty things do though??
Colin

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jayesstee
Kent, England
32 Posts
(Offline)
9
June 26, 2014 - 12:44 pm

Colin B said

Thanks, Jayesstee and Marc for the replies.
Pretty bad that one is more or less forced to decipher good from nasty !
This applies to any site I guess..
I'm still wondering if the Speed Test on this site is safe to use as it uses JAVA (?) which apparently is a "nasty" thing according to this site !!
Not sure what nasty things do though??
Colin

Very welcome Colin.

I've been using speedtest.net for some years, always TEMPORARILY switching off JAVA (using NoScript), with no "nasties" happening so far.

I'm sure Dave or Jim will correct me if I'm wrong, but as I understand it, JAVA is a script language used in the web site build.  Nasties could have been placed in the original site build or during an update, or possibly (?) added by some unpleasant third party (hacker?).

I'm mildly paranoid, having once been infected by visiting the wrong site ("typo", honestly!)  That's why I use WOT and Traffic Light as detailed above.

Always be aware, then you don't have to be frightened. Smile

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