Is my computer protected?

[kw82904]

Hello,

 

I recently found a virus on my computer. It was one of those that encrypted your files and said you must pay to remove the encryption. I didn't pay. I had Norton security on my computer and they removed the virus. I had a computer friend suggest different security. So now, I uninstalled Norton and installed Windows Security Essentials, Malwarebytes anti-malware PRO (trial version), and SuperAntispyware Free edition. Is my computer sufficiently protected or is there something else I should add? Also, in the Quarantine log on the Malwarebytes, it has a Trojan agent listed along with 4 PUPs. I thought the threat was already removed. Should I delete all files in the quarantine log, and that completely removes threats?

 

Thanks for any help.

[Firefox]

Hello and

First off, did you get that virus/malware removed completely?

Second, I am not sure I would have gone with Windows Security Essentials, as not even Microsoft is saying that its good enough for protection against viruses. Have a look through THIS ARTICLE for some antivirus recommendations.

I would recommend getting a good antivirus program installed, then Malwarebytes PRO, you can skip the SuperAntispyware. The items in the quarantine log can no longer infect your computer. You can leave them there for about a week to make sure they were not false positives and then removed/empty out the quarantine items.

Also, you did not fully mention how your computer was cleaned, but if you want to make sure it is completely clean, feel free to follow the instructions below for a one on one expert advice all done for free....

To make sure your computer is not infected, feel free to follow the instructions below to receive free, one-on-one expert assistance in checking your system and clearing out any infections and correcting any damage done by the malware.

Please see the following pinned topic which has information on how to get help with this: Available Assistance for Possibly Infected Computers

Thank you

[kw82904]

I think the virus was removed completely. I had Norton security installed and a support tech downloaded the Norton power eraser and removed the threat. I asked if it was gone and they said yes. Do you know if the kind of virus I had, if those people can get any information from my computer? Would you recommend re-installing Norton again with the malwarebytes pro since that's what I had previously? (Although it didn't catch the virus.) Thanks for the information about assistance with infected computers. I'll try to do that.

[Firefox]

I can not tell you how your computer was compromised or what type of information was collected without knowing exactly what infection you had, and review the logs myself.

Malware changes daily, if not hourly and its hard for antivirus and antimalware folks to stay ahead. No one product can detect everything 100% of the time.

If this was my computer and it was between Norton and Windows Security Essentials, I would go with Norton. Others you can use are listed in THIS ARTICLE if you want to choose something else besides Norton.

[kw82904]

Gotcha. Thanks for the information!

[CWB]

MSE was "farmed out" by MS to someone else ... not a good sign .

personally speaking , i am not a fan of things norton/symantec .

the policy of these forums is not to personally endorse any particular AV .

 

"I think the virus was removed completely."

this is not the same as "i know it was removed completely" .

you might want to head over to the malware removal section as suggest by firefox .

 

ps ... malwarebytes is not an "antivirus" .

[kw82904]

Good to know! You're right, I'm not 100% sure and I'm paranoid now. lol. I'm headed over there to the Malware removal section. Thanks.

[John L. Galt]

FWIW:  I first started using NAV around version 4.x (4.5?) when it was still Peter Norton making utilities for DOS-based computers.  I eventually started working for a couple of different firms that allowed me to take work home, and thus in order to keep things safe, I was moved on to Symantec Antivirus Corporate (well in its early days).  I loved the corporate versions because they were very true t the original AV products - no bloat, just did its job and kept everyone up to date via in-house servers monitoring definition updates.

 

After those jobs, I went looking around, and tried more than a few free AV programs.  I then ran into MBAM, back in the 0.xx days, and started helping with testing and such, and meanwhile M$ developed MSE - I loved it b/c of its low resource usage and pretty good abilities.  Today, it's not so good - but I still run it.  Of course, I also run a host of other things to help keep me protected, like MBAM, WinPatrol, brwoser JavaScript blockers (NoScript and Ghostery) and even WoT (which, initially, I was leery of, but the lady going around promotionig it back then in the security forums was very responsive to criticisms that were brought against the software in the early days).

 

The only sure thing you can do to prevent protection is to disconnect your computer from any online access and not plug in any foreign UFDs (USB Flash Devices), floppy disks, hard drives and optical discs (CD, DVD and Blu-Ray).  Short of going that paranoid, you have to pick and choose what level of protection you need as well as train yourself to be a smarter computer user.  But for the average user, this is impossible - after all, that is exactly why they buy a computer in the first place - to keep in touch - with family, work, news, entertainment, even the world.

 

That last part is the hardest part of them all - even after using computers for over 30 years and being online for well over 20, someone like me can still be fooled.  Plus, with my variegated interests (such as Android development, computer repair, gaming, reading, etc.) It's almost impossible to be 100% protected - the malicious software developers are finding new, even ingenious ways every day to slide past even the best protection.  Even visiting the same site that you have visited for years, and visiting no other site at all is not a guarantee - advertising is fast becoming a reliable delivery medium for malicious software, and yet more than a few websites that I visit will not function without at least a part of their advertising being allowed to display.

 

For most novice users, I would most certainly advise against going with MSE, b/c you've basically just settled for the absolute minimum coverage, and you'll need to be on top of your game at all times in order to not get burned.  but for me as a gamer and developer, well, it;s one of the very very few AV products I can leave running at all times - even when gaming and / or developing - and it does not get in the way at all.  Plus, it is free, and as a budding developer money is tight - and it fits right in with my budget.

 

Ultimately, it is going to be your choice - you can go for the absolute best protection, or the absolute best resource usage,, or compromise somewhere in between.  I opt for resources, b/c I need them at any given time.  others will opt for protection b/c they are not as well versed in malware removal as our fine experts here in the malware removal forum.  Forr your own situation, I'd research that thread Firefox mentioned, do some more reading online, spend some time learning about AV comparatives and the Virus Bulletin reports, and then pick the top 3 you think would be in your best interest - and test each one separately for at least a week, and figure out which you think suites your needs.

 

HTH

[kw82904]

Thanks for all your information!