Security

:confused I am currently running windows 8 on a alienware m14x laptop and for virus protection using system mech pro. I want to know how to properly protect myself while I order things online and use my computer for important personal use like banking and paying bills.

Does anyone have a suggestions that can assist me. Like my name says I am newish to security for my computer, Also for my email I would like to boost my security, if anyone has any helpful tips please let me know.


Thank you
The noobie 101

 

Everyone will have helpful tips, but Win 8 has a built-in antivirus - Defender - and a built-in firewall. As long as you haven't disabled these you are pretty well protected already. I'm not familiar with system mechanic but if it has a realtime AV you might get some system instability as it's advisable to only run one realtime AV. You might also want to install an on-demand scanner such as the free MalwarebytesAntimalware. Of the popular AVs I believe only AVG has email scanning though may be wrong about that. Ultimately you are your best defence against malware - don't click on links or open attachments in emails unless you are quite sure they are safe, and of course watch where you go on the net. Oh, and if you want to download software try and do it only from here on MG as there are many download sites that will pop up on Google which are anything but safe.

 

Hello TheNoobie101, System Mechanic is basically a scam, I've tested it a few times and deemed it useless. Avast scans e-mail, but as Earhling already stated, Win8 already comes with an AV on board. Remove Sys. Mechanic or at least disable it's realtime.

 

>> System Mechanic is basically a scam, I've tested it a few times and deemed it useless. Nick T <<

Truer works have never been spoken... I totally agree with Nick on this one... I test shareware software (mostly freeware, actually) as a hobby and System Mechanic is nothing but trouble lying in wait for a sudden surprise attack IMO. If I were you I would uninstall the particular program immediately as it is most definitely an accident waiting to happen.

Additionally, I have also read numerous reports/reviews on the internet which claim that System Mechanic is also "ransomware" in that when you eventually run into problems after using it, your computer ever-so-promptly does not function immediately afterward the cleaning has been completed or when it reboots the users' computers. And then when users that experienced these problems many called the tech support for help only to get the ransomeware run-around with iolo offering to help if you first pay them upwards of $200 first (with absolutely no guarantees that they can or will fix it).

If you do not want to take the others advice to use the included Windows 8 firewall and Windows Defender, then for a freeware security program I would recommend either AVG AntiVirus Free Edition 2014 or perhaps you could try out Avast! Free Edition 2014 software. Both of these are very stable and reliable. Either one of these will be a vast improvement over System Mechanic Pro, at least in my humble opinion.

And also for real-time online protection from malware you might try out Malwarebytes AntiMalware which comes in both a free as well as a "paid" version (which I actually prefer BTW).

Good Luck! -- COMP​

 

Well that sucks I got tricked into getting a 3 years subscription for System mech pro :cry I betting there's no way to get my refund lol I really appreciate the help. So am I completely screwed I use this computer for a lot of personal stuff should I be concerned? Dell recommended this for me I guess dell is a crappy product please let me know so i can get rid of this alienware before the warranty is up.

 

Hey TheNoobie101, there's a 30 money back deal, but I think your time limit is over, you need to check and then maybe you try and go to support here- http://www.iolo.com/, if they can't help, if I was you if it's giving you problems, I would just uninstall it and take my loss. This is what "I" would do.

 

Yeah Im going to sell my computer and get a cheaper one that way it wont be a total loss if anything happens this computer cost to much to loose, thanks for the help.