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MSE News: All web users urged to run anti virus check
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Former_MSE_Guy
Posts: 1,650 Forumite
in Techie Stuff
This is the discussion thread for the following MSE News Story:
"Hackers are thought to be targeting web users by implanting a computer virus that records which sites you visit ..."
"Hackers are thought to be targeting web users by implanting a computer virus that records which sites you visit ..."
Read the full story:
All web users urged to run anti virus check
All web users urged to run anti virus check
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Comments
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My anti virus AVG found nothing in it's 12 o clock scheduled scan. I will keep an eye out for anything strange.
£2 Coins Savings Club 2012 is £4.............................NCFC member No: 00005.........
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NPFM 210 -
Dare I say that's because AVG has a poor detection rate... Specifcally 94% in AV-Comparatives latest test.My anti virus AVG found nothing in it's 12 o clock scheduled scan. I will keep an eye out for anything strange.
I'd recommend uninstalling this and installing Avira (99.4% but no email scanning) or Avast (98% email scanning inc.). Personally I use Avira.0 -
Is it "all web users", or "all Windows users?".
I love it when people write articles about computers while pretending that Mac OS X and Linux don't exist.0 -
Who?I love it when people write articles about computers while pretending that Mac OS X and Linux don't exist.
Since when has the world of computer software design been about what people want? This is a simple question of evolution. The day is quickly coming when every knee will bow down to a silicon fist, and you will all beg your binary gods for mercy.0 -
Is it "all web users", or "all Windows users?".
I love it when people write articles about computers while pretending that Mac OS X and Linux don't exist.Who?
Probably those who like to (wrongly) think that because they have a mac or linux os, they are immune from any/all possible security breaches.
Bless 'em!"Now to trolling as a concept. .... Personally, I've always found it a little sad that people choose to spend such a large proportion of their lives in this way but they do, and we have to deal with it." - MSE Forum Manager 6th July 20100 -
Is it "all web users", or "all Windows users?".
I love it when people write articles about computers while pretending that Mac OS X and Linux don't exist.
It's all web users - whatever operating system. While this particular trojan may be for one type of system - that doesn't negate the wider point. And while Mac's (and i've a lesser knowledge of Linux - but most of its users are very techie savvy anyway so less of an issue) have traditionally been less targetted, there are still viruses out there.
As for what Mac and Linux users should be doing "everyone should do an updated anti-virus scan".
MartinMartin Lewis, Money Saving Expert.
Please note, answers don't constitute financial advice, it is based on generalised journalistic research. Always ensure any decision is made with regards to your own individual circumstance.Don't miss out on urgent MoneySaving, get my weekly e-mail at www.moneysavingexpert.com/tips.Debt-Free Wannabee Official Nerd Club: (Honorary) Members number 0000 -
It is important to know what platform the Virus is targeted at i.e. if it was written in MFC (Microsoft C++) Then it will only effect Win32 based platforms, if it was written in Assembler (like most of the good ones are) or C then it may well infect multiple platforms including Linux and Unix.
It could well be a Java script virus which again may infect multiple platforms.Since when has the world of computer software design been about what people want? This is a simple question of evolution. The day is quickly coming when every knee will bow down to a silicon fist, and you will all beg your binary gods for mercy.0 -
While it is true to say that no personal computer is totally immune from malware or virus attack, it really should be reported that your risk is an order of magnitute greater using MS Windows than with other systems. Like it or not, this is a well established fact.
You need to consider the level of risk when making any decision. Just because there is some risk with non-Windows systems does not mean you should ignore the fact that odds are stacked massively against you on Windows.
The reasons are irrelevant, but the fact remains that despite its market dominance, Windows is quite dangerous and there are far better and safer alternatives. Yes, I prefer a Mac, but I am also a long-time Windows sufferer too - I just choose to make an informed decision for the sake of my security, my data, my work, etc.
If you can only afford the cheapest PC, then it's going to be Windows. However, if other factors are important to you as well, there IS a choice!
It is quite annoying that amongst the scaremongering there seems to be little effort put into advising people on how they really can reduce the risk substantially without relying upon the band-aid of Windows antivirus software.0 -
Thanks for the heads up martin0
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