malware Archives - Page 17 of 26

Review: Avast Mobile Security for your Android phone or tablet

Posted on October 19, 2018

I’ve been recommending the free version of Avast Antivirus to keep your PC free of malware for some time now because it does a better job at keeping your data and identity safe from hackers and scammers than most other “paid” alternatives, and it won’t slow your system down.

You’re probably aware that mobile devices have have their own security issues, and that’s why I’ve been using (and recommending) an excellent free security app called Lookout Mobile Security.

Lookout does a great job at enhancing a mobile device’s overall security, but Android users also need effective antivirus protection for their phones, tablets and other devices. [Read more…]

Q&A: Why does my laptop shut down our Wi-Fi network every time I turn it on?

Posted on September 22, 2018

Question from Ronnie M.: Hi Rick. I have a really strange problem that I need help with.

We’ve had Xfinity Internet for years and the Wi-Fi has always worked perfectly until recently.

A couple of weeks ago my Dell laptop started causing our Wi-Fi network to completely shut down every time I turn it on.

The Wi-Fi can be working perfectly on our other computers, on our phones and on the kids’ Xbox, but within 5 minutes after turning on my laptop the Wi-Fi stops working on everything in the house. The devices still show an active connection but we can’t do anything on the Internet.

The crazy thing is I don’t even have to be using the Internet on my computer for this to happen.

In fact, I don’t even have to have a web browser open. It just happens. But the Wi-Fi starts working again on the other devices just as soon as I shut my laptop down.

Do you have any idea what could be causing this? I thought it might be a virus but I have three antivirus programs running on my computer and none of them are finding anything.

Rick’s answer: [Read more…]

Scam alert: If you receive a pop-up saying “Apple wants to make changes” on your Mac, it’s probably due to a malware infection.

Posted on September 10, 2018

Lots of Mac users have started receiving pop-up messages stating something like this:

“Apple wants to make changes. Type your password to allow this.“

Questions about this pop-up are currently being asked in most all the popular Mac support forums online, and as you can imagine these folks are quite concerned that something untoward is happening with their Macs.

Well, their concern is indeed warranted because the “Apple wants to make changes…” pop-up is likely being caused by malware. [Read more…]

Q&A: How can I remove the Avast ads from the footer of my sent emails?

Posted on June 26, 2018

Question from Adam G.: I’ve been using Avast Antivirus for a few months, and for the most part I really like it. I know you use it too, so I thought you might be able to help me solve a problem I’m having with it.

I was just tipped off by one of my customers that Avast is placing what is essentially an ad promoting their software into the footer of my outgoing emails.

I actually don’t mind the ad in my personal emails since Avast allows me to use their software for free, but I don’t like them showing up in my business emails. How can I remove them?

Rick’s answer: [Read more…]

Scam alert: Beware the free VPN app ‘S5Mark’ – It’s actually malware!

Posted on June 19, 2018

As you probably know, many free download sites attach additional “drive-by” downloads to the files you download from their sites to your PC.

A relative handful of those “add-on” programs are actually beneficial, but the vast majority of them are simply junk that will bloat your system and slow it down.

Even worse, some add-ons that claim to provide a useful service are actually malware that will spy on you and/or do nefarious things and make it look like you’re the culprit.

One of the most insidious “drive-by” add-ons that you’re likely to ever encounter is a program called S5Mark. [Read more…]