Easy to Clean Up Computer?
Stopzilla tells me I need to pay them $150 to "clean" my computer; that it's full of junk and keeping their antivirus, etc scans from working properly. Do I really need to do this, or are they just...
Forum Discussion
IMO, you don't need to pay for security or system maintenance software. I can get top rated paid AV software from my employer for my personal systems for Free. But use all Free security apps instead.
At minimum, I'd recommend a highly rated Free AV program + Malwarebytes Free + CCleaner Free + Zemana AntiLogger Free. Of all these, the only one program I'd consider paying for is Malwarebytes Premium, which includes real-time scanning. In fact, I personally run more security apps, some custom to add a layered approach.
If you're wondering about Zemana, its a keyboard encryption and memory capture prevention app. Why? Simply look at what the recent credit card breaches at Target, Home Depot, Michaels, Goodwill, etc all had in common? Apparently, the use of keylogging/memory capture Malware. Though not foolproof, as it needs to load ahead of the keylogger to be effective. Especially, important if you are using a computer or web based password manager app. Take my word on this one, as I was able to breach both in tests using readily available keylogger/memory capture apps. The only way to stop it was by use of a anti-keylogger/capture app.
Of course, this assumes your system is clean to begin with? Especially, if any type of keylogger Trojan or rootkit is embedded in your system. Which in themselves, are notoriously difficult to detect even by top rate AV software. None of my AV software was able to do so, even though I had installed the keylogger. The only one that did? Malwarebytes Free.
At minimum, I'd recommend a highly rated Free AV program + Malwarebytes Free + CCleaner Free + Zemana AntiLogger Free. Of all these, the only one program I'd consider paying for is Malwarebytes Premium, which includes real-time scanning. In fact, I personally run more security apps, some custom to add a layered approach.
If you're wondering about Zemana, its a keyboard encryption and memory capture prevention app. Why? Simply look at what the recent credit card breaches at Target, Home Depot, Michaels, Goodwill, etc all had in common? Apparently, the use of keylogging/memory capture Malware. Though not foolproof, as it needs to load ahead of the keylogger to be effective. Especially, important if you are using a computer or web based password manager app. Take my word on this one, as I was able to breach both in tests using readily available keylogger/memory capture apps. The only way to stop it was by use of a anti-keylogger/capture app.
Of course, this assumes your system is clean to begin with? Especially, if any type of keylogger Trojan or rootkit is embedded in your system. Which in themselves, are notoriously difficult to detect even by top rate AV software. None of my AV software was able to do so, even though I had installed the keylogger. The only one that did? Malwarebytes Free.
