Vicki says we steered her wrong
Good Monday Morning. I have a “bone” to pick with you two concerning the recommended “free” anti-virus and spyware programs you recommend. These two programs did not save us from the virus that cost us two weeks of our time trying to repair the infected files the virus destroyed. We were told by the tech that these “free” anti-virus programs are only temporary not to be used for an un- specified time! The suggested anti-virus program we installed was the Microsoft Security Essentials, and the spyware program was the “SUPERAntiSpyware.” I am very disappointed that you recommended these “free” programs when in the long run they do NOT protect us as you promised they would. Sorry for starting your Monday out on a negative note. But it’s information that I feel should be shared!! Vicki
Our answer
Your computer tech doesn’t know what he or she is doing and trusting your computer to someone like that is far more dangerous than installing a free anti-virus.
First of all, there are independent testing labs that test antivirus programs — free and paid. There is no evidence that paid antivirus offers any better protection than paid antivirus.
Secondly, your tech has to learn the difference between malware and rogues and viruses. There isn’t a single antivirus made that will protect you form 100% of all viruses. And there isn’t one made that will protect you from rogues or from yourself if you intentionally install malware like the 100+ from the FunWebProducts family.
It’s important to get your information from people who you trust. Anyone can call themselves a computer tech. Your computer tech can’t back up his statements at all. He or she obviously doesn’t know the difference between a virus, a rogue, and self-inflicted malware (comes with bundlers and careless user installation).
We’ve cleaned computers protected by Norton, McAfee, Trend Micro and Kaspersky which were infected by dozens of malware programs. But they were not infected with viruses — they were infected with Trojans, rogues and malware — and anyone who lumps those all into the category of “viruses” is simply not well-informed.
Please feel free to see the proof — free antivirus vs paid antivirus from an institution whose job it is to know about antivirus programs — not from someone who calls him or herself a computer tech.
Visit http://www.virus-bulletin.com and look at the data and the facts. There our several other independent anti-virus testing labs that can give you actual data and facts to repute what your misinformed “computer tech” told you. One of them is AV Comparatives http://avcomparatives.com/
Nothing angers us more than someone calling themselves a computer tech who charges money for “fixing” a computer while dispensing potentially misleading and costly misinformation — like that that dispensed by your computer tech.
It’s very important to learn, on the Internet as in life, who you can trust. In this case, you trusted the wrong person. And you’ve spent money unnecessarily, and worse, your computer is still not protected from very same things that you were infected with when your “computer tech” came to the rescue. Those weren’t viruses at all.
We stand by our claim that free antivirus protects your computer as well or better than paid antivirus from VIRUSES. None of them will protect you from yourself or from all rogues or malware — paid or free.
Viki…before you start fingerpointing, do some research on antivirus and see where Microsoft Security Essentials and Superantispyware rank. I am not a Microsoft fan, but Essentials is something they did right! As for your tech…I wonder what he/she tried to sell you in place of these “temporary programs.” I would challenge the competence of this so called “tech.” There is one sure fired way to avoid ALL MALWARE…unplug your computer and garage sale it! The people here at Thudercloud know what they are talking about and they would be the last on my list to suggest that there is culpability of malfeance on their part.
Hi Guys,
I’m glad you posted that letter from Vicki as we also have had similar experiences with “know it all” computer techs….I have been a member of your list for years now and have followed your recomendations where ever possible and though we have been infected with the odd “trojan” it has basically been our own fault. Your other suggestions have kept the computer otherwise clean and working well. Keep up the good work guys I look forward to your emails and also your recommendations and would be floundering without them.
I agree with Brian. I have been with Cloud-eight for over 8 years and they have never, ever steered me wrong. I can’t say that for Computer Techs however.
I’m sorry! I want to laugh! I actually hope that tech was trying to sell you some software! If not, please find a new tech! That information he gave you is so wrong. And actually with a small amount of effort and research you could determine this for yourself.
Why write a letter such as this without first researching the issue?
I believe the tech saw that you wanted someone to just tell you what to do. That you didn’t want to be bothered to research. This left you open to whatever he wanted to sell you! This is what that malicious spyware maker you downloaded was also counting on. The fact you want someone to tell you what is good for you; you want it now; and you want it free. And if it’s not free, well, give it to you now.
I also know first hand that the reply you received from Cloud Eight is absolutely correct. There is no anti-virus perfectly safe. The companies that run these anti-viruses must first discover a virus. A new virus is just that brand new! Someone must get it first to know about it! Now for the fun web products. If you researched a tiny bit, you would be aware of most free products on the web are anything but free.
Finally, we are very lucky to have people like the Cloud Eight team offering their knowledge about which products are safe for us to use without us spending hours researching or ruining our computers. Perhaps, you should research a tiny bit before jumping in with a rude letter.
I’m rather afraid this reply might be considered rude. I believe it is nicer than the letter originally written.
Thanks for reading!
Libby
When I first started using a computer many years ago, I
used some expensive anti-virus programmes that were being touted as being something magnificent. Not only did I have to pay for them, I also had to pay to have the viruses that they didn’t catch cleaned out of my computer.
Then I was lucky enough to find Cloud Eight and my computer life changed. Gone were the expensive anti-virus programmes, etc. and I followed their advice and choices for free programmes and haven’t had a problem since then. That doesn’t mean you can do reckless things with your computer but it does prove that there are many programmes out there that are free and exceptionally good.
Follow the Cloud Eight team and with their knowledge you’ll find out, they’re not going to lead you astray.
Thank heavens for Cloud Eight!
I stand wholeheartedly by the comments provided by Cloud Eight.
In any case MS Essentials and Super Anti spyware are not temporary programs.
I have used both programs very successfully for quite some years now; no way would I want to change to Norton, McAfee, Trend Micro and Kaspersky, or any other than the two mentioned earlier.
In response to Vicki, my answer also is that the person “fixing” your computer doesn’t know beans about spyware, antispyware, etc. I had to have the GEEKS in a couple of months ago, as I had a half off coupon. The person I had fixed the problem that I had and then checked out my programs and said that I had good security and that the Malwarebytes program was one of the strongest programs that he has seen and that it was better than Microsoft Essentials which I have. Just because someone can fix a probem on your computer doesn’t make them an expert on software programs. I am truly sorry that you had the trouble and hopefully you want have anymore problems.
While I agree with most of the comments here, there’s one other possibility that I don’t think has been mentioned. Do you have your anti-spyware and anti-malware programs set up for real-time protection, Vicki? If not, you need to do that, otherwise they won’t provide any protection at all. It’s like having an umbrella that you never open… you’re gonna get wet. As far as I can tell, MalwareBytes AntiMalware offers real-time protection only in their paid version. But MSE and SuperAntiSpyware provide real-time protection even in their free versions. But you have to make sure it’s turned on. Even with it turned on, and definitely with the free version of AntiMalware, you should be regularly and faithfully running a scan with each of these essential tools.
I’m not going to argue with anyone. But I’ve been using AVG Security for 6 years now. And of course I do pay for it. It has come on the screen that it stopped a trojan and put it in the virus fault. I don’t know why you keep putting down the paid ones. I know people that used the free programs and got viruses etc. So I’ll stay with AVG.
Karen – we are not against the paid ones — you can use what you want. But AVG’s PAID versions has been rated as “Unacceptable” by at least one independent anti-virus testing lab at least once in the past year. If you want to spend money on a an anti-virus, it’s your money. And just because AVG popped-up a warning on a Trojan doesn’t mean its free version (or any other free anti-virus) would not have. AVG’s paid version uses the SAME anti-virus definition file as the free version — AVG’s paid version includes annoying things like a firewall you don’t need (Windows XP and newer have a firewall that will protect you just as well despite what some tech sites who push paid firewalls for a commission, say. The toolbar it installs is unnecessary. It’s a browser search hijacker. It slows your computer down. But it’s your computer and your money. The fact is you’re not any more well protected with AVG’s paid version than you would be with their free version.
Vicki,it seems your were “steered wrong” by the “computer tech”. They did what they set out to do…. You…. bit into their pitch. They are out to get business and they will do it at your cost.
I am sorry that you are having such issues ,but, personally, nothing is worse… than a “computer tech” that gives misinformation. If you needed a “tech” why not give Cloud Eight a try? It would of been less expensive and handled with more expertise then was given you. Cloud Eight and the team has been a God send and love having them around.
The only time I hear sob stories like this from “techs” is from places like Best Buy,Office Depot, etc that try to sell you things. My computer tech, who did sell anti virus programs, always told me which FREE one to use. He used the same ones that he told me to use. I am not real computer saavy and have to rely on those that are; like Cloudeight for one. They are usually right and very easy to understand. I am currently using Microsoft Essentials, SuperAntiSpyware and Malwarebytes…all FREE. I will knock on wood but I’ve not had a problem. I will add that you MUST keep them updated and actually run these programs. Other than Microsoft Essentials, it runs itself. I think. I hope. 🙂
Reminds me I better undate and run these right now while I’m thinking of it!
I have to agree with everyone else on this one Vicki. I used Norton for years and swore by it but two years ago I listened to Cloud Eight and changed over to Microsoft Security Essentials and SuperAnti Spyware and have had no problems since. But no matter what you use you still have to use your brain first and foremost.
I am another admirer of Cloudeight and trust them implicitly. I have used a lot of sites they advise to use and have found them to be very trustworthy. At present I use Microsoft Essentials site and have found it to be great. I have also been using Cloudeight since 2002 and would be lost without their advice to help me in times of confusion….
Thank you Cloudeight…ummm…thundercloud….I used the uinstall tool like you recommended, uninstalled Avast downloaded Microsoft Essentials and have been loving it! For some reason my computer has even been running a bit faster! So many thanks…and Vicki I’m sorry, but I’m going to agree with the others here, either you wern’t running it correctly or you had spyware which are not a virus at all…..sorry for all your wasted time and aggrivation though….happy cybering 🙂
Hello Vicki
Sorry to have to add to the deluge of “hostile” message you got this morning.
Nobody can accuse me of being an expert in computers, but common sense tells me, that in order for something to work, you have to actually use it!!
I don’t know about your tech. and what he was trying to sell you. I happen to have a tech. who is really good and actually cares (rare commodity)!! He d/l for me Panda anti-virus (free version), and it works like a charm. Together with Malware-bytes it keeps my computer as clean as can possibly be in this day and age. The only “drawback” with these free programs, you have to update them almost every second day to keep up with the “new viruses”, rogues malwares and you name it.
As it was pointed out to you, there is no anti-virus in the world that can protect you from yourself d/l junk.
I am joining the others in strongly urging you to change tech. like, yesterday!!
Good luck and best regards
Anna
In response to Vicki’s letter I would like to say the following: Don’t we all jump to conclusions? Accusations and pointing the finger at someone when we believe he/she did us wrong. In this case it would be Cloudeight. Well, Cloudeight, I am sorry that you got “yelled” at becuase in my personal opinion you 2 are the best source of information in any direction in the PC world. You guys are on my pc since the day you started and I have learned and still learn a lot from you. I always admired you for the time you taketo teach us in the most understandable way possible. Thanks to you 2, I saved hundreds of dollars because you taught me to protect my pc, to maintain it and to keep it running the way it is.
Now, maybe Vicky was upset that day she wrote to you and maybe she regrets that she clicked on “send”, but aren’t we all little bit like her?
To come to an end, Cloudeight, you are great and I will keep you as long as you are teaching us the right way in this crazy cyber world. Thank you for being there for us.
It is quite apparent that Vicki did not do any research on her own or she would know that your advice is always “spot on”. It is easy to “point the finger” but not easy to take it back!
Novice user to Expert user will find Cloudeight the place to go for reliable advice on computers.
A long-term user.
I have always used free anti virus programs, and ALWAYS have found them to do the job better than ones I have purchased.
I want to say something about Vicki’s computer problem by using the antivirus and antispyware recommended by TC and EB. I’m here to tell you the “computer tech” she used did not know one thing he was talking about. He was spouting the things good little techs must say to keep getting his money.My wife took her computer to a “computer tech” place because her email stopped working. I was sick, so she took it on herself to get the problem fixed. The tech put in CC Cleaner, waited 24 hours and said it was fixed. The tech told her the same things about all the “junk programs” she had on her computer. She could not find her stuff she was used to, she had to reset her passwords and blog sites and the computer did not get email. I called Comcast, found out her email file was full, deleted all the emails within the last 100 years, and, presto – it works now. The tech also lost her USB mouse thing, but was willing to give her a wired mouse to replace the lost one. Believe what TC and EB put on the newsletter. They will NOT steer you wrong. You also need to use common sence and protect your computer by not going where you are guaranteed to get hit with a virus or malware. Common sence is the biggest part of a good antivirus and malware program. Keep up the great word TC and EB.
I use Malwarebytes and SUPERAntiSpyware both and have not had any Spyware, Trojans or any conflicts. I guess you could also put Threat-Fire into the mix. I also use I-Orbit with anti-virus and I use CLAM for checking my email which CLAM is very good at. But I also do put rouge software on my computer either. I dual boot with Linux and never have any problems when running Mint.
Not matter how secure your system is you have to careful as what software you put on your computer.
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I sure wouldn’t trust my computer to I-Obit (or any off-brand antivirus). I-Obit is known for their system optimizing tools – and I’m skeptical of those as well. THreat-fire is nearly worthless — causing more false alarms than anyone needs. And checking email with a separate anti-virus makes no sense. Do you realize to your computer an email file is a file like picture file or a program file or music file or a video file or a document. I’m quite sure you don’t install a separate scanner for each type of file on your computer.
The email-scanning nonsense was a genius marketing ploy by Symantec (Norton) and all the others played follow the leader. Every time you browse the web there are hundreds of files being downloaded to your computer into your cache. In fact, most web sites you view aren’t being seen from the web — they’re being view from your own hard drive. You don’t install a separate scanner to scan thousands of files your browser downloads — do you? I bet if you look in your Temporary Internet Files folder — you’ll find thousands of files that were downloaded by your browser unbeknownst to you.
It’s just to bad that Norton and others have propagated this ridiculous lie that email files are somehow different than any other file. They’re all just files. And if you have a good anti-virus installed and something comes to your computer that malicious – your antivirus will catch it — whether it comes from your browser, in your email program or something you intentionally downloaded.
A file is a file is a file.
Hi Vicki. I understand your frustration over your recent computer experience. No sense in me repeating most of what was already said here but for one thing; Cloud 8 has NEVER steered me wrong, & has saved my computer from disaster, with their above & beyond helpfullness & knowledge.
Because of them I have learned so much in an easy to understand way, that I have actually been able to help family & friends with their computers when they became infected & inoperable, with any of the million of threats out there. I then recommended they use the very same products Cloud 8 recommends; & that I too use, & they have never had a problem since.
I would trust my PC & laptop health to Cloud 8, anyday!!