Niel says we have no credence with him anymore
Based on your initial comment I dropped MSE which you previously recommended and purchased an anti-virus online. Thanks allot! I have become suspicious about your recommendations when you initially panned Malware Bites, then 2 weeks later pushed Emsisoft (sp?) sold thru your website. I am now using my provider’s home page predominantly. You have lost credence in my view. Niel N.
Our answer
If you have been getting our newsletters, you would know the reason we searched for a new antimalware program in the first place; it was because Malwarebytes quit detecting most PUPs – the most common form of Malware. Once we dropped our recommendation, a few weeks later, Malwarebytes started detecting PUPs again ( and whether they are or aren’t right now is the question – we have seen evidence which suggests that Malwarebytes may again be soft on PUPs). No other tech site or blog called them out on this; we and many others trusted Malwarebytes – and they allowed users to become infected with all manner of malware and pups without explaining to us or anyone else, and we thought it was very wrong of them — and still do. And once dozens of our readers started complaining to them about the lack of detection, Malwarebytes began to listen. We wrote them almost two months before we pulled our recommendation and they never answered us.
Emsisoft not only proved to be the best antimalware program, but as a collateral benefit it is one of the very best antivirus programs too. We chose Emsisoft because we spent two weeks of testing all manner or anti-malware programs and we found Emsisoft the best of the bunch. Not only is Emsisoft a consistently good antimalware, but it a consistently (proved by many independent lab tests) one of the top antivirus programs, plus their support is world class –excellent support is something we insist on. It was kind of a no-brainer to choose Emsisoft the best of the dozen or so we tested. The amount of profit we make on Emsisoft is less than we could have made on Norton or McAfee, who were offering 75% commissions on sales. And at $59 or $69 retail price, 75% is more than we’re selling Emsisoft for. We don’t recommend anything because we can make money on it — if you really have been reading our newsletters over the years, you’d already know this.
As far as antivirus, you must be aware by now that Microsoft has scored very poorly on independent tests, and has been dropped from the “recommended” category on almost every AV testing lab site. It is not even being certified by any major independent AV test sites we are familiar with.
Additionally, we began seeing evidence of this in real world experience. We began seeing trojans and viruses on computers running MSE/Defender and called them out on this — again we did so before any other tech site even realized what was happening. So, once again, we were ahead of the pack.
We are not going to keep recommending something just because we once recommended it — and most readers agree with that philosophy. If that means eating crow or makes us look like “flip-floppers”, then so be it. Our readers safety and security is far more important than how we appear to our detractors. And it will always be so.
In the 12 years we have been writing Information Avenue, and the 10 years we have been writing InfoAve Premium, we have passed up huge commissions to affiliate with companies such as Norton, McAfee, and others. We still recommend Windows Firewall — it comes free with every Windows computer. We could have joined the legions of other tech sites who say Windows Firewall doesn’t protect you and sold readers some 3rd-party firewall and made money on it – but that wouldn’t be honest because Windows Firewall is as good as any other — and it is free. Despite the offers of generous commissions to sell other antivirus products over the years we continued to recommend MSE (or other free antivirus software). But we can no longer recommend MSE (Defender in Windows 8) It is unfortunate, but we cannot recommend an antivirus which doesn’t protect its users.
As far as other free antivirus software, AVG is questionable — it installs toolbars and other nonsense — which could be regarded as PUPs. Avast has become a mini-Norton suite — and does not protect from malware at all.
We’re sorry you feel the way you do, but we will continue to tell the truth and be honest with our readers, even if it alienates some of them.
Good for you!!!! There is no pleasing some people who in my opinion must be blind as well as ignorant.I have been with you (and I didn’t realise) since the beginning and you have been such a wonderful help to me with your advice and with the service that you give. Your honesty shines through believe me and I know that there are many many others who feel the same, even though we know that you have had such hard times but kept on going so as not to disappoint your many satisfied followers. So ignore the ill informed and keep up the great work that you do.
Keep doing the good work you are doing! It is hard to please everyone, it just cannot be done, so don’t worry about it. Apparently the reader did not read very well what was written about MSE and Malwarebytes. The majority of your readers trust what you have to say, because most of us would have no way of testing these things out. Maybe the reader is just suspicious because you are the good guys on the block, there are so many computer “experts” out there who give bad advice anyway, and it is hard to find someone who will stand up and tell the truth like it really is. Keep up the good work, because so many of us depend on your good advice!
Things change, and that includes the internet and the programs thereon. If Niel can’t appreciate genuine guidance in avoiding disasters, that’s his problem. Our problem would be if Cloudeight succumbed to the almighty dollar and dropped us all in it, left to fend for ourselves. We are privileged to have someone willing to forego the lure of big money in the interests of keeping us safe from the voracious scumbags out there, whom without Cloudeight’s help many of us would not recognise.
Thank you for being Flip-floppers TC, it’s what we need.
Barb.
Oh Please TC, please let me be the 1st to say goodbye to Niel N. Goodbye Niel, your rudeness and accusatory words were uncalled for in my opinion so you are free to leave if you are not happy with the information given in this valuable and appreciated weekly newsletter! It is obvious Niel does not read all the newsletters and follow the “how and why” things change from week to week. The one thing we all know for sure is life comes with change! Unfortunately very often changes we do not like or want to accept. I think it was so good of TC to spend so much time explaining the why’s of this particular situation to show Niel why you are wrong in your thinking. Faithful readers such as myself learn so much from articles like this one your rude note evoked! Know you have done no harm to the credibility of this newsletter or it’s authors. You are free to take your suspicions somewhere else…….Pj
I believed I did not need a antivirus or malware program with Windows 8 because it had a built in antivirus “Defender”. Are you say that I should have Emsisoft on my computer? Is there going to be a conflict if I install it and I still have the “Defender” program? Any information you can give me will be greatly appreciated. Always trust and listen to what you have to say! Thanks for all the good advice you have given over the years.
you should not rely on Defender alone. Defender will disable itself when you install Emsisoft.
Darcy (Eightball)
Neil is living in a dream world. Perhaps he doesn’t understand that things evolve over time and also go backward. In any case, I think that he should go back over his newsletters and re-read what has been written on this subject. I can’t applaud enough the team members at Cloudeight. They are superior in every way and I have used them a number of times for problems and each time, it has been a wonderful experience!
Your advice has always been good. Used Avast for many years then MSE. Now have Emsisoft and like it. Keep up the good work.
Neil – a disgruntled reader. So be it. He’s a minority. You people have never lead us astray. I wouldn’t know what to do without you guys. The tips, recommendations, etc. are priceless!
Lu
In the end it just comes down to $
Really? Did you even read our answer. We have been recommending FREE antivirus for 12 years. If it came down to $ we would have pushed Norton or McAfee for 75% commission (that is what they offered). So 75% of $69 is $51.75 — and we’re selling Emsisoft for $29.95? I wonder how many 3rd-party firewalls we could have sold at $29 or $39 had we joined the cadre of those who claim Windows Firewall doesn’t protect people as well as 3rd-party firewalls. We could have lied to our readers and made a lot of money selling 3rd-party firewalls. But Windows Firewall is fine – there’s no reason to spend money on a 3rd-party firewall.
We have turned down dozens of offers to bundle malware with our software and our stationery downloads. We’ve had offers of 50 cents to $1.00 per download. We once averaged 50,000 downloads a week and 100,000 per week over during the holiday season.Even at 50 cents per download we could have made $25,000 a week ($50,000 a week during the holidays) but we were not going to sell out and hurt those who trusted us by tricking them into installing malware on their machines.
We are not going to lie to make money. We have many times been on the verge of going out of business — and the only reason we made it is because of the help our readers gave us when we asked for donations.
We are not rich. We are still struggling financially. Sometimes we don’t get paid, but we will never lie to our readers to make money.
So, no, not everyone is all about the money.
You’re right Mike G. “In the end it is all about money.” But, I know you couldn’t possibly be directing that comment to EB and TC.
More importantly, they believe it’s about you and me, and who we chose to believe and give our hard-earned money to. And that depends on our own research and experiences..and advisors who we believe are coming from a point of PROVEN integrity and EARNED trust. Clicking on an ad containing the words you WANT to hear, doesn’t “prove” anything to me. Don’t forget that “truth in advertising” (a phrase coined many years ago) came from a commercial ad by advertising companies and NOT from a law, as many believe….lots of psychology there designed to trick you…but NO truth or integrity anywhere in sight.
I thank TC and EB with all my heart for providing me with a safe place to go where integrity and honesty is both proven and earned, and their information is current and accurate to the best of their efforts. If they have come to a place where “free” is no longer trustworthy, and “purchase” is, then I’ll buy. I appreciate any pricing deal they can negotiate on my behalf. If they can get a nickle out of the deal, then why not? They EARNED it, and you and I are still the benefactors. To view their acceptance of that “nickle” as being an ulterior motive for recommending the product is an insult to their PROVEN integrity. It also proves to me that SOME are not paying enough attention, especially to the depth and supporting references in their explanations. Repeating it a “thousand” times for those who don’t “get it” or simply don’t read it all the way through before commenting or downloading the wrong thing, must be exhausting and frustrating. That alone, should be proof enough of their intentions and sincerety.
Time to send my monthly donation, which if every loyal follower would do faithfully…even $2 a month…would help to alleviate the stress of gracioiusly addressing some of these issues over and over and over again, with still enough time left to bring the rest of us up to date on the “new” stuff.
I thought I would never post again, but here I am. It seems to me a trend. Every time someone dares to criticize CloudEight he is buried under a deluge of supporters who at best make him look like an idiot, blind and ignorant. Just because Niel happens to have a different experience doesn’t make him one.
More to the point. I use MalwareBytes and so far it has detected all the PUPS. How do I know? Because I am house hunting and I keep getting all this PUPS pertaining my search. So every night I just clean them out with Malware.
As for Anti Virus I use Panda and it has protected me from viruses. I did post a recommendation for it, but haven’t seen anything, and that was quite a few months ago. Panda is free. Now, I wonder, didn’t Panda pay enough??!!!
Barb and Larry say that things change. Exactly!! So do experiences of people with the Internet sofware. It varies from people to people. I am not savvy enough to understand why, but that’s the way it is. e.g.Emsisoft. I have no doubt it works for some people, but when I d/l it it completely paralized my computer and I had to call the tech. to actually get rid of it!! So it is with Incredimail. Some people have wonderful experiences with it and others have had more than their share of problems. Personally, I think that some programs don’t work well with others in the computer and that’s why the diversity of experiences.
So stop this sheep mentality and stop baa baaing to the mighty TC every time someone dares to question the judgement of the Almighty TC.
My goodness! What crawled up your pantleg and bit you? I feel good when Cloudeight members respond with support to our team. I don’t think our support makes TC look like an ‘idiot, blind or ignorant’. Senders of angry, sarcastic or vilifying posts are usually recognized as nasty, unhappy individuals, yet their nasty remarks can be hurtful…especially if they are directed at those who are genuinely good and helpful individuals. If I were TC, I would feel gratified that my efforts were recognized and appreciated by Cloudeight’s members, and that would go a long way to nullifying the sting of the nasty comment. Here’s a hint: Be kind to others…it will come back to you.
Amen to all the above. I have been with you since the beginning and trust everything you recommend. Thanks
Avey
My original response to Neil was to explain to him he did not need to lose credence.. no intent to make him feel bad was intended. So, Neil, if you are reading this.. I hope you see why we do what we do. To anyone else reading this.. please don’t be hard on Neil. I am glad he wrote and said this, so we could address what is apparently something of concern to him. Hopefully alls well that ends well. And in the end.. its not just about safety and security.. its about Happy Computing 🙂
Darcy (eightball)
Darcy….All I have to add is “to each his own”. I would not worry about what people like Neil think. No matter how much you try, you are never going to change their minds, so just pass it off to differences of opinion and continue to do what you and TC do. Those of us that trust you and have been with you since the beginning will continue to depend on you for advice.
I am a “Senior Citizen”(84years) and when I bought my first computer (2000) my son had to show me how to turn it on. After I found your newsletter I progressed to the point of being able to create a website for our local non-profit art guild.
I have used Yahoo mail since I first set up my email account and while I don’t agree with TC about it, I do respect his opinion and will continue to read what he has to say about issues concerning the internet.
You are both very concerned people about the direction of the internet and for this I say “thank you!”
By the way, I downloaded YoWindow yesterday and I love it!
I haven’t commented before but can’t help but add my thoughts to all the positive things that have already been posted. I have followed Cloudeight for many years & as a senior citizen I can’t thank Darcy & TC enough for all the knowledge I have gained. By reading the newsletter every week I am able to keep up with what they recommend. If something changes, they let us know. That’s why I would recommend people like Neil to keep up with the newsletters. Things change! That’s the world we live in. And as Darcy says said, “alls well that ends well”. Thankyou again Darcy & TC!
Niel, you are really being very unreasonable. When Cloudeight recommends something they have tested, there is no guarantee the program will remain as it is at the time they recommend it. They have no control over the changes made, but much to our benefit, they keep a check on many of these things and let us know when the program has changed so that it is no longer doing a good job … And not only that, but they look and find something to replace it with. I hope you read these comments and realize how unreasonable and unfair you are being.
Well, I came late to computers – late ’90s. And I don’t really understand the innards of them. For the first ten+ years I had sites to work on and never owned a pc at home. I believe in TC&EB: they will research, recommend, also own it immediately when they find a faulty recommendation. Computers are like a body constantly besieged by fleas, and I’m happy to know somebody is constantly examining, confident enough to be truthful. Go EB/TC!
TC & EB–you two give us all the information about any “product” then give us a link to go to whatever site so we can decide for ourselves whether or not we want said product(s). I truly appreciate all the research you do before you comment anything one way or the other! In the end, we all decide what we want to get…purchased or free. Thanks to both of you!
Congratulations to ALL YOU CLOUDEIGHT members. Darcy, I want to be the second one bid Niel goodbye and good riddance. Be sure to take your big mouth and attitude with you. You “might” be a Cloudeight member, but it is very obvious that you have NOT read any Newsletters, so why have you hung around? To Dorothy King, I say, “Glad to meet you and all your accomplishments. (I am also 84.) TC, to you I say, “Aren’t you getting a little tired of even bothering to answer some of the insulting letters you have been getting?” You are far more kind than you have been. Reading all these “great” comments (of course, except Niel’s), I hope will make your day and these are only a few out of millions who all agree and let you know where in our hearts. Isn’t it nice to be loved????
Congratulations to ALL YOU CLOUDEIGHT members. Darcy, I want to be the second one to bid Niel goodbye and good riddance. Be sure to take your big mouth and attitude with you. You “might” be a Cloudeight member, but it is very obvious that you have NOT read any Newsletters, so why have you hung around? To Dorothy King, I say, “Glad to meet you and all your accomplishments. (I am also 84.) TC, to you I say, “Aren’t you getting a little tired of even bothering to answer some of the insulting letters you have been getting?” You are far more kind than you have been. Reading all these “great” comments (of course, except Niel’s), I hope will make your day and these are only a few out of millions who all agree and let you know where our hearts are. Isn’t it nice to be loved????
pardon my language, but…. who pissed in your cornflakes Neil and Anna. If you both are to blind to see that TC & EB have hearts of gold and only the interest of others in mind then, I’m so sorry, you are either not reading and following their advice…. as they write it, not as you perceive it, or you just like to TRY to stir up conflict. As for me and a whole boat load of others, they are gifted, talented and wise in the world of computers. They have helped me immensely, and I wouldn’t know what I do today without their help, support and guidance. Besides that, they are genuinely great people. So go do your thing… complain so they can set you right in their genuine and sincerely nice way, then please tell them you are sorry for all the mean things you had to say.
I have been with TC and EB since their beginning, too.
I agree they are priceless. And I would not be here if not for them and all the info they give. So,
to all and sundry people who bad-mouthed Neil for expressing his opinion, I quote
” be care and sweet with your words today for tomorrow you may have to eat them”
Remember, you can express your opinion, and so can I and so can Neil. Just be sure it is YOUR opinion.