malware Archives - Page 17 of 27

1/4 of all PCs aren’t protected against viruses. Is yours? Are you sure?

Posted on April 19, 2019

For years now study after study has shown that about 25% of all PCs worldwide operate without effective protection from viruses and hacking attacks.

Most of those vulnerable systems have antivirus software installed, but that software offers little protection because the owners fail to take steps to keep the malware definition files updated.

Many people think that just having an antivirus program installed on a PC is enough to keep malware and hackers at bay, but nothing could be further from the truth. [Read more…]

Yes, you do need to update your Chrome browser right now!

Posted on March 12, 2019

Several people have messaged me this morning asking if the viral notice to update their Chrome browser to the latest version is real or a hoax.

Well, as you know, hoaxes abound on Facebook, but this isn’t one of them.

If you haven’t done so already, you really do need to install the latest update for Chrome in order to prevent hackers from exploiting a very dangerous security flaw.

And you need to install this update right now because the flaw is actively being exploited as we speak!

[Read more…]

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…]