topic Re: Plusnet Protect in Plusnet Feedback

Plusnet Protect

BCB36 — Wed, 10 Dec 2014 12:51:43 GMT

I'm hopping mad.
After abandoning Avira for the McAfee antivirus provided as Plusnet Protect I've discovered that my machine has been infected with every kind of nasty from viruses through trojans to malware, despite my care not to click on any site that does not show a green tick. Plusnet Protect is clearly not enough and (i) everyone should know that and (ii) Plusnet should do something about it that does not require a £140 payment for AVG.

Re: Plusnet Protect

Oldjim — Wed, 10 Dec 2014 15:47:08 GMT

How do you know you have been infected - which program advised you of it

Re: Plusnet Protect

rongtw — Wed, 10 Dec 2014 16:31:01 GMT

I keep getting told off for saying ,,, But you cant go wrong installing MSE Microsoft security essentials , and malwarebytes
all Free

Re: Plusnet Protect

tijara33 — Wed, 10 Dec 2014 18:29:41 GMT

Quote
But you cant go wrong installing MSE Microsoft security essentials , and malwarebytes Cool
all Free Wink

I completely agree!!

Re: Plusnet Protect

Chris — Thu, 11 Dec 2014 11:43:36 GMT

Hi there,
Sorry that your PC seems to have been infected, I can't offer much other advice than has already been given which is to run a full check with anti-virus and malware on your computer(s) to ensure any infections are removed.

Re: Plusnet Protect

ArthurDent — Thu, 11 Dec 2014 16:33:16 GMT

As I posted under Other Queries just a couple of days ago, I too have reservations about the McA/PN offering. - not least absent or lethargic customer service, which comes from McA (not).

Re: Plusnet Protect

sjptd — Thu, 11 Dec 2014 17:35:41 GMT

But you can't go wrong installing MSE Microsoft security essentials , and malwarebytes
I use that combination too ~ but I wouldn't say 'you can't go wrong', unfortunately you can go wrong with any AV if you are unlucky.
Reviews don't generally rate protection from MSE very high, but it is convenient and has low footprint.
Historically McAfee has rated very low, but is apparently much better now.
On the green tick side, anyone can install McAfee Site Advisor for free. I used to use it, but now use WOT (Web of Trust, also free)

Re: Plusnet Protect

Mav — Thu, 11 Dec 2014 18:29:17 GMT

Quote from: rongtw
I keep getting told off for saying ,,, But you cant go wrong installing MSE Microsoft security essentials , and malwarebytes
all Free

Not forgetting SpyBot Search & Destroy v1.62

Re: Plusnet Protect

newagetraveller — Thu, 11 Dec 2014 18:56:44 GMT

Or Avast Free antivirus, Comodo Free firewall and free Superantispyware.

Re: Plusnet Protect

picbits — Fri, 12 Dec 2014 08:39:44 GMT

Quote from: Oldjim
How do you know you have been infected - which program advised you of it

As above - often fake "antivirus" software will run a scan of your system and advise you that you are heavily infected but to remove the infections you'll need to pay for additional software.
Also, if you got a rootkit virus while you were using Avira which masked its presence then subsequent AV programs could also have issues detecting the viruses (I've had this before with paid versions of AV Software).

Re: Plusnet Protect

St3 — Fri, 12 Dec 2014 11:35:23 GMT

Microsoft security essentials - all the way

Re: Plusnet Protect

Oldjim — Fri, 12 Dec 2014 11:39:49 GMT

Isn't it amazing how people think that Microsoft Essentials is the bees knees when it comes dead last in all the testing done by reputable testing organisations

Re: Plusnet Protect

Mav — Fri, 12 Dec 2014 11:53:07 GMT

But the proof in the pudding is in the eating.
I never trust the tests anyway. In my real world usage I have never had an infection using MSE, Spybot and Malwarebytes.

Re: Plusnet Protect

Oldjim — Fri, 12 Dec 2014 11:54:21 GMT

and I have never had one with Kaspersky so what does that prove

Re: Plusnet Protect

Chris — Fri, 12 Dec 2014 11:56:10 GMT

Quote
so what does that prove

There's not a one-size-fits-all solution to PC security?

Re: Plusnet Protect

Oldjim — Fri, 12 Dec 2014 12:50:00 GMT

I just thought I would run Malwarebytes - hasn't been run for over 6 months - and no real problems found except that there was a piece of unwanted software in the recycle bin
Except looking in the recycle bin it isn't there
This is the report - any thoughts PUP.Optional.Softonic, C:\$Recycle.Bin\S-1-5-21-2079400871-371376473-1369741590-1001\$RWYJ2U9.part, , [ef042140a5d773c3e5efa27f7091a65a],
EDIT
Ignore
It is an inaccessible folder under the recycle bin which was last modified in 2009
Will now investigate
Turns out it is the recycle bin for the Vista boot option which I never use

Re: Plusnet Protect

rongtw — Fri, 12 Dec 2014 13:17:35 GMT

Jim as i have said previously , these so called independent test are alto they say they dont ! ,,are paid By the AV companies to show their is the best !
I know you are going to say they are so called independent but its only their word you take .
any AV is good , some are free some paid but it dont mean the paid ones are better , 90% of any virus infestation is caused by the PC user visiting suspicious sites , a lack of common sense !
I have used MSE / MBAM for more than 4 years and never had any infections

Re: Plusnet Protect

RJM — Sat, 13 Dec 2014 20:12:49 GMT

MSE is OK but, BitDefender Free Antivirus will give you a little more protection.
http://www.bitdefender.co.uk/solutions/free.html
I run Malwarebytes Pro and it is superb and well worth spending a few pounds a year on - you can always pick-up cheap yearly licenses if you hunt around.