There is a yearly fee for Hitman Pro. However, they have a totally free version for almost all the same features. Hitman is to be used as a second opinion along with your regular antivirus.

From Malwarebytes Lab;

https://blog.malwarebytes.org/101/2016/05/how-to-tell-if-youre-infected-with-malware/?utm_source=double-opt-%20in&utm_medium=email-internal-b2c&utm_campaign=EM-May-1st-2016newsletter&utm_content=infect-with-malware

Sometimes a malware infection is plain as day. Other times it’s a silent killer. If you want to know whether or not your machine is sick, you first need to understand the symptoms. So let’s take a look at the telltale signs.

Of course, Malwarebytes is only one of many good programs to use, but I thought the information was timely!

I downloaded the free avast virus protector..it also downloaded avast safe zone browser...Can anyone tell me what that is  and if I needed it?? ( the browser)  Thank You CC

CC, get rid of it immediately!



Several antivirus vendors have taken the open-source Chromium browser and created derivatives that they claim are more privacy-friendly and secure. Yet, at least two of them were recently found to have serious flaws that don’t exist in Chromium.

The latest example is the Avast SafeZone browser, internally known as Avastium, which is installed with the paid versions of Avast’s antivirus and security suites. Google Project Zero researcher Tavis Ormandy found a vulnerability that could allow an attacker to take control of Avastium when opening an attacker-controlled URL in any other locally installed browser.

By exploiting the flaw, an attacker could remotely read “files, cookies, passwords, everything,” Ormandy said in a report that he sent to Avast in December and which he made public Wednesday. “He can even take control of authenticated sessions and read email, interact with online banking, etc.”

Ormandy created a Web-based proof of concept exploit that can list the contents of the computer’s C:\ drive, but an attacker could easily extend it to have any potentially interesting files sent back to him.

According to the Google researcher, Avast opens a Web accessible RPC service on the local computer that listens on port 27275. A malicious website opened in any browser can therefore send commands to this service by forcing the browser to make requests to http://localhost:27275/command.

While most of the available commands are not particularly dangerous, there is one called SWITCH_TO_SAFEZONE that can be used to open a URL in Avastium. And not just any URL like http:// or https:// ones, but also local or internal URL schemes like file:/// or chrome://.

That’s because, for some reason, Avast has removed what Ormandy calls a “critical security check” that prevents non-Web-related URL schemes from being opened from the command line. This protection, which exists in the original Chromium, was not present in Avastium, making it possible for an attacker to ultimately construct a payload that can read local files.

After Ormandy reported the flaw on Dec. 18, Avast deployed a temporary fix that broke the attack chain. The company provided a complete fix Wednesday as part of Avast version 2016.11.1.2253.

This week Ormandy also disclosed a critical vulnerability in Chromodo, another Chromium-based browser that’s distributed by security firm Comodo as part of its Internet Security suite. That vulnerability stemmed from the fact that Chromodo disabled one of the most critical browser security mechanisms, the Same Origin Policy.

Avast and Comodo are not the only security vendors who have created so-called “safe” browsers based on Chromium and are shipping it with their products. If Ormandy continues to investigate them, it will be interesting to see if he finds additional examples of serious flaws that were introduced in such browsers and are not present in Chromium.

Joxean Koret, a security researcher who has found vulnerabilities in antivirus products in the past, advised people on Twitter not to use the browsers provided by antivirus vendors. “I’ve analyzed 3. All broken,” he said.

http://techdows.com/2016/02/uninstall-or-remove-avast-safezone-browser.html

Now I have never understood why all worry about putting all this virus stuff on computers.
I have had one now for would say 26 years.  altogether had about 6 of them. I know for past 4 I never have had but on thing on suppose to take care of Virus.  Past 2 have had MS Security Essentials on. Along with This gets run every Sunday. I have always had. CleanUp on everyone.
Only problem I had was a lightning putting mine out of business.
I have Comcast.  Pretty fast as far as I need.. He was here yesterday checking my TV and he checked the computer out. Works great.  In time I do need to have a new one built by SIL so that can go to W10.  Now on W7 still.  I just never bother about what it said about things going on out there.  If mine goes It has served me well.  I watch what I open up. Specially E-M.  If I don't know what something is just delete it.

You are very lucky Jeanne. Just do not tempt the computer gods too much and remember tomorrow is Friday the thirteenth!  

Yes, Friday the 13th. today. Eldest daughters birthday. She was born on a Friday also. So I don't think of it as a bad day at all.  Just hope that it doesn't rain again today.

Thank u Angel. Should I also uninstall avast free antivirus.   CC

Keep the antivirus if possible without the other or download another free one such as Malwarebytes or use System Defender.

Angel I have malawarebytes and defender...mabey that's all I need. Might get rid of avast

 

I have Avast on my iMac, and I appreciate it. It pops up a little note when it finds something it doesn't approve of.

June, the trouble is that the newer versions come with malware and experts are saying that the malware will open your computer up to spammers and thieves.

See the above post #213.

About the avast ...I did notice it was top rated on CNET...I never know which to use...CC

If you get a free antivirus, or any other software, get it from the site that makes it. Then pay attention as you load/install it.
I have Avast on a rescued puter I have with an AMD processor. I've even loan it out with no problems.

I always, always use custom install rather than automatic or default as they stick so much junk in there if you're not careful. I also run my Hitman Pro after each and every installation and it has even caught stuff while the software was still installing.

Avast would be okay on its own. It's the additions that make you computer vulnerable to malware and viruses.

Rammel brings up another good point about going to the source, those making the software rather than other or mirror sites.

http://techtalk.pcpitstop.com/2016/05/11/capital-hill-targeted-ransomware/?capitalhillransomwareattack=

CAPITOL HILL TARGETED BY RANSOMWARE

MAY 11, 2016KAYLA THRAILKILL  LEAVE A COMMENT
It was bound to happen…

I’d like to say I’m shocked or appauled by this news, but I can’t.  It was only a matter of time before the hackers targeted the head of our nation’s government.

According to The Intercept, the ransomware attack was launched on Capitol Hill on April 30, 2016 via a phishing attack, targeting specifically the House Information Security Office.  It is unknown how many individuals opened and downloaded the file in the email scam, what information was affected or if the ransom was paid.

Click here for a full list of ransomware attacks reported in 2016.

Funny true story:   Told a friend of mine to pay attention to the symbols on things cuz eventually they will delete what they are.  Tonight I got the new Firefox,  could not find bookmarks.  ...........  they moved it and tis just a symbol til you hover over it.  Like to have driven me crazy.

I have 46.0.1 and the Bookmarks are still up there - called "Bookmarks".

Rick, I wonder why mine is different

Way up top in the blue area.     File-Edit-View-History-Bookmarks-Tools-Help

All that is missing.

Quote from: wjoan on May 14, 2016, 11:54:18 PM
All that is missing.

Be back in a min ---

Right click just below the top in the white/gray area and select "Menu Bar".  You might have to right click around the area to find the right spot. I'm sure there's a better way, but ----------.

Let me go do thast  BRB

Bless your heart Rick.  You are a life saver.    Nite.

Sleep well   

Forgot my manners.  Thank you so much

In reference to firefox..I have that..is there an updated version..is it updated automatically?? Thanks CC

CC, mine is done automatically.