Technical Issues

Thanks Toby I have free avg and the usual windows security.. What else do you recommend?

 

I would remove AVG and install Sophos Home Free Edition. Download and run CCleaner once AVG is uninstalled as it acts a bit like a virus, it won't go easily...(you can uninstall CCleaner afterwards, definitely don't pay for it though, those b*stards messed me about when I applied to work there as their IT Manager)

https://home.sophos.com/en-us.aspx

Use ublock Origin on your browser

https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/ublock-origin/cjpalhdlnbpafiamejdnhcphjbkeiagm?hl=en-GB

Download MalwareBytes and SuperAntiSpyware, install them and run them once each, restart your computer and run them again

https://www.malwarebytes.com/

https://www.superantispyware.com/

You can uninstall SAS once you've run a couple of scans. I'd keep Malwarebytes though and set it to run once a week, it's a great bit of software!

You should be pretty safe after that

 

This is great advice.. Thank you Toby..
I actually have the malwarebytes programme and forgot all about it!

 

Wow thanks a lot Toby, gonna be busy when I get back home from holiday.

 

The next series of questions from me will be the best set up for live streaming...!

 

Going to do as you suggest soon... Just checking
when I download cc cleaner what do I ask it to do Toby?

 

You run 'Analyze' first, it will scan your computer first, then run, erm, clean? Can't remember off the top of my head. It'll clean up all the broken/unnecessary files.

 

so by default it will wheedle out the old avg bits and pieces???
I am just cautious about trying to get rid of avg.. .as i remember once before it proved a night mare...
On the other hand i would welcome a softer piece of software... avg is so intrusive

 

Honestly go for it, Ccleaner will sort it out once uninstalled. AVG is a nightmare, the constant little popups are very irritating and it doesn't even do a good job...

Tbh most antiviruses are irrelevant nowadays, viruses are a thing of the past. Ransomware and malware have replaced them, Malwarebytes and SuperAntiSpyware will deal with the malware, Ransomware is the real threat, unfortunately the only real solution to defend yourself against it is regular backups. If you want to be seriously protected I can explain how to use Veeam and take regular snapshots of your computer?

 

I was going to ask what backup software would you recommend Toby, preferably free.

Re ccleaner remember to uninstall it once used, I found it was really intrusive and slowed my pc down cosiderably. Worse than AVG.

 

What is ransomware. Occaisionally I get emails telling me they are watching me watching porn etc but I don't have a camera attached to my pc.

 

These are threatening mails sent out randomly along the lines of if you don't do this or that we will shut down your computer, or release supposed videos of you to all your online connections - just ignore them and delete them, without opening any links (the links contain the real danger). Maybe about 1% of users get a fright at this threat and pay up - and the bastards live from this 1%. These are sent out at random and they do not, have the access to your passwords etc. that they claim.

 

Anyone know anything about Bluetooth connections? My old mobile was connected to my car radio allowing me to make and receive handsfree phone calls. My new phone will not connect. The help pages suggest that if it was working ok then it is not the car end of the connection failing, but the mobile phone end. Everything seems to be working until the final stage, when it tells me that the connection has failed. Could it be phone settings somewhere that are not obvious?

 

Veeam is the best backup software by far, they have a free edition

https://www.veeam.com/windows-endpoint-server-backup-free.html

Ransomware comes in various forms, but the worst ones will completely encrypt your data with a code only they have and you will have to pay to unlock (with no guarantee that it will actually be unlocked).

Best bet is to use an external hard drive + an online backup for anything you really don't want to lose, like photos. I use Google Drive (also free), but there are loads of alternatives. Just don't use a program like Dropbox, as it will still keep a local copy and wouldn't keep your data safe in case of infection.

Hmmm...Not really my area...I would recommend checking your phone for updates. What's the model? I could give it a quick google.

 

That is exactly what I do.

 

How does an external drive help if you backup encrypted data?

I tried using google photo to store a backup of my photos but my pc virtually stopped Whilst syncing everything so I stopped it. I guess google drive is just simply a backup?

 

Not much it just seems to work somehow but if you have more than one blutooth connection they can conflict I think so make sure you delete any unused ones or select the connection you want each time somehow.

Mysterious stuff to me.

 

I know I have a load of duplicate files on my HD and various external drives and would like to clean them up and free up space.

Can anyone suggest software that will identify exact duplicates and delete them please?

Tx in anticipation.

 

Toby will know, if not I can check my software as a friend helped me do just that... Was very helpful

 

Toby is obviously hibernating.....

This is the software I used Scully when I cleaned up my drives...and it worked 100%

https://dupeguru.voltaicideas.net/