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Call security provider about slowness

September 20, 2009 


Question: I am currently using Verizon DSL. In 2008, Verizon provided Internet security as part of its package. In 2009, Verizon required you to purchase the security package monthly. So I went out and purchased McAfee and installed it. Since then, the system speed has slowed by 75 percent. Sometimes it takes me 15 minutes to get on the Internet. Any thoughts?

Answer: It sounds like your problem is a product support issue, says Jeff Crume , an IT security expert and distinguished engineer at IBM . First, make sure that the old Internet security package has been properly uninstalled so that it isn't conflicting with the new one. If that doesn't fix it, he suggests contacting McAfee tech support.

It could be that the previous tool was a stripped-down version that ran faster but didn't provide the same degree of protection as the new one, or that the new tool is configured to do deeper scans, which are resulting in delays, Crume said.

Either way, going straight to the source will probably be your best bet.

All too often, I receive letters from readers who downloaded software that promised to help them get rid of viruses, only to realize too late that they've actually invited additional malware onto their systems. Some programs even hold the computer for ransom, demanding payment to go away.

To address these kinds of issues, a group of security software vendors, operating system providers and browser software developers have founded the Common Computing Security Standards Forum .

CCSS, in turn, has created a list of known legitimate software vendors, available www.ccssforum.org. The listed companies all create and distribute security software legitimately designed to protect consumers.

The list is a starting point to help consumers differentiate between legitimate protection and viruses or ransomware in disguise. The group also offers a way to submit possible malware for examination through its site, including viruses and Trojan horses.

While we're on the topic of people with bad intentions, the fraud prevention specialists at Identity Theft 911 want to warn you about the dangers of identity theft through social media.

The risks include hackers taking over social media accounts in hopes of taking advantage of trust among online friends, cyber-criminals using popular sites as links to malware and thieves scouring online profiles for information that can be used to establish fraudulent identities, the company wrote in a recent report.

Basic protections include using secure browsers, keeping your anti-virus protection up to date, entering URLs manually and making sure you have a different, strong password for every site you frequent, the company said.

But Identity Theft 911 also suggests being smart about the information and photos you put online. Don't list your birthday, home address or Social Security number. Think twice before filling out online quizzes that could give clues to answers to security questions.

 


McClatchy-Tribune Information Services