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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.
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