Yesterday when I was doing some browsing I suddenly got a pop-up that said Windows defender had detected a virus and that I should contact MS immediately and it gave the phone number. Well, this is the second time this has happened. The first time I did not trust it and was able to just click out of it and all was well. But yesterday I could not click out of it. I did, out of curosity call the number and could barely understand the foreigner. I ended up hanging up the phone. Of course he wanted to take control of the computer. No thanks. I turned the machine off. Today all is well. So what do you make of this? If there was a virus, would not the virus protector detect it? Did I do right?
Just me maybe, but I don't trust that MS can protect a computer. I always install something like AVG on Windows machines. McAffee and Norton are nothing but bloatware, and energy hogs. Again, maybe just me (I don't think so).
Or, use Linux. Not unhackable, but most go after MS. Someone other than me probably has control of my computer right now.
Just laugh it off. I had some poor shmuck from Mumbai India call me a couple years ago and told me I had a virus. I screamed and begged him to find it for me. After a half an hour, I had the poor bugger in tears. I used to do tech support and I used every tech call I had. He must of thought I was the stupidest guy on the planet, until I told him I don't use windows and am running linux. He swore something at me in Indian (Hindi?) and hung up. No one ever called me again.
When this happens, go to your device manager. Ctrl+Alt+Delete. Then close the open applications. Should be something like Windows explorer. Then reopen windows explorer and continue on your way. Or you can add google crome or some other web engine and avoid getting that scam again. Never ever fall for anything that asks you to call. I put PC matic on my computer and am happy with it.
Download the free Avast antivirus and run a scan on your computer. You'll be surprised at what it finds lurking under the hood.
I have used F-secure for quite a few years and a couple different machines, been pretty happy with their protection.
I tried Avast once but it did not take me long to get rid of it. It has been a long time since this was done and I don't remember except that I swore no more Avast for me. I've had AVG for some time but not liking it as too much pop-up crap coming up with them wanting you to buy more and more. I do not see why people do not like Norton as the last time I had it all seemed well.
We have Norton and it seems to work well, but I think it's kind of resource heavy with the wrong settings. It can do what it does when I'm not watching something on youtube.