I have been scammed.......now have to have my laptop wiped Grhhhh.

[fossyant]

I'm constantly warning the kids about what they download and check the source. Also watch what you click accept to, as additional software can be installed (my son get's trigger happy).

That reminds me, must really do a system backup.

 

[gavroche]

I use Superantispyware ( free) and Mcaffe ( yearly Subscription) and they seem to do the job.

 

[fossyant]

We have Norton on the two main 'downloading PC's' - the fast laptop and the gaming PC - the other's just stick with Free Avast

Superantispyware and Malware bytes, both free are good for removing tracking cookies and other potential rubbish.

 

[Inertia]

Sorry if I'm stating the obvious here but it'll really pay to be methodical when doing a bulk password change. Create a spreadsheet and note down all the sites/usernames you've changed the password to. Personally I don't include the actual password in the spreadsheet (despite it being encrypted) just a reminder (e.g. Google=Password 'A'). That way as you gradually change passwords you can keep track of what still needs doing etc....and next time you have to do it you can just quickly go through the list.

Something like Lastpass is also a good way to do it, if you need to reset all your passwords, lastpass can change a lot of the more popular ones for you.

 

[Inertia]

I use Avast but Ive never had a virus in all the time Ive been on a computer, they rely on you being trusting. It can mostly be avoided by having a good spam filter (gmail) never opening an attachment unless you are expecting it and using something like noscript in firefox to prevent malicious scripts.

Ninite https://ninite.com/ is also a good way to to get set up and install all your apps in one go.

 

[outlash]

Haven't you got the original system discs? Why are you paying someone £50 for something that you can do easily yourself?

 

[Tin Pot]

PC World are hardly the experts.

http://dilbert.com/strip/2000-08-31

 

[swee'pea99]

Sorry if I'm stating the obvious here but it'll really pay to be methodical when doing a bulk password change. Create a spreadsheet and note down all the sites/usernames you've changed the password to. Personally I don't include the actual password in the spreadsheet (despite it being encrypted) just a reminder (e.g. Google=Password 'A'). That way as you gradually change passwords you can keep track of what still needs doing etc....and next time you have to do it you can just quickly go through the list.

Or you can scrawl them down in a little black book you keep in your top drawer and hope cookies will sort it all out so you never need to open it again. Please. Pretty please. Works for me. Until it doesn't. AAAAAAAARGH!

 

[marknotgeorge]

Assuming you're wiping the system & starting again, take the opportunity to fit an SSD and speed things up no end.

 

[Pat "5mph"]

Plus I may lose some files etc and everything stored in my 'favourites'.

If you have a removable usb drive you can export you favorites and your email addresses (if you don't use web mail that is).
There should be an option to export bookmarks under firefox settings, that's how I did it when I Iast changed computers a few years ago.

First thing I will do when I get the computer back........tomorrow I think.

Why not do it now from the computer you are using?

 

[mybike]

Something like Lastpass is also a good way to do it, if you need to reset all your passwords, lastpass can change a lot of the more popular ones for you.

+1 for LastPass, an addon which will also generate unique secure passwords for you. You just have to remember the master password. Never use the same password for more than one site.

Antivirus can only handle known viruses, if one is unknown they won't stop it. In addition scripts on websites can attack your machine through the browser. A solution to that is something like the uBlock Origin addon which can control which scripts can run.

 

[Pro Tour Punditry]

And based solely on a price that was mentioned you jumped to a rather large and erroneous conclusion?

I'll have to remember for future reference; anyone who asks for £50 and I'll reply "Who the feck do you think you are? P C World or sumfink?"

 

[fossyant]

Oh yes SSD power !!!!

 

[HLaB]

That reminds me I need to renew my Avast license.

 

[Tin Pot]

As a professional I feel it is my duty to let you know that AV is virtually worthless.

But, as that will generate questions that I'm not going to answer, I'll keep that to myself.

Oops.