My Computer

[Inspeqtor]

A couple of weeks ago while using my 4 year old Dell computer, I got the horrible "Blue Screen of Death" not one time but 3 times within about 30 minutes, each time while using my browser.  2 times with Mozilla Firefox and one time with Internet Explorer.
I talked with the tech people at Staples and they were sure it was a virus problem which they could fix for me. I took my computer in, they ran a program on my computer, and found 22 viruses.  I left my computer for them to de-virus and got it back 3 days later.  When they called me to say it was done, they asked how many users should be on the computer and I said 2.  They found 5 users.  They did remove the 3 extra users.

When I picked up my computer I asked what can I do to make sure I don't have this problem again.  They said to make sure I have the Firewall running in my modem, router and windows.  I have checked windows and yes it is running there.  I did a google search on my modem (Motorola SurfBoard SB6121) and my router (Netgear N-300 WNR2000 v2).

I found for my modem and my router I was able to download the PDF user manual.

For my modem I was able to get into the configuration manager, but I never found anything about the firewall for my modem in the configuration manager.

I found information in the manual for my router but I do not understand any of it.  What I need is something simple like "to make sure your Firewall is turned on do this"

Another item I was talking to the techie at Stapes about was the browser I use which is Firefox.  He thinks Chrome is much better, safer and faster than Firefox.
What do you people think?  I had always heard and thought Firefox was the better browser.

I have downloaded Chrome, but I do not see any way to copy my favorites from Firefox to Chrome.  How is this done?

I think since they worked on my computer everything is slower, the computer is slower booting up and Firefox is slower than it was before they worked on it

Thank you.  Sorry this is so lengthy......

[Sue]

I have used Firefox(or its predecessor) since the 90's. Never had a virus problem in that entire time. I have Microsoft Security Essentials running and I run security programs on my computer every 2-3 weeks(Malwarebytes and Super Anti-Spyware).

I don't believe a browser makes a difference, it is how you use the computer and which sites you visit. Even "safe" sites can get infected.

[Madame]

I think that if your like Firefox, so use it.
I'm not so tecky, and i don't know much about firewall, but if you have a virus programme installed, the PC would run much slower than before.

[Inspeqtor]

May 18, 2015 10:25:00 GMT Sue said:

I have used Firefox(or its predecessor) since the 90's. Never had a virus problem in that entire time. I have Microsoft Security Essentials running and I run security programs on my computer every 2-3 weeks(Malwarebytes and Super Anti-Spyware).

I don't believe a browser makes a difference, it is how you use the computer and which sites you visit. Even "safe" sites can get infected.

I did not know about Microsoft Security Essentials.  It is interesting that Microsoft is offering a FREE Anti-Virus program.

[Inspeqtor]

May 18, 2015 12:02:16 GMT Madame said:

I think that if your like Firefox, so use it.
I'm not so tecky, and i don't know much about firewall, but if you have a virus programme installed, the PC would run much slower than before.

I have been continuing to use Firefox simply because that is where all my favorites are.

[dicklaxt]

Use your Search Engine of choice,,,,do a Google search for Free Malwarebytes Anti-Malware and Free Avast Anti-Virus,download and install both and do a weekly cleanup with these two tools and your troubles should be nearly 100% over. Now if you visit a lot of forbidden sites and or have children playing games or music then all bets are off. Do not open any emails or ad's you don't know or have solicited.

dick

[Sepiana]

A few thoughts . . .

Most of the time the Blue Screen of Death is caused by a hardware or a software problem. When you get such a screen there is a line which will give you a code to help you identify the "culprit" and fix the problem. If you google this code, you can locate sites which will explain such codes and what to do about it. Depending on the nature of the problem, just doing a system restore will take care of it.

msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/windows/hardware/hh994433(v=vs.85).aspx

Windows comes with its own Firewall, which is not that great. When you install a program such as Norton Internet Security you are given the option to disable the Microsoft Firewall and use the one provided by this program.

If you have a powerful computer (processor, etc.), an anti-virus program should have no effect on it, i.e., it should not slow it down.

I agree with Sue. Which browser you use makes no difference when it comes to viruses. What program(s) you use to protect your computer will make the difference. If I remember correctly, you have Norton 360. It should do the job.

You can also use two lines of defense. For example, I use Norton Internet Security (updated on an yearly basis) and Windows Defender.

windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows7/products/features/windows-defender

You can also use the Microsoft Security Essentials package.

www.microsoft.com/security/pc-security/microsoft-security-essentials.aspx

You can easily transfer your favorites from Firefox to Chrome.  Just go Google's Support page. They have all the instructions you need.

support.google.com/chrome/answer/96816?hl=en

EDIT:  And here is a site where you can get help with the BSOD.

www.sevenforums.com/bsod-help-support/

[Andy]

I don't have a lot of confidence in the tech support staff at the big box stores. It is easy to blame problems on "viruses". They might have found a few bits of adware, called them viruses, and said your problem is fixed.

- I agree with Sepiana: The BSOD is usually related to a hardware issue or software conflict. It could be malware, but I wouldn't be surprised if that wasn't it and your problem returned.
- Chrome vs. Firefox: It is mostly personal preference. There are multiple arguments for which one is better and you can always find an online article that will support your opinion. Use what you are comfortable with.
- I've never heard of a firewall on your modem, especially on the consumer grade ones.
- If you haven't tweaked the settings of your router, it should be providing a firewall by default. You shouldn't have to enable this.
- Don't go overboard with software to protect your computer - more is not better. My computer has enough horsepower to run both MS Security Essentials and Malwarebytes. It would be fine to run MS Security Essentials (or another virus program) and then have an anti-malware software like Malwarebytes run a weekly scan (and not do live scanning).

[WayneS]

I've been running Microsoft Security Essentials for several years, ever since I changed computers, and had a major dispute with McAfee, who wouldn't allow me to transfer their program from the failed computer to a new one!  Have never had a problem with Security Essentials!

The main issue today is malware rather than viruses, and one of the best programs for this is MalwareBytes.org and my recommendation is to use the paid version, and you will find it is blocking and allowing you to quarantine several items every day! 

[Deleted]

Hi Charles.......

One thing that's guaranteed about the Internet is the amount of conflicting advice. So let me just add to the confusion.

Browsers generally don't represent a security risk - it's what people do with them that cause the majority of problems, so use what you feel comfortable with.  My preference is Firefox.  It's more configurable so that you can block adds and companies snooping on what you are looking at - if that bothers you.

But a must is a good Firewall and Antivirus software.  MS Security Essentials is OK but I've never come across a review that rates it higher than some of the other free offerings.  I've been a long time user of the free version of AVG but then I'm careful about security and never had an instance where it's detected a Virus, neither have I had issues that we could indicate a virus is present.  It has warned me of programme that want to install addware and it will quarantine them.

AVG usually gets good reviews along with Avast and Avira, so I would suggest using one of these instead of MSE.

Windows  firewall has improved over the years but again I don't think it rates highly compared to a specialised firewall programming.  As long as I can recall I've used Zone alarm Pro but there is a free version which is also good.  I have mine set to provide me with warnings about intrusions but also about unauthorised outgoing transmissions so that I can determine what course of action to take.  You can however let the programming make the decisions for you.

What Avg and Zone alarm can also provide you with is a safe browsing option whereby they warn you of suspicious web sites.  Avg also scans your incoming emails.

So my advice would be to install Avg and Zone alarm but also to take care on just what web sites you visit and what you download.

Colin
PS:  I can't seem to get rid of the smiley below....maybe its a virus

[WayneS]

Colin,
Yes, that smiley is definitely a virus!!  But thankfully my Microsoft Security Essentials did it's job and blocked it before I got it!!

[Inspeqtor]

I thank everyone for your words of wisdom in trying to help me with my computer problem.  It is a lot of information for my brain to handle!

I did have Norton 360 on my computer, but Staples talked me into switching.  There were several Antivirus companies to choose from they would install, Norton being one of them, nut they recommended a company I had never heard of, Sophos saying it was new enough the hacker people would not be working on hacking into it just yet.  Maybe that was just sales talk I don't know.  I am guessing there would be a way for me to re-install Norton although I would probably have to contact Norton to do it without having to pay for a new install?  Should I consider doing that?

I tried googling my router (which I already mentioned in an earlier post) without success. I don't know if my firewall on my router is active or not. I am guessing it is.

I have heard it is not a good thing to have more than one anti-virus program on your computer because they fight each other.

[Sepiana]

May 20, 2015 6:02:32 GMT Inspeqtor said:

I am guessing there would be a way for me to re-install Norton although I would probably have to contact Norton to do it without having to pay for a new install?  Should I consider doing that?

 I don't see why you need to contact Norton.  All you need to do is run the exe file to reinstall the program.

[ChrisAnn]

Have you checked whether your Firewall is working? I Googled 'Is my Firewall working' and came up with lots of options for Firewall testers. May be someone else can suggest which is realiable.

[Andy]

May 20, 2015 6:23:06 GMT ChrisAnn said:

Have you checked whether your Firewall is working? I Googled 'Is my Firewall working' and came up with lots of options for Firewall testers. May be someone else can suggest which is realiable.

Good suggestion!  There are sites that will test your computer's protection.  Here is one: www.grc.com/x/ne.dll?bh0bkyd2