sick computer

[tomarg06]

Firstly. many thanks to Boddie for telling a newbie how to navigate this site.
Now, my ailing computer. All was going well, them a message popped up telling me it was recommended I run a SystemDoctor scan. According to that, I've got over 2,000 things wrong on my computer & I need to pay £26.99 to have them fixed. Does anyone know if this is genuine, please?

[eeyore]

very doubtful - I'd be incclined to get a different software package and see what it says, there are a lot of good free ones about. As a base line I'd be inclined to defrag the hard drive, clear your cookies and temp files, and set the system tools in control panels to maximise performance. Then download a freebie virus checker like "avast" and run that.

Sorry if this is a bit technical - if you PM me a phone number I'd be happy to talk you through it, but not tonight as I am going to beddie byes now.

Pete

[tomarg06]

Thanks. I'll follow your advice and get back to you if I need more help. Hope that's OK. Goodnight

[glsammy]

Originally Posted by tomarg06

Firstly. many thanks to Boddie for telling a newbie how to navigate this site.
Now, my ailing computer. All was going well, them a message popped up telling me it was recommended I run a SystemDoctor scan. According to that, I've got over 2,000 things wrong on my computer & I need to pay £26.99 to have them fixed. Does anyone know if this is genuine, please?

Ignore it! It would report errors on a new clean system! You'll keep on getting that message poping up simply because you ran its scan.

There's plenty of free spyware software out there, even microsoft does a good one.

Make sure your anti-virus software is up to date and run a scan. You do have anti-virus software and a firewall don't you?

[tomarg06]

Hi - yes, I have got those. it popped up when I was trying to get into the Springwatch webcam. Never had it before. I will ignore it, thanks

[eeyore]

Thats probably due to you not having the right software to read the webcam - and/or the webcam trying to open as a pop up. I get the same thing on here when I recieve Pms.

Either way I wouldnt worry about it, as GLs says above a lot of the time it would find errors on a completely clean system. They're just trying to get you to upgrade. If your box is otherwise running fine ignore it, if you are having other issues try my suggestions above.

[Clive_S]

Spybot and ad-aware are good, free anti-spyware tools - worth a try!

[SteveA]

Originally Posted by tomarg06

... a message popped up telling me it was recommended I run a SystemDoctor scan. According to that, I've got over 2,000 things wrong on my computer & I need to pay £26.99 to have them fixed. Does anyone know if this is genuine, please?

No, it isn't - it's probably going to have a worse effect on your PC than the spyware it's supposed to scan for.

Please go to http://www.majorgeeks.com/download.php?det=4677 and download the Ewido program there. It's shareware but fully functioning (ie, it will remove the nasties it finds) for 14 days. Run it and remove anything it flags up.

You'll also need to 'immunise' your machine against these exploits (Spywareblaster and the Immunise and (in advanced mode) the hosts file features of Spybot.

If your not happy using software like this, backup any recent work to within an area inside My Documents and run System Restore - it can be accessed via Start - Run - type in "msconfig" (without the speech marks) - and hit Enter. Choose a restore time prior to the popup occuring. (That's assuming you use Windows XP)

Stop using Internet Explorer and download and use Firefox or Opera, they're much safer!

[tomarg06]

Hi. Thanks for the advice, all. I'm off to Anglesey to see the puffins, but will try your suggestions later. If you read this, assume my machine is working OK!!!

[Alan]

I use Adaware spyware and Avast Antivirus (Although It has never found a virus on my comp....maybe a good thing!). I cant get on with firewalls, sick of them blocking usefull stuff...unless somebody can recommend one that's more user freindly? I also recommend the Mozilla suit: Firefox Web browser and Thunderbird email.

Just a side point!

It's worth considering formating your hard drive at least once a year. This then gives you a nice clean start to get things rolling again, and gets rid of those thousands of unnecessary files that microsoft loves keeping! Obviously don't do this unless you're hundred percent sure/confident you can reinstall windows and all the drivers! It's the ultimate fix all though!!!

I also have a second harddrive fitted, which is used for backup only. Don't know how I managed without it!

[Tamworth Weather]

Originally Posted by SteveA

Stop using Internet Explorer and download and use Firefox or Opera, they're much safer!

Where does this gem come from? Firefox has security issues now as well and Opera should be avoided at all costs due to its many incompatibility problems. You will be recommending Skype next - LOL

[SteveA]

Originally Posted by Tamworth Weather

Where does this gem come from? Firefox has security issues now as well and Opera should be avoided at all costs due to its many incompatibility problems.

All programs have security issues; the one being discussed here, SystemDoctor and it's ilk, Winfixer etc., are designed to exploit Internet Explorer vulnerabilities. If you avoid using IE, you're immune to the vast majority of malicious web based software.

"Opera should be avoided" - why, when you can still use IE for the very few sites that demand it?

When was the last time you tested either Firefox or Opera? Were they then current versions?

[Tamworth Weather]

Originally Posted by SteveA

If you avoid using IE, you're immune to the vast majority of malicious web based software.

"Opera should be avoided" - why, when you can still use IE for the very few sites that demand it?

When was the last time you tested either Firefox or Opera? Were they then current versions?

What about if you avoid using the web altogether? Then you will be immune to the vast majority of malicious we based software.

IE is as secure as YOU want to make it, all you got to do is change the settings - no different to FF or any other browser. OK they may not be set by default but security and accessibility is always a fine balance.

If you care to quote me fully I explained the reason IMO that Opera should be avoided - compatibility issues.

And why is everyone so keen to bash MS products all the time in preference for FF and Opera?

Both FF and Opera have there faults and security risks in exactly the same way as IE does. Yet when they are highlighted someone always says "Were they current versions?" It doesn't matter what browser you use, you should always be uptodate on the following things:

Browser version
Security updates
Anit Virus updates
Firewall and spyware/adware/malware

You could go further, of course with popup blockers, whitelists and blacklists and what about categorisation, privacy and certificates?

The internet is only as safe as you make it - its not IE's fault.

Oh and I use IE and FF on a daily basis - although I do prefer to avoid Opera whenever possible, but there is always somebody who thinks they are clever by using it.....they are usually programmers or linux bods.

[eeyore]

No offence guys but I think this is getting a bit technical for Tomargs original question. Personally I've used all three and while all three have issues I've found firefox to be the best, however the majority of non tachnical users are going to be stuck with the MS office software they got with their box.

Ditto fiormatting your hard drive - yes its good practice for the experts but it might be a bit too technical for the issues at hand.

As far as tomargs issue goes i'd say ditch the system doctor - replace it with a freeware anti spyware package, get a decent anti virus package such as avast - also free. Clear the cookies, and defrag the hard drive.

Anything you need help with get in touch with me and I'll try and talk you through it. After that don't worry unless anything goes pear shaped just use the computer for what you bought if for and enjoy wab.

[tomarg06]

eeyore, everyone, thank you for your kindly intentioned replies. Some of them were somewhat above my head, but I have managed to remove SystemDoctor, which had somehow inveigled itself in (and had the nerve to put up a screen icon!). I've defragged and checked my settings and I have a firewall & anti-virus that have worked for me for the last 2 years, so I'm not going to play around with them. If it's not broke... and all that!
As a newbie to the site, I really didn't mean to start a heated debate - don't want chucking off before I've joined the fun!
We've been to Anglesey to see the sea birds today - I've posted what we saw under the title "Fulmars & Choughs" in the bird section, for anyone interested.
Thanks again!

[eeyore]

Originally Posted by tomarg06

eeyore, everyone, thank you for your kindly intentioned replies. Some of them were somewhat above my head, but I have managed to remove SystemDoctor, which had somehow inveigled itself in (and had the nerve to put up a screen icon!). I've defragged and checked my settings and I have a firewall & anti-virus that have worked for me for the last 2 years, so I'm not going to play around with them. If it's not broke... and all that!
As a newbie to the site, I really didn't mean to start a heated debate - don't want chucking off before I've joined the fun!
We've been to Anglesey to see the sea birds today - I've posted what we saw under the title "Fulmars & Choughs" in the bird section, for anyone interested.
Thanks again!

Dont worry about it tomarg, its not your fault that the debate got heated and somewhat off track, no one is going to blame you for that. I agree that you shouldnt mess with the firewall and Anti virus if they work for you.

I hope your computer runs better now, if not please feel free to PM me if you want to discuss things further.

All the best and I hope you enjoy WAB

[tomarg06]

Thanks!

[SteveA]

Originally Posted by eeyore

I agree that you shouldnt mess with the firewall and Anti virus if they work for you.

Sorry, eeyore, I disagree with you there - I've lost count of the number of machines I've worked on that have had the A/V, firewall, security disabled by malware/trojan applications such as the type at the heart of this thread.

Always better to download the A/V and updates anew, as well as a fresh version of your firewall and go offline to reinstall them, if you can reinstall them in Safe Mode, all the better, - you'd be surprised what they find when they're allowed to work properly after an infection.

Originally Posted by Tamworth Weather

What about if you avoid using the web altogether? Then you will be immune to the vast majority of malicious we based software.

Now you're being silly.

Originally Posted by Tamworth Weather

IE is as secure as YOU want to make it, all you got to do is change the settings - no different to FF or any other browser. OK they may not be set by default but security and accessibility is always a fine balance.

Ok, what settings do you suggest?

Then what happens if you need to download and install say, the latest version of Windows Media Player?

Yes, you guessed it - you have to undo most of your settings.

Originally Posted by Tamworth Weather

If you care to quote me fully I explained the reason IMO that Opera should be avoided - compatibility issues.

And why is everyone so keen to bash MS products all the time in preference for FF and Opera?

Who's bashing?

We're just suggesting that, 'out of the box' for most users, Opera and FF are safer.

You find one of them doesn't display a page or site correctly, you open that page or site in IE.

Originally Posted by Tamworth Weather

Both FF and Opera have there faults and security risks in exactly the same way as IE does. Yet when they are highlighted someone always says "Were they current versions?" It doesn't matter what browser you use, you should always be uptodate on the following things:

Browser version
Security updates
Anit Virus updates
Firewall and spyware/adware/malware

You could go further, of course with popup blockers, whitelists and blacklists and what about categorisation, privacy and certificates?

The internet is only as safe as you make it - its not IE's fault.

No, you're mistaken. IE allows 'drive-by' installations of software - as it was designed to do.

I do go further, on every machine I build, fix or setup. FF has pop-up blockers built-in, white and black-lists can be added to it easily (or added by Spybot/Spywareblaster, etc.).

Originally Posted by Tamworth Weather

Oh and I use IE and FF on a daily basis - although I do prefer to avoid Opera whenever possible, but there is always somebody who thinks they are clever by using it.....they are usually programmers or linux bods.

You forgot Macs - I do those too .

[Words]

Couldn't ignore the slur on Opera here. No unpatched security flaws. Period.

Current security status for Opera, Firefox and IE updated live by Secunia.

[eeyore]

Originally Posted by SteveA

Sorry, eeyore, I disagree with you there - I've lost count of the number of machines I've worked on that have had the A/V, firewall, security disabled by malware/trojan applications such as the type at the heart of this thread.

Yeah you're right steve - I didnt read the original post properly and had assumed that Tomarg had the system doctor software installed intentionally. On re reading I can see that it is an outside attack.

In this case I'd definitely say reinstall the antivirus and firewall, and a decent spyware sweeper/blocker - the MS one is remarkably good and the beta version is still available free.

On your IE vs firefox vs opera debate - I have Firefox installed at home, and agree that it is an excellent peice of code. However I am running IE on this computer (as I have no choice as it is a work rig) and its security is fine on account of our robust virus/firewall/spyware blocker set up.

Ive used opera a couple of times on rigs I've built and I've never been that impressed, its okay but why use it when the firefox is better, and for the average user IE is going to be fine so long as they take other security precautions too.