Malware warning, from MS?

Many thanks to all who responded. Looks like we are good to go.

It truly is a jungle out there!

 

Another question has come up re MS Security Essentials- we have another computer, a laptop that is mostly used only on the kitchen counter for news and weather during breakfast. This machine is on for about a 30-45 minute period in the middle of the 6AM- 7AM hour, so it could miss a scheduled scan, which gives options only around whole hour times.

So, the question- if a scheduled backup is missed with the computer off, does the program try again later?

 

Not that I am aware of. The easiest to do is a manual scan that you initiate. It generally only takes a couple of minutes to run. I just ran a manual scan on my desktop and it completed in less than a minute.

 

Thanks- For the record, it turns out that we have had Security Essentials in both computers for quite a while, using it manually, but I never looked at the options in the left-side panel of the screen. Also, never paid much attention to the name of the program! (yes, I know, my fault)

I have now set the desktop to scan automatically once a week, and will continue to scan the laptop manually, as you suggest.

 

A relative who has a computer service shop has recommended these:

Bit Defender
AVG
Kaspersky

Any forum members have any comments on these? Anyone use them?

 

Thanks for the advice. It looks like the spectrum of malware and that of anti-malware are moving targets. We try to avoid opening the door to invaders by not going to sites indiscriminately as well as updating our software when appropriate. It seems that opinions on using (or not using) anti-malware programs vary considerably.

As relative newcomers to the computer and Internet world (about 5 years) we bought and used Norton up until this year, when we had compelling advice from multiple sources that it was a waste of money. Of course, Norton bombarded us with ominous warnings about how essential they are to computer protection. For the last year, we have had just Microsoft Security Essentials (not on an automatic schedule) and Malwarebytes.

But the issue that led me to start this thread arose because we let the bad guys in the door, lesson (I hope) learned and, apparently, problem nipped in the bud. Could it be that the pop-up invader would have appeared even with an anti-malware program?

 

Many thanks for the info. We're running W7 Home Premium, I use Firefox for web access, and we have always used AdBlocker Plus and Click n Clean on our browsers. As I recall, the threatening pop-up appeared when my wife, using Chrome, was on the L. L. Bean site and she clicked on one of the items offered for sale there. This was the first time we had seen anything like this, but now that we have been baptized, so to speak, I think we'll be able to handle future threats like this should they come up.

If I understand correctly, we can first try Alt+F4 and then, if unsuccessful, we should close the browser.

 

Starbuck may correct me on this.

 

That's an interesting option. I have had some persistent web sites that would not let me leave by clicking on the normal x to close.