Best browser for security and privacy?

[donline]

Hi folks,

What would you suggest as being the most secure browser for security (against hacking etc) and privacy (blocking trackers/advertising etc)?

Many thanks, D

 

[donline]

What Antivirus are you currently running sometimes this is a false positive?

I'm using Avast (and have also run Malwarebytes).

I was using Audacity sound editing software yesterday and installed a plugin (from a website I was unsure about) to enable it to work with MP3 files, then within an hour or so my computer (laptop with Windows 10) started some strange behaviours...

I noticed that my computer was running a little slower and that a window would pop up and disappear very quickly (like a black MS-DOS script/command window). I noticed that the window would appear after I selected and connected to my Wi-Fi network ('Wi-Fi/Internet Access' icon/menu in the bottom right of the Windows Taskbar). Eventually, my anti-virus software (Avast) picked up on something and moved the file (setup.exe) into the 'Virus Chest' where it was quarantined, and then I selected the option to delete the file.

After that, I uninstalled Audacity and the plugin (plus three 'Microsoft Visual C++ Redistributable' installations that came along with the plugin - I noticed that when one of them was uninstalling it was displaying Russian language for the standard uninstallation wording).

Now, having deleted the setup.exe file and the above, the pop-up window/script is no longer appearing and the system appears to be running as normal.

However, my concern is that perhaps something (a virus) is still running in the background and could be causing problems. I'm concerned that the file/virus could possibly infect my personal files (documents, photos etc) and be using my Wi-Fi to access my system.

What would you recommend as options for me? I'd like to make sure 100% that the virus is completely gone from my system.

Details from Avast were:
Threat name: IDP.Alexa.51
Infected file: setup.exe
Original location: Cusers/[user]/AppData/Local/Temp/{A903590C-FA7E-4E70-B6F4-E853D8C82EBB}
When I went to that location now there is a file called '_ISMSIDEL' (file type 'configuration settings').

Thanks for all your help, much appreciated!

Based on your description, it looks like the threat was blocked and quarantined, which is great!

It seems quite clear that the plugin you downloaded was infected. If you still have the information from that website, you can submit it to our threat labs for analysis. We've already identified and blocked the malware, but any information helps us keeps our users safe: https/support.avast.com/en-ww/article/258/

As far as ensuring the entire system is safe, I'd strongly recommend running a Full Scan (your entire machine) with the heuristics in Avast set to "high." You would so this by selecting Scans, then Full Virus Scan -> Settings -> Sensitivity. Save that setting then run the scan.

You could/should also try a boot time scan, as sometimes malware can re-propagate itself: https/support.avast.com/en-ww/article/132/

Thanks Avast-Team!

How likely is it that my personal files (docs, pdfs, images etc) would become infected from the virus/trojan? And what can I do about this issue?

 

[rgd1101]

Thanks Avast-Team!

How likely is it that my personal files (docs, pdfs, images etc) would become infected from the virus/trojan? And what can I do about this issue?

How likely? if you have active anti virus/malware software running, not likely.
And what can you do, stop downloading/installing from unknown source.

 

[donline]

Thanks Avast-Team!

How likely is it that my personal files (docs, pdfs, images etc) would become infected from the virus/trojan? And what can I do about this issue?

How likely? if you have active anti virus/malware software running, not likely.
And what can you do, stop downloading/installing from unknown source.

Thanks rgd1101

Yes, I will be more careful with the download source in the future (usually, I'm very careful).

What would you recommend to make sure my personal files are completely clean (virus free) before I move them back onto my system again?

 

[rgd1101]

Thanks Avast-Team!

How likely is it that my personal files (docs, pdfs, images etc) would become infected from the virus/trojan? And what can I do about this issue?

How likely? if you have active anti virus/malware software running, not likely.
And what can you do, stop downloading/installing from unknown source.

Thanks rgd1101

Yes, I will be more careful with the download source in the future (usually, I'm very careful).

What would you recommend to make sure my personal files are completely clean (virus free) before I move them back onto my system again?

Do full scan

 

[donline]

Thanks Avast-Team!

How likely is it that my personal files (docs, pdfs, images etc) would become infected from the virus/trojan? And what can I do about this issue?

How likely? if you have active anti virus/malware software running, not likely.
And what can you do, stop downloading/installing from unknown source.

Thanks rgd1101

Yes, I will be more careful with the download source in the future (usually, I'm very careful).

What would you recommend to make sure my personal files are completely clean (virus free) before I move them back onto my system again?

Do full scan

Thank you rgd1101

What would you recommend as the best 1) free and 2) paid anti-virus options available (so I can run the best scan)?

 

[Dark Lord of Tech]

Best Paid : Panda , Bitdefender.
Best FREE: Sohos Home

 

[donline]

Best Paid : Panda , Bitdefender.
Best FREE: Sohos Home

Thank you SR-71 Blackbird!

Can I ask you, what do you think about the description of what happened with my computer (i.e. possible virus/trojan or false-positive)? And what would you personally do to ensure your computer (and personal files) is 100% safe in this situation?

 

[Dark Lord of Tech]

It can be both , so best to Scan to make sure.

 

[donline]

It can be both , so best to Scan to make sure.

Thanks SR-71 Blackbird.

I've run a few scans now (with Avast, Malwarebytes and CCleaner) and nothing is being picked up now.

Is there anything else you would suggest? I want to be 100% sure that there is nothing lurking in the background on my system... so might it be best to do a clean install of Windows 10 (otherwise, I could do a Factory Reset of Windows)?

 

[Dark Lord of Tech]

Run a quick trial of EMSISOFT.
EMSISOFT AntiMalware
Direct link ^ if this finds nothing , I would say your in the clear.

 

[donline]

Run a quick trial of EMSISOFT.
EMSISOFT AntiMalware
Direct link ^ if this finds nothing , I would say your in the clear.

Thanks SR-71 Blackbird

I ran the software and it didn't pick up anything... so all's clear I hope!

 

[Dark Lord of Tech]

Run a quick trial of EMSISOFT.
EMSISOFT AntiMalware
Direct link ^ if this finds nothing , I would say your in the clear.

Thanks SR-71 Blackbird

I ran the software and it didn't pick up anything... so all's clear I hope!

Hopefully stays clear!

 

[donline]

Run a quick trial of EMSISOFT.
EMSISOFT AntiMalware
Direct link ^ if this finds nothing , I would say your in the clear.

Thanks SR-71 Blackbird

I ran the software and it didn't pick up anything... so all's clear I hope!

Hopefully stays clear!

Yes I've learnt my lesson to be extra careful where I download from now (usually I'm on top of this)

Thanks again for your kind support!

 

[Dark Lord of Tech]

Glad to assist!

 

[donline]

Glad to assist!

Thanks SR-71 Blackbird

I was just wondering... what would you recommend as the best (free) software for erasing/wiping (with 1s and 0s etc) an SSD drive? Also, what software would you recommend for reformatting and reparitioning an SSD drive?

Thank you