Computer Learning (HELP)

[Zorax]

Sadly, I don't think we can stop much of that shit any more. I have a couple of ad blockers that stop that pop up as well, but still get it.
They're really getting absolutely shitty with the full page lock outs and others. We used to click 'don't want to now' but almost every site has eliminated any user choice.

All lot of this can be traced to that criminal company doubleclick. They are major trackers and sell all your personal information to anyone, and have been for years. Doubleclick and others now run in the browsers background and you can only see stuff if you have url address turned on to display at the bottom of your web pages.

Hover over any highlighted link on this page and you should see the next target of your cursor. There is SOOO much stuff happening in split seconds in the background when you enter a webpage it's freaking mind boggling. Most browsers let you see some action by right clicking in an empty spot on this page, selecting 'inspect' or source and be prepared to have your eyes glaze over.

firefox has a 'no tracker' default on present versions.

Also so far, uBlockOrigin has not given into the 'we accept 'acceptable ads'' yet. Wtf is that? Others will state that deep in their disclaimers and lots of browsers do that too. So when you think the browser is blocking ads, it isn't really.

And I'm sorry but I think this post was totally useless. But that's all I got for now.

[Beerworld]

Ha ha ha

It's on several sites but for example. CBS Fantasy Football. I have used it for years. Now a pop up comes up. it says it appears you use an ad blocker. CBS is an ad supported website . I usually can work around but not everywhere.

[Zorax]

What website are you on with this pop up?

...and are you justice kavanah on the supreme court USA?

[Beerworld]

I have recently started getting a pop up that says I use an ad blocker and won't open a page. I didn't change any settings. Ideas?

[Zorax]

I was thinking about your answer. And one thing I thought about is that ms opens numerous ports on your computer for updating and probably more than they say.
Also ms has a setting related to peer to peer. If they have those ports open, they may also be open to other scanners unless ms has some mechanism with their own firewall that restricts in some way.
But I have peer to peer sharing in windows shut down and I have a 3rd party firewall and not windows defender.

So perhaps it's possible that rav can access these ports when you activate windows update? There's really no reason ms can't investigate this since so many have complained.

[Newly2b]

Thanks, Zorax. I didn't get charged nor was my RAV listed as a free trial. It certainly did come from Microsoft whatever they say. The scams people run these days are more and more sophisticated. This one apparently affected a large number of people, since, of course, most of us run windows and have to update from time to time, and that's where this program comes from for sure! I hope enough people complained to MS that they investigate this problem. I worry now about what else might get downloaded with those necessary MS updates. . .

[Zorax]

Oh boy. Read some of the responses... someone even paid money.

https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/all/rav-endpoint-protection/2336e41a-3988-4caa-a1d5-4f8d40ff228e

[cintrix]

I believe you!

[Newly2b]

Well, I can tell you, there was no other way that RAV could have gotten onto my computer. This is my trading computer only and I am very strict about how I use it in order to avoid being hacked. I haven't downloaded a new program in years and don't visit unfamiliar sites, receive emails on it, etc. Plus the fact that RAV installed the same date as the MS updates and used the Defender icon in Security settings makes me certain that is where it came from. Perhaps MS was unaware that an update got bundled with RAV, but sure makes one wonder what else got downloaded with those MS updates that we are told to trust implicitly since they come directly from Microsoft. . .

[cintrix]

Microsoft claims it isn't from them. But you are a computer savvy individual so I find it hard to believe that you would have inadvertently installed it with a bundle and have no memory of adding anything new - especially if it was just last week! Take a look at what they claim:

RAV Endpoint Protection is not installed by Microsoft. It may have been added to your PC when you installed a third-party program. You can uninstall RAV using Apps and Features.
https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/all/rav-endpoint-protection/2336e41a-3988-4caa-a1d5-4f8d40ff228e

[Newly2b]

No, it sure doesn't make sense that MS would bundle their updates with another company's antivirus, but I have no other explanation since the MS updates were done on September 9th the same date the RAV antivirus showed as downloaded and I have not downloaded anything other than those MS updates or clicked on any questionable links or visited any odd websites since then. It is also curious that it used the Window Defender's shield symbol which when clicked opened the RAV antivirus program. That was why I was wondering at first if this was an official MS program replacing Windows Defender. Obviously it was not! Strange for sure!

The uninstall as I outlined previously went very smoothly, no problems, quick, efficient and thorough as far as I can tell. Just completed a full deep scan with Windows Defender and it found nothing.

[cintrix]

Oh good. I was afraid you weren't going to be able to fully delete it. Doesn't make sense how a Microsoft upgrade would bundle another brand security software, does it?

[Newly2b]

OK, here's what I did. Because this program was using too much CPU and RAM, and Windows Defender had worked fine for me in the past, I wanted to remove RAV and all its components, even if it is a legitimate program..

First I double checked to see when all that RAV stuff was downloaded -- yup, 9/9/24, the day I downloaded and installed all the accumulated MS updates, as I suspected, so somehow this program had to have been bundled with those MS downloads -- sneaky little bugger!!!

Then I went to Settings, Apps, installed apps, found RAV Antivirus in the list, clicked on it and chose uninstall, which it then did.

Next I went back to settings, Update and Security, windows security, virus and threat protection, virus and threat protection settings, and clicked on real-time protection to turn Windows Defender on (it had been in the OFF position). VOILA! As I suspected, Windows Defender was still on my computer, just turned off by RAV!

Then I went to Task Manager to ensure rsEngineSvc was no longer listed under Processes. It was gone! Just for luck I then scanned with Malwarebytes. Done.

All's well that ends well. Perhaps others will find this helpful if they encounter the same problem I did finding RAV on my system after downloading Microsoft Updates!

Newly

[Newly2b]

Will do, Cintrix.

[cintrix]

Let us know how it goes.

[Newly2b]

Thanks, cintrix, yes I had already seen that. I just want to be sure if I delete RAV, which can be a legitimate program or a virus, I can get my Windows Defender back if, in fact, it is no longer on my computer.

[Newly2b]

Thanks, Larry. I had considered that but wasn't sure whether windows defender is actually gone off my computer because under settings, windows security, virus and threat protection, bottom of page says I can keep my current provider (presumably RAV) and turn on for windows defender antivirus to check periodically for threats. Do you suppose this means if I delete RAV windows defender will return to monitoring??? I notice that RAV actually took over when one clicks on the WD shield which makes it look like it comes from microsoft.

I'm well, Larry, thanks for asking, just not trading as vigorously as previously, LOL

[cintrix]

I just checked and I still have Defender. Not sure if that update caused what is happening to you. Did you read this? https://www.privacyaffairs.com/uninstall-rav-antivirus/

[SkeBallLarry]

I experienced the same, Newly2b >

Soo, I D/L the one I wanted here >

https://duckduckgo.com/?t=ftsa&q=microsoft+windows+defender+for+windows+10&atb=v414-1&ia=web

..... and how ya been " .. ???

[Newly2b]

I am running Win10. On Sept 9 I downloaded accumulated windows updates. Now my Windows Defender is gone and something called RAV antivirus is installed. I downloaded no other programs except the windows updates. Does anyone know if this program comes from MS? If not, how did it get downloaded with windows updates? How do I get my Windows Defender back? When I go to windows security in settings and click on virus and threat protection then click on the windows defender shield RAV comes up.

Is anyone else experiencing this???

TIA

[SkeBallLarry]

As info: the spinning icon you see

while waiting for things to load has a name?

It's called a throbber.

[Bull_Dolphin]

I'll answer myself...
Yup, got one of those and it works great. LOL

[Bull_Dolphin]

I use APC battery back up units for all of my electronics. It works well with one exception. The switchover time when power is interrupted is not always fast enough to keep my modem from resetting. I'm contemplating getting one of these because I think the circuit is full time without switching:

TalentCell-Uninterrupted-27000mAh-Wireless-Smartphone (search for it on Amazon $63)

Does anyone have any experience with these?

[Zorax]

Also ..

https://www.howtogeek.com/devops/how-to-detect-and-defeat-cryptominers-in-your-network/

[Zorax]

Bitcoin mining on your system via virus or mining malware is still a thing and getting worse.

https://dailycoin.com/how-to-tell-if-you-have-a-bitcoin-miner-virus/

[ChannelTrader]

LOL !

[Flobewan]

I gave up, hell, I'm not even sure what I have on this computer. Hubby took over, LOL

[ChannelTrader]

I skipped beta 10 and went to 11

[Zorax]

Been awhile. Did you do it? How'd it turn out.

[Zorax]

If you look at task manager and see more activity than you were aware of, you may want to research 'bitcoin mining' on your machine without your knowledge. It's making a comeback with the high price of the commodity and there are lots of exploits people can use to get into your system and mine coins in the background. It's a real issue and maybe read about it.

The miner attempts to work in idle time between what you are doing and little things like delays in typing and certain normal tasks taking just a bit longer could be signs of a compromised system for mining. Also, a miner needs to send out the data and does it very slowly in most cases. Read up on it as it's fascinating what they're managing to do these days with taking over machines. You more or less become a linked mining farm, or that is what used to happen.

This also strains your system and drives and memory. Known to blow out graphic cards as well. They do not care.

[Zorax]

Late to the party, but look at 'free' version of zonelabs. It's a dependable firewall.
I only use virus scanners bi monthly and not running them in the background. Malwarebytes is one such. Although MW has been pushing their commercial stuff at home owners pretty heavy this year.
Even if you have a virus program it doesn't hurt to have a active firewall, which could also be the windows defender as well. Defender can be a resource hog and a pain in the ass.

And if you go with a 3rd party firewall, defender allegedly turns off it's firewall feature, but keeps a lot of junk running in the background. As of this year, a windows owner can not disable Antimalware Core Service or
Antimalware Service Executable which is their malware crap no matter what 3rd party you run and it uses a lot of memory and causes problems for many.

[ksquared]

I'm with you, Larry. It's terrifying to see how much of my information is out there.

Blocking access will be next week's project since Sundays are system upgrade days.
Bet a lot of them are still working on the Crowdstrike debacle.
We are way too dependent on the machine. There's no way to avoid using it.

[SkeBallLarry]

" Can't wait to hear ANY answers on that, K2 " .. !!

[ksquared]

Ran a search on myself and was appalled at how much info was out there. AGH!
Please give me suggestions on how to hide it.
Found this: https://www.lifewire.com/remove-personal-information-from-internet-3482691
Looks like it will be a long involved process.
Also looks like I'll have to give each site my email address to put the request through.
Does that lead to trouble?

I'm open to suggestions. Thanks to all who respond.

[birdguy]

I am still running win 7 with no problems. I do use it for trading with three monitors, but also pay for Norton anti virus (not the price they automatically renew you at but at a negotiated rate.) I have upgraded the computer a little bit (new bigger fan and more memory for example, but nothing major.) Recently we had to replace the lithium 3V battery, something we had never done before on any computer. Based on what a tech friend told me that was a very unusual thing to need. He works on computers all the time and he had never heard of that. But it did fix all the current problems.

[Bull_Dolphin]

Just FWIW, hackers mostly target new software because there are fresh vulnerabilities and a larger market to exploit. I would guess that very few are writing malware for XP, Win7-8, etc. Very soon win10 will also be ancientware.. You might be safer with the old stuff.

[cintrix]

Ok, guys, thank you both so much for your input. I have over a year to start updating my devices. The fact that all three aren't compatible with the new os tells you how old they are! lol Maybe it is about time I update my equipment! One of them is not used for trading so I might hold off on that one and just use an outside antivirus program.

[ksquared]

No. I do not trade on this machine.