Computer help?

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rjwolfe3

rjwolfe3

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Apparently someone stole some passwords off my computer for my hotmail accounts and then for an online game that I used to play. I have no idea what other passwords that they might have gotten. I am in the process of changing all my passwords.

In the meantime I need a better virus checker I think. I currently use Microsoft Security Essentials as well as Spyware Terminator and Advanced System Care. I have run several online virus checkers from Trend Micro and Symantec and haven't found anything yet. So what do you computer experts recommend? I was really hoping not to have to pay a yearly subscription but will if I have too.

Also is there some way to track my passwords better or to make it harder for someone to steal passwords?

TIA:frown:
 
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Rob AVG free is good and so is Avast, both are excellent anti virus software , both also offer paid subscriptions that offer a lot more features, but even their free services are very good.
 
Rob, AVG is a good one as already mentioned and so is Kapersky. Here recently I have been reccommending Vipre from www.sunbeltsoftware.com. It uses a lot less memory then most of the other well know programs. They offer a free 30 day trial as most do and for only about $10 more, you can get all your home computers protected instead of just one.
 
I'm a Trend Micro or Sophos AV guy; can't help you there.
However, WRT Passwords:

Minimum 12 characters, alpha-numeric upper lower case with at least one odd symbol.
So, how do you remember that: Project and visualize.

For instance, let's say you're an Ohio Buckeyes fan.
You've got a bunch of password options, other than
YouL0ze2Gators! :biggrin::biggrin::biggrin:

You could use:
0HioBuck3yZ!!
Ohi0Bukeyez@!
or something else related to that.

Basically, what you want to do is pick a phrase you can remember, eliminate the spaces,
convert some letters to numbers, make some upper case, and add a symbol or two.

It looks impossible to remember but once you work out your pattern and
practice projecting it visually on a wall or something, you'll get it.
Those are the best passwords as they're not dictionary words and absolutely tough for a program to guess.

Good luck.
 
I'm in the Avast camp for virus protection....

For passwords, If you're willing to put up with a couple seconds of extra work, look at Keepass. Its open source (free)... Generates and stores passwords for you. You store everthing under one master password, then you can get to the rest of the more secure passwords... different ones for each site and much more secure. If you look for the portable version, you can even have it on a thumbdrive so that you can take it with you.
 
Thanks for all the help - gonna try Avast since that is what my wife is using on her computer. Whole thing just makes me mad since I have a virus checker and it doesn't catch anything.

Will look for that Keepass as well. Any extra protection is fine with me.
 
dalecamino said:
I'm with Ken on the AVG. I've been using it for two years without any security problems. I did upgrade with a $30.00 offer.
Click to expand...

I used AVG for a while, even bought the full version. While I had no problems with the free version. I had nothing but problems with the full version, on both my computer and my wife's. I finally gave up and bought Norton 360, and haven't had a problem in a year.
 
I personally use Norton but I understand not wanting to pay a yearly thing. On top of all this I use Tuneup Utilities to keep my computer optimized . .. Just an added suggestion
 
we use AVG it works great and I know many people that use it, I dont know anyone that seems to ever have any issues, plus its free
 
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