Computer security-Please help?

Question

I recently made a secure online purchase and woke up the next morning to find my card has been used fraudulently (it is now canceled). I believe that there is some kind of spyware on my computer that sent out my details, as i am very careful using my card and use this one rarely. I ran an anti virus scan (AVG) and it came up with nothing.

Do you have any suggestions as to what software to scan my computer with? or how this could have happened? keystroke monitoring?

thank you for any advise that you can give.

Answer 1

If you have Win XP, turn System Restore off.

Click Start, right-click My Computer, and then click Properties.

In the System Properties dialog box, click the System Restore tab.

Click to select the Turn off System Restore check box. Or, click to select the Turn off System Restore on all drives check box.

Click OK.

Click Yes to confirm that you want to turn off System Restore.





Download, install, update and run full scans, in SAFE MODE*, with these programs...



http://www.malwarebytes.org

http://www.superantispyware.com



*** Important, when downloaded/updated disconnect from the internet ***



Then re-start (turn System Restore on).

Click Start, right-click My Computer, and then click Properties.

In the System Properties dialog box, click the System Restore tab.

Click to clear the Turn off System Restore check box. Or, click the Turn off System Restore on all drives check box.

Click OK.





If you can't run a scan, go into the scanner's folder and re-name the .exe file to something like 'MyFile.exe' and try in safe mode again. Some malware prevent the execution of anti spy/mal/virus scans by blocking them by name.



Ccleaner will not remove malware from your system, that's not what it's for! It removes cookies, temp internet files and obsolete/broken registry key, and does it very well...



http://www.ccleaner.com/



*Note: On start up (before Windows loads) keep tapping either F5 or F8 (be aware that some manufacturers use F8 for system recovery!) then use arrow keys to highlight 'Safe Mode with networking' click on a user account, enter the password (if you don't know it, there probably isn't one so leave it blank) and hit enter/return.

Answer 2

Buying the product online is recommended. As shop online, you can save you a ton of headaches, time and money no matter during the Christmas day or any other days of the year. However, if you don’t shop safely you could pay for your whistle.



Now we offer the following tips for safe shopping online before Christmas day:



Safe solution 1: To secure your PC is a top priority

You PC system security is the most important thing when you begin to buy Christmas gifts. At least, your computer should be installed anti-virus, anti-spyware software and firewall. Moreover, security software on your PC must be updated regularly to protect against from the latest threats. Always set your security software and operating system (like Windows or Apple OS) to update automatically. Click here to learn more measures to secure your new PC.





Safe solution 2: Visit the trustworthy Website

You should check the seller’s reputation and records for customer satisfaction before you select Christmas gifts from the Websites. For an unfamiliar Website, you can call the seller’s phone number to make sure you can reach the seller. In addition, you can type the site name into a search engine. If you find unfavorable reviews posted, you may be better leave and begin a new business with a different seller.





Safe solution 3: Secure your personal information on Website

Read the site privacy policy to learn how it uses and shares your personal information. If there was no one posted, you may get away from the Sit because personal information could be leak out without your permission.





Safe solution 4: Confirm the return policy - make sure you can get your favorite Christmas gifts

Despite your best intentions, some Christmas gifts may need to be refunded or exchanged. At any rate, you have to know what you getting: read the seller product description closely. Then make sure you have read the return policy. Some retailers give customers extra time that gifts can be returned or exchanged for a period of time (after the holiday or one week) that with or without pay. Moreover, you need to find out who covers the shipping cost: the customer or the merchant?





Safe solution 5: Select a safe way to pay for the gift – pay with credit card

Generally, pay with credit card is a safe option because a consumer can dispute a charge if the product isn’t delivered or isn’t what was ordered. Therefore, don’t send cash or use a money-wiring service because it is not safe at all if something goes wrong.





Safe solution 6: Keep the deal record



After shopping online, there is a final conformation page or a conformation e-mail that send by shopper. You need to save a copy of the deal information for future reference as a record of the purchase, including of the product description and price, the online receipt, and copies of any E-mail you exchange with the seller. Finally, check out your credit card statements as soon as you get the gift to make sure there are any unauthorized charges.

Answer 3

Make sure you have the latest version of AVG downloaded ( AVG 9.0 )



Also you can use these programs



Spybot

CCleaner



As these programs will get rid of spyware and adware also keep your computer working nicely



As to how this can happend, even the best of anti virus softwares dont always find viruses because new ones are developed everyday, key points are to:



1. keep all software up to date!

2. use spyware removal software aswell as anti virus software



But one major point is that you said ' a secure online purchase ' have you actually checked through reviews that the website is a real website and is a secure website and alot of website look real but are not.

You can go to google and type in the website name followed by reviews etc

Answer 4

My uncle does computer science. He works for Dell and makes roughly 600k a year. However, he had to go into a lot of schooling to get to that point. Computer security can offer some great pay, depending on where you're going. It really depends on how far you want to advance in either I guess.

Answer 5

you can try Malwarebytes Anti-malware (free) to remove any malware.

alternatively run a reliable antivirus to check for altered files and such.

http://malware-virus-spyware-remover-tools.blogspot.com/

Answer 6

are you absolutely sure the site you gave your info to is a secure server?



one clue is when on a secure site look at the address it will show https:// the s stands for secure which means they are running an encryption program normal servers only have http:// no s

Answer 7

Use an anti malware program ~

Answer 8

use both of these



http://www.malwarebytes.org

http://www.superantispyware.com