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Yes, i`ve had weird things happen on this one.

 

Sometimes, on certain websites, my system displays things completely different from Karen tablet etc.And that`s googling the same thing, or even typing in a web adress. Do different systems, or broadband providers display things differently?, i know it may be a stupid question to some on here, but i`m a ludite, and hate modern technology, and don`t want to become a slave to it.

 

Having said that, i do use the internet for a lot of things, but mostly information etc.

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......Sometimes, on certain websites, my system displays things completely different from Karen tablet etc.And that`s googling the same thing, or even typing in a web adress. Do different systems, or broadband providers display things differently?.....

 

That sounds very much as though your system is infected with Malware Neil.

 

It's most common symptom is exactly that, redirected searches and even specific URL pages.

 

I've never known different Broadband ISP's interfering with search results. A Google search should give exactly the same results in the same order at the same time, as long as the "safe search" and any other parental controls are set the same or are  at the default level.

 

Most ISP's do block access to a few specific sites, such as Torrent download indexes, like pirate Bay, but they should still appear in search results.

 

I had an instance of it once, where I noticed after searching for "BCU", (British Canoe Union), when a Google search found it, but it took me to a completely different website.

 

I used a free Malware cleaner which found Malware on my PC and deleted it, then Google was able to find the BCU site as the top hit and went to it correctly.

 

https://www.malwarebytes.org/

 

This Google search shows a how prolific "Malware Redirects" are:

 

https://www.google.co.uk/#q=malware+redirects+google+searches

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Hi Strow, yes, i`ve already got Malwarebytes, which auto updates each time. I must say, it`s pretty good too. It picked up on 2 trojans when i was searching various Crossbow sites in the US. And before anybody gets the wrong idea, i do archery, and have often considered taking up crossbow shooting as a sideline. The Bournemouth Archery clubs "Blue lion shoot" has a crossbow section.

 

Anyway, back on subject, when it picked up the 2 trojans, it was just a quick couple of clicks on the Malwarebytes thingy, and they were gone.

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Strow, Hi.

 

I've got Microsoft Security Essentials here on my laptop. It says it protects against viruses and spyware... do I need this Malware as well, please?

 

I'm afraid I don't know the relative effectiveness of Microsoft's Security Essentials program John.  It could be as effective as Malwarebytes specialist program.

 

I confess I'm biased when it comes to security software.

 

Although MSE is free, I'm wary of putting all my eggs in one basket, especially from Microsoft.

 

There are now so many other well respected security applications around that are available in completely free versions, (eg Avast, AVG, Zone Alarm, Malwarebytes etc..)

 

Zone Alarm (a firewall), for example, has a huge advantage over Microsoft's products in that it intercepts and can block outgoing Internet connections as well as incoming.  So many programs now "call home" when you run them, even though there is no pertinent reason why they should. Under the guise of auto checking for updates, many of them gather usage statistics for marketing etc..

 

Each time a new program tries to access the Internet, Zonealarm pops up a box asking if you wish to allow it. You can then temporarily or permanently agree or block.  I find that a crucial level of control that I would not be without.

 

Going off on another tangent, I'm also surprised at the number of ordinary users that pay out exorbitant ongoing fees for "professional" security software with regular updates. The advertising propaganda is like a protection money racket, frightening people into renewing their contract each year.  I would never run a computer without security software, but I've never paid for it either.

 

Sorry, I've drifted well away from your question of Malwarebytes versus MSE and climbed onto my soapbox. :)

 

As I say though, regarding MSE's effectiveness in combating Malware, I honestly don't know how it measures up against Malwarebytes, which I do rate very highly.

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For those that use the Chrome Browser could I recommend the use of Adblock Plus as well. It's a nifty free plugin that stops the appearance of unwanted advertising on websites. Since installing it I've not been asked once if I fancy meeting a Russian lady!

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Malwarebytes is a virus removal tool. It is free. Usually it is used in conjunction with some anti virus software such as Avast.

 

I teach computers at the Ludham Computer Club where we give free one to one tuition. Earlier this year I had a student who had all sorts of strange problems with her laptop. The laptop had an expensive anti virus program (Norton) installed and running. Now Norton is well known for being less than perfect at keeping viruses out so I downloaded Malwarebytes onto the laptop. It scanned the system and found over 600 infections. This is the most I have ever seen on one laptop.

 

This action got it all working again but the student was somewhat less than grateful telling me she had complete confidence in Norton and I must be wrong.

 

Malwarebytes is a good tool but you do need some sort of anti virus program running as well.

 

Nigel

Ludham

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...........but the student was somewhat less than grateful telling me she had complete confidence in Norton and I must be wrong..........

 

The power of clever marketing and the blind faith in value for money I would suspect Nigel.

 

I've come across many computer users myself who can't believe that free products can be as good as expensive annually charged software, let alone better.

 

The top names Norton, Kaspersky, etc.. have attained "invincible" reputations way beyond their actual merit.

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I suppose in the earlier days of Windows lets say Windows 98 TIME and TANDY both installed Symnatec aka Norton so many folks would never have heard of any free software. I could be way off the mark with this suggestion, but it was 1993 and Windows 93 I first used at the golf club at the time, and to be honest I don't remember much about anti virus then.

 

As Strow says, there are many kinds now, AVG, Panda are two that spring to mind.

 

cheers Iain

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