[ALERT] Can You Trust These Tech Firms?

I hope Comodo's firewall is ok, I have used it 4 years and it seems to work very well.
But why the panic about Avast putting an icon on the bottom of a mail, it shows that the sender has a responsible anti virus or email checker

EDITOR'S NOTE: It's an option in Avast, to add the "signature" to outgoing emails. I've turned it OFF twice, not just because I object to it being there, but because it garbles the message. But Avast keeps turning it back on. It's an annoyance, but I continue to use Avast.

Just like Robert, I also have Comodo's Firewall.
I hope Bob can set us straight on that, otherwise maybe I'll look for a new Firewall. Over to you Bob!!!

EDITOR'S NOTE: Comodo Firewall may be a great product. But given their repeated underhanded actions, I'm inclined to stay away from anything that produce, for now. I personally do not use or recommend a software firewall, because that function is built into most routers.

Thanks Bob, so which antivirus program DO you recommend now? I thought you liked Avast or AVG, can't remember which but sounds like those are a no-no now?

EDITOR'S NOTE: I still use and recommend Avast. The issue I mentioned was not security-related.

Andy says:
Just like Robert, I also have Comodo's Firewall.
I hope Bob can set us straight on that, otherwise maybe I'll look for a new Firewall.
Over to you Bob!!!

I too HAD comodo fw many years ago. And then I read about the issues that comoco had.

It took me three HOURS to finally erase every last vestige of comodo (and it's related malware) from my system.

It can be done but you must check and re-check and double check to make sure all is gone. Use 3 or 4 erase/delete type programs to do this as just like with av sw, not all programs catch all aspects.

Google "comodo sucks" for an eyefull.

BTW, if you're using a router, just make sure you have a really good password. You don't need a software firewall as the router is a hardware firewall . Modems generally don't have firewalls so in that case you would need a sw fw.

Hey Bob,
Been reading your newsletter for several years, but my first time to write. First, I thank you for all the helpful information you give. I have bought my first Apple computer because of Windows 10. No more Microsoft for me. Really like Windows 7 and will use it as long as I can. Again, thanks for all you do!

Howdy Bob!

Like some others, I have been running the Comodo Internet Suite (free version(s)) for over 5 years and I have never had any problems with it. I have had Google Chrome for a few years, as well, and no problems encountered. Never even heard of "chromodo" until now.

I have reinstalled CIS a few times, for various reasons like a new computer/hard drive (but *not* due to anything "bad" happening with CIS), and the only browser I have ever seen in CIS is the Comodo Dragon browser, and even that can be easily avoided by making sure to uncheck the box when installing CIS.

I guess this is something that just came up with the new version of CIS(?), since I have yet to see any problems with my systems. Even the updates of CIS have been clean - at least that is what Spybot and Malwarebytes tell me, and continue to tell me.

Thanks for the info, though! I will do some research. as well.

Oh, just a bit more - I, personally, have installed CIS on 7 (seven) currently operating computers (4 desktops and 3 laptops running Win 7 and up) and not even a "badware/badbug burp" from any of them. And all running Spybot and Malwarebytes, as well.

Maybe I'm just "lucky", eh? ;>

Wendyl
04 Feb 2016,said Malewarebytes Anti-Malware problem has been fixed. ???
FEBRUARY 1, 2016 | BY MARCIN KLECZYNSKIhttps: //blog.malwarebytes.org/news/2016/02/malwarebytes-anti-malware-vulnerability-disclosure/
"now internally testing a new version (2.2.1) to release in the next 3-4 weeks to patch the additional client-side vulnerabilities."
My (free) version is (2.2.0)

MBAM(Malwarebytes) probably "fixed" the issue with the paid version first. It does make sense that the paid customers should be the first to get the most recent updates & fixes. Especially, for those who only have a 1-year license.

I happen to have a Lifetime license. I purchased the MBAM Pro version when it did have a Lifetime license. Less than 6 months after my purchase, ABAM released the Premium version. This is the one that you can only purchase a 1 year coverage.

I must say, Malwarebytes Anti-Malware developers, HONORED the Lifetime license!!! This is rare indeed. I now have the MBAM Premium version, with a Lifetime license.

As for the Windows 10 bothersome nags - I use GWX Control Panel. It really is a blessing and STOPS the nagging, etc.. It is easy to set up and works. It will also, notify you if a Windows Update happens to include some Windows 10 nag updates. I really like that, then I can re-set the Control Panel. :)

Hi again Bob,
You replied to my last posting about Comodo Firewall.
As I have a router, I turn off the Firewall when I'm at home. However when I have to go to work in one of many schools I teach, I turn it back on before leaving home.
As I need a software Firewall, which would you suggest instead of Comodo?
I have looked at your "Free Firewall Protection" but maybe that is outdated now (2009).
Thanks Bob.

Thanks Bob.

Our devices should be more and more just like easy personal appliances, but they are moving in the other direction... just when email is universal and a must-have even for seniors.

Software that forces us to protect against them, make us learn how to avoid their devious options, force us to guard against their automatic renewals and fight to defeat their own fear-tactic ad-spamming pop-ups - this stinks - they sell us out AFTER we have paid full pop and "agreed to" a one-way contract.

Yes, It's time to fight back- but we do not know how and are thus easily outmaneuvered by the thuggish tactics of those who we actually PAY to protect us.

Nobody knows who can be trusted anymore. Imagine a company that sells trust (like security software) yet forces us into automatic multi-year credit card renewals for machines that will likely become lost and forgotten some day.

Hi Bob,

I am have been using MBAM for some time now and have been happy with it. However, I downloaded AOL Shield. Do I really need this? Will there be conflicts if both of these are running? I also have AVAST free.

EDITOR'S NOTE: Sounds like a "too many cooks" situation there. I would drop the AOL Shield.

Bob:

I enjoy your articles. Keep up the good work.

Based on your advice, I began using Avast about a month ago and I'm having the same problem with the unwanted outgoing email tag, despite turning it off in the options. If Avast's updates are responsible for changing the options, I think this is a breach of trust. What can we do to get Avast to stop changing our options with each update?

Lastly, I do have a small complaint for you and hope you can do something about it. I know you have to put advertisements in your articles to help with revenue, but lately I'm having trouble. You see, I read your articles on my iPad and the screen keeps jumping around and resizing as the ads load and change. The ads that show up at the bottom of the screen seem to be the worst offenders and sometimes are double-layered. I can close some of them, but not all of them. Every time I scroll the screen everything jumps around and resizes. It is quite unnerving and makes reading your excellent material much more difficult.

Can't say I'm happy with the Avast issue, but it is a small one. I don't mind having the logo on my email. However, if I were unhappy with it, I just bought the Avast Internet Security package for a year. Bought it cause I thought that would be better than the free version. Now I don't know if I want to keep it and move to yet another product, or stay with Avast. I don't trust that there will be any completely sin free company out there. That being said if I change products, I will again and again, as there will be something found that makes each unsavory.

I have malwarebytes, deleted Avast over 2 years ago because it kept 'advertising' at me:) Figured something was wrong there, so out it went.

My question about MalwareBytes, should we uninstall it? I have replacements that run in the background and only run it maybe once a month, if that. But then again, I do not keep sensitive information on the same system I use for the internet - safer that way rather than trying to stay ahead of the scammers and hackers.

One of your better columns-- reader response is clearly so positive because you have hit an important user concern. Defense against malware is critically important, yet few of the major players are reliable enough to recommend.

Like many others, I have been curious about Comodo, since Comodo's (free) internet product of firewall, real-time resident protection and system scanner seems capable enough on closer inspection-- if also a bit feature-complex.

And I have found Comodo users quite helpful on user forums, with a great depth of expertise. Nonetheless, I eventually decided on a simpler malware scanner and firewall system, instead.

Since the latest Comodo crisis ia also a management failure, the only solution for Comodo is to clean house of all those involved in past devious schemes, and work hard to recover customer trust.

Hello Mr. Rankin and fellow Rankinites!

I tell ya!
This is a Wonderful article BUT reading it gave me heartburn and a headache!

What with these deceptive security programs and the Microsoft Windows 10 fiasco I AM SO GLAD THAT I SWITCHED TO Linux Mint (17.3) last year.

The Linux Mint Kernel has Nothing to do whatsoever with any of the above-described applications or the Windows Operating System!

GOOD Riddance to ALL!!!

The Linux Mint Distribution (Distro): NO Worries; No Fuss No Muss!

i

I just checked :

In Avast, Settings / General / Enable Avast email signature is unchecked. Active protection / Mail shield is on.

I sent a mail to myself, and there's no Avast advertisement included. Update is permanent, so I have to assume my setting is not reset by updates.

I have Avast Free Antivirus.

I agree that legitimate software acting as malware / adware is a worrying trend.

To prevent unwanted upgrade to Windows 10, install GWX Control Panel. It's regularly updated, free, legitimate, vetted and endorsed by such reliable experts as Woody Leonhard.

What flaws if any do you see in the Kasperskys security software?

Bob,
Thanks for the ongoing advice columns. Your response to Kirk's comment about using Avast was that the issue you mentioned was not security related. In the article you said: "Other security software vendors are on thin ice. Ormandy has found serious flaws in Avast’s Chromium port, Avastium, Malwarebytes Anti-Malware, and..." What is the serious flaw if it is not security related?

Has this Chromodo vulnerability been adequately fixed and does it also apply to Comodo's Chromium-based Dragon and Firefox-clone IceDragon?

What is the problem with Chromodo changing DNS settings to Comodo DNS, which are supposed to be more secure than most. IceDragon offers the option to change to Comodo DNS. What are the other most secure DNS?