Recent Comments
Comment by Wolf on Should I Use Multiple Antivirus Programs? (September 18, 2025 04:13 AM)
I use SuperAntiSpyware and Malwarebytes, and they seen to work well with each other. I never had a problem. Thank you, Bob, for the great information!...
Comment by Soussi on Should I Use Multiple Antivirus Programs? (September 17, 2025 11:55 PM)
I have 4 AV-Programs running in parallel (in the same time) without any issues and I am happy with this situation....
Comment by Soussi on Should I Use Multiple Antivirus Programs? (September 17, 2025 11:54 PM)
I have 4 AV-Programs running in parallel (in the same time) without any issues and I am happy with this situation....
Comment by Minoo on Should I Use Multiple Antivirus Programs? (September 17, 2025 11:17 PM)
I have a paid version of Norton 360, Life Lock and a paid version of CCleaner (Pro), they both are working well and I feel protected for the past two ...
Comment by Steve_K on Should I Use Multiple Antivirus Programs? (September 17, 2025 10:09 PM)
Did I miss it, but how can an article on antivirus not once mention Windows Defender or Malwarebytes?...
Comment by Ken H on What is the Worst Place to Buy a Smartphone? (September 17, 2025 08:31 PM)
I always trade my iPhones in at AT&T. Probably not the cheapest option, but I know what I am getting and in my own research, AT&T had by far better co...
Comment by Bill on Should I Use Multiple Antivirus Programs? (September 17, 2025 07:14 PM)
I should also mention my backup program, Acronis, also alerts me to suspicious activity and all on the same Windows 10 PC. ...
Comment by Bill on Should I Use Multiple Antivirus Programs? (September 17, 2025 07:13 PM)
I have used Norton 360 and Malwarebytes for many years on the same PC with no serious issues. Each provides me with options. I will continue to do so....
Comment by Herb K on Time to Switch from Windows to Linux? (September 17, 2025 07:01 PM)
Bob - I've wanted to try Linux for several years now, but never got an attempted installatin to work. This article renewed my interest, so I tried ag...
Comment by beaUX on Should I Use Multiple Antivirus Programs? (September 17, 2025 06:36 PM)
I purchased a computer at Best Buy. The rep asked if I would like to have it pre-loaded and ready for set-up: i.e., "just plug it in when you get home...
Viruses Articles
QR Codes and Viruses - What You Need to Know
An AskBob reader wants to know if there is potential danger in scanning a QR code. Can a QR code hide dangerous content, trigger a virus, or other malicious action? Let's take a look and see if simply scanning a QR code can result in a virus or other type of malware infection. Read on...
...Cousin Vinny Strikes Again!
A curious AskBob reader wants to know... “Is it possible to get a computer virus just by opening an email?” It's true that email has been and remains one of the most popular attack vectors for hackers, spammers, scammers, phishers and other cyber-miscreants that are jiggling the latches on the door of your inbox. But is it really that easy to slip in, and wreak havoc on your computer? Cousin Vinny says YES, but is he right? Let's find out...
...Fileless Malware: Who You Gonna Call?
A clever but pernicious software technique that's been known for more than a decade is finding favor among today's malware authors, complicating the work of anti-virus developers and digital forensic analysts. Tracking down so-called “fileless malware” is to detection of regular malware what ghost-hunting is to catching a garden-variety burglar. Read on to learn about this resurgent threat and what you can do to stop it...
...Is This a Fake Virus Alert?
A concerned reader asks: “Bob, I'm worried that I might have a computer virus. My computer will sometimes stop and a warning says I have a virus, and I must call a number on the screen. Then supposedly they will walk me through the process to fix it. Is this true? I have antivirus installed but still, it pops up now and then.” Is this virus alert real or rogue? Here's my diagnosis...
...Can You Get a Virus By Opening an Email?
A concerned AskBob reader wants to know... “Is it possible to get a computer virus by simply opening an email?” It's true that email has been and remains one of the most popular attack vectors for hackers, spammers, scammers, phishers and other cyber-miscreants that are jiggling the latches on the door of your inbox. But is it really that easy to slip in, and wreak havoc on your computer? Let's find out...
...Malware and Spam: Why Do They Exist?
Philosophers have pondered the nature of evil for ages. Perhaps you also have wondered how a medium meant for information sharing has become a minefield of privacy and security risks. Spam, viruses, ransomware, identity theft, data breaches, phishing, malicious links and other cybercrimes have become commonplace. Who does this stuff, and what the heck is wrong with them? Let's take a look at what motivates the miscreants who menace millions on the Internet...
...Is Your Flash Drive Infected?
Security research firm Sophos found malware on two-thirds of fifty USB flash drives that had been lost aboard Australian trains. That might suggest that you should avoid computing on Australian trains, but the broader lesson is that USB flash drives are highly vulnerable to malware infections. Here's what you need to know, and how to protect your computer from viruses that may lurk on flash drives...
...Where Do Viruses And Spyware Come From?
Several thousand new viruses and spyware programs are detected every day by security analysts. Have you ever wondered who creates these plagues, and why?
...Virus Alert - XP Total Security 2011
Somehow I got a virus called XP Total Security, and I can't get rid of it. It blocks my security software, and it won't let me download any new anti-virus tools. It's even asking me for money... how do I get rid of this thing?
...Should You Call The Geek Squad?
My computer is running really slow, and I think it might have a virus. There's also a ticking sound inside the computer. I'm not very technical, so I'm thinking about calling the Geek Squad. Do you think that's a good idea?
...How Does a Virus Spread?
I love your site and your Tourbus Newsletter! I would like to know how a virus propagates over a network? If you get a virus on one computer - do other users on the network have to do anything to get infected? Is there a good way to protect against this?
...Free Virus Scan
My computer has been acting strangely... at times it's very slow and I'm getting lots of popups. I'm afraid I have a virus, and the anti-virus software that came with my computer has expired. Can you recommend a good (and preferably free) virus scanner?
...How can I avoid computer viruses?
When I wrote in a previous article that You CANNOT get a virus just by opening or reading your email I fully expected it would unleash a torrent of emails in response. I knew this would happen, because Ask Bob Rankin readers are generally smarter and better-looking than the rest of the online population. Read on for Virus Prevention 102 -- even more information on virus prevention and the merits of anti-virus software.
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