streaming live games problem

[wcflyer]

I streamed a live game on here last weekend and ever since then, my computer has been attacked by ad pop ups and my computer is very slow and wants to crash. I used IE and my web protection is McAfee, going back to Kaspersky I think, I have ran full scans and always says computer is protected. Any compter techs on here? have any suggestions to get my computer back to par?

[idahophilly]

Good lord! I can only sympathize. I spent TWO WEEKS ridding my computer of the male ware/ popups. It crippled my computer. You load a site just to see an article and it loads up a program that allows pop up advertising. I can't speak for your issue but I have three programs to search for which are bad and then you delete to fix it. It might very well not be your problem but you will know one way or another if its a problem on your system. Let me know if you want the info and what the "tab" says when the pop up happens.... 

[wcflyer]

Any info might help, it also seems there have been a few programs added that I didn't add or don't recognize.

[Irishjim]

Any info might help, it also seems there have been a few programs added that I didn't add or don't recognize.

download malwarevbytes  https://www.malwarebytes.org/  run the full scan (can take up 2 -3hrs) and delete all the BS.. this is a 30 trial version so it might not let you view the same stream site.. but for the future you need to have an up to date anti-virus running...hope this helps

[wcflyer]

Alright thanks Irishjim, Ill give it a try.

[JackStraw]

I streamed a live game on here last weekend and ever since then, my computer has been attacked by ad pop ups and my computer is very slow and wants to crash. I used IE and my web protection is McAfee, going back to Kaspersky I think, I have ran full scans and always says computer is protected. Any compter techs on here? have any suggestions to get my computer back to par?

 

Stop using IE. Get Firefox or Google Chrome.

[Vanflyer]

Stop using IE. Get Firefox or Google Chrome.

 

That will get you part of the way there. Stop using Microsoft. Use Linux as your OS. Microsoft is the biggest monopoly ever. 

 

Linux is free, security updates daily (you don't have to wait for a bundle patch release, etc.). Been on it for a year now and love it. My computer(s) have never performed better or been more stable. 

[Vanflyer]

I streamed a live game on here last weekend and ever since then

 

See my post to Jack. 

[Vanflyer]

I streamed a live game on here last weekend and ever since then, my computer has been attacked by ad pop ups and my computer is very slow and wants to crash.

 

Also, there are some less intrusive streaming sites than others. A long time ago I compiled a list and gave it to the mods here. It is in "My Menu", not sure if that is for everyone (ie. you see it when you go there). Probably needs to be updated, but 99% of the time use the russian site (www.livetv.ru). 

[wcflyer]

Good info. Thanks guys. I did download Malware bites and it has helped. Funny thing though I do use Google Chrome and pop ups are there too. I will look into Linux Van. I rarely stream games, only when the lil guy wants to watch Treehouse.

[JackStraw]

Good info. Thanks guys. I did download Malware bites and it has helped. Funny thing though I do use Google Chrome and pop ups are there too. I will look into Linux Van. I rarely stream games, only when the lil guy wants to watch Treehouse.

 

If for some reason you're locked into Windows, or just reluctant to give it up, you can look into VMWare or Parallels. They let you run a 2nd OS (like Linux), basically as an application in Windows. This has the added benefit that if you do pick up some kind of malware or virus, it's isolated from your primary OS.

[Vanflyer]

They let you run a 2nd OS (like Linux), basically as an application in Windows. This has the added benefit that if you do pick up some kind of malware or virus, it's isolated from your primary OS.

 

Which is actually great advice for everyone. The principle is to create a secondary "light" bootable OS outside your primary (ie flash drive / USB  drive). You can also create the secondary OS to run WITHIN windows. 

 

Should your Windows take a dump (which never happens), you have at least another easy option to boot and get to your data while you spend hours figuring out WTF happened to your Windows OS. A bit harsh, but true. 

 

The reality is that MS is a monopoly and the the hackers attack that first. I cant speak for Mac OS, but Linux is open source, so when bugs / hacks etc happen, many great people fix it right away. Oh, and did I mention it is FREE!! (of course you can donate to help those great people I mentioned). 

Edited March 29, 2014 by Vanflyer

[doom88]

Linux, and Virtual Machine (VM)-based solutions for that matter, aren't for the generic user.  They require a decent level of technical knowledge that the average person just doesn't have or care about.

 

In my opinion, stick with the Windows you know, and practice safer internet practices.  A browser in "private/incognito" mode with a few privacy extensions can take you reasonably far.  For example, consider Firefox in Private Browsing mode with AdBlockPlus and NoScript extensions.  Blocking some ads can mitigate one attack vector for infecting your computer, and cutting off javascript blocks another.  The trick with NoScript is to ensure you're only enabling scripts from trusted website.  Sure, there's a learning curve for NoScript, but it's a hell of a lot easier than managing Linux or VMs.  Furthermore, keep your OS, anti-virus, internet browser, and plugins up to date.  In Firefox, you open up the Add-ons manager and click on "Check to see if your plugins are up to date."  Also, ensure you are running a firewall, and it's turned on.  Finally, remember to disconnect your computer from the internet before you scan for viruses or malware.  This limits their ability to hide/re-infect your computer.

 

I'd also suggest limiting your online porn, but I'm trying to be realistic here...

 

Best of luck.

[Vanflyer]

but it's a hell of a lot easier than managing Linux or VMs. 

 

There are "light" versions of Linux that are just as easy, if not easier to manage than windows IMHO. The biggest thing for me is that I don't have to wait a weeks / months for MS for fix their shoddy / hacked code because they are too busy getting the next big release out onto the market so they can convince people they need to buy their latest and greatest thing. Fixes to Linux and apps running on linux come to me daily. Also, as Jack said, you can run a version within Windows (though that to me seems to kind of defeat the purpose).

[doom88]

I am very very aware if the options. I think the learning curve can be a bit much for the average Joe though.

Personally, I use all three (OSX wasn't mentioned yet). But, I'm very technical. Windows is easy, and familiar. No matter the operating system, practicing good security is required. No weak passwords, updates, malware scanning, encrypted WiFi WPA2, isolating browsers if doing sensitive things like banking or ordering online, firewalling everything and opening ports only as needed, etc etc.

Is Linux secure? Reasonably. Should everyone switch to it? No.

[Vanflyer]

Windows is easy, and familiar.

 

Yes and no. Microsoft works VERY hard every year to come out with a new release. Nothing in technology will stay the same, I get that. I have three problems: 

 

1) It is a rope a-dope business model. Meaning, once you are hooked, you are hooked for life. There fore, to the "layman" user, they must continually shell out money to keep "pace". Granted, that pace is going to occur regardless, but not at the sums that MS likes to get. 

 

2) Architecture- Infrastructure / Apps - apps support / Gui- All three are intertwined.  This is my crux with MS. Why revamp EVERYTHING every year. Keep pace with technology (arch - infrastructure), for sure. But the gui part is a bit funky to me. You have to match it with the technology, but to continually strive for more bells and whistles (at a charge) is ridiculous. 

 

3) I have not used Mac, so I can not speak there. But having used Linux the last year and half (many versions), with a zero hitch. Impresses me. 

 

I do agree that a novice is not going to go run command line stuff. But there are "lite versions" that GUI wise run very similarly to Windows. And its free. 

 

At the end of the day, If my linux machine is working better than my MS in every facet and I have to endure a learning curve regardless if I am on Windows or Linux, Why not. 

 

Keep in mind I am not talking about consumer small-big business side here. I am talking about the home user. Yet, I could get into the business side of it too. 

 

Cheers- 

 

Not to side step your security mainteness suggestions (which are extremely accurate and valid), on linux, I can plug and play the settings. Meaning. I spend about an hour on initial installation to get what I think is appropriate and go. Minor tweaks, monitor are par for the course, but it is neither laborious nor intrusive to get this done. 

Edited March 31, 2014 by Vanflyer

[wcflyer]

Thank you one and all. I have added the Malwarebytes trial program and switched from McAfee back to Kaspersky Internet Security ( remind me not to be too cheap when it comes to internet security being on sale, I'll never buy McAfee again) I hate buying PC Protection for 3 computers when I only have 1 computer, but since the switch back it's stopping all the phishing attacks and malwarebytes already scanned twice and got rid of a lot on the 1st scan. I can watch Youtube w/o commercials playing the same time as the music on IE even.

 

I've watched games on here before and never had a problem like that, but that was with Kaspersky as my PC protection, so I'll never buy a cheap product again. And maybe that's my problem, not enough porn sites Doom, ha ha. Not easy to watch with a 7 yr old fighting me for my computer all the time. I'm your average Joe when it comes to computers and the Linux thing is starting to sound confusing, sounds like a job for my nephews who are more technical than me. But so far so good, speed and performance is close to 100%. I will watch the games when needed on the Russian website, thanks Van.