Resolved Security Suites

A good friend recently had his bank account drawn down and his credit card charged with purchases he didn't make and to top it off his computer was locked with ransomware. It was a nightmare. He has always been careful online but was compromised somehow. He had his computer wiped clean, by a local computer business, and all programs reinstalled with backups of his files. He got a new bank account number and a new credit card was issued. I use Windows Security/defender with Malwarebytes premium and change my passwords regularly. All passwords I use are generated by KeePass and I shut it down after each use. The computer company recommended he use a Security Suite and recommended either Norton 360 or Bitdefender Total Security. Is what I have enough or would I be better off with a Security Suite?

 

I use what you use plus Spyware Blaster. I don't believe there is a program out there that somebody can't hack an do what they did to your friend. Norton, Bitdefender or any other program can be hacked.

 

I use this exact same setup with no problems or reservations. I also use unique passwords on all my important accounts and keep my passwords in a password safe/manager.

I also make sure I keep Windows and my security fully updated.

You did not say what version of Windows your friend uses. I hope now he is using W10 as it is the most secure Windows yet.

I suspect what happened is he was tricked into clicking on something he should not have. Even the best security in the world cannot stop a bad guy if you open the door and let him in. Therefore it is critical to avoid being "click-happy" on unsolicited links, downloads, emails, attachments, and popups. Even if I get what I am sure is a legitimate email from my bank, I never click on any links in that email. I always just enter the banks url address in my browser and visit the bank that way.

I've been using Windows Defender (now called Microsoft Defender) since Windows 8 on all 6 systems here and Microsoft Security Essentials (the precursor to Defender) with Windows 7 before that and never was compromised. HOWEVER, regardless the primary scanner of choice, it is always best to have a secondary scanner just to make sure the user (always the weakest link in security) or the primary scanner didn't let something slip by. And I use Malwarebytes for that and it has never detected anything but a couple "wanted" PUPs that Defender let by.

Unfortunately, bad guys are very clever and very good at making malicious links look perfectly legitimate. It only takes one slip.

I personally believe the setup you are using is fine. But one has to have confidence in their security too. If you friend is not, then there are lots of alternatives but there is no guarantee they will be more effective at preventing a recurrence. This is especially true if they (or someone else using that computer) visits sites on the wrong side of the tracks.

 

Looks like I'm pretty much covered. I do the same thing if I get an email with a link, I will log on to the site and then look for a message or notification. I use KeePass to hold all passwords. I checked Spyware Blaster but it doesn't say it's for Edge, which is what I'm using. Thanks for your help and quick replies. Jack