Who’s Worse: The Malware Miscreants or the Companies Who Make False Promises?
It’s a shame that we all have to be so careful when we download or even just browse the Web these days. The more mature the Internet gets the more sophisticated the tricks become.
And it’s bad enough when criminals and miscreants posing as Web developers bundle up their otherwise decent software with all sorts of malware trying to make money by deceit.
I wonder, however, what’s worse: The ones who try to trick people into downloading malware laden software or to click a poisoned link, or companies who mislead trusting souls into installing antivirus software with the promise that it prevent all sorts of malicious infections, keep their identities safe, protect them from hackers and even save them from the nuisance of spam.
First, you have to remember that the most pervasive threat you face every day is not a virus or a Trojan – but malware. Browser hijackers, Internet connection hijackers, search engine hijackers, and all sorts of other useless software installed unintentionally by the user via software bundles
We have worked on hundreds of computer whose owners thought they were protected by AVG, Avast, Norton, McAfee, MSE, etc. whose computer were rife with all sorts of hijackers and all kinds of malware. it’s a shame because the claims these companies make are simply not true. They may well protect users from viruses and trojans, which users are not likely to encounter frequently, but allow all manner of malware, scum-ware, junk-ware, and hijackers. So much malware passes through that ultimately the computer becomes listless and slow to respond, sometimes to the point of barely being operational.
So who’s worse – the miscreats who trick users into installing software laden with malware, or the companies who promise to protect users from viruses, malware, hackers, identity thieves, and all manner of garbage adn don’t.
We have been recommending Emsisoft for a couple of years now and the reasoh isn’t because we make a little money on each sale, but because Emsisoft protects users not only from viruses and Trojans (it’s antivirus engine has won many awards) but from the malware and hijackers and garbage users are almost certain to encounter every day the venture onto the Web.
We could have been selling Norton or McAfee for a lot more money than we’re making on Emsiosft – but we will never intentionally deceive our friends- the people who count on us to provide them with the truth.
So it is not about money, it’s about integrity; it’s about fighting the trickery and deception so prevelant these days – not only on the Internet but in real life too. Emsisoft doesn’t make ridiculous promises they cannot keep in order to make more money. The don’t make empty promises they can’t keep.
No software programs are perfect. There’s not an antivirus/antimalware that can protect you from 100% of everything – and not one can protect you from yourself. You still need to use common sense and reasonable care every minute you’re on the Internet.
And any software program that promises to protect you from identity theft or hackers is not telling you the truth – and that’s a fact. No firewall made is going to protect you from hackers – ask Sony, Target, and others who have been attacked and all of whom used much stronger firewalls than any security software with a firewall you could ever buy. And any security software that promises to protect you from identity theft is just being dishonest.
Integrity, honesty, and trust are hard to find on the Internet – the almighty dollare rules and some companies would say anything and promise anything to get your dollars – or try to.
So which is worse – the criminals who trick and deceive to get their malware installed on your computer – or the companies that promise to keep you safe from everything and don’t?
What do you think?
I have used Emsisoft for awhile and really like it. It is the best. Thank you EB and TC for recommending Emsisoft. You have given your followers so much good information.
I wanted to check on my license with Emsisoft. I went to their website trying to find a place and discovered that there was a free download I clicked on the free download and my system went crazy. The only reason I bring this up is there should be some way to stop all of the Deception and trickery on a good companies website there should be some way to make it simple that nobody can get their computer screwed up. I have been working for three days on my own trying to get this untangled only to find out that only to find out there are many companies willing to help for a lot of money. So no I’m stuck nothing will work . Thanks for any advise
Hi,
One’s as bad as the other, as they both try to con or trick one into downloading something that will make money for themselves. Although, the difference is, malware miscreants try to deceive secretly, while security software companies openly try to deceive by false promises!!!
I guess though, it looks a bit glaring—-hey?? Don’t worry!! I use Emsisoft——–Touch Wood!!??
Our “Guarding Angels” tell us what to use——–Mostly Common Sense!!
Jeff.
That’s a good question but the answer is that they’re both equally deceptive and in some cases I bet, bordering on a criminal level. Who knows where all that ill-begotten money is going or for what purpose it is being used? Call me what you will but I strongly doubt that all of these companies who knowingly trick users into downloading malware use that money solely for personal gain. I suspect that it gets used to pay for much worse activities. What’s disheartening to me is that whenever I get the chance to recommend your very informative newsletters in order to gain some really useful up-to-date information, as well as to recommend Emsisoft as an anti-malware/anti-virus program, I’m rarely taken seriously. It seems that so many people have simply become too complacent when it comes to even basic computer safety.
A very good example that occurred today. I purchased an Epson scanner and when I was registering it I was offered to update my Adobe software. I clicked OK and then saw that it was also installing McAfee Antivirus at the same time. I immediately blocked it and then uninstalled it. No big deal because I was on the lookout but I am sure that some would miss the action. Why does a respected company like Epson act like that?
We never said that AVG and AVAST are no good…we said they don’t provide any effective protection from malware. They might be dandy anti-virus programs, but we have proof – many computers worth of proof – that AVG and AVAST promise customers protection from viruses and malware – that’s just not true. It provides protection from virus and trojans…but we’ve worked on well over 1000 computers and we have seen less than 1% infected with virus and 90% infected with malware. Maybe the low number of virus infected computers are due to antivirus software, but more likely because the miscreants aren’t creating viruses anymore – there’s no money in it. So now it’s malware and rogues which, unfortunately for those who believe everything free is as good as everything you pay for. On the old web that was true, but not anymore. Malwarebytes betrayed its users long ago and AVG and AVAST provide very little protection from malware – and we have the proof of that. But you can believe what you want and use what you want on your computer – it’s your computer after all.
And about Emsisoft – Emsisoft is rated in the top five antivirus programs in every independent lab test we’ve seen as well it should – it uses the BitDefender Virus Engine. As far as malware goes it’s the only program that protects against almost all widespread malware.
If you’re using AVAST or AVG, I’d be glad to connect to your computer and check for malware – if I find none, I’ll give you a free Direct key. if I find malware you buy Emsisoft for $29. I’m betting $89 over $29 – and I’ve no doubt I’d win. Want to bet?
Both are nasty and evil, and unless a computer user is well-armed with up-to-date, trustworthy security programs, entering the realm of the Internet is akin to walking into a jungle full of predatory animals.
Two of the best inventions to benefit mankind are modern computers and the Internet, yet in the same vein, deadly enemies are within them as they survive hand-in-hand.
Just as the minority of ‘bad, dishonest people’ can endanger the lives of the majority of ‘good, honest people’, it means the goodies have no choice but to be well-armed and learn self-defence.
I think those that claim to protect, and don’t, are the worst. I compare them to a whole force of good cops gone bad. They keep their uniforms clean and pressed, badges polished, walk their beat with a smile….all while pretending to still have your best interests at heart.
The ones who use trickery and deception to get you to download something NEVER had good intentions in mind, and simply are crooks,
So, from what I just read, I take it that AVG, AVAST, etc. are just no good?? Well, then tell me why they are rated so very highly??? I had installed Emisoft and it took up a tremendous amount of resources and had to uninstall it. Also, I have not found Emisoft listed anywhere as far as they are rated one of the very best as far as antivirus/maleware???
Already answered. Are you working for AVAST or AVG?
We all better get a good grip on the saddle horn and feet solidly planted in the stirrups because what you have to encounter now is just the tip of the ice berg as to how its going to get. It has made my time on the net cut in half even with me being so very careful because i know there is something behind every site that has the possibility of costing me money or messing up my computer. It helps a lot when we have real friends like CloudEight but even those are becoming few and far between. There is no way of telling that every time we crank up our old Lizzy as to what is working on our computer in the back ground. We are slowly moving into that part of society here and around the world where money is the only thing that matters. So do what you can yourself to protect you and your computer and trust people like CloudEight while they are still around.
P.S. TC i know you enjoyed your duck soup and quackers last night after the game and because i had no dog in that fight i pulled for the bucks because of you. Congrats on the win.
No, I am not working for either AVG nor AVAST!! Not sure why you asked??? And as far as Malewarebytes are concerned, it has worked for me for a good many years. However, I have checked several independent Labs, and have not found Emisoft listed. The two that have come out on top are AVG and AVAST and I do not use either. Please indicate where I can find the statistics for Emisoft as I would like to do my research.
So you don’t accept my bet? Want to be how well Malwarebytes is working for you? I’m offering you a free $89 Service Key free? Not going to take the challenge are you?
See the November comparative results here:
From the most trusted independent testing labs (AV Comparatives)
And this is just the virus/trojan aspect – there are no reliable independent labs just for malware. As you can see Emsisoft clearly wins over AVG and AVAST for virus detection – and AVG and AVAST do not protect you from most malware. We have the proof as I’ve already told you – in fact there is one proof of an infected AVG/AVAST user on this site. We have many more.
Are you up for the challenge yet?
Thanks so much for sharing that very valuable information with me. I did check the statistics and did see my Antivirus listed and was satisfied that it was within the top of the list. And, also, I will decline your offer regarding Malewarebytes for now, but do appreciate your free offer for the “challenge”.