ComCast and McAfee scam

[BlackOutFit]

jawahar wrote:

I am not able to find the scan button in McAfee provided by ComCast. Any idea ?

It would have been automatically saved to your desktop. The Icon is a big red 'M' & has all you need (choices) to run scans, see latest updates, backup & restore, lockdown your firewall, restore firewall defaults, view recent events, etc., etc... Also the Comcast Tool Bar everyone's screamin' about should already be on your tool bar when you opt to purchase Comcast High Speed Internet. If you simply download their tool bar on your ancient crappy slow PC OR Mac you're GONNA have problems. McAfee thru Comcast should only be used if you already are a patron of Comcast ya dummies! And again, it's for HIGH SPEED CABLE hook up & it's users. I've had the Comcast Cable/HS Internet/Phone combo package now for over a year & it only keeps getting better & better (knock on the proverbial wood: my skull). So, f#$@K-sorry! And another thing: only the computer literate should be downloading anything. If you're not really computer saavy, invite a saavy friend over to assist you, or hire a computer geek to come over & do it. Just don't be clickity-dumb anymore. Good luck!(this is simply a post, not the word of God & I will likely not be back to review comments, so SEE YA!) Cheers.

[BlackOutFit]

jawahar wrote:

I am not able to find the scan button in McAfee provided by ComCast. Any idea ?

Oh, one more quick thing about finding the scan button: if you DO have the Comcast tool bar, it's under the "Security" dropdown w/ the padlock Icon. The dropdown to the right of that is a shield Icon which is the scanner button for spyware aptly labled "Scan for Spyware." Again...good luck!(Oh, & jawahar, I never meant that YOU were a dummy.):-D Have a good one!

[Sammy]

Has it occurred to you guys that the computer virus thing is a lot like "Alligator pest control"?

Suppose you run an "Alligator pest control" business. Further suppose you were good at it and made a really good living at it. Then one day you run out of alligators!! Now, Whatchagonnado????

Switch to HVAC business, or ..... release some alligators??

My suggestion here is: by buying antivirus software, you are funding the virus makers!!!

That's the real reason there aren't as many Linux viruses. Linux users won't pay for antivirus SW. They will either harden their installation or simply reload the OS. They even have the option of running the OS from a CD so that it CANT get infected!! They just reboot and all is well!!

[bluewaterfox]

Sammy wrote:

Has it occurred to you guys that the computer virus thing is a lot like "Alligator pest control"?
Suppose you run an "Alligator pest control" business. Further suppose you were good at it and made a really good living at it. Then one day you run out of alligators!! Now, Whatchagonnado????
Switch to HVAC business, or ..... release some alligators??

makes sense to me. funny way to put it too!

Well, I see my OP did some good. Some people have had difficulties and others not. Probably a mixed bag. I think it depends on how your PC is set-up.

[Kevin Mitnick]

A friend of mine saw this topic and asked if I had any comments so he is replying to this for me due to legal restrictions still currently held against me.

I will address most if not all of the issues in this topic. Whether or not you believe I am who I say I am is irrelevant. The point of this post to to give you an end all, be all advice column, post, etc. to help you better understand any common misconceptions in this topic. If you have any further questions, I may have my friend drop a reply for me but if I am not around, remember the golden internet rule for research: "Google Twice, Ask Once" Most likely you will find reputable results in a matter of minutes. If not, post the question online at a popular website such as "Yahoo! Answers." Chances are you will get a straight-forward answer as well as create a solution for a confused user in the future. Ahh, but I digress, Back to the subject at hand.

1.) The Comcast toolbar does not implant any viruses, malware, trojans, malicious spyware/registry keys, etc on your computer (PC or Mac. If you downloaded the comcast toolbar from any website other than http://www.comcast.net (the website for all comcast high-speed internet customers) you will ALWAYS have a risk of potentially installing harmful materials on your computer (Windows or Mac) be sure to ALWAYS install Comcast products directly from their website.

2.) McAfee is a trusted and reputable company. Their software, just like any other company's, has had good times and bad. To be honest, the truth is five, four, three, two, or even one year from now another company could have better software. You may need to shop around as well as consult with KNOWLEDGEABLE computer experts. Steer away from the Geek Squad at Best Buy. They are O.K. technicians, but they are paid to recommend certain software that endorses the company. Look for a kid between the ages of 17-24, preferably an avid computer games player. They are one of the best sources for advice regarding computer security considering they have to put their computers at risk just to play their games online, meaning they know what security software works best. As of right now, McAfee has a great security suite. And being that is IS free for ALL Comcast high-speed internet customers, It is a great valuable product, for now. But that can all change within a year from now. Keep doing research as much as often. That "bigger and better" might be right around the corner.

3.) If you noticed, as far as computers, I have been specifically labeling "Windows" and "Mac." Linux is still one of the most secure, free and Open-Source development operating systems in the world. With the correct knowledge, anything is possible with Linux. If you hate the vulnerabilities of Windows and the outrageous prices of Mac computers and their subscription-required software, do some research about Linux.

4.) To perform a scan with McAfee, either select scan from the security option on the Comcast Toolbar, open the McAfee security suite and perform a scan, or right-click the "M" icon in your taskbar and select "Scan."

I hope all of this information is helpful and remember folks: a "Personal Confuser" only operates as well as you allow it to. Buy books, ask for help and use google. Anyone can do what I did, all it takes is time and patience.

[Sammy]

Kevin Mitnick wrote:

A friend of mine saw this topic and asked if I had any comments so he is replying to this for me due to legal restrictions still currently held against me.
I will address most if not all of the issues in this topic. Whether or not you believe I am who I say I am is irrelevant. The point of this post to to give you an end all, be all advice column, post, etc. to help you better understand any common misconceptions in this topic. If you have any further questions, I may have my friend drop a reply for me but if I am not around, remember the golden internet rule for research: "Google Twice, Ask Once" Most likely you will find reputable results in a matter of minutes. If not, post the question online at a popular website such as "Yahoo! Answers." Chances are you will get a straight-forward answer as well as create a solution for a confused user in the future. Ahh, but I digress, Back to the subject at hand.
1.) The Comcast toolbar does not implant any viruses, malware, trojans, malicious spyware/registry keys, etc on your computer (PC or Mac. If you downloaded the comcast toolbar from any website other than http://www.comcast.net (the website for all comcast high-speed internet customers) you will ALWAYS have a risk of potentially installing harmful materials on your computer (Windows or Mac) be sure to ALWAYS install Comcast products directly from their website.
2.) McAfee is a trusted and reputable company. Their software, just like any other company's, has had good times and bad. To be honest, the truth is five, four, three, two, or even one year from now another company could have better software. You may need to shop around as well as consult with KNOWLEDGEABLE computer experts. Steer away from the Geek Squad at Best Buy. They are O.K. technicians, but they are paid to recommend certain software that endorses the company. Look for a kid between the ages of 17-24, preferably an avid computer games player. They are one of the best sources for advice regarding computer security considering they have to put their computers at risk just to play their games online, meaning they know what security software works best. As of right now, McAfee has a great security suite. And being that is IS free for ALL Comcast high-speed internet customers, It is a great valuable product, for now. But that can all change within a year from now. Keep doing research as much as often. That "bigger and better" might be right around the corner.
3.) If you noticed, as far as computers, I have been specifically labeling "Windows" and "Mac." Linux is still one of the most secure, free and Open-Source development operating systems in the world. With the correct knowledge, anything is possible with Linux. If you hate the vulnerabilities of Windows and the outrageous prices of Mac computers and their subscription-required software, do some research about Linux.
4.) To perform a scan with McAfee, either select scan from the security option on the Comcast Toolbar, open the McAfee security suite and perform a scan, or right-click the "M" icon in your taskbar and select "Scan."
I hope all of this information is helpful and remember folks: a "Personal Confuser" only operates as well as you allow it to. Buy books, ask for help and use google. Anyone can do what I did, all it takes is time and patience.

To this, I would like to add the following

A great site to learn about your linux options;
http://www.distrowatch.com

An affordable source of linux distribution CD's and DVD's
http://www.frozentech.com

Personally, I still apply my "alligator farm" suspicions to any company in the virus detection and mitigation market. They only thrive as long as you buy their software and you will only buy their software as long as there are viruses.

[Kevin Mitnick]

And there is no 100% way to fully protect your computer (Windows or Mac.) You can only be 95% protected at best considering numerous harmful files are generated each day. Update your security programs daily!