Anti Virus software

[Fernando]

Instead of McAfee popping up, I'd been getting "Check if not robo..." and I have to get out of AF.
Anyone out there experiencing this?

 

[Mile High Trout]

And check after every update. MS is notorious for resetting defaults with updates.

GUI's are pointless and often only provide the illusion of user control.

Meanwhile in the back ground the process is still running.

That's why you turn the actual pc core services off, so if the various software does things you do not expect, easier to automatically inhibit the behavior.

Most items which provide a GUI interface are also tied to various dependent services which can be investigated in the services menu, and subsequently disabled.

Nobody asked for utilities like cortana or co pilot. Don't want. Don't need. Rejected.

Ancillary services like those which Xfinity provides on routers, aka 'hotspots' are a little more difficult to track down.

If you rent your modem from a cable provider like comcast/ xfinity, you're automatically opted into hotspot provider with your device which is both a health concern (emf fields), and a privacy security concern. The GUI controls xfinity provides in the web dashboard do not actually turn off the service. This can be tested easily if you also have or know someone whom uses xfinity wifi service on smart phones. When you unplug the router their signal goes away. When plugged in they have signal, despite having selected the do not provide hotspot service option xfinity provides.

That's when you call in to investigate and inquire which routers one can purchase online which xfinity supports, specifically selecting the router which does not have wireless connectivity capability. Only a hundred or two, and you recapture that in just over a year compared to the ever increasing infinite recurring monthly equipment rental fees. Only then are you assured that you're not broadcasting a connectivity point to your private network. Our neighbors used to leech off our hotspot and when we removed that they were even trying to connect via bluetooth off my pc itself.

That's why you also go to the hardware manager and physically turn off your motherboards bluetooth and wireless connectivity, if your computer has those which most do. That is the only verifiable way to assure your microphones and camera items are turned off as well, if you also have those.

 

[James Mpls]

Bitdefender is good. I used to use Kaspersky as well.