The panic button, that is. Since December, I've been nervous about my computer. My McAfee subscription ran out and I couldn't afford an update. So I added what I considered a patch with the AVG Free software. I know lots of people who've praised it, but after the incident last year with the malicious attack on my computer, I still live in fear that I'll click on the wrong thing and launch some insidious, hideous, nightmare-inducing attack that will leave my computer a zombie with a fried hard drive.
After about a thousand "reminders," McAfee played on my practical side and sent an email offering a renewal at half price. Wanting to breathe a little easier, I took them up on it.Wow, what a nightmare. Six times, I tried to install the software but couldn't. The AVG Free apparently blocked it.
So I did what any desperate person does - went to the McAfee tech, and ended up in an online chat for about 40 minutes. The tech took control of my computer, went through all the steps I went through... with the same result.
His advice, before closing out our chat session with a hearty goodbye? Contact an AVG tech to find out how to uninstall the free software.
So I went to the AVG site and clicked on Tech Support, got a phone number and ticket number, and dialed. Waited 20 minutes online for someone to pick up.
Meanwhile, my computer went wonky, I couldn't get into Firefox at all, so yes, I panicked.I bought the full AVG software. It downloaded and installed fine. After two tries, I have assurances that McAfee will refund my money.
My husband always jokes that computers will be the downfall of the world. I'm beginning to think he's right - with one adjustment. It's not computers, it's the programmers. The software companies trying to compete with one another, who lock users out of their own computers to manipulate them to do what they want. I'm tired of my computer being attacked by both hackers and antivirus software (and, btw, I'm not convinced they're not one in the same).
So my computer is once again safe. I think. For now.
Any advice on how not to get trapped in this monkey-in-the-middle nonsense?
