New computer

[fixitflav]

Readers might be interested in this.

My brother bought a new laptop from PCworld a couple of weeks ago, and with it bought Mcafee virus protection for an extra £38. This came with 1 month free cover, after which Mcafee had to be installed.

Tried to do the install using the 25-character code provided, but it wouldn’t load and gave a Help number. The guy on the phone took over the computer (I assumed as he was on the Mcafee helpline he wouldn’t be an “ordinary” crook) and he said there were 24 other users on the IP address, due to a botnet infection. And we needed to buy more software to get rid. I said that’s what we bought Mcafee for, and he said that only combats viruses, not bots etc. The additional software was £80 for 3 years, £100 for 5. I don’t know enough about computer networks to know whether, assuming it was true, that the other users on there is unusual, or a potential problem. But we told him that having paid £38 for the anti-virus we weren’t going to pay another £80 to make it work properly, and he could get lost.

I smell a scam here, and I wonder whether PCworld are in on it. Further suspicion was aroused by the fact that the 1 month free cover was presumably working OK, and had not flashed up any problem. Also decided to ditch Mcafee and use Avast free anti-virus, which loaded with no problem.

I suggested to bro he goes back to PCworld and asks for a refund of his £38.

Anybody had similar experience?

 

[JP_]

Not had similar experience, but sounds like a scam. Probably on commission to upsell.
A new PC should not be a botnet, but if it is, just do a fresh windows install and use a different AV. I have used the Free Avast in the past, just realised not put anything on this PC.
If you are sensible and have Windows 10 you should be pretty safe - so long as you know not to visit dodgy sites, open emails from strangers or follow spammy links on social etc.

Another free one worth installing and running now and then is malwarebytes - that spots some things Avast will miss.

 

[fixitflav]

Not had similar experience, but sounds like a scam. Probably on commission to upsell.
A new PC should not be a botnet, but if it is, just do a fresh windows install and use a different AV. I have used the Free Avast in the past, just realised not put anything on this PC.
If you are sensible and have Windows 10 you should be pretty safe - so long as you know not to visit dodgy sites, open emails from strangers or follow spammy links on social etc.

Another free one worth installing and running now and then is malwarebytes - that spots some things Avast will miss.

Thanks. As it happens bro only uses it for internet, no internet banking or even emails, so isn't at much risk. I'll try malwarebytes.

 

[JBR]

It amazes me why anyone still uses PCWorld!

 

[pete50]

It amazes me why anyone would want to pay for antivirus software especially that particular one. Windows 10 comes with it's own pretty good antivirus but even if you don't trust Windows Defender there are plenty of free ones out there. Oh and Malwarebytes is for malware, a completely different beast to virus although the end result is usually the same.

 

[fixitflav]

It amazes me why anyone would want to pay for antivirus software especially that particular one. Windows 10 comes with it's own pretty good antivirus but even if you don't trust Windows Defender there are plenty of free ones out there. Oh and Malwarebytes is for malware, a completely different beast to virus although the end result is usually the same.

Agreed, a mutual friend who went with him to buy it said don't, leastways not one you have to pay for, but he can be a stubborn bugger!
I only recently found out (from this forum) that W10 has built-in antivirus, MS don't seem to boast about it. I knew it has a firewall, does this do something similar to Malwarebytes?

 

[fixitflav]

It amazes me why anyone still uses PCWorld!

Yes, I bought mine there a couple of years ago, and had various problems, not impressed. Any idea who you would recommend instead?

 

[IT Minion]

PC world sell some decent computers at decent prices. As long as you avoid the upsell then it's not an issue. I know of one case where we did an entire data center migration using kit we picked up there due to some slight scheduling and purchasing issues.

 

[JBR]

Yes, I bought mine there a couple of years ago, and had various problems, not impressed. Any idea who you would recommend instead?

There are, I'm sure, many reliable places. I have bought computers and related equipment from John Lewis and also online sellers.
I'd advise looking at reviews.

 

[fixitflav]

PC world sell some decent computers at decent prices. As long as you avoid the upsell then it's not an issue. I know of one case where we did an entire data center migration using kit we picked up there due to some slight scheduling and purchasing issues.

Not necessarily PC world's fault, but attached is a partial list of some of the problems with mine. I had to take it back at least 3 times. Even after that it had mouse pointer lock-up several times, but touch wood it's been fine now for over a year.
At one point PCworld were telling me it was a software issue (chargeable repair) and they only guaranteed the hardware as "MS would not guarantee the software". Of course on that basis they would always claim it was the software, and most users wouldn't know otherwise. I told them I'm not interested in that, I just want a computer that works. I don't remember all the details, but they must have backed off as I didn't pay any more money.

 

[foxhole]

Have a Mac , here is a list of problems I had with it over last 15 years.

 

[IT Minion]

Have a Mac , here is a list of problems I had with it over last 15 years.

See, if you'd gone for a Windows machine you'd have been able to afford enough electricity to finish writing your post.

 

[foxhole]

See, if you'd gone for a Windows machine you'd have been able to afford enough electricity to finish writing your post.

Cheaper than a pc and will also run windows , not that I have reason too .

 

[fiskrond]

Yes, I bought mine there a couple of years ago, and had various problems, not impressed. Any idea who you would recommend instead?

Currys/PCWorld have an outsourced CustService 'function' (I use the term very loosely) whose job it is to ick you about until you get fed up of paying £/min to get anywhere and eventually give up. That is how a sub-contracted CustServ makes a profit as a business service. Only the gullible/desperate buy from them... in terms of aftersales/service you may as well buy from a random bloke in the pub selling stuff out of a holdall.

Dabs.com used to be really good until they were taken over by BT.. prices went up.. but still worth a look.
Take a look at Ebuyer.com.. good stuff..

At a push... if one is going to purchase from Currys/PCW... do it via Ebay as if there is a problem you can just file a claim and send it back as 'faulty' (at THEIR postage expense) without the stress.

Ultimately.. best thing to do is get a compact desktop... laptops have an inherent design flaw... processing power = heat, and the physical properties of a laptop (size) means that there is not the room for a sufficient cooling system = destined to fail... they are made to last just long enough to make it past warranty period.

Does one REALLY need to take their laptop from living room to kitchen to bedroom? Blox do they! Just get a half-decent tower/desktop and a bludy tablet.. for the sake of foxes..


Of course... if it were up to me there would be a capability assessment prior to purchase, and a further assessment before being allowed online.

 

[fixitflav]

Currys/PCWorld have an outsourced CustService 'function' (I use the term very loosely) whose job it is to ick you about until you get fed up of paying £/min to get anywhere and eventually give up. That is how a sub-contracted CustServ makes a profit as a business service. Only the gullible/desperate buy from them... in terms of aftersales/service you may as well buy from a random bloke in the pub selling stuff out of a holdall.

Dabs.com used to be really good until they were taken over by BT.. prices went up.. but still worth a look.
Take a look at Ebuyer.com.. good stuff..

At a push... if one is going to purchase from Currys/PCW... do it via Ebay as if there is a problem you can just file a claim and send it back as 'faulty' (at THEIR postage expense) without the stress.

Ultimately.. best thing to do is get a compact desktop... laptops have an inherent design flaw... processing power = heat, and the physical properties of a laptop (size) means that there is not the room for a sufficient cooling system = destined to fail... they are made to last just long enough to make it past warranty period.

Does one REALLY need to take their laptop from living room to kitchen to bedroom? Blox do they! Just get a half-decent tower/desktop and a bludy tablet.. for the sake of foxes..


Of course... if it were up to me there would be a capability assessment prior to purchase, and a further assessment before being allowed online.

Thanks for that.
I must eat some humble pie. The bro went back to PCworld and it turned out we had been on a fake Mcafee website. So I take back some of the criticism of PCW and Mcafee. At least we weren't dumb enough to pay anything. PCW installed the Mcafee OK, no extra charge. Doesn't alter the fact that he shouldn't have bought it in the first place!

I agree about laptops, I have a desktop and tablet.