42 replies to this topic

[Digerati]

I'm using Windows 10 which apparently has its own security system.

 

Yes, and decent one too. It is called Windows Defender and I use it as my primary security on all my W10 systems. Regardless the primary security of choice, you should still have a supplemental scanner just to make sure your primary or you, the user and always weakest link in security did not let something slip by. I use and recommend Malwarebytes Antimalware (MBAM) for that.

[DevDream]

It's OK man i will find some other way to do it,
I'm using Windows 10 which apparently has its own security system.

I'm not sure Windows defender itself is reliable. I suggest installing another firewall.

I use the free version of avira anti virus on my macbook, has worked well so far

[Hugh Jackson]

I haven't downloaded anything onto my laptop lol only a couple of programs which are 100% clean like Team Speak and Audacity.

I highly doubt that it has anything to do with a virus or something.

Anyways, if you ask me you can close this thread.

[Digerati]

Windows Defender is just fine (especially the W10 edition) and more than capable. I use it on all my systems and have for years without incident. I would not suggest it if it was not capable.
 
To suggest it is not reliable is just plain silly as that would mean there are 100s of millions of users who are infected and that is just not happening. 

Remember, what incentive does Avira, AVG, Avast, McAfee, Norton, Kaspersky, and all the others (EXCEPT Windows Defender) in the antimalware industry have to rid the world of malware? Absolutely none whatsoever as that will put them out of business. 

Microsoft, however, has all the incentive in the world because otherwise, the naïve, the IT Press, and the MS bashers will blame Microsoft anyway even though it is the bad guys perpetrating the offenses and the antimalware industry that failed to stop malware in the first place. 

The only incentive all those other players have is to coerce users into paying for their pro versions. 

Regardless your primary scanner of choice, you should have a secondary scanner just to make sure you, the user and always weakest link, didn't let something slip by. I recommend and use Malwarebytes's Anti-Malware (MBAM) for that. I have been using MSE then WD since W7 came out in 2009 and so far, MBAM has not found anything malicious WD let slip by.

Note too Microsoft does not code WD to earn top scores on synthetic lab comparison tests. Instead, it codes WD to thwart current real-world threats and it does that very well.

That said, the best defense is to keep Windows fully updated and avoid risky behavior like visiting illegal gambling and pornography sites, participating in illegal file sharing of tunes and movies via P2P and Torrents, or being "click-happy" on unsolicited downloads, popups, links, and attachments - things you need to avoid regardless your security setup. 
 

I haven't downloaded anything onto my laptop lol only a couple of programs which are 100% clean like Team Speak and Audacity.
I highly doubt that it has anything to do with a virus or something.

You don't have to consciously download a program to become infected. That said, if you did not disable Windows Defender, kept Windows updated and are not the "click-happy" type, odds are it is not malware or else this would affect much more than just PayPal. 
 
This really is something to fix however rather than giving up. Did you cleanout your cookies with Windows Disk Cleanup or CCleaner?

Can you bring in a third computer and see if they can reach PayPal from your network? Or take you notebook to a friend's network and see if you can reach PayPal from there?

[DevDream]

Windows Defender is just fine (especially the W10 edition) and more than capable. I use it on all my systems and have for years without incident. I would not suggest it if it was not capable. To suggest it is not reliable is just plain silly as that would mean there are 100s of millions of users who are infected and that is just not happening. Remember, what incentive does Avira, AVG, Avast, McAfee, Norton, Kaspersky, and all the others (EXCEPT Windows Defender) in the antimalware industry have to rid the world of malware? Absolutely none whatsoever as that will put them out of business. Microsoft, however, has all the incentive in the world because otherwise, the naïve, the IT Press, and the MS bashers will blame Microsoft anyway even though it is the bad guys perpetrating the offenses and the antimalware industry that failed to stop malware in the first place. The only incentive all those other players have is to coerce users into paying for their pro versions. Regardless your primary scanner of choice, you should have a secondary scanner just to make sure you, the user and always weakest link, didn't let something slip by. I recommend and use Malwarebytes's Anti-Malware (MBAM) for that. I have been using MSE then WD since W7 came out in 2009 and so far, MBAM has not found anything malicious WD let slip by.Note too Microsoft does not code WD to earn top scores on synthetic lab comparison tests. Instead, it codes WD to thwart current real-world threats and it does that very well.That said, the best defense is to keep Windows fully updated and avoid risky behavior like visiting illegal gambling and pornography sites, participating in illegal file sharing of tunes and movies via P2P and Torrents, or being "click-happy" on unsolicited downloads, popups, links, and attachments - things you need to avoid regardless your security setup.  

I haven't downloaded anything onto my laptop lol only a couple of programs which are 100% clean like Team Speak and Audacity.I highly doubt that it has anything to do with a virus or something.

You don't have to consciously download a program to become infected. That said, if you did not disable Windows Defender, kept Windows updated and are not the "click-happy" type, odds are it is not malware or else this would affect much more than just PayPal.  This really is something to fix however rather than giving up. Did you cleanout your cookies with Windows Disk Cleanup or CCleaner?Can you bring in a third computer and see if they can reach PayPal from your network? Or take you notebook to a friend's network and see if you can reach PayPal from there?

I merely suggested using an additional firewall.

Also have you tried using proxies/VPNs, OP? does it work via proxy and vpn?

[DevDream]

Just to add ensure its a reputable vpn since some snoop on traffic

[Tomk]

My $.02 worth...

 

The fact that the problem manifests on both computers, and that it is only paypal that is at issue... sounds to me like the issue is in the router setup.

 

As far as I know, all routers have something called "access restriction".  In your setup you can use that to do several things.  The main use is to block access to a specific site.  So, if someone has placed paypal in access restriction, no computer hooked to that router would be able to access it.  The solution would be to simply reset the router and set it up again.

 

As far as access to the router, it is possible that your cousin didn't change access credentials from default.  If you tell us the make and model of your router, we can help you find default credentials and you might be able to get in.

 

There is one other scenario that I can think of.  I believe there is a product called something like Paypal Manager.  It can be configured to only allow access to paypal by computers with "approved" IP addresses.  However, I can't imagine why you would have something like that so shouldn't be the issue.

 

And finally... your "best" firewall is at your router.  The firewall on your computer is kind of like backup and mostly helps protect you from other computers on your network.  There is really no chance that changing firewalls will help you.

[DevDream]

My $.02 worth...
 
The fact that the problem manifests on both computers, and that it is only paypal that is at issue... sounds to me like the issue is in the router setup.
 
As far as I know, all routers have something called "access restriction".  In your setup you can use that to do several things.  The main use is to block access to a specific site.  So, if someone has placed paypal in access restriction, no computer hooked to that router would be able to access it.  The solution would be to simply reset the router and set it up again.
 
As far as access to the router, it is possible that your cousin didn't change access credentials from default.  If you tell us the make and model of your router, we can help you find default credentials and you might be able to get in.
 
There is one other scenario that I can think of.  I believe there is a product called something like Paypal Manager.  It can be configured to only allow access to paypal by computers with "approved" IP addresses.  However, I can't imagine why you would have something like that so shouldn't be the issue.
 
And finally... your "best" firewall is at your router.  The firewall on your computer is kind of like backup and mostly helps protect you from other computers on your network.  There is really no chance that changing firewalls will help you.

That's why I suggested proxies and vpns

Edited by DevDream, 03 September 2016 - 01:51 AM.

[DevDream]

As in, suggested trying it to see whether it works

[Hugh Jackson]

Whoa, ok, where am i LOL

https://youtu.be/naXLxNX4UZc?t=20

 

So i guess i can try whatever tomk wants.

Please gimme instructions.

[Tomk]

Not trying to confuse you.

 

What is the make and model of your router?

[Hugh Jackson]

My main router is zte zxhn h108l, or that's what's written on the front of it  

So, that's the main one which sends wifi to my computer (computer is usually the only device connected to it).

It also sends signal to a secondary router with bigdonkey antennas which i use for mobile devices and laptops. The secondary router is this one http://www.tplink.co...WR300KIT-02.jpg

I have no LAN, only WiFi.

[Tomk]

You might have a look here: http://setuprouter.c...h108l/login.htm

 

That will tell you how to access your router.  I'd suggest that you look through the current settings... and write them down.  Then I'd reset things to factory then start inputting the settings you wrote down.  If anything is "adjusted" under access management - I'd be suspicious.

 

You might want to do the same thing with your TP-Link:  http://www.tplink.ca/en/faq-426.html