Is it safe to make a payment online if you might have spyware?

May 31st, 2010

Robertscoollio231 asked:


I think i MIGHT have spyware on my computer and my family was about to make an online payment. But i was thinking if we had spyware wouldn’t it take the credit card information and all that stuff that you need to put in to make a purchase online? Thanks for your help.

Joan

Categories: Security | Tags: , ,

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4 Comments

  1. vulcan June 2nd, 2010

    Mike

    Only if you first verify you are hooked to a secure site. One way of telling is if the address shows as https:

  2. dncholas June 2nd, 2010

    Redy

    Not really especially if you suspect you do have. I highly recommend using PayPal and get yourself an account to use for all future payments. You should run a full AV scan, clean with CCleaner closing all programs 1st to rid of temp files they can hide in. Then make payment but then immediately run CCLeaner again and wipe all temp files of the event

  3. HammeringOracle June 2nd, 2010

    GREG

    This is a great question Robert. It is traditionally said that you don’t want to use the same computer that you use for internet exploring. So, generally, it is safe. If you suspect a virus, then download these programs; Avast, Avira, Malwarebytes, and Comodo. I run all these on my little net book, and it gives me good protection. You can download these from a trusted site called filehippo.com. I would get rid of any viruses or spyware before you put your info on the internet.

  4. The Phlebob June 4th, 2010

    Lisa

    It might, and a secure (HTTPS) site won’t protect you. Spyware watches your keyboard, and records what you type before it gets encrypted to be sent to the website. HTTPS protects your data only from listeners between you and the website.

    IF YOU SUSPECT YOU HAVE A KEYLOGGER, DO NOT ENTER ANY CRITICAL PERSONAL INFORMATION ON YOUR KEYBOARD UNTIL YOU GET RID OF IT.

    Sorry, but that’s the hard truth.

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