Windows 10: Firewall added to my system by Microtech Support 724

I use System Mechanic to keep my system form being cluttered for the past several years. on 10/4 I noticed that the taskbar icon for this app was a blank box. I moved my mouse over the box and it stated that system mechanic could not be found. I check to see that the last update was 9/26. Then contacted system Mechanic support. they informed me that I may have a virus or system corruption and proceeded to transfer me to the company that addresses these issues for them called Microtech Support 724. the support person there said he needed to access my computer remotely. I generally would not allow a company I was unfamiliar with to access my system, however because I trusted in the System Mechanic Team, I acquiesced. They said my firewall was off and it allowed my system to be compromised. I responded that the Microsoft firewall was active and asked what he meant by saying it was off. He said "Well the Microsoft firewall doesn't catch everything. He showed me a list of personal files that had my SS# in them that had been attempted to be hacked but were not and a list of foreign IP addresses that were in a wait state to be connected. They cleaned my system and told me to avoid these problems in the future, I agreed to buy a two year plan with an additional charge for support for those two years for a total of $400. I am not comfortable with this and have taken steps to cancel the charge on my card until I can determine if this is legitimate. I now have a shortcut on my desktop that is located in c:\users\roger\desktop\network security firewall.exe.

1. I don't see this executable being installed in my system apps list. Shouldn't it be there? The only apps that was installed at that time is "Addblock Plus". Should I keep that app?

2. I don't see this "firewall" executable in my task list. Shouldn't it appear and be active?

3. How can I determine if this executable is running on my system and if I now have a second firewall?

4. Do I need more than then the Microsoft Defender app for protection from malware and hackers?

I'm running windows 10.

Thanks in advance for any help you can provide

:)

 

Good Antivirus + Firewall

I would never put anything Norton on my computer.

Nod32 is arguably the best antivirus. AVG is likely not as good, but it's free and at least pretty good.

Firewalls, I'd put Comodo and whatever "Tiny Personal Firewall" is named nowadays on your short list. I think Kerio might have sold it now and it's named something else. Otherwise, just put Comodo on your short list. I think the current version's ease of use has taken a step backwards, seems a bit counter-intuitive when trying to do certain things with it, but overall it does a good job and the price is right.

 

Firewall

Hello,

It is recommended to turn on your Firewalls to prevent your computer from unauthorized access and being vulnerable. Based on your issue description, it looks like you wanted to turn off Windows Firewall. To turn off Windows Firewall, kindly follow the steps
below:

• On Start, scroll down to Windows System > Control Panel > System
  and Security > Windows Firewall.
• Select Turn Windows Firewall on or off. You might be asked for an admin password or to confirm your choice.
• Under the appropriate network setting, select Turn on Windows Firewall.
  • Note: If your PC is connected to a network, network policy settings might prevent you from completing these steps. For more info, contact your .administrator

Let us know if you need further assistance.

 

Microtech

DO NOT LET MICROTECH ON YOUR COMPUTER!!!! These people are a complete scam. I don't understand why Microsoft does't legally go after them. They clearly pose as affiliated with Microsoft. Don't eve call them if you get an alert. Call Microsoft.