When older software gets in the way of upgrades – Houston Chronicle

Q: Ive been using the free version of Malwarebytes for a few years now. Several days ago the program indicated an upgraded version was available. Every time Ive tried to install it my computer will restart two times and I get a message that there was a problem with this process. How can I fix this?

A: Anytime you install an upgrade for a program that is already installed on your PC there is a chance that the upgrade will fail or present problems.

To troubleshoot this, look for the Malwarebytes program in your Add/Remove programs Control Panel and go ahead and uninstall the application.

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Once the application is uninstalled, reboot your PC and go to the Malwarebytes home page and download the latest version and install it.

This method of troubleshooting software upgrades is usually the most effective and can help with any number of programs you might need to upgrade and is why you should always make sure you can put your hands on the install media for any of your software applications.

On a side note, there is malware out there that will prevent programs like Malwarebytes from working properly. That is why I suggest installing a secondary scanner like the free version of AVG just in case something infected your PC that Malwarebytes didnt block.

Q: I have received both emails and phone calls claiming to be from the IRS telling me that I have problems and that I am facing legal action. While I know these are scams, I was wondering if there was anything I could do about this. What do you suggest?

A: The end of the year is the time when these IRS scams really kick into high gear. Ive had two phone calls this week claiming to be from the IRS telling me I was going to be arrested.

These scams prey upon our ignorance and fear. If all the other warning signs dont tip you off to the fact that this is a scam, the last thing they ask you to do should be the clincher as they usually want you to go buy some gift cards and have you provide them with the numbers so they can extract the cash.

I can pretty much guarantee that the IRS does not accept gift cards as payment.

If you get one of these calls or emails, you can report it to the Federal Trade Commission using their Web site at tinyurl.com/helplineftc.

It is important to remain vigilant and spread the word about this type of scam as people fall for it all the time.

helpline@chron.com

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When older software gets in the way of upgrades - Houston Chronicle

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