Michael Thompson-Brown

Cybersecurity Expert

Michael Thompson-Brown is a Cybersecurity Expert based in Portland, Maine. He is the owner and founder of PCRescue!, a company that provides cybersecurity and data management solutions to small businesses and individuals. Michael has over 25 years of experience in the IT industry and is a certified ethical hacker. He founded PCRescue! in 2002, and is passionate about helping clients both protect their data and systems from malicious attacks, and optimize their online presence and reach.

Education

Western Governor's University, MS, Cybersecurity and Information Assurance
University of Phoenix, BA, Business Administration

Certifications & Organizations

Master of Science, Cybersecurity and Information Assurance (MSCIA)
Certified Ethical Hacker Certification (CEH)
Association of Computer Repair Business Owners (ACRBO)

Favorite Piece of Advice

Use a unique passphrase for your email and protect it like it is gold. Back up your devices locally and remotely. No legitimate company sends an alert that you have a virus, and they will help if you call them.

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Q&A Comments (17)

What's the best antivirus software?

The built-in antivirus software provided by Windows or Mac is better than third-party alternatives due to its seamless integration with the operating system, regular updates, deeper access to system functions, and user-friendly interface. This integration ensures efficient resource usage and compatibility, while automatic updates keep the software current with the latest threats. Additionally, being developed by the same company as the operating system, built-in antivirus solutions often provide better compatibility and require minimal configuration, making them suitable for all users.

Does a third-party anti-virus application offer more protection than built-in ones?

Built-in antivirus software surpasses third-party alternatives because it operates faster and consumes fewer system resources. Its integration with the operating system enables efficient utilization of resources, ensuring minimal impact on system performance. Additionally, being directly developed by the OS vendor, built-in antivirus solutions are optimized for speed, providing swift protection without compromising system responsiveness.

Why should I disable my firewall? Are there any benefits to doing this?

You shouldn't disable your firewall entirely. However, there are instances where you may need to temporarily modify firewall settings, particularly when troubleshooting or testing applications with specific networking requirements. Typically, this process is automatic, especially on Windows and Mac systems. Occasionally, you may need to manually allow a program through the firewall, which may happen on Windows from time to time. This need for manual intervention occurs more often when using third-party firewall software like McAfee or Norton.

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