Spyware, viruses, & security : Just bought laptop, What should I use for anti-virus, ect?
New laptop set-up scheme
by Bonesxxx - 8/25/08 2:02 PM In reply to: Just bought laptop, What should I use for anti-virus, ect? by explosion81I've been running Vista for about a year on my Dell Inspiron 1721, it came with McAfee and I used that for the free trial period afterwhich I removed all McAfee from my computer; installed Avira Antivir Personal (free), Ccleaner for my registry (free)and junk file removal, Revo Uninstaller (free)for junk files, start up programs, program remover. I still use windows disc cleaner for extra cleaning and deleting old backups and shadowcopies(I do have an external back up also (Western Digital 500gb, overkill I know, only $100.00). Also stopped using windows defrag, I use Auslogics Disc Defrag (free). In addition to these programs I keep Secunia PSI (free) running in my system tray for all patched programs and it lets me know about expirations etc.
With my puny RAM built in; I have to use readyboost always until I can upgrade, so I use a 4gig flash drive in a highspeed USB to keep my computer running quickly. This has been a great combination for sometime now, I am an online student and I create many files and surf the web constantly with complete freedom and protection. I did use McAfee site advisor until about a week ago when it kinda started doing weird things and slowing down my google IE-7 browser. Uninstalled it for now, will try it again as it worked for a very long time without incident.
Oh, and I run all these things manually (stick em in your quick launch to remind yourself), I never set an automatic anything as it always interferes with my work at just the wrong time.
Hope this helps you, it works great for me.
Also
by Bonesxxx - 8/25/08 2:39 PM In reply to: New laptop set-up scheme by BonesxxxForgot to mention, I still use windows defender and firewall built in protection. Of course setting up your "internet options" in your "tools" menu bar is extremely important for any internet protection. Also look into the many forums on "speeding up windows Vista", there are many useful tricks and tweeks to make your laptop more efficient. And always check to make sure you understand registry cleaners before you delete your registry, always make a back up before you delete these things until your sure.
Go to your system menu and check for any improvements that may be suggested and you should have a "windows experience" level at no less than 3.0.
Good luck..!
comodo
by wawadave - 8/25/08 3:10 PM In reply to: Also by Bonesxxxi have been useing comodo free anti virus,firewall and comodo bo clean.
the firewall takes a bit of getting used to after useing zonealarm for years.
but once past the learning its easy.
the av work fine and silently allways updates ect ect...
and they are surprisingly light on resources.
for a paid for av i recommend nod32 as former MS MVP i had used it then and before. But decided to give comodo the run through.
You can find free software, no spyware, no virus
by edgar123ny - 8/29/08 6:36 AM In reply to: New laptop set-up scheme by BonesxxxAntivirus: Avira free edition, or Avast Antivirus.
Anti-spyware: SuperAntispyware and Malwarebytes' Antimalware. The free versions you have to updated manually, and Threatfire.
Firewall: Comodo.
To do a tune up: You can use Glary utilities.
Internet browser: Mozilla Firefox 3, and Opera.
And the most important thing prevention. Only download from safe places, and backup your files.
Re: Just bought laptop, What should I use for anti-virus...
by Galdhrim - 8/25/08 3:50 PM In reply to: Just bought laptop, What should I use for anti-virus, ect? by explosion81I would install Avast! Free, if you qualify for the free version license. And I think Comodo Firewall Pro is a must have (BUT take a look at Comodo's support forum before installing, it can be very annoying at first... so don't try to set Defense+ feature to safe mode for the first days, unless you have a lot of patience... after it has learned enough about your system, it will work almost unnoticed). And I would keep an eye open, waiting for the release of Comodo Antivirus version 3, maybe it would be a best option than Avast!, and with a less restrictive licence (in fact, Comodo free products are free no matters if the computer is not a 'personal use' computer). You can also install Spybot Search&Destroy to check the system from time to time, and probably you will be safe enough.
But as somebody already said, if you make the mistake of allowing a malware to run, despite the AV-Firewall warnings, then the only one to be blamed would be yourself... it would be like sabotaging your own computer.... nothing can protect your computer from that.
Gaidhrim suggestings on AV and Firewall
by GEO2003 - 8/29/08 12:35 PM In reply to: Re: Just bought laptop, What should I use for anti-virus... by GaldhrimI agree with you both AVAST AND COMMODO ARE ECXEPTIONAL PIECES OF SOFTWARE.
Disagree with your commnet.
If you qualify for AVAST FREE lincese.
There is no qualification process, just download install and register by given your email address only, no other info is asked of you.
The license is not restrictive, it just expire on a yearly basis and you have to apply for a new one with again your email address.
Paid subscriptions asked you for full info, so given your emails ona yearly basis is no a big deal.
In terms of Comodo, I do run it with Defense+ and for me it has cause any problems.
Yes if you Enter the Settings they may seem dunting. Believe me I was like whao a lot of settings, but then again I was used to the windows fire wall from ZoneAlar, in xp which you know how useless it was, then I study the vista firewall and noticed that it is much better a lot of the settings or special ones have to be added manually, and I didn't like this, I wanted a firewall that will help me and do most of the job, hence COMMODO but once you go one by one into the settings without changing anything by reading as you are on a particular window and called the help files it explains everything very well.
Good choices in my opinion excep for Spybot
Which Antivirus?
by GEO2003 - 8/25/08 3:51 PM In reply to: Just bought laptop, What should I use for anti-virus, ect? by explosion81Avast Free Home Editon,
-It has both antispyware/antivirus and it is really good and does not take a lot of resources.
It does not have a Scheduler, but if you install it in your brand new pc it will run a boot time scan, secure everything and from that point on you will not have any problems. Plus you have the option to run a manual scan when ever you want rather then setting up a schedule scan that can take hours to complete such as with AVG.
I am sorry to say, but I don't like AVG anymore because ver. 8 has hade too many conflicts. I had the free edition with 7.5 with XP and Vista and it let some malware get through.
With Avast you Get 7 different shields that you can customize to your liking, the code is very clean so it runs great with both xp and vista.
I tried, SpywareBlaster and the other free little programs but they protect by keeping active x and boh (browser object helpers) controls wich could be malicious but in my Honest opinion, AVAST protects better.
If you want a review of SpywareBlaster, other freebies and Avast, AVG, and other paid antispyware/antivirus, go to pcmag.com and look at the review.
Firewall - Defenetely Comodo Free Edition, also review at pcmag.com.
It's well programed, and it get's along better then ZoneAlarm with Vista. I also had ZoneAlarm for years, but had to changed it because it was delaying my boot process way too much together with AVG.
Check also Antivir, Can't speak for it because I don't have any experience with it, but in any event you don't need two or three if you just pick the right conbinecion.
For me after testing different free ones, it was AVAST and COMODO.
I even disable from start up automatically Windows Defender.
I get emails from Cnet and PCworld that have links in it that are trying to track me and when I forward an interesting story to my family, AVAST examines the Email and alerts me to that Effect.
it does not alert me when the msg. is received even though it checks it, it does it if i am sending it out because obviously the link is trying to send information back to the originated website.
With Avast you have to register your email address with them for you to get your key and have to do it again yearly but it is no big deal because that's all they ask for. Obviously because they want to know how many people use their product and continue to use it.
I was searching google for autoparts a few days ago and my browser was redirected to another website, I couldn't see the name, but it opened a new windows and try to download exe to my laptop, Avast immediately kick in and stop it, so I safely accept it AVAST recomendation to stop the download and close that browser.
Despite several download attempts, AVAST has never fail me.
My sister's pc came with a 3 month free subscription of McFee, I immediately unstall it with Revo Uninstaller to get read of every trace possible, and installed Avast.
I have set on all my families pc's, that's a total of 5 never a problem.
Good Luck,
Remember, don't mix too many antispyware/antivirus programs is not worth it specially if the ones you choose want to load with windows, it is just going to slow your pc.
Don't misunderstan me, one of them Such as AVAST has to load with windows to keep your computer secure.
Geo
My Reccos On Protection.
by moorejack - 8/25/08 4:30 PM In reply to: Just bought laptop, What should I use for anti-virus, ect? by explosion81Hi Adam - I first got online three and a half years ago. Bought a Toshiba Satellite A75 - S231. It came with a trial subs. for Symantec Internet Security 2004. I found it very intrusive, and when I changed to other protections it was very difficult to get rid of all the Symantec remnants.
For protection I have tried many - Avast!, AVG, Spyware Doctor, Spybot, Microsoft Defender.
I have now settled into (for the last year) what I like and have been totally effective. I feel that I am "home" with protections:
Firefox browser from mozilla.org.
Windows Firewall - enabled.
NOD32 Antivirus from Eset.com
Spysweeper Antispyware from Webroot.com
Andrew
There is only one way to go!
by Palebushman - 8/25/08 6:13 PM In reply to: Just bought laptop, What should I use for anti-virus, ect? by explosion81Firstly, there are two flavours. Free and Payware. Get the Free one first so that you can see how brilliant this program is. Unlike all the others, Avast! is very easy on system resources (ideal for laptops) it scans OE Internet Mail (popular entry point for viruses) P2P, IM, Outlook, Networks, Web (Main door for viruses malware etc) and Standard shields.
After you have enjoyed the very professional security of the Free Avast! program, you can then safely and with satisfied experience, go for the Avast! payware version, which has further refinements for your security. I have tried all the other AV programs out there, and none of them provide the value of Avast! from Alwil at
http://www.avast.com/ You will never look back.
How to combat the virus and adware and malware.
by zapperbee - 8/26/08 2:19 AM In reply to: Just bought laptop, What should I use for anti-virus, ect? by explosion81Very simple and it is free you do not have to buy it if you don't want to just go to http://www.malwarebytes.com free download it and go from there install it and run it within 5 min you are free of all of it. worked for me and I am a happy camper.
zapperbee
Go Norton!
by will2348 - 8/26/08 3:07 AM In reply to: Just bought laptop, What should I use for anti-virus, ect? by explosion81If i was you i would go for Norton there are some very very good free anti-virus programmes out there but i just stay with Norton and pay for it for the simple reason it just makes me feel more secure! Yes, it can be a system hog but i only find this when running a scan so you should do that in a the time when no ones using it! My laptop isn't that powerful and seems to cope fine with norton and running a few other programmes at the same time!
Whats wrong with Norton (360)
by bk431010 - 8/26/08 10:50 PM In reply to: Just bought laptop, What should I use for anti-virus, ect? by explosion81As I'm reading thru this post, I noticed only 1 person say anything good about Norton. I have the 360 version. I keep hearing its a hog but I only notice it if I am running a scan. Not quite sure what you guys mean. It's $79 for 3 computers & has the complete package. Any thoughts??? Should I dump this come renewal time??? If so what all do I need that compares to it?
Indeed! What's wrong with Norton (360)
by maritonipr - 8/27/08 4:09 AM In reply to: Whats wrong with Norton (360) by bk431010Seems Norton's getting a bad rap here. It takes a long time with the scans, sure. But since it works fine with my pc, I've been secure with it and I'm happy with it, i don't see myself changing it in the near future.
norton
by wawadave - 8/29/08 5:22 PM In reply to: Indeed! What's wrong with Norton (360) by maritoniprFor many people norton is a resource hog.myself included.
i have used norton 2001-3 those worked good. but gave up on it in 2004.
Try one of ESET's 2 version 3 products
by Maiyan820 - 8/31/08 4:33 AM In reply to: Just bought laptop, What should I use for anti-virus, ect? by explosion81Hi there, it is Mayan Viljoen here. If you try either one of ESET's 2 products, i.e The NOD 32 Anti-virus and Anti Spyware or The ESET Smart Security Suit, you will be so satisfied that discussions about Internet Security will become a total non issue for you as you will not know what Internet Security problems are all about. With ESET's products you literally need nothing else. ESET's products literally sniffs the "baddies" out before they even in your PC, so to speak. I use the NOD, and I quite literally do not know what Internet Security problems are about, full stop. One indicator to test how confident a company is in its products, is to try their products's uninstall option. ESET's products will uninstall on command at the speed of light and NO traces of their programs are left on your PC. I will not council you to try this with Norton, for example! There are others as well. The right decision at this point, will save you a lot of headaches later. Godspeed!
Respectfully yours,
Mayan Viljoen.
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