Computer Hope
Software => Computer software => Topic started by: aniketkar94 on May 22, 2009, 02:52:44 PM
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I am getting a new computer tomorrow. It is this one: http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=9174564&st=tv+desktop&lp=1&type=product&cp=1&id=1218044490119
I will run PC Decrapifier to take off all of the stuff that comes preloaded. Do you have any suggestions for antivirus and firewall that does not nag me (like Norton and McAfee), and is free?
Are the free ones reliable and lightweight? And do they offer the same level of protection?
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I am getting a new computer tomorrow. It is this one: http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=9174564&st=tv+desktop&lp=1&type=product&cp=1&id=1218044490119
I will run PC Decrapifier to take off all of the stuff that comes preloaded. Do you have any suggestions for antivirus and firewall that does not nag me (like Norton and McAfee), and is free?
Are the free ones reliable and lightweight? And do they offer the same level of protection?
There are some free ones which will be mentioned and are extremely good, others, not so much. Usually they are very lightweight, but offer protection that is either equal or better than the paid ones.
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I personally like Kaspersky (doesn't use too much space and easy config).
Check out these links:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Comparison_of_firewalls (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Comparison_of_firewalls)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_antivirus_software (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_antivirus_software)
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I personally like Kaspersky (doesn't use too much space and easy config).
Check out these links:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Comparison_of_firewalls (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Comparison_of_firewalls)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_antivirus_software (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_antivirus_software)
I'm looking at the chart on the list of AV software, and Avast! Home covers what someone would want...
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- Avast! free antivirus: http://www.avast.com/eng/download-avast-home.html
- Avira free antivirus: http://www.free-av.com/en/download/index.html
- free PC Tools Firewall Plus: http://www.pctools.com/firewall/
- free Comodo Internet Security (firewall + AV): http://www.personalfirewall.comodo.com/
NOTE. During installation, Comodo will also allow you to install AV only, or firewall only, if you prefer to combine one Comodo product with some other product.
If you decide to install Avast, or Avira, make sure, Windows firewall is turned on, or use PC Tools Firewall Plus.
If you decide to install Comodo, make sure, Windows firewall is turned off.
IMPORTANT! Make sure, you use only ONE antivirus, and ONE firewall.
Make sure to uninstall any pre-installed AV/firewall.
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- Avast! free antivirus: http://www.avast.com/eng/download-avast-home.html
- Avira free antivirus: http://www.free-av.com/en/download/index.html
- free PC Tools Firewall Plus: http://www.pctools.com/firewall/
- free Comodo Internet Security (firewall + AV): http://www.personalfirewall.comodo.com/
NOTE. During installation, Comodo will also allow you to install AV only, or firewall only, if you prefer to combine one Comodo product with some other product.
If you decide to install Avast, or Avira, make sure, Windows firewall is turned on, or use PC Tools Firewall Plus.
If you decide to install Comodo, make sure, Windows firewall is turned off.
IMPORTANT! Make sure, you use only ONE antivirus, and ONE firewall.
Make sure to uninstall any pre-installed AV/firewall.
Some AV installers uninstall pervious AV scanners. My CA almost completely got rid of Norton (although, Norton is fairly hard to get rid of in the first place, so that's pretty good), but don't bet your computer on it.
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To uninstall pre-installed AV, the best option is to use uninstall tools: http://www.computerhope.com/forum/index.php/topic,59979.msg379180.html#msg379180
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To uninstall pre-installed AV, the best option is to use uninstall tools: http://www.computerhope.com/forum/index.php/topic,59979.msg379180.html#msg379180
Yeah...I've had CA for almost a year and I didn't even know I still had Norton partially on my system...
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I used to have CA, absolutely hated it.
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I used to have CA, absolutely hated it.
Really? As soon as it expires, I'm getting Avast! and Comodo.
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Really? As soon as it expires, I'm getting Avast! and Comodo.
only thing wrong is that you have to pay for it. I wonder why people's still trying to use paid AV when there's free AV that does just fine?
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only thing wrong is that you have to pay for it. I wonder why people's still trying to use paid AV when there's free AV that does just fine?
- Avast! free antivirus: http://www.avast.com/eng/download-avast-home.html
- free Comodo Internet Security (firewall + AV): http://www.personalfirewall.comodo.com/
(I am just going to get Comodo firewall)
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Thanks for the input. Which ones do you use? Which one has the lightest footprint?
Do you have any other tips for breaking in a PC?
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On different Windows installations I use all kind of combinations of AV/firewall, and all of them work fine.
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On different Windows installations I use all kind of combinations of AV/firewall, and all of them work fine.
Most major AV do its job ok, but it's up to you to be careful about not getting infected.
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Do these have spyware protection as well?
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Do these have spyware protection as well?
Yes. AVAST, AViIRA and AVG antivirus products all have antivirus and anti-spyware protection. Those are free, if you don't need the advanced protection solutions coming with paid versions.
All three are decent free antivirus/antispware products though I'd consider AVAST and AVira more only because more people are having installation issues with AVG for some reason.
In any case, one antivirus program will be enough on your computer.
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As for spywares, it's a good idea to download, and install these two:
- SUPERAntiSpyware Free Edition: http://www.superantispyware.com/download.html
- Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware (trial version is fully functionable): http://www.malwarebytes.org/mbam.php
Run occasional scans.
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As for spywares, it's a good idea to download, and install these two:
- SUPERAntiSpyware Free Edition: http://www.superantispyware.com/download.html
- Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware (trial version is fully functionable): http://www.malwarebytes.org/mbam.php
Run occasional scans.
oh I'd keep windows defender on if you got that and it's not in any way slowing down your pc. Microsoft does update those.
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Personally, I've never seen Windows Defender catching anything. IMHO, waste of time.
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Personally, I've never seen Windows Defender catching anything. IMHO, waste of time.
Better than nothing if you are not going to be getting anything else.
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Better than nothing if you are not going to be getting anything else.
I disagree...
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I disagree...
Ok. All I meant was that if you have nothing on your pc, I'd rather just have that on.
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Well, we recommended few AV, and antispyware programs, so there is no reason for the OP to have nothing.
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Well, we recommended few AV, and antispyware programs, so there is no reason for the OP to have nothing.
I meant that that's the very least that should be on, but of course get everything else.