New computer - what to do first?

brandx

Will shortly be getting my new (and only second) computer and would appreciate advice on how to keep it safe. I am currently using AVG, Avast Zone Alarm and Ad-aware on my old ME system but, in my naivety, I took quite a while to realise to importance of security.

So, what is the definetive procedure to protect a brand new, straight out of the box, system running XP Media Center.

Many thanks for your thoughts.

tigermatt

If it's a pre-built system from a high street store (which I guess it is) then it will probably have something like McAfee Security Centre installed on it. Unfortunately, although such software is good with the firewall, antivirus, spam email checker, spyware etc. all built in, you'll only get a free year or two subscription after which time you will have to pay. I also consider it weaker security if everything in the area is from the same company for obvious (I hope! :rolleyes:) reasons.

So, uninstall McAfee as soon as you get the computer. (You must do it first before reinstalling AVG etc. because PCs don't like two or more anti-virus programs running at the same time) Perform every necessary restart as it asks you to do so. Then, once it's finally uninstalled, install AVG Anti-Virus (FREE: http://free.grisoft.com/) ZoneAlarm (Also available FREE at http://www.zonelabs.com/ - just select ZoneAlarm, not pro, security centre, and ignore the other adverts on the site) Ad-Aware as you have been using and Spybot - Search and Destroy available at http://www.safer-networking.org/en/download/.

That should get you secure even in this technologically advanced world, as all the programs I mentioned above are continuously updated with new versions for new operating systems, new builds etc.

I suggest you do a scan with AVG, Ad-Aware and Spybot at least once a week during periods of use. (i.e. if the computer isn't used for a week, you don't really need to do the scan providing you did one the week before)

I hope this helps you with your PC's security

wolfman

Guess it depends what comes with it. Find out first then post here, although it'll most likely be something like TG mentioned. You never know though.

I'd go for the below basics:

AV - AVG
Firewall - Sunbelt Kerio Personal Firewall (or Sygate, ZoneAlarm)
Anti-Spyware - Spyware Blaster, SpywareGuard and Ad-Aware
Browser - Opera (or Firefox)

Also look up something like Proxomitron. It's a handy proxy that you can configure your browser to go through. It'll filter out any ad's, scripts, popups etc...

Wombat

Just to add a little "as well"....

What I do with a new machine is download all the installers for the anti-virus, firewall and anti-spyware programs on my current home PC, copy these to floppy disk, CD or USB Pen Drive, whatever you want, then copy them all back on to the new machine.

I then instal all these before the new machine gets anywhere near an Internet connection. If you connect to the Internet and then download the installers on your new machine, it's vulnerable to attack from viruses, spyware, trojans, hijackers etc. etc. until you've finished downloading and installing the software.

It can take less than a second for an attacker to instal on your machine, which can then download other nasties, disable your anti-virus/firewall programs (while they still look as if they're running normally), all while you think you're protecting your security.

HTH.

Vaughany_2

I'd recommend a router (could have got a used Netgear wireless for £20 at a car boot the other day) as these come with a LOT of protection (get a guide too, there are loads of websites out there) and use Firefox as your web browser.

Tigermatt covered the important software, I use all of that. You might want to consider getting Hijack This! to control what runs and what doesn't at startup, but only if you're a confident tinkerer!

ollyshaw

Yeah a router with a firewall will stop most attacks before they reach your PC.

Olly

fairytooth

I fully agree about getting rid of McAfee. (However I think it is probably easier to get rid of herpes!) Make sure it is set not to auto start before removing the various elements of it.

Same applies to all the AOL & Tiscali rubbish unless you need them. Then allow Windows update to run.

Keep using Ad-Aware, etc. which you have already found to work. Out of interest a geek from the US came up with a software script to 'De-crapify a new Dell' but I'm not convinced it is worth sending you the link.

maxamos

I agree with everything that has already been posted, but would advise that as soon as you connect to the inteernet you make sure as the installed antivirus and security is updated and do a full scan of your system. Then download all the new software ie avg, adaware, spybot, ewido, zonealarm (the list could go on forever). disconnect from the internet and install the software and uninstall your existing protection then when you go back on line immediately update everything.

I would then perform a full system scan with one of the online scanners as shown in the stickies on this board and then you're on your way. Takes a little time to get everything started and in full working order but it's well worth it in the long run and remember to update everything at least once a week if not every day.

htp

max

pigeonpie

Wombat wrote:

Just to add a little "as well"....

What I do with a new machine is download all the installers for the anti-virus, firewall and anti-spyware programs on my current home PC, copy these to floppy disk, CD or USB Pen Drive, whatever you want, then copy them all back on to the new machine.

I then instal all these before the new machine gets anywhere near an Internet connection. If you connect to the Internet and then download the installers on your new machine, it's vulnerable to attack from viruses, spyware, trojans, hijackers etc. etc. until you've finished downloading and installing the software.

Yup my (once) new PC got infected while updating the pre-installed trial 90 day NAV as for some reason they never come fully updated it seems.
If you want your own anti virus, not provided with the new PC, how do you actually create the CD copies of the installers and what's the step by step instructions? sorry to be thick.
OR - if you have an installation CD of a pay anti virus (Norton or Zone Alarm for example) you have to connect to the internet to activate it. How do you prevent getting infected in those crucial minutes?

zappahey

Just to reinforce the comment about downloading the security products on your other PC for installation on the new one.

I was at a Microsoft security conference a few weeks ago and they discussed some research which found that the average "out of the box" new PC will be infected within 20 minutes of being connected to the interent. That's hardly enough time to find and download all of the things that you need.

Wombat

pigeonpie wrote:

Wombat wrote:

Just to add a little "as well"....

What I do with a new machine is download all the installers for the anti-virus, firewall and anti-spyware programs on my current home PC, copy these to floppy disk, CD or USB Pen Drive, whatever you want, then copy them all back on to the new machine.

I then instal all these before the new machine gets anywhere near an Internet connection. If you connect to the Internet and then download the installers on your new machine, it's vulnerable to attack from viruses, spyware, trojans, hijackers etc. etc. until you've finished downloading and installing the software.

Yup my (once) new PC got infected while updating the pre-installed trial 90 day NAV as for some reason they never come fully updated it seems.
If you want your own anti virus, not provided with the new PC, how do you actually create the CD copies of the installers and what's the step by step instructions? sorry to be thick.
OR - if you have an installation CD of a pay anti virus (Norton or Zone Alarm for example) you have to connect to the internet to activate it. How do you prevent getting infected in those crucial minutes?

To answer your second question first, you can't protect against infection in this case unless you instal another, fully updated anti-virus program before connection, which can be uninstalled after activation of your paid-for program.

Creating CD copies (or any other media) of the installers is very simple. When you go to a website to instal a program, you usually click on a download link such as "Download the latest version of AVG here".

This will download the installer program on to your PC. When the download window opens, it will give you the option of either RUN or SAVE for the installer. If you click on RUN (or sometimes OPEN), the installer will run without saving itself to your PC. But if you click on SAVE, you can select where to save the installer program to. Now you have 2 choices. Either save it to your hard drive (e.g. on your Desktop) for copying later, or specify your CD-Rewriter as the device to save it to and the program will be written to a blank CD in the Rewriter.

If you save the program to your Desktop, you can later copy and paste it to a blank CD in your Rewriter, a floppy disk, USB pen drive etc. etc. This can then be loaded into your new PC, double click the saved program on the CD or whatever and the program will be installed on your new PC.

I keep a CD with all the installers on for the security programs on my PC in case of a need for a complete system reinstallation. They may not have the latest definitions files included, but it gives me reasonable protection until they're all updated.

HTH