Do I need more protection on my laptop?

fiddiwebb

Discodee wrote: »

OK all done many thanks, but it does say it is only protected until september 2011. Is it only free for 15 months this one?

You mean it is only licensed untill Sept 2011, don't worry that's normal and the license will re-new itself before then.

The link below is for the Avira support forum if you require any info/help....

http://forum.avira.com/wbb/index.php?page=Board&boardID=135&9770a566

Discodee

That's brill. Thanks everyone for your help.

Discodee

Can I turn the windows firewall back on now or is the computer all covered with the avira?

artha

tronator wrote: »

There are still people using broadband modems connected via USB. This is very insecure since you're connected directly to the Internet. All open ports and all security holes the software you're running might have is exposed to the Internet. I can't speak for Windows after XP, but back then MS thought it is a good idea to enable File and Printer Sharing on all network devices by default, not only your LAN...

A router is much safer since nobody can reach your computer from outside unless you set up a portforwarding.

Sorry for being slow here but I still didn't fully understand the reply in relation to my own situation. Having read this thread I'm now also confused/worried by the apparent disagreement on what is reliable security software(whether free or not).

I have Virgin cable broadband and use the "free" PCGuard Antivirus (Kapersky I believe?)+Windows Defender on my desktop which is connected directly to the cable modem(ethernet). This PC is what I use for internet banking, purchases etc but isn't used for general browsing.

The cable modem has a Belkin WiFi router attached which gives connection to the rest of the house for laptops/desktops used for general browsing/facebook etc but no financial transactions. For speed purposes the laptops/PCs only have Microsoft essentials as security and I tend to use Google Chrome on my laptop(again for speed).

I have never had any problems but am now a bit concerned. Do I have cause to worry?

tronator

artha wrote: »

I have Virgin cable broadband and use the "free" PCGuard Antivirus (Kapersky I believe?)+Windows Defender on my desktop which is connected directly to the cable modem(ethernet). This PC is what I use for internet banking, purchases etc but isn't used for general browsing.

The cable modem has a Belkin WiFi router attached which gives connection to the rest of the house for laptops/desktops used for general browsing/facebook etc but no financial transactions

Are you sure that the "cable modem" is really a "modem". If yes, then you shouldn't be able to connect two devices to it. I think it's a router too.

artha wrote: »

For speed purposes the laptops/PCs only have Microsoft essentials

For speed purposes? From what I read here in this forum, MSE is quite slow but works ok.

Conclusion: You seem to be ok if your "modem" is a router. And don't forget, never surf the Internet as Administrator...

artha

Are you sure that the "cable modem" is really a "modem". If yes, then you shouldn't be able to connect two devices to it. I think it's a router too.

How stupid of me! You are quite right. The ethernet cable connection to the Desktop PC comes from the Belkin router and not from the NTL cable modem(it says NTL Cable Modem on the front). So therefore I should have both the router firewall and the PC guard firewall operating?

For speed purposes? From what I read here in this forum, MSE is quite slow but works ok.

My comparison is based on having two very slow laptops also previously using the PC Guard + Windows Defender combination. I improved speed by clearing out clutter and maxing out RAM. Even with these improvements PC guard still took about 5-7 minutes to fully load (as it does on my Desktop PC). I looked at the MSE main site for advice which told me that some of the free security software/alternative browsers could be less memory hungry and hence I tried MSE + Google Chrome. Load up is now less than 1 minute. Being a bit wary of free security I (perhaps wrongly) decided that I would only do financial transactions and non internet tasks on my desktop PC and use the (less well protected?) laptops for general browsing. Is this a reasonable strategy or am I being over cautious?

Conclusion: You seem to be ok if your "modem" is a router. And don't forget, never surf the Internet as Administrator...

Not sure about this? How do I know if I'm surfing as administrator? If I am how do I go about doing something safer?

edit. oops I forgot to say that the Desktop PC is also used for email. Just been reading another post that says that Defender does not check email for spyware. Perhaps I'd better think again

Discodee

sO CAN i TURN MY WINDOWS FIREWALL BACK ON??? Oops sorry for caps, wasnm't shouting.

fiddiwebb

Discodee wrote: »

sO CAN i TURN MY WINDOWS FIREWALL BACK ON??? Oops sorry for caps, wasnm't shouting.

Of course you can Discodee

Discodee

Thank you so much. I am a bit worried now though as it has been turned off since I downloaded the avira! I wasn't sure if turning it back on would cause a conflict with the avira package which is why I wanted to check it was ok.

Is any damage likely to haVe been done if it has been turned off?