AVG Paid version

RussJK

kerrypn wrote: »

Thanks-but(excuse my ignorance) I am not sure what all of these do/what else they offer on top of what I already have-do I need these as well?? I would appreciate any guidance on this

No worries:
Online Armour is a good firewall that controls traffic to and from the computer, but I don't recommend it for you as it will ask you things like "should I allow SVCHost.exe access to web address x.x.x.x". For most people, the standard Windows firewall should be adequate. In fact, if AVG paid has a firewall, it would actually be a good idea to disable it, and double check in Start > Control Panel > Windows Firewall, that Windows Firewall is running.

Spyware Blaster is a program that installs a blocklist into the browser/s, preventing access to many known malware sites as well as preventing specific malware from downloading. I'd recommend using it, and use it myself with no slowdown even on my netbook. You just have to remember to manually update it every so often.

Anvir Task manager is meant to be a replacement for the windows task manager. It gives more information, and the useful feature (to me) is that it will analyse what is running on the computer and verify if they are 'good' or likely to be good. I'm not going to run often though. The problem is that most malware will hide their processes, and I think the interface would be difficult for many. I don't recommend you use it.

CCleaner is a tool for deleting uneeded files such as temporary files, very useful. It also has a registry cleaner, but I don't think registry cleaners are worth using as they are more likely to cause a problem than they are to make things faster IMO although CCleaner is more gentle than some of the worst ones. It only runs when you choose to, so can't slow the computer down just being there.

MalwareBytes Anti Malware - excellent program! It's the first port of call for most infections. The free version lets you run manual scans, but the full version (one time fee) runs alongside the antivirus and protects you from things that antivirus programs miss. It has a web filter, and a file guard. I can't recommend it enough (can get 20% off from codes in this thread if interested). The free version doesn't run until you manually choose to do a scan, and so won't slow the computer down at all. Can download here.

SuperAntiSpyware - another good on-demand scanner. It also has a realtime guard, but I just use the portable version so it doesn't try to automatically run on startup. If you are going to use it I would only use the portable version here.

What browser are you going to use?

closed

If it has an erecovery factory restore partition, or you have made the recovery disc, then that's the cleanest (but you'll lose your data), alternatively you could follow this https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/2436849 or post a hijackthis log, installed ram, and commit charge for specific advise (for the old machine)

What you put on your new machine comes down to personal choice, mine currently is avast free, windows firewall, malwarebytes free, and windows defender disabled. If anything gets past that lot (hasn't yet for me, but could do one day), I will either fix it, or use the backup. No AV solution is 100%, high 90's is the best you can hope for, my advice would be to avoid slowing the machine down with loads of extra bloat to catch the missing 0-1% (if you happen to come across it), and backup regularly to multiple media.

on demand scanners - you can have as many as you want, it's the resident software that slows things down

kerrypn

Phew, thanks thats a lot clearer, I would never have got my head around all that on my own thank you

I am using Internet explorer I have heard it is probably the worst but I am unsure of alternatives. We did consider buying a mac as I heard these are almost virus proof??? I think I will wipe the laptop as I have done that before, I have already made copies of docs etc

I will definitely look at the anti malware you recommend, thanks very much for the info

RussJK

kerrypn wrote: »

Regarding new Desktop, I definitely dont want too many programmes on at once slowing it down-will I be OK with current protection and if a problem occurs then download these programmes, or is prevention always better than cure? Sorry, I am just really confused as to what I absolutely 100% should have to protect the PC.:o

Prevention is definitely better than cure. There are four things that someone 100% should have, and you likely do:

1. An antivirus that stays updated with the latest definitions;
2. A hardware firewall, which most using a ADSL or cable router have (as opposed to a USB modem which doesn't);
3. A software firewall such as the standard Windows Firewall;
4. Windows set to stay up to date with the latest security fixes, which should be on by default anyway.

Most people have the above - and those who don't tend to get viruses & malware.

After that, it's complementary stuff such as Adblockers, block lists, manual scanners, web filters, sandboxes... But you can worry about all that later; my head would be exploding if I was hearing all this for the first time.

kerrypn

Oh, good-I think i have those 4-the only one I am not sure of is a hardware firewall but I use a wireless modem supplied by Sky?

I really appreciate the advice on all this, after class I will retreat to the corner in my dunce cap I promise!

Sandbox?My little lad has a sandpit?! Im guessing that isnt the same

Thanks again

RussJK

kerrypn wrote: »

I am using Internet explorer I have heard it is probably the worst but I am unsure of alternatives.

A browser is one of those personal choices. All will let you import bookmarks from Internet Explorer. The main 3 alternatives are:

Firefox (I use this) - decent speed but goes through phases in development where it can be slower for a few months; excellent addon support which let you do extra things such as Adblock Plus addon (which is useful as adbanners these days can harbour malware.) Can try a portable version if you want to try it out, i.e. one that doesn't install and can just be deleted, download from here;

Opera (I use it on occasion) - extremely fast browser, not as good addon support for it. Is widely considered one of the most secure browsers. Can try a portable version here;

Chrome by google. I've never used it, but it has its fans.

kerrypn wrote: »

Oh, good-I think i have those 4-the only one I am not sure of is a hardware firewall but I use a wireless modem supplied by Sky? Sandbox?My little lad has a sandpit?! Im guessing that isnt the same

The wireless modem will have a hardware firewall

A sandbox is a handy way to run an unknown or suspicious program to see what it does, and if it is malware then only the sandbox is infected - and can simply be deleted. If you run the browser in sandbox, you can visit unsafe websites just to see what they do. The only risk is that by default, a sandbox won't in itself prevent programs stealing data from the computer - just will stop them infecting the computer. You can even open USB pendrives in a sandbox if you can't trust the source.

Very useful! The one most people use is Sandboxie (http://www.sandboxie.com/). The only limitation is that clever malware have code to tell if they are running in a sandbox, and so won't display overtly bad behaviour if they are running in the sandbox. This is to trick the user into running the program outside the sandbox.

kerrypn

Thanks Russ, you have spent a lot of time replying to me and youve been really helpful. Feel a lot more comfident with av now, and will be checking out the links you have provided. Thanks ever so much for your time

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I would switch to the brilliant Avast too //