New Laptop

reese

I've just taken delivery of a new laptop and want to ensure it is adequately protected.

It comes with free McAfee trail - should I use it for the trial period?

Any advice on security would be much appreciated. I've just read the Sticky 'What security do you use' back to Dec 2010 but I'm slightly confused as there was so much info there!

I would also like to know whether I should get rid of the preloaded programmes that are on it and if so, how do I do this?

Thank you

Ash_McCloud

reese wrote: »

I would also like to know whether I should get rid of the preloaded programmes that are on it and if so, how do I do this?

Thank you

http://pcdecrapifier.com/

Is your PC running slow? Even brand new PCs often come with LOTS of pre-installed software that can cause that new machine to come to a crawl. Not to mention all of the annoying pop-ups! Others may have a PC that's a couple years old and we're the ones that installed a bunch of junk! It happens to the best of us. We try a bunch of programs over time and forget to remove them.
The PC Decrapifier is here to help! It's a free tool for you to use that helps remove programs, unnecessary startup items and icons that can slow down your PC. It takes you step by step, giving you recommendations on what to remove, many of which can be removed unattended. Head over to the download page to get

TakeThis

The PC Decrapifier

Haven't checked it for Toolbars, so be careful to deselect any option to install one.

Oh......

[Deleted User]

If you want to keep it simple
windows firewall
microsoft security essentials
c cleaner

closed

free version of avast + free version of malwarebytes + windows firewall + regular disk image backups.

gonzo127

keep the trial software on whilst you do the windows updates as these will take a while, once windows is fully upto date remove McAfee and install Avast - dont bother with microsoft security essentials as it has been lagging quite badly in the last few tests done (in some cases worse than AVG).

then as closed has put malwarebytes free and disk images (if possible) if not regular back ups of your files, also make sure you make the back up disks

UncleZen

gonzo - can you point me to those test results? Im curious.

jpman19

I use a free version of Avast and the built in windows protection and it works wonders, never had a problem

NeverAgain_2

I use the free Avast on my spare Vista laptop, although Microsoft Security Essentials is reckoned to be just as effective, and lighter on resources.

gonzo127

they are on av comparatives

http://www.av-comparatives.org/images/stories/test/ondret/avc_od_aug2011.pdf is the latest on demand test

Avira 99.5%
Avast 97.2%
AVG 95.7%
MSE 92.1%

test speed (based on mb/s scanning speed)
Avira 12.3
Avast 16.4
AVG 11.6
MSE 7.1

of course there is more to it than one test so check out the rest of their website http://www.av-comparatives.org/ but it has been a while since MSE has actually done well