recommend any additional software/programmes

worried_jim

I had to take my desktop back to its original factory state yesterday after some major internet access issue after I had downloaded and ran a vpn.

The computer is now running like a dream and fortunately I have a 1tb external so I was pretty well backed up but I have spent a while installing the 156 Vista updates from 2007 onwards !

I have deleted and got rid of all traces of Norton and put on the free version of Avast but can anyone recommend any additional software/programmes I should install to help keep the PC safe.

OGR

Quite honestly you shouldn't really need to run anything else, Avast will be enough but if you are worried install something like Malwarebytes and run it once a month to be on the safe side.

The free version doesn't have live scanning (it won't run in the background) but you can do a full/part scan whenever you like. If you chose this option make sure you don't say yes to the free trial once it is installed as I am not sure you can simply go to the free version once the trial is up without taking it off and installing it again.

I find Malwarebytes to be one of the applications out there to find and remove anything unwanted, especially when your virus scanner has already been disabled by whatever has gotten onto your system.

fenlander_uk

Macrium Reflect. Make an image of the PC and a recovery disk, then next time you have a disaster you can restore the image and avoid all those updates!

fwor

From a security point of view, you might also consider turning on the Windows built-in firewall (though if you're behind a router then that's not really necessary) and using a more secure browser than IE - my preference being Firefox with the NoScript add-on.

worried_jim

Thanks all- I have installed Malwarebytes and already removed two bits of crap. Macrium Reflect has made a mirror copy to my external and I already run Firefox.
Feeling confident that I am safe to go now.

waddler_8

As well as Windows & other MS software it's likely that any 3rd party software installed "at the factory" is now outdated. These need to be updated too, particularly those with browser plugins. For example; Adobe Reader, Java Runtime etc.

http://www.securelist.com/en/analysis/204792231/IT_Threat_Evolution_Q1_2012#16

Vulnerable versions of these programs can be exploited to facilitate the execution of malicious code without user interaction.

I see lots of infected computers with outdated, vulnerable software installed.

You can scan for the most common vulnerabilities here at Secunia.

http://secunia.com/products/consumer/osi/online/

closed

mirror copy (clone), or disk image? Disk image and a macrium boot cd is more useful.

Turn off windows defender, uninstall toolbars, disable windows search, and try this www.voidtools.com .

fenlander_uk

Don't forget to make a recovery boot disk with Macrium. If your hard disk should fail, you'll need the recovery disk to boot from so that you can restore the image.