Any advice re connecting to the Internet with no AV cover?

splishsplash

Hi, I may be asking something that's been done to death, so apologies in advance if so...
I have a laptop that I've never connected to the internet, but would like to do so soon. I use a mobile modem on the laptop I usually use, and have upgraded it to now run on the new (Vista) laptop. I've delayed switching because I really can't stand Vista... but that's another story!
My problem - because I've delayed so long, the free trial of Norton AV has now expired on the newer laptop, so how do I safely get connected to the internet and get all the free AV etc software downloaded? (I've read the security sticky and got some great pointers there re which ones to get)
I presume there's some sort of Windows firewall already installed and I know it has Defender on it (antispyware???)... so am I good to go, do you think?
Any help or pointers to where I could find out would be great, thanks:D

BillScarab

OK, form reading your post it sounds like you haev two laptops, one of which you sue for internet use nad has AV software on it. You want to use the other but do not have AV software on it. Just download whatever AV software you want on the PC that is connected then copy it to a USB pen drive or CD and load it on the other machine.

Alternatively use the machine you want to install the AV on anyway. You have a firewall on it (built into Vista) and so long as you dont' go to any dodgy sites you're unlikely to get a virus in the few minutes it takes to download the AV software.

clarkeyi

No make sure you get AV before going on the internet. They say it takes 15 minutes unprotected for someone to potentially attack your PC. It is good you have anti spyware and a FW but these do not do the role of AV to protect against viruses and trojans.
So the best way is to download the AV software from another PC, save it to USB or external drive intall it aswell as the latest AV dat file with the latest definitions then you are free to roam all those dodgy sites if required!!!.

Good luck and stay safe!

splishsplash

BillScarab: Thank you. That's what I was hoping I could do. I will give it a try tomorrow, when I have plenty of time to do it.

PS - thanks for your help on my previous question on this board also - you were spot on with your advice then too!

splishsplash

then you are free to roam all those dodgy sites if required!!!.

:eek: :rotfl: I wasn't planning on going to any dodgy sites - honest :A

Thank you for your help!

Conor_3

clarkeyi wrote: »

No make sure you get AV before going on the internet. They say it takes 15 minutes unprotected for someone to potentially attack your PC.

WHICH HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH HAVING AV SOFTWARE AND EVERYTHING TO DO WITH NOT HAVING A FIREWALL TURNED ON:rolleyes::rolleyes::rolleyes::rolleyes:

Oh, and it's 30 seconds, not 15 minutes.

robt_2

clarkeyi wrote: »

No make sure you get AV before going on the internet. They say it takes 15 minutes unprotected for someone to potentially attack your PC. It is good you have anti spyware and a FW but these do not do the role of AV to protect against viruses and trojans.
So the best way is to download the AV software from another PC, save it to USB or external drive intall it aswell as the latest AV dat file with the latest definitions then you are free to roam all those dodgy sites if required!!!.

Good luck and stay safe!

Sorry but that is total rubbish in this case. The OP is using Vista with a firewall, not the first unpatched version of XP.

OP - yes, you will be fine with Winsows Firewall to download the programs you need, I woud suggest AVG.

BillScarab

If you're careful about only visiting safe sites and don't open dodgy emails I think you could probably survive without AV software so long as you have a good firewall. Preferably a hardware firewall and a software one. Just run ad hoc scans at one of the online scanners occassionally.

A good firewall is the one thing you definately need in my opinion. The windows one is OK but not great so get a better one such as ZA.

splishsplash

Thanks for the replies.

My plan is to download the free AVG 7.5.516 version, load it onto the Vista laptop and to let the Vista firewall stay on. Should I also get the ZA firewall and run it with the Vista one? Will that cause conflict between the two?

I use a Huawei E220 mobile modem (this one), so no router or hardware firewall, I'm afraid.

Thanks again everyone :T

chuckles1066

splishsplash wrote: »

Thanks for the replies.

My plan is to download the free AVG 7.5.516 version, load it onto the Vista laptop and to let the Vista firewall stay on. Should I also get the ZA firewall and run it with the Vista one? Will that cause conflict between the two?

I use a Huawei E220 mobile modem (this one), so no router or hardware firewall, I'm afraid.

Thanks again everyone :T

The problem with the Windows firewalls is that, whilst they block inbound traffic, they don't stop outbound movements.

I'd kill the Vista firewall and use ZA.

splishsplash

The problem with the Windows firewalls is that, whilst they block inbound traffic, they don't stop outbound movements.
I'd kill the Vista firewall and use ZA.

Thank you, now I think I'll be okay!