Computer security

[elgenon]

My computer dude said to let my Kaspersky contract expire and then delete the program.

I have 2 Dell laptops.

One has Win 8.1 and the computer dude says Microsoft has security built in and so no need for other anti-virus. I do have MalWareBytes though. Is he right or should I add anti-virus software? Should I also add Spybot? I have deleted Kaspersky and am nervous.

The second was Vista but I had it changed to Win 7 at Tukcom. I downloaded Windows essentials. And it has malWareBytes. Is that enough?

I am not tech savvy so please thoroughly explain anything you say.

Thanks for your input.

[brianinbangkok]

Download free version of avast https://www.avast.com/index

Install basic free version.

Only select basic free version and no to installing trail versions. Ignore avast pop ups every now and again asking if you want to add cleanup software or upgrade to full paid versions.

And yes microsoft has its own security software but I never go online without a second virus protection installed as MS sucks.

Malwarebytes you should just run once a week or just before doing online banking maybe

Edited February 14, 2016 by brianinbangkok

[elgenon]

Thanks. What do you think of Spybot? I saw a poster saying to install it so it runs before Windows starts.

[crabdog]

The provided Microsoft and several other free antivirus programs all work fairly well. The most important thing is to use caution on the internet: don't click on every link you see and don't believe everything that you read.

Spybot is good to have but if I remember correctly you need the paid version to enable its real-time protection / scan at startup option. It's fine to just run a scan with it every few days though. Your best protection from malware is caution and common sense.

[chrisinth]

There was a time when my anti virus program would have been the only legal software on my computer.......................

That of course is now ancient history.

My advice to anyone running Windows OS who feels that Windows Defender is not providing sufficient protection, then maybe it is time to make a $20-30 investment a year for a protection suite. The decision does have a lot of variables, how good is your backup & recovery solution, what information are you protecting, what is your policy on thumb drives & externals (IMO, one of the biggest risks to your computer if not controlled), etc, etc, etc.

Sure, you can also use the free versions of AV's, and install a separate anti malware package, that works as well!

Still, if only for piece of mind, my preference is to run a suite. Probably just a habit on my part, but have never had a problem with infestation by virus, worm, trojan, malware, etc, etc.....................

[chrisinth]

Download free version of avast https://www.avast.com/index

Install basic free version.

Only select basic free version and no to installing trail versions. Ignore avast pop ups every now and again asking if you want to add cleanup software or upgrade to full paid versions.

And yes microsoft has its own security software but I never go online without a second virus protection installed as MS sucks.

Malwarebytes you should just run once a week or just before doing online banking maybe

You will normally find that if you install a second AV program on your windows machine, Defender will be disabled. This is to avoid possible conflicts in the scans and damage to any system files. Strongly advised not to run more than one AV program at a time.

[Chicog]

Don't just rely on Antivirus though.

Add some Browser protection like NoScript.

[brianinbangkok]

Download free version of avast https://www.avast.com/index

Install basic free version.

Only select basic free version and no to installing trail versions. Ignore avast pop ups every now and again asking if you want to add cleanup software or upgrade to full paid versions.

And yes microsoft has its own security software but I never go online without a second virus protection installed as MS sucks.

Malwarebytes you should just run once a week or just before doing online banking maybe

You will normally find that if you install a second AV program on your windows machine, Defender will be disabled. This is to avoid possible conflicts in the scans and damage to any system files. Strongly advised not to run more than one AV program at a time.

Well I do agree running more then one virus scanner at a time can cause problems and slow down your computer so I agree with this advise.

However I just checked on my desktop PC.

It's not automatically switching off defender, see this screenshot, Windows 7 , Avast and as you see defender is still running.

Capture.bmp

Edited February 15, 2016 by brianinbangkok

[Bench499d]

In Windows 7 Defender is not an anti-virus application, it runs alongside the AV you install. In later versions of Windows, MS bundled Security Essentials which they renamed Defender. This package is disabled by installing another AV suite.

[55Jay]

Went on paid Panda AV/Firewall suite in 2004 after pre-installed Norton AV junk I had running at the time, was virtually choked out by a virus.

Went on free Avira in 2010 but returned to Panda after 6 months. Upon re-installation, it picked up a Trojan and various other malware/PUPs.

I run Panda and Firefox extensions such as Blue-Hell firewall and "QuickJava" (Selectable Java/Script blocking functions). I also run free Malwarebytes scans from time to time, and another of their free products called Malwarebytes Anti-Exploit, which runs in the background whenever I open my browser. I learned about these reading this forum, among others.

For me, the $20-$30 AV expense and reduction in "speed" running layered security products, is a good trade off. Horses for Courses.

Edited February 15, 2016 by 55Jay

[Chicog]

I quite like 360 Total Security, and it has two antivirus engines, which is better the one.

[bendejo]

How about a firewall? I use ZoneAlarm free version. Much easier to deal with than the Win firewall.

I used to use Comodo, then at one point it auto-upgraded and hosed the installation to the point that not only did it no longer run, but was impossible to re-install, even after a good system scrubbing (or 2) of anything Comodo-related that I could find. The worst part of it was I was running for a week or 2 before I realized that it was only an icon in the sys tray, not an operating program. Best response I got from Comodo was uninstall, scrub, and re-install. Further contact with Comodo and their message board resulted in them re-sending the previous instructions.

I was running Avast for a long time then starting getting so many false positives I gave up and went to Avira, which is also free.

[WorriedNoodle]

We run a free AV on our Win10 machines, usually Bitdefender. Cannot trust the MS AV to do it all, so got that turned off.

We also run the free Malware Bytes on regular occasions to clean up anything lingering from web browsing.

We also run NoScript on our Firefox browsers to try a prevent any Malware infestations.

Additionally Win10 firewall seems to work OK for us.

Lots of options on security.

[cyberfarang]

Thanks. What do you think of Spybot? I saw a poster saying to install it so it runs before Windows starts.

Everyone has their favourites and it`s up to every individual to decide what works best for them.

I use SuperAntiSpyWare free addition, SpyBot, Malwarebytes Anti-Malware, AVG, CCleaner and a Keylogger detector. I have them on manual settings then once a week I do full scans using all of them. I don`t want them running in the background because they slow down the computer. Other people may prefer to have an everything included in one anti virus/anti spyware programme.

[lostinisaan]

I think Kaspersky is a great tool. I've tried plenty of AV programs, but Kaspersky seems to be the best for me.

Edited February 16, 2016 by lostinisaan

[elgenon]

Does Spybot, No Script, Malwarebytes, malwarebytes antiexploit interfere with or cause the elimination of Windows Defender?

It seems maybe I should add all these to my Win 10 and add all plus Avira or Avast to my Tukcom-bought version of Win 7.

Thanks for all the input!

[elgenon]

Does Spybot, No Script, Malwarebytes, malwarebytes antiexploit interfere with or cause the elimination of Windows Defender?

It seems maybe I should add all these to my Win 10 and add all plus Avira or Avast to my Tukcom-bought version of Win 7.

Thanks for all the input!

[55Jay]

Does Spybot, No Script, Malwarebytes, malwarebytes antiexploit interfere with or cause the elimination of Windows Defender?

It seems maybe I should add all these to my Win 10 and add all plus Avira or Avast to my Tukcom-bought version of Win 7.

Thanks for all the input!

I have run it in the past and did not notice any conflicts with my other software suites.

I do, however, keep it switched off these days and de-select/hide the related malware updates that come up in periodic Windows Updates.