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Computer noob.

  • 16-11-2009 11:52am
    #1
    wudangclan
    Closed Accounts Posts: 1,883 ✭✭✭


    Hi Techies,
    I've recently come into possession of my first computer and am a complete noob with regard to security.
    Can anyone suggest which anti-virus progammes i should be downloading and any other precautions i should take?
    Thanks.


Comments

  • #2
    hobochris
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,164 ✭✭✭hobochris


    'AVG free edition' and 'spybot search and destroy'.


  • #3
    NothingMan
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 11,178 ✭✭✭✭NothingMan


    Agree with Hobochris. 2 very good free packages. Way better than my paid for Norton ever was.


  • #4
    Stevo105
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 229 ✭✭Stevo105


    hobochris wrote: »
    'AVG free edition' and 'spybot search and destroy'.

    i have recently uninstalled AVG free and switched to "microsoft security essentials" again its free with def updates everyday and no add bar asking you to upgrade to pro(which AVG has)

    It uses very little ram also...win win


  • #5
    Bob_Harris
    Closed Accounts Posts: 1,619 ✭✭✭Bob_Harris


    wudangclan wrote: »
    Hi Techies,
    I've recently come into possession of my first computer and am a complete noob with regard to security.
    Can anyone suggest which anti-virus progammes i should be downloading and any other precautions i should take?
    Thanks.

    What Operating System do you have?

    If it's Vista or Windows 7, you should download Firewall Control (the free version is sufficient)

    Vista and Windows 7 have built in firewalls, but the above program turns it into a more powerful solution, prompting you when a program wants to send information to the internet, which you can allow or deny.

    A free anti-virus is just as good, or even better, than one you would pay for.

    Avast
    Avira
    AVG

    Using a safe web browser is also extremely helpful. I'd advise using Firefox, Opera or Chrome. If you use Internet Explorer keep it updated, using windows update.


  • #6
    wudangclan
    Closed Accounts Posts: 1,883 ✭✭✭wudangclan


    Bob_Harris wrote: »
    What Operating System do you have?

    If it's Vista or Windows 7, you should download Firewall Control (the free version is sufficient)

    .

    How do I know which OS I have?


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  • #7
    Bob_Harris
    Closed Accounts Posts: 1,619 ✭✭✭Bob_Harris


    wudangclan wrote: »
    How do I know which OS I have?

    Hold the Ctrl key, the Alt key and hit the Del key. What's on screen?


  • #8
    hobochris
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,164 ✭✭✭hobochris


    Stevo105 wrote: »
    i have recently uninstalled AVG free and switched to "microsoft security essentials" again its free with def updates everyday and no add bar asking you to upgrade to pro(which AVG has)

    It uses very little ram also...win win

    Have herd a few good things about this, but not enough yet to make the switch.. always the skeptic :rolleyes::D.


  • #9
    wudangclan
    Closed Accounts Posts: 1,883 ✭✭✭wudangclan


    Vista :)


  • #10
    Biggins
    Banned (with Prison Access) Posts: 34,567 ✭✭✭✭Biggins


    Stevo105 wrote: »
    i have recently uninstalled AVG free and switched to "microsoft security essentials" again its free with def updates everyday and no add bar asking you to upgrade to pro(which AVG has)

    It uses very little ram also...win win

    I'd agree with this. Backed up by Ad-aware free version too for extra protection.
    I have 7 systems (4 pc's, 3 laptops) in my home alone and have it on them all with no worries or problems.


  • #11
    wudangclan
    Closed Accounts Posts: 1,883 ✭✭✭wudangclan


    Enough there to keep me going.
    Thanks for the patience and replies.


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  • #12
    Alanstrainor
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 23,157 ✭✭✭✭Alanstrainor


    Stevo105 wrote: »
    i have recently uninstalled AVG free and switched to "microsoft security essentials" again its free with def updates everyday and no add bar asking you to upgrade to pro(which AVG has)

    It uses very little ram also...win win

    I'm using the same and find it quite good. I found the latest AVG turned into a bit of a resource hog.


  • #13
    Overheal
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 85,216 ✭✭✭✭Overheal


    the new Microsoft Security Essentials is getting rave reviews. Gizmodo reported a 98% detection rate which is as good/better than most of the options out there.


  • #14
    Biggins
    Banned (with Prison Access) Posts: 34,567 ✭✭✭✭Biggins


    Overheal wrote: »
    the new Microsoft Security Essentials is getting rave reviews. Gizmodo reported a 98% detection rate which is as good/better than most of the options out there.
    Yep. I've been saying that for a while.
    No complaints yet so far.
    Must be a first of few things that Microsoft have gotten right in some time.


  • #15
    EvilMonkey
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,823 ✭✭✭EvilMonkey


    +1 for Microsoft Security Essentials
    I ditched AGV for it a while ago, with no problems.


  • #16
    Bob_Harris
    Closed Accounts Posts: 1,619 ✭✭✭Bob_Harris


    How is MS Security Essentials on resources?

    NOD32 seems to be lightest in terms of paid Anti Viruses, but what would be the lightest of the free AVs?


  • #17
    Biggins
    Banned (with Prison Access) Posts: 34,567 ✭✭✭✭Biggins


    Bob_Harris wrote: »
    How is MS Security Essentials on resources?

    NOD32 seems to be lightest in terms of paid Anti Viruses, but what would be the lightest of the free AVs?

    Don't know the exact specs myself but I find generally MS Security Essentials very light than anything I've previously used (and I have used A LOT) and a lot faster at kicking up and running at start-up too.
    From turn on to actual use, one of my pc's is now (with Win7) usable within 35 seconds.
    (I timed it, I was so surprised!)


  • #18
    Biggins
    Banned (with Prison Access) Posts: 34,567 ✭✭✭✭Biggins


    ...by the way, one of the best free firewalls I've come across is PC Tools Free Firewall.
    See here: http://www.pctools.com/firewall/
    Worth considering also. Dead easy to use and install. Won loads of awards too!


  • #19
    jeffk
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5,849 ✭✭✭jeffk


    Sorry to go of topic here....

    I have Mcafee and its up in December, i can get rid and replace with MS Security Essentials and Firewall Control or a similar free firewall?


  • #20
    Bob_Harris
    Closed Accounts Posts: 1,619 ✭✭✭Bob_Harris


    jeffk wrote: »
    Sorry to go of topic here....

    I have Mcafee and its up in December, i can get rid and replace with MS Security Essentials and Firewall Control or a similar free firewall?

    You can do whatever you like, it's a free(ish) world :pac:

    Why wait till December, Macafee is not the greatest so I wouldn't be waiting around to replace it myself.


  • #21
    Biggins
    Banned (with Prison Access) Posts: 34,567 ✭✭✭✭Biggins


    jeffk wrote: »
    Sorry to go of topic here....

    I have Mcafee and its up in December, i can get rid and replace with MS Security Essentials and Firewall Control or a similar free firewall?

    Yes. No problem. Don't forget to reboot after un-install first though.
    I'd suggest http://www.pctools.com/firewall/ free and check out the awards!


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  • #22
    jeffk
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5,849 ✭✭✭jeffk


    Bob_Harris wrote: »
    You can do whatever you like, it's a free(ish) world :pac:

    Why wait till December, Macafee is not the greatest so I wouldn't be waiting around to replace it myself.

    Its to free in some ways for my liking but thats for another thread lol.

    Well im up to speed on pcs but don't general cut corners on antivirus etc, my bro had mcafee so thats why i went with that.

    Well ive paid for it till then but i suppose I can un-install an try these alternatives and still have a subscription to fall back onto.

    Cheers for quick response


  • #23
    wudangclan
    Closed Accounts Posts: 1,883 ✭✭✭wudangclan


    Bob_Harris wrote: »
    What Operating System do you have?

    If it's Vista or Windows 7, you should download Firewall Control (the free version is sufficient)

    Vista and Windows 7 have built in firewalls, but the above program turns it into a more powerful solution, prompting you when a program wants to send information to the internet, which you can allow or deny.

    .

    So i've just gone to download the firewall control and it's asking if i have a 32 or 64 bit system.How do i determine this?


  • #24
    patchrick
    Registered Users Posts: 26 ✭patchrick


    wudangclan wrote: »
    So i've just gone to download the firewall control and it's asking if i have a 32 or 64 bit system.How do i determine this?

    Follow the instructions here http://support.microsoft.com/kb/827218

    Patrick


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