Windows 7 Fresh Install... What Security Programs Would Everyone Recommend?

Hi Everyone

Been lurking for a long time here and really enjoying the opinions and ideas presented and finally have a question I want to pose so I signed up.

I am installing win7 pro on a fresh computer in a week or so and researching the best base program set to install for tight security to keep it running without issues.

So far I am thinking Sandboxie, Super Anti Spyware and Zemana...

Is this a good set of base solid tools or should I be looking at others as well?

Thanks
C

 

It is good but Super Anti Spyware is "almost" useless, Malwarebytes Anti Malware is a much superior alternative.

A lightweight antivirus (Eset, Avast!, Webroot) to check downloaded files and EMET would be good tools in your setup.

 

Thanks Nightwalker for your information.

 

Sandboxie & MBAM (free or pro) is fine, drop SAS and Zemana. I also use Shadow Defender and Acronis for a regular! Backup. Depending on your behavior you should consider not to use IE, and all unknown files into sandbox while downloading and testing - without exception.

Best way is to start with less tools and to add specific security where others may fail.

nevertheless eset is a good solution, avast and avira ar no good in the newer past, too much trouble and mismatches between other security software - but its paid.

HTH

 

Don't use IE.

 

Agree with zapjb, on a Linux distro IE is not a happy choice. On Windows any browser not offering a low rights container is a sad choice also.

 

Start with upgrading 7 to WIndows 8.1.. That's the first wise security move. LOL

 

Hey Guys... thanks for all the tips.

I *never* use IE unless I am testing on localhost only for web development reasons as I know how it is so severely targeted for everything.

I won't be going the update to win 8.1 as all my research so far shows not much benefit in doing so.

Thanks Brummelchen for your recommendations.

I am going to eventually run my primary with RAID 1 to ensure instant uptime for the OS and will look at both of those backup solutions as well for extra redundancy.

I know windows is a holey cheese when it comes to security and I do prefer to run linux for this reason amongst many others but some of my main programs really prefer to run on the win for now.

 

no worry about 8.1(.1) except aero glass look and feel you wont miss anything. you can restore the old fashioned start menu with several freebies, for apps you need an ms account, if you wont use apps unplug network cable and install.

but i dont recommend raid 1 - this form of raid decreases performance dramatically cause every write is performed doubled and windows has to wait for it. the better choice is a daily backup of important data and a regular backup of complete system. anyhow i laid all documents and mail and browser (firefox) on a separate partition (no ss-drive/ssd).

for now i am copying my data drive to a new hdd i had some strange noise while working and a even stranger crash with chkdsk afterwards.

 

The first things I do are install a firewall, then a hosts file+ list, and an ip blocker+ list, disable activeX in internet explorer and set it's security to high, then install my other browser and the noscript + adblock extensions. I have these things saved on a hard drive so I don't need to get online to set them up. That about covers the first tier for me.

 

Thanks Brummelchen for that tip on performance. I was led to believe that raid 1 is only as fast as the slowest disk in the array.

chrome_sturmen thanks for the setup path tips. I was only thinking of making notes about that this morning so this makes it a bit easier for me. BTW... what is the best recommended firewall that is free?

 

you can use agnitum firewall free version, zone alarm, comodo for your firewall.. for hosts file get hostsman, use the mvps hosts list. for the ipblocker get peerblock. be sure your router/gateway is properly configured safely.. once you have your network security in place, you can move on to other sorts of things like system hardening

 

Thanks chrome_sturmen for that extra detail. I thought I knew a little about security and yet I clearly knew very little. I appreciate all the information that everyone has provided here.

 

OP I'd go with Malwarebytes over SUPERAntiSpyware. I've just been running Malwarebytes, MSE with Windows Firewall and a little common sense for the last few years. With some help from NoScript.

 

Thanks SplinterCell for your informed opinion. I had already decided on Malwarebytes and your addition cements the deal even further.

 

Hi Nightwalker. I'm one of the engineers that works on SUPERAntiSpyware. Can you elaborate for me why you think that SAS is "almost" useless? Your input is appreciated.

Thanks
Don

 

Try here:
What the hell happened to SuperAntiSpyware? Is it still worth installing?

https://www.wilderssecurity.com/thre...ispyware-is-it-still-worth-installing.352826/