Free and easy security setup for end user

Greeting. Recently my sister bought a laptop, i already installed avast free antivirus, Open DNS and Google Chrome w/bitdefender traffic light for her already.

She buy the laptop for product presentation and online shopping. Because she don't have much security sense, so i cannot install too interactive security software for her.

So, is that anything i can enhance or current setup is enough already ?

Thank you.

Regards.

 

maybe you can install sandboxie or appguard too.

 

well he said free,so you cannot include appguard .. but sandboxie is always a good addition and browsing in sandboxed browser with drop rights enabled and perhaps auto delete contents on exit.

 

Be prepared for all sorts of recommendations.

I'll say backup the activation (there are tools for that) and get a full Windows disk installation somewhere. If worst comes to worst you need to reformat, you're prepared. It's always best to have an image ready (either MS or 3rd-party tool). If you're going to choose MS own imaging utility, consider a MBR backup using a separate program.

 

I think you already chose a good setup. Don't forget an ad blocker.

 

Thank you. It is a good recommendation.

Sandboxie i have considered before, i just afraid she can't handle it, but your advise on setting can reduce the pop up, thanks for advice

I used Macrium Reflect Free to image hers Windows 7 already, thanks for
advice.

Thanks all of the opinion.

Sometimes my friends will ask me to setup computer for them, i always stuck on security setup because most of them don't have enough computer knowledge .

How about SpywareBlaster, i never used it before and it is free and easy, isn't it.

Regards

 

I don't think I'd want to support a novice user with a sandbox either

When I'm called to do this, I use pretty much the same approach as you, just with some different apps (yours are good). If you want some more transparent options then you could use the malware domains list for AdBlock and/or Norton's DNS. There are other free "companion" AVs if you feel the need, but what's the risk? If her computer has been getting infected despite fully functional and up-to-date security then maybe it's worth it, but otherwise I wouldn't try too hard to fill every nook and cranny.

Mostly I'd try to find out how any previous infections got in. With my niece, for example, they had problems with the fake AV popups. So for that the ad blocker and making sure she knows what the real AV popups look like.

Downloadcrew.com also has BitDefender AV+ for $6 right now, if that would make you feel more comfortable.

 

IMO leave it as is and make a recovery image and keep it in a safe place just in case.A few other things would be disable remote assistance,disable any potentially dangerous service's like remote registry and so fourth.Another words harden the OS as much as possiable.

 

Secure enough Setup already selected.

 

I never tried BitDefender traffic light, but seems a good setup.

 

Thanks for a lot of good suggestion.

I think i will let my sister's laptop running this setup at least for now.

Regards

 

Maybe ZeroVulnerabilityLabs ExploitShield. I have not tried this one myself though.

 

I'd love to recommend this, but the beta doesn't auto-update. So after a couple of months it will stop working and it's unlikely that the person will update it.

 

Sounds good. Effective and simple.

 

I think your sister already has a good enough setup for her laptop. No need to complicate things up. Good luck

 

Seems enough.

But I would configure Avast to be totally silent (no notifications, no sounds, etc) and take all decisions totally automatically/transparently (it should also be configured to update and upgrade totally automatically/transparently). It would be a good idea to password-protect Avast too. And maybe hide its system tray icon.

All these can be done if you dig in Avast's various settings.

This way, your sister would be annoyed much less.

You can always restore an eventual false positive from the quarantine.

 

If you use Sandboxie make sure to set up autorecovery, or she'll be wondering where all her downloads are... since judging by your comments she's an average end user. I'd probably just steer clear of it altogether.

I'd just use the Windows Firewall, block all inbound with no exceptions. Don't worry about outbound filtering, it'd just confuse her. And use either Avira or Avast... the latter trimmed down to just the File & Web Shields. Whether Firefox or Chrome use an Adblocker. If Firefox, NoScript will probably be too much of a hassle for an average user, so don't use it. Throw in HTTPS-Everywhere and WOT too, set up to warn only (not block), and no popups, negative results only. Ixquick as the search engine. If using anything since XP (Vista/7/, I recommend EMET as well. You've already picked out an alternate DNS service, which is good. Comodo Secure DNS & Norton are other options.

This will give her a nice set & forget protection that requires no interaction on her part.

Create an image for her when the box is in a pristine state, and keep it with you. If she ever has problems, restore the image for her.

 

Hello "luciddream" and "Wild Hunter", those setup opinions are very details. I have saved those instruction into a text file, named "How to setup security configuration for novice user" for my future use, hope you guys won't mind it.

Thanks a lot, i am grateful for those great help, all of you.

Regards.

 

Avast free, MBAM pro and windows firewall, silent but deadly combo.

 

Or this, probably the most silent combo going.

MSE, Windows Defender and Windows firewall, will only squawk when absolutely needed.

 

Get her a set and forget setup. Something like PCAV, Avast! or something along those lines.

 

I'm honored... good luck bro.