Advice for a new laptop security?..

Hi

I've used MSE in the past on my PC which didn't really work well. After a year or so, I had lot of issues with malwares for which this forum has helped me a lot to get rid off them.


Now I bought a new laptop with windows 8.1. What would be the best setup for both virus protection and malware?

I'm fairly good with computers.

Do I need a two different programs one for anti virus and one for malware?
Or is there a program that covers all?

I need something that runs light without hogging the resources.

Essentially, what do you guys use to protect your pc??

I'd like some expert opinion on this as I don't want to end up in the same boat again..



Thanks

 

Try ESET Smart Security 7 trial. It's a good and light protection with anti-theft wich is usefull for laptops.

 

Keep it simple test several security suites with top score in independent tests (see: av-test.org, av-comparatives.org) and choose the one that you feel more comfortable with and that works well on the system. Have a good backup strategy... Done...

 

Do you guys have different programs for anti virus and malware?

 

Same question, same answer.

How did the malware got into your system, that's where you should put your guards on.

 

360 internet security. Free and works great

 

Some yes, some not... you should clarify if you want paid or free solutions. This may restrict the choices available.

 

Both options..free or paid. I don't mind paying for it if its worth.

 

I agree. Testing them yourself would be my advice also. If I had to choose I would use one these: ESET, WSA, Kaspersky for paid or 360 & Avast for free.

hqsec

 

Are you interested in more than antivirus/anti-malware programs? Antivirus programs these days handle all forms of malware (not just viruses), but there are other technologies that can be used.

 

As mentioned by other posters, best is to try for yourself

When you want real light protection

1. Windows Firewall
TinyWall uses windows internal firewall also for outbound, easy to setup and use

2. Software Restriction policies
Do not apply the rules for Admin, so you can easily install with run as admin. There is a program which unleashes the SRP protection also on Home Versions (SRP is also windows build in) See Mr. Brians thread https://www.wilderssecurity.com/showthread.php?t=359155

3. Memory (exploit) protection
Use EMET .1 it is from Microsoft itself. Tomake sure you use all the benefits of Win 8.1 memory protection

4. Use a browser which run in LOW intergrity Sandbox
Either use IE11 or Chrome

5. Any free AV will do
Panda Free, Avast Free, Avira Free and Bitdefende Free do well in AV-tests. Some members claim Bitdefender free or others using OEM version don't protect as well as BD paid, so when you want to be safe stick to Avast or Panda Free).

Regards Kees

 

I agree with all that Windows_Security said in the last post. If you're already a Firefox user (I am), you can run Firefox with low integrity as described at https://www.wilderssecurity.com/showthread.php?t=357417.

 

1) System Image - have somewhere stable and clean to reliably return to -[Shadow Protect Recovery environment]
** I prefer to use recovery media [assuming you have an optical drive or USB to boot from] so the process is outside of the operating System.
** See Wilders forum here here for other methods.

2) System freezing or light visualization. - keeps the system in a "good state" during day to day use.
** This is optional, as the system image is your fall back. You may just have to update the system after restoring an image with the latest AV definitions or program updates.
** See here...https://www.wilderssecurity.com/forumdisplay.php?f=98.
** Many prefer Shadow Defender, as do I.

2) Firewall - Windows 8 FW may be good enough. But what happens if a trusted program gets infected? I prefer a FW with HIPS, and a very silent one is Outpost Pro.

3) AV/AM - this is "Peter, the rock" - it tells you if the system is clean or not, and protects against basic malware using a blacklist and behaviour pattern system. Don't expect it to be good at cleaning an infected system. That's where the system image comes in. I think of it as the "bear" or wild animal or subconscious mind that is the bottom figure of an indigenous totem pole in huna understanding.

4) Zero Day Protection. This is the lag (hours to days) between a new malware appearing and 95%+ protection levels appearing on your PC.
** AV's often have very poor [typically about 50%] detection of zero day malware. See here... http://westcoastlabs.com/realTimeTesting/article/?articleID=1 and here... https://threatcenter.crdf.fr/?Stats
** It is a white list / policy restriction hips, anti-executable, sandbox - or isolation system.
** Defensewall [32bit]; Appguard[x64bit]; Voodoo shield; EXE Radar Pro; etc are examples. I personally love Defensewall and Voodoo shield. But now I have a 64bit lappie' I am going to try appguard.
**In my mind I see it as the middle figure or human face or consciousness on the totem pole because it discerns what is, and what runs, and where.

5) Browser / Extensions.
Use chrome. Have Firefox for backup for sites that don't like chrome eg: http://stream-tv.me/
Use security extensions such as Adblock plus, Traffic Light; WOT.
Keep IE just for M$ security updates.

6) Use trusted software, download from the developer's web site or trusted sites [softpedia] use custom installs to avoid unwanted extras, use CCleaner to regularly clean out temp files, use good common sense, avoid risky sites, keep the system and apps' patched and up to date.

have a good life.

-cheers,
feandur.

 

I'm running Eset AV 7 and Windows 8 FW on my new laptop. Runs very well.

 

What do you mean? The site works fine in Chrome for me. IE would be a sufficient backup that's already pre-installed, I'd say the later versions are more secure than Firefox.

 

Hi J_L:

Just some conflict I'm getting with chromium on Linux Mint maya. Getting blank screen and "Could not load plugins: File not found" message. Firefox works fine. hence my message.

Good top see your experience is different. I need to do some detective work.

-cheers,
feandur.

 

Deleted chromium extensions: avast online security, and hola.
seems to play fine now.

Sorry, mods, for off topic.

-cheers,
feandur.

 

Well not to sound like a sales man but Bitdefender Total Security is on sale so IMO if you really want a set and forget setup that would be a good choice as a "suite".

 

BD Free protects same as BD Paid.
I did quite a few tests comparing BD Free with Paid. Offline protection is good too. At times BD Free even detects little more than Paid, may be coz Free is a cloud AV so always with latest signs & Paid is not cloud connected.

 

Downloaded the 360safe last night and set it up on my windows 8.1 laptop. It seems to be very light. I hope it's enough. Last time it was a malware that screwed up my pc..i'm thinking of getting the malwarebytess free verison in addition to 360safe. I hope they wont conflict each other..

 

I would run ESET v7 with Malwarebytes as an on demand scanner for malware.

Personally I have an MBAM Pro lifetime license that I have installed.

Also make sure you have a backup solution. For that I use Keriver 1 Click Restore.

 

If i had a new laptop like you i would have done the following:
1. Download & install Norton IS trial - it expires in 15 days.
2. On the 16th day I would have downloaded & installed Kaspersky IS trial & let it run for another 15 days.
3. If KIS seems too heavy then I would let the AV portion run for another 15 days - by this time the trial period would have ended.
4. If all of the above run satisfactorily, my first choice would have been KIS followed by NIS.
5. If none of the above satisfied me I would have gone for Eset, Avast free or avira free - in that order of preference.
This is just my personal view. I do not claim any inner knowledge of the workings of the above mentioned softwares.
There are many other options which you may like & which may be equally/more suitable to you.
The final word is -GO FOR TRIAL & JUDGE YOURSELF.

 

If you seriously want to try out a lot of software be very mindful of cleaning out the remnants of the uninstall process before moving on to the next app. The more you try out the more cluttered the registry will be.

Most apps have a “cleanup” tool. I tend to use windows add/remove program, then run the apps cleanup tool.

If you can't find it on its website these links may help -
http://www.avast.com/en-au/faq.php?article=AVKB11#articleContent
https://www.wilderssecurity.com/showthread.php?t=354706

Then use the registry tool in CCleaner, don't fix any issues, just analyse. Look for any registry entries with the name of the app you just uninstalled. These are probably safe to delete.

Alternatively, use Revo Uninstaller portable in its safest mode [The apps own uninstall tool plus only basic registry entries:
http://www.revouninstaller.com/revo_uninstaller_free_download.html

Then, run the apps clean up tool, which may / may not find/do nothing – but it covers all the bases.

cheers,
feandur.

 

So you recommend running 2 trials of conflicting software at the same time?