I am a new PC user. What do I need on my PC to protect it ?

Question

I'm not sure what is for virus' and what is a firewall and spyware, etc? I just want to make sure I don't have two different softwares for the same thing.

Answer 1

At the fundamental level you'll need an antivirus and anti-spyware. With a bit of common sense, the protection from windows firewall is very much enough.

If you're looking to go freeware, I'd suggest AVG antivirus - it's free, provides real-time protection and is generally very effective.

There are no definitive single "best" program especially when it comes to killing spyware, so I'd suggest you get Spybot Search and Destroy to work in conjunction with Lavasoft Ad-Aware (both are free as well)

If you don't mind paying for (potentially) better software, then get Webroot Spysweeper - it's one of the antispyware programs in the market.

I have also recently read some pretty good reviews on the Mcafee VirusScan Plus - it combines both antivirus and antispyware into one suite - and its antispyware had the highest detection and removal rate as compared to other commercial softwares. You might wanna take the 30-day trial before buying it.

I'm not really a big fan of firewalls; I've been using whatever windows has to offer for as long as I have been computing - no problems at all. Just be smart and don't click on advertisements, and suspicious-looking links. In fact, if you are using Mozilla Firefox, there's a plugin, McAfee SiteAdvisor (which I'm currently using) that tells you if a site is safe or not when you look up things in search engines.

You can always have two different softwares for the same thing - especially so for antispywares, as each can reveal what the other cannot. Just make sure, however, that you only allow ONE to run at any time as they have a tendency to conflict with each other. This is true for antivirus as well.

Answer 2

1) Get an anti-virus software (Some known brands are Norton Antivirus, McAfee, Trend Micro, Panda Antivirus, Avast Antivirus, and AVG). You only need one anti-virus software, but I listed the ones which are trustworthy to choose from.

2) It's good to enable (or make sure it's already enabled) the firewall that comes with Windows on your Internet connection. It gets some flack for supposedly not being as good as it could be, but it does work.

3) Don't use Internet Explorer 6 for your Internet browser. It's old and full of security flaws. You can either upgrade to Internet Explorer 7 or try another browser like Mozilla Firefox.

4) Lastly, the two most important things are not to open email attachments that you don't know what they are and not to click on Internet ads that claim your computer is infected. There is no way for an Internet ad to know whether your computer is running slow or if your computer is infected, but if you install their software, then your computer may become infected with their bad software.

Edit:
I don't think a firewall beyond the Windows firewall is necessary, but if you really want one, I would go with a hardware firewall, not a software one. By a hardware firewall, I mean a router with a built-in firewall that is usually placed between your computer and your modem. Most often, a router is used to split (or "route") your Internet connect to multiple computers, but most also come with a firewall and they can be used as such, even if you only have one computer.

Answer 3

First off, learn how to use the computer. Learn how the file system works, applications, file extensions etc... This will make the messages from the firewall have more meaning. The folks who design these tools are engineers and forget that the people who use them don't speak their language or even understand how computers work.

Many Internet service providers (i.e. Comcast, Verizon etc..) include a subscription to an Internet security suite. I'd take their free one, if they offer it.

If they don't, my recommendation is that you look for an Internet security suite (firewall + antivirus + spyware). The key thing your looking for right now is something that will detect "root kits". Root kits are a newer method that virus and malware designers hide their stuff from antivirus software.

McAfee Internet Security is one main stream tool that detects root kits. I know there are others, I just can't think of their names.

For spyware, you need to have multiple different tools. The issue with multiple tools for spyware is that you can't run them at the same time. My suggestion is to use the spyware tool in your main security program. Know how to disable your main security program and find other spyware utilities such as lavasoft (Adaware), spy doctor etc... and run them manually from time to time. Guarantee you that none of the spyware utilities find all of it. I run three different ones myself.


Edit -

I sort of disagree with Rath regarding the firewall. The beauty of having a firewall on your pc is that it can alert you if you have some bad software on your PC that is trying to send things. It may not alert you, but you can see in the firewall logs (remember your going to learn how it works) that application X is sending outgoing messages. If your not using application X then you know something is wrong.

I use an hardware based firewall too. As Rath said, hardware based firewall is usually in your router. If you want to see something scary, look at the logs on a hardware based firewall - mine is being probed 24x7. There are some bad people out there.....

Answer 4

You need an Anti-virus, Anti-spyware package. Also if you've got a PC with Windows XP or greater than it already comes installed with a firewall program. Make sure that's activated, unless one of the programs above has a firewall option.
Spyware are programs that set themselves up in your computer and give vital information to others, a firewall is a program or piece of hardware which blocks certain ports from being accessed and certain programs from coming into your computer.

Answer 5

well I would deffantly get zone alarm basic (you can get if for free, there is a 15 day trial for the pro version, but don't bother the basic is good enough) spybot S&D to look for spyware (you can leave it running to stop registry changes too) and some kind of anti virus. If you got one with your computer thats fine you can use it, but if not then try AVG or avast (both free, but you can get paid versions which really don't do much more then the free versions so you may as well not bother)

Answer 6

firewalls protect your computer from hackers here is a free one
www.personalfirewall.comodo.com also turn windows firewall
off when using it and configure it.

free anti virus is avira www.free-av.com has 95 percent
detection of malware and all kinds of crap , has a nice
umbrella one and make sure you download the windows
version xp, viruses can cause harm to your computer
and steal information.

free anti spyware is adaware www.lavasoft.com

with those 3 programs your computer is very very safe
and impossible to hack.

Answer 7

You need a virus and spyware software. Use norton or McAfee for virus protection and Spybot or Adware for spyware protection.

Answer 8

Use AdAware for spyware, its the best and its free too!

http://www.lavasoftusa.com/products/ad_aware_free.php

Also grab Hijackthis and Regclean from this site.

http://www.majorgeeks.com/

Answer 9

System Mechanic 7 Professional

Norton is too intrusive and it's not half as good as SM 7Pro.

Answer 10

You need to get an antivirus that is user friendly and upgradeable. Norton antivirus fits this bill. Also depending on what you are going to use your PC for (business or pleasure) will determine what you really need. Seek advice with an expert or consult Consumer Reports.