Q&A: Just restored computer to factory settings. What kind of protection should I get against spyware, etc?
Question by berrytrain: Just restored computer to factory settings. What kind of protection should I get against spyware, etc?
My computer was barely running. I made the mistake of visiting a porn site, and the next thing I knew, my computer was taking five minutes to download each page. I restored it to factory. Please
tell me how to protect it so it won’t get infected again. I just downloaded the free Norton software that comes with my Comcast account. Should I buy anything else, or is there another application I should download to be even more safe? Thanks.
Best answer:
Answer by Omar
Just so you know, you might get a lot of responses telling you to get “X” software or “Y” program because its the “best one on the market.”
The best I can give you is my personal experience with using AVG Free Edition. That’s basically the only program I’ve ever used since I knew it existed. Haven’t gotten infected yet and there have been some alerts that have popped up with questionable software. Is it the best out there? Hard to say. If you want to make a choice based on the reviews of others I’d recommend visiting CNet’s Download.com website ( http://download.cnet.com/windows/ ) and browsing their “Security Software” category. They’ll provide you with direct or mirror download links for the software too. Hope it helps.
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5 Responses to “Q&A: Just restored computer to factory settings. What kind of protection should I get against spyware, etc?”
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December 24th, 2010 at 5:20 pm
I would delete Norton, that program is horrible at best. If you’re willing to buy an Anti-Virus, I would go with Kaspersky, it’s one of the best anti-virus programs available. If you want a free AV, I would go with AVG Free, or Avast! as these are the best free scanners, however only offer basic protection than their paid counter-part. You’re never 100% safe from infection, unless you remove the ethernet cable from the back of your computer. Even then, there is a chance a jump drive could have a virus on it too.
December 24th, 2010 at 6:08 pm
I use AVG Free for antiVIRUS
and
Malwarebytes for antiSPYWARE (there is a difference and they compliment each other very well).
Malwarebytes – https://store.malwarebytes.org/342/cookie?affiliate=9230&redirectto=http%3a%2f%2fwww.malwarebytes.org%2f&product=29945 – is the best anti-spyware/malware scanner/remover I know of. Malwarebytes is FREE for scanning and cleaning and the PRO version has real time scan but it’s a PAID version. You can download the free version here: https://store.malwarebytes.org/342/cookie?affiliate=9230&redirectto=http%3a%2f%2fwww.malwarebytes.org%2f&product=29945 . I have used Malwarebytes at various client sites in the past and it has always been good a picking up nasties and removing them that antivirus software such as Symantec, Trend and NOD32 was unable to do.
Now a days, you need to have BOTH antivirus and antispyware/malware.
Hope that helps.
December 24th, 2010 at 6:17 pm
You need two things for protection
an antivirus
some type of malware protection
like Windows Defender – its already on your computer
it may be running
I like AVAST antivirus – its the only one that has rootkit protection for free
When you see these comments about
spybot
adaware
malwarebytes
superantispyware
those are tools for when its too late – not protection
You use these to scan your computer and remove the bugs
antivirus and Defender protect you, shield you and warn you when you are being attacked.
Oh, the latest results on Norton 2010 are that it is an excellent app per commercial website VB100. They have made it significantly better. I think the best paid one is ESET NOD32
December 24th, 2010 at 6:28 pm
My recommendation is to use Firefox as your web browser and get the NoScript add-on. It’s not security software in usual sense, but it does make you alot safer while browsing. I’m not saying you shouldn’t use antivirus software, but good security in your browser is quite possibly even more important, because (as you saw) more often than not, that’s how malware gets in your computer in the first place.
December 24th, 2010 at 6:36 pm
1. buy Internet Security kit
NOD32 or ESET by the same company.
AVAST
AVIRA
most of them include full protection, hwever, rationg in effectiveness could be different.
download and install ccleaner it’s free.
norton is not really good because it takes up to 70% of computer resources CPU, Memory, when it loads
make sure your Internet security Kit updates automatically, or do it manually at least once a day., plus keep your OS windows updated.