What to install on new Windows 7 for protection

I got a new laptop that runs on windows 7 and wanted to ask what are the necessary things I need to install to make it secure going online and from things like viruses and spyware/malware.

And do I need to update any service packs? I remember having to do so when I used to have the older windows versions.

If possible, I hope you can recommend free/open source applications because I don't really have much in terms of cash to purchase the expensive stuff.

I remember having to add things like zonealarm, spyware and things like avg.

Hope you can guide me with a list so I don't overdo or under do things.

Thanks.

Welcome
For secure computer, install the following
Microsoft Security Essentials For Real Time Protection
Malwarebytes free version for once a week scans
Secunia for automatic checks to ensure that your security is always up to date
Finally
Win Patrol to be notified of any unauthorized changes to the computer.
All free
http://secunia.com/vulnerability_scanning/personal/
http://www.winpatrol.com/
Also from our Vista Forum
http://www.vistax64.com/system-security/287006-10-top-ways-get-infected-malware.html
But the most important, common sense. Stay away from those sites that you know will cause problems.

Always stay up to date with service pacs, there is now 1 and updates.

My recommendations are...

Main (real time) AV

Avast 6 (if you want more control and configurable boot time scans)

or

Microsoft Security Essentials (if you prefer something simpler)

On Demand Scanning

Malwarebytes
Hitman Pro free multi engine scanner
Spybot - Search & Destroy portable (for on demand use - don't use any of the real time options)

Plus

Microsoft’s EMET (Enhanced Mitigation Experience Toolkit)

Explanation - more info here...

If you're looking for an antivirus, generally paying for a service generates a better response. What I mean by this is, Paying for something means that generally, the company will work for you, will cater to you, will do everything in their power to keep viruses off of your computer. You could do some research on it as well to see the best anti-virus that you could buy, as they are usually the best.

However, if you are looking for something for free, I would also recommend Malwarebytes and Microsoft Security Essentials. Those two programs together often beat out many paid-for anti-virus companies for safety and security tests. Most people here tend to recommend these, however there are some other opinions and some threads on this subject as well. I recommend looking some up and seeing what others have to say about it: System Security - Windows 7 Forums

Here is a more specific thread: http://www.sevenforums.com/system-security/72070-whats-best-anti-virus.html

Thanks

Thanks for the help.

1st thing is add Sandboxie (free or paid) Now it wont matter what A/V you choose because sandboxie is strong enough to be used without anyother malware program except a firewall for protection while updateing your o/s.

The most important program you need is an imaging program and make frequent images (at least weekly). That will allow you to reset the system when disaster strikes - and it will strike. Free Macrium or free Paragon are good options. http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/73828-imaging-free-macrium.html?ltr=I And do not use AVG - that is a bummer.

AVG has made much improvement as of lately

I be he said:

AVG has made much improvement as of lately

Click to expand...

It is a free country. You use whatever makes you happy. I myself would not touch AVG with a 10 foot pole. I spent one week in my computer club to fix 18 systems that were heavily infected - all used AVG.

I be he said:

AVG has made much improvement as of lately

Click to expand...

I used AVG for quite a while then my computer wouldn't start, I eventually traced it to AVG hogging all the CPU. Probably new updates have cured this. I now use Avira but find that downloading updates can be a pain.

Update your Windows 7 to Service Pack 1 plus all updates, then install Microsoft Security Essentials (free, unobtrusive and dead easy to use). Make sure Windows Firewall is on. Browse safely, and use a better safer browser like Chrome (has built-in sandbox).

I mainly use Firefox as a browser or sometimes Iron for some reason I hate IE8 & 9.

Lolz, same, IE is crap. Chrome, although has been hacked, is probably the safest browser out there, compared to IE, Safari, and even Opera and Firefox.