Windows 7 - Best Free Security Setup?

Hi, i'm looking to get a decent security setup for my PC. There's one catch, all the programs have to be free!

I need programs to run virus scans and give me complete protection against viruses and malware. I had a look around the forum and everyone has their own opinion on what the best setup is. So, leave a reply with the definitive best free security setup!

Thanks,
-jloc.

Re your requirements in red in your post..... wishful thinking thus far!

Education / knowledge is the best way to learn to avoid the nasties....
Prevention preferable to cure.

People need to understand that to protect themselves from the evils of the internet their basic protection should include....

*Anti Virus Program { Microsoft Security Essentials is popular & is used by many people here.}

*Anti Malware Program . Malwarebytes.
http://www.malwarebytes.org/products

* SpywareBlaster { free}sits happily in the background offering great protection.
Read about it -
SpywareBlaster® | Prevent spyware and malware. Free download.

*Firewall. {The inbuilt Windows Firewall is considered appropriate}

*Router / firewall
Router security

One needs to exercise caution with what is clicked on.
Avoid engaging in activities such as file sharing, warez cracks, adult content, online gambling or other high-risk behaviors.

The obvious one of course is the responsibility of the person clicking the mouse.
Exercise that responsibility - Resist temptation!

Oh god, I have horrible spelling when i'm tired! Then again, there's nothing wrong with a completely secure security setup

Anyway, thanks for the recommendations. Malwarebytes is a great little program, SpywareBlaster seems good and MSE has some good reviews. Thanks

Free? My gawd... you get what you pay for... but there again, sometimes more...

ESET :: Get a FREE Online Virus Scan

Have used all but MSE on our computers here for ages & have never had any intrusions thus far...

Your best protection is frequent imaging. As JMH says, there is no way in the world you can protect yourself 100%. But with recent images, you can always bail yourself out of a tight spot - whether caused by malware or by some other system malfunction.

If you want to be really careful, run in a sandbox (e.g. Sandboxie). But then you cannot download anything into your real system without special arrangements. But at least you get a chance to scan whatever you want to transfer to the real system.

Thanks whs, JMH and Qdos. Hopefully i'll be a little safer now

That is what I would call a 'minimum setup'. But only images can save your bacon when you get infected.

As mentioned Windows Security Essentials is a good product although in my opinion it is limited.....I choose Avast Security Free for my needs coupled with the Windows 7 firewall to complete my needs. you can always add malwarebytes as previously posted but Avast offers a multitude of scanners that provide good service including a sandbox for running questionable programs or first time runs.

Avast scanners:


Backup images are the final answer to malware as mentioned above. I cannot recommend this process highly enough....I personally use Windows Home Server for this process but the backup image in Windows 7 is more than acceptable (BETTER if you store it off pc).

Hi,

Don't forget to keep Adobe Reader and Flashplayer, and also Java, updated if you use that : this is something that is often overlooked, yet these applications are a prominent source of malware infections.

Use the this tutorial to help you determine what else may require updating in order to plaug other security holes:

Secunia ONLINE Software Inspector

Regards,
Golden