Antivirus/Antispyware for Windows 7

fullgrownnut · 06 Jun 2011

Hello there,

I've been using Windows Vista for a couple of years now in my own PC, and I just purchased a small netbook computer for my son last week, which will be delivered tomorrow or the next day... It's his first PC ever, and it's a Dell Inspiron Mini 10 which comes with Windows 7 installed...

I was talking to a good friend of mine the other day who also has a small netbook with W7, and he was told by a computer tech that there is no need to install Nortons or any other additional antivirus software into a computer which has Windows 7 since the OS comes with something already installed, which he claimed is good enough protection against regularly known web threats (he thought the Tech said it was Microsoft Essentials, but he wasn't sure)... Since I subscribe to Nortons, I can install it into and up to three or four computers, so I planned on just installing it into my son's when we received it...

My question:
Is what the computer tech told my friend true about the native software that already comes with Windows 7 for virus protection, and if so, what exactly is it, do I have to activate it, and do I need to install any other software to protect for web threats, or is this ALL that is needed for such protection? Thank you very much for any help on this.

richc46 · 06 Jun 2011

Welcome
If Security Essentials is installed (but not sure if the dealer installed it, but I doubt it) that and Malwarebytes would be awesome protection. You should have both on your computer, too. If you have another AV and are happy with it be sure to download malwarebytes, too.
Go to search and type security essentials. if it pops up you are protected. Make a scan with it and get use to it. A scan should be made once a week regardless of the AV.
If you do not have it be sure to download it from here:
http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/secur...s/default.aspx

wysiwyg · 06 Jun 2011

If you use MSE you don't need Malwarebytes, you're just duplicating an action.
Why clutter up your HDD.

Golden · 06 Jun 2011

Hi,

Welcome to SevenForums.

I agree with what Rich says. With time, you will come to relaise the community is quite polarised when it comes to anti-malware software. Essentially, there is so much choice it becomes hard to make an informed decision.

I have used both MSE and Norton, and both have performed flawlessly. In my opinion, MSE seems to be less obstrusive whilst Norton tends to be resource hungry : on a netbook this might be an issue. Since you have the option of installing Norton if you wish, go with MSE and see how that suites you/your son. Its easy enough to uninstall if you want to give Norton a go.

I also recommend Malwarebytes as a second layer of defense : I recommend the paid version so that the anti-malware definitions update automatically, and it contains a very handy malicious IP blocker too. It's a myth that a second system of protection is a resource hog and not required, so this is something I would definately not overlook.

Good luck with your new purchase,
Golden

richc46 · 06 Jun 2011

wysiwyg said:

If you use MSE you don't need Malwarebytes, you're just duplicating an action.
Why clutter up your HDD.

Disagree. Both are needed and many experts here use both.

Golden · 06 Jun 2011

richc46 said:

wysiwyg said:

If you use MSE you don't need Malwarebytes, you're just duplicating an action.
Why clutter up your HDD.

Disagree. Both are needed and many experts here use both.

Absolutely correct : there isn't a single piece of software that protects you from all the anti-malware out there. You improve you chances immeasurably by "layering" your security.

+1 Rich.

fullgrownnut · 06 Jun 2011

Thank you SO much for this incredibly valuable information... I am SO glad that I posted this thread because I didn't know about Malwarebytes... since you SO highly recommended it, I actually just purchased the Pro version and already installed it in my Vista OS... I just performed a Quick Scan, and the it did not find any infected objects... I've had this computer with Vista for a little over two years now with Nortons Security Suite installed, never had Malwarebytes along with it, and still no malware detected by this newly installed software... I'm on the Internet a lot, so that goes to show you just how good Nortons is I guess... Lol...

Once my son's new computer arrives, I will ALSO install the Malwarebytes in his, in addition to whichever antivirus program I decide to use as primary... but here is my dilemma with my decision (either Nortons or Essentials)... first of all, my son does not live with me, so he's in a place where I am unable to see him on a regular basis and monitor what upkeep goes on with his new computer... even though he's almost 15, he pretty much needs his hand held when it comes to a lot of things, especially when it comes with upkeep to a computer, NOT even counting the fact that he never has had his own until now... so, like Golden said, Nortons tends to be resource hungry, so with 1GB of RAM, it might be an issue in that little netbook... however, I VERY much like the fact that Nortons pretty much runs on auto-pilot, and no manual updates or scans need to be performed with it, so it's a GREAT program for people who really don't know too much about running updates, scans, etc. on a regular basis...

and from what I'm gathering about Essentials, and PLEASE correct me if I'm wrong, updates, scans, and things of that nature pretty much have to be manually performed?... I would hate to have to call my son on a regular basis to make sure he's running these scans and updates, if so... with Nortons I would would not have to do that since, like I said, it runs itself on auto-pilot without even having to think about it... considering what I just explained, what would you recommend?... once again, thank you SO much for your expertise and help!

richc46 · 06 Jun 2011

Essentials has the same automatic features as the other paid AV. All AV require scans.
Essentials and the others have real time protection. This stops an AV from entering the OS. If one does get by, normally because it is new and there is no definition for it yet, a weekly scan must be done. This is true for all AV
For your son do not get the paid Malwarebytes, go for the free. The only difference is that the free does not have the real time protection.
MSE has all the automatic features that Nortons has.
BTW
Almost all other AV, cause problems. MSE does not, to the best of my knowledge. It was made specifically for Windows.

Wishmaster · 06 Jun 2011

I too use Malwarebytes with Norton IS. And though its never caught anything left behind by Norton, you never know what may happen and I still think its a good idea.

However, I would recommend just using the free version if you pair it with Norton. Just remember to Update and run the On-Demand scan weekly.

Since Norton already has realtime Anti-Spyware/Malware built-in, and gets a bit fussy with other real time scanners.

Malwarebytes RealTime scanner will likely get along better however with anyother AV (Norton included) that has just the real time AntiVirus scanner.

Golden · 06 Jun 2011

fullgrownnut said:

Malwarebytes... since you SO highly recommended it, I actually just purchased the Pro version and already installed it in my Vista OS...

A good investment.......what I really like about Malwarebytes Pro is it's ability to block malicious IP addresses.....and thats really useful if you do a lot of web browsing, or you have a son/daughter that likes to surf a lot.....just another tool to help them avoid stumbling across the nasty sites out there.

I have used the paid (resident) version of Malwarebytes at various times with MSE, with Norton and with Avast, and have yet to encounter any form of conflict between them.

Regards,
Golden