Ok so I recently did a custom install because I had a virus that messed up my system, and I did not format my hard drive as there was data I wanted to retrieve. Anyways I have not connected my computer to the internet since I've done a custom install, and since I could still have the messed up files in my windows.old folder, what is the best protection for free that I can have before I connect to the internet again?
The first thing that you need to do is install a good anti-virus program and do a full scan of your computer ... once that is completed, I would run the disc clean up wizzard to remove all of the excess files that you dont need (windows.old).. Disk Cleanup : Extended ...
If you dont have a firewall installed, find one of the many free ones that are available, such as Comodo Firewall... and finally make an image of your system drive.. Backup Complete Computer - Create an Image Backup .....
This can't be stressed enough .... if something untoward should happed, it is a lot easier to restore an image than it is to have to reinstall the OS... Good luck!
I use MSE and windows firewall which appear adequate for my needs. You should get into a weekly routine of computer maintenance.
Once a week do:
Full scan with MSE
install SuperAntiSpyware and run a weekly full scan with that.
run ccleaner.
.
One good way to do it is to install the drive as a secondary disk in another computer that is clean and fully protected with updated AV/AS software. Then you can scan the disk without the OS being active.
As an alternative you could download the latest versions of MBAM and SuperAntiSpyware on another computer and burn them to a CD (best not to use a flash drive since it could become infected). Then install them on the system you want to cleanup offline. You won't have the very latest databases, but you will be close.
Note, the scans will go a little faster if you run Disk Cleanup and/or CCleaner first.
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