Best Free Security Setup?

[jloc]

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.

 

[JMH]

Hi, i'm looking to get a completely secure 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 completely 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!

 

[jloc]

Hi, i'm looking to get a completely secure 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 completely 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}

* 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

 

[Qdos]

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

ESET :: Get a FREE Online Virus Scan

 

[JMH]

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

 

[whs]

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.

 

[jloc]

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

 

[whs]

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

 

[bobtran]

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).

 

[Golden]

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:

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/181981-secunia-online-software-inspector.html

Regards,
Golden

 

[M1GU31]

avast,windows firewall,malwarebytes,super anti spyware,search and destroy, spyware blaster is what i use on my system atm

 

[pcunite]

You don't need anything to make Windows 7 secure as long as you log in as a limited user and setup software restriction policies. If you really want Sandboxie is nice.

 

[CanIHaz]

Real-Time: Avast! free - Adfender(for ads) - [Optional if you want a 3rd party firewall] TinyWall or Windows 7 FW Control Free - KeyScrambler free, SandboxIE free
Harden Tool: Spyware Blaster
On-Demand Scanners: Malwarebytes, Hitman PRO (dont activate the trial unless you really need it)
Image/Back up: Macrium Reflect Free



I think this is the best free security setup which cover all bases to be on the safe side and in case something went wrong, you'll have a back up to go to.

 

[7even64]

I will say go with Microsoft Security Essentials because I know it was made specifically for windows computers so I just play it safe and go with what Microsoft recommends. Then I just use antispyware and malwarebytes

 

[Delta808]

I May get flamed for this but I'll say COMODO free internet security, if you set it up right it's pretty powerful.

 

[whs]

I May get flamed for this but I'll say COMODO free internet security, if you set it up right it's pretty powerful.

We do not flame people on this forum. We send them to hell and let the devil do the job. But your point is well taken.

 

[jmward]

I suggest the following, all free in their basic form:

Excellent quality anti-virus and firewall:

1) Avast! anti-virus.

2) Comodo free firewall (but use Revo Uninstaller to get rid of the Comodo dragon browser and the Geek Buddy software that automatically installs with it).

For malware and unpleasant visitors to your computer of various types:

3) Lavasoft's Ad-aware.

4) SpyBot Search & Destroy.

To keep your system (including registry) clean, tidy, and optimised, as well as blocking malware:

5) Advanced System Care (basic version free but also quite cheap to upgrade).

6) FixCleaner (likewise).

7) Ccleaner (completely free).

These last three each seem to tidy up slightly different issues in the registry, so I run all three from time to time.
I scan with all the above on my Windows 7 system, as well as on my "reserve" Windows XP machine, and have never had any problems at all (apart from the occasional 'false positive' result).

And if you want a completely free windows system with no virus or other security problems and loads of free software, go for Linux Ubuntu 10.04.3, which I dual-boot with XP... but that's another story, and here's where I sign off before the booing starts!

JMW

 

[JMH]

jmward,

*** I would suggest that the following are superfluous to Windows 7 "needs" & as such would NOT recommend using same.***

3) Lavasoft's Ad-aware.

4) SpyBot Search & Destroy.

To keep your system (including registry) clean, tidy, and optimised, as well as blocking malware:

5) Advanced System Care (basic version free but also quite cheap to upgrade).

6) FixCleaner (likewise).

7) Ccleaner (completely free).

 

[Animal5150]

JHM Wrote: jmward,

*** I would suggest that the following are superfluous to Windows 7 "needs" & as such would NOT recommend using same.***

3) Lavasoft's Ad-aware. Used to be a good product a few years back

4) SpyBot Search & Destroy. Used to be a good product a few years back

To keep your system (including registry) clean, tidy, and optimised, as well as blocking malware:

5) Advanced System Care (basic version free but also quite cheap to upgrade). Never Used

6) FixCleaner (likewise). Never Used

7) Ccleaner (completely free) I suggest staying away from all registry cleaners BUT is you insist Ccleaner IS one of the safest.
I have to agree

 

[bobtran]

I May get flamed for this but I'll say COMODO free internet security, if you set it up right it's pretty powerful.

We do not flame people on this forum. We send them to hell and let the devil do the job. But your point is well taken.

No flame, Comodo Firewall free on Windows XP pro with Avast 6 = Solid security.

A really good product for maintaining a secure system is:
Secunia PSI: Free Computer Security - Personal Software Inspector (PSI) - Secunia

I have used it since last year and find it very very helpful in maintaining the software on my system at its latest/most secure versions as it does a very good job of monitoring the software on my pc's and verifying if a newer version is available or if windows updates are needed. Really a no brainer as an assist tool.