[Dano2]

Hi, we just bought this new HP Pavilion. I just downloaded the most current SuperAntiVirus software edition. Does anyone recommend anything else to do? AVG? also?

Thanks for any help...

[etaf]

moving to general security - forum

HP usually come with Norton
so if you do not intend to use Norton, then use the removal tool to remove - see below


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Norton Removal Tool
I would recommend that you restart the PC and run the removal tool for a second time - I have found instances where the removal tool needs to be run twice to fully remove all traces of norton and symantec from the PC
http://us.norton.com/support/kb/web_...080710133834EN

All Versions - The Norton Removal Tool uninstalls all Norton 2010/2009/2008/2007/2006/2005/2004/2003 products, Norton 360 and Norton SystemWorks 12.0 from your computer.
http://majorgeeks.com/Norton_Removal...NRT_d4749.html

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i'm not an expert here - but if you look through the security forum, you will see a lot of recommendations for windows 7

The windows 7 firewall is considered adequate and especially if you are connected behind a router.
Have a read in our "general security" forum and look for the advice from our security gurus.

Several excellent free antivirus programs are available (But you should only ever have 1 on the PC at a time otherwise this can cause issues ).

Microsoft Security Essentials (MSE)
http://www.microsoft.com/en-gb/secur...s/default.aspx

Avast
http://www.avast.com/free-antivirus-download

AntiVir
http://majorgeeks.com/Avira_AntiVir_...irus_d955.html

EST Nod 32 also gets a lot of very good reviews although it is not free
ESET NOD32
http://www.eset.com/home/

these Two programs are also recommended to be on the PC and can be on with any of the above antivirus programs.

Malwarebytes
http://www.malwarebytes.org/mbam.php

superantispyware
http://www.superantispyware.com/download.html


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[flavallee]

What's the complete model number of that HP Pavilion laptop?

If you don't know for sure, advise what the product number(P/N) and/or model number(M/N) on the sticker is.

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Can you be more specific about this comment?

I just downloaded the most current SuperAntiVirus software edition.

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Stay away from AVG 2012.

It's gotten very bloated, and it contains a file and registry cleaner that can cause you grief if you use it.

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[lunarlander]

I always harden the OS before putting it online. Google for "harden windows 7 home premium".

[jill8beans2]

There are many cable companies that offer antivirus solutions. If you have cable, you should check with your cable company about it... It is usually free, which is quite nice!

[TheShooter93]

etaf supplied quite the list, on which is my recommendation - Microsoft Security Essentials.

[DoubleHelix]

Originally Posted by lunarlander

I always harden the OS before putting it online. Google for "harden windows 7 home premium".

I don't think recommending Googling a phrase and following a random set of forum posts is the best advice for securing a computer. If you have something specific to suggest, please do. Otherwise, skip the generic Google search advice.

[f0rward]

Comodo internet security

[Ent]

Dano2, I'd suggest you look at this article in the TSG Library of knowledge to see why you simply won't get a straightforward answer to that question.
http://library.techguy.org/wiki/Best_Antivirus

[boragivinay]

Avast free antivirus is good among the free ones. Avg is a complete bloatware. The free ones only provide basic protection. If you would like to go for a paid one for more advanced protection then you can consider kaspersky or bitdefender.

[Mark1956]

Whatever Anti Virus you have installed it will not give you 100% protection. The free programs are just basic versions of the paid for ones and there is little difference that I know of between there level of security. Microsoft Security Essentials is recommended by myself and many other Malware Removal staff, it covers all that is required from an Anti Virus.

For an even higher level of protection you can add a few other items of software to help. Malwarebytes full version is an excellent compliment to run alongside an Anti Virus program and will not cause any conflicts.

Unfortunately the most recent variants of Rootkits can still slip into a PC undetected and there is not much you can do to stop them, fortunately we have some very clever folks creating the programs that can remove them.

This is the list of items I recommend.

Some additional security measures.
If your present security software does not include a third party Firewall or AntiSpyware.

Go Here for a selection of third party Firewalls.

Go Here or Here for Anti Spyware.

Malwarebytes free version (which you may have used during this thread) is worth having for regular scans of your system, always check for updates before using it. If you can afford the Malwarebytes Pro version it will provide even better protection with a full time active scanner. Never have more than one active anti virus, anti spyware or firewall running on your system as it can cause conflicts and slow down the PC. You can safely run the Pro version of Malwarebytes with any Anti Virus software.

WOT (Web OF Trust) Will warn you (in most cases) about dangerous web sites.

Secunia PSI is a FREE security tool designed to detect vulnerable and out-dated programs and plug-ins which expose your PC to attacks. Attacks exploiting vulnerable programs and plug-ins are rarely blocked by traditional anti-virus and are therefore increasingly "popular"among criminals.

WinPatrol is a useful facility to have. WinPatrol takes snapshots of your critical system resources and alerts you to any changes that may occur without your knowledge. It can also be used to control all your start up programs.

Finally, make sure that Windows Update is turned on as many updates are to fix newly discovered security holes in the Windows Operating System. You should also make sure that any Java or Adobe products are kept up to date and any old versions are uninstalled. Never use Registry Cleaners as they can and do damage the systems registry and stay well clear of P2P file sharing sites as these are one of the best places to get your PC infected.

[dvk01]

While an antivirus is a good additional defence, you can protect yourself more by restricting what damage malware or unwanted programs can do to your computer & vastly reduce the risk of being infected in the first place


Always use a standard or limited user account for day to day computer use, especially for internet use.
This applies mostly to Windows 7 and Vista, because many programs running on XP don't work properly unless run on an admin account. but try and see if you can work on a limited user account on XP.

On W7 and Vista set UAC to highest level and always password the admin account. When a program or person tries to alter settings or add something new, then you get an alert and you cannot continue until you either allow it by typing the admin password or refuse it by pressing NO. This ONE thing will stop 99.9% of malware and unwanted programs installing
http://thespykiller.co.uk/blog/using...-in-windows-7/

[boragivinay]

It even depends on the types of sites we visit. We should never run behind cracks and keygens as new malwares are always hidden with these kind of files and they infect our system when we run them. Even torrents are a source for new malware. Just think why would anyone crack any software and upload it on torrents without any benefit.