Software to protect new Laptop

Hi. I am hopefully getting a new laptop. I do not want my laptop to get any viruses && whatever else you can get to mess the laptop up. What software do I need to get so I won't have any problems with it!! Thanks!

 

Microsoft Windows Defender (free)
Lavasoft Ad-Aware SE (free)
AVG Anti-Virus Personal (free)
ZoneAlarm Personal Firewall (free)

 

and these will protect me 100%? are they as good as the ones where you pay a subscription?

 

I would use
* Comodo Firewall
* Avast or AVG AntiVirus
* Lavasoft Ad-Aware SE
* SpyBot S&D

All r free

 

Think of these types of software as mirrors, seatbelts, and airbags in a car. If you crash hard enough, do something dumb enough, or just plain don't pay attention to what you're doing, then none of it is gonna help one bit.

The choices given are very good, but do require some knowledge of computing. For example, the firewalls mentioned may prompt you to allow or block a connection to or from the Internet. You need to know if the program---which it often tells you in the form of a file name with an extension...for example, Firefox.exe---is a safe. But the antivirus software, which should be updated at least once a week, will only scan for a list of known malicious programs so that is easy enough.

 

Yes, they are all very good programs. They are infact better than most subscriptional products that are on the market.

 

There's no such thing as 100%, but AVG Anti-Virus, AVG Anti-Spyware, Spybot S&D, and Adaware SE will keep you pretty close. And they're all FREE! I also use WinPatrol which is also free.

 

For free antivirus, AVG, Avast, and Avira are the three best choices AVG and Avast are fairly equal, and are highly popular as well. Avira is more accurate, but is less well known and can create problems with slower computers or internet connections. For most users, only one AV should be used at time.

For free antispyware, there are Ad-Aware SE Personal, Spybot SD, and Windows Defender for the mainstream, commonly used protection. None are highly accurate individually, but together are a fairly strong defence against spyware.

For free firewalls, there are the fairly obscure Jetico and Netveda firewalls, ZoneAlarm Free, and Comodo. Jetico and Netveda are technically strong, however are less pleasant to use and may require more technical knowledge. ZoneAlarm Free is fairly good, however it isn't as good as ZoneAlarm Professional, and like any product should be tested by the prospective user before it is chosen. Comodo is probably hte best of the free firewalls, since its fairly easy to use, has good features, and is well supported and tested.

 

post #2 i have the exact setup you put, no more, no less.

 

Oh and I will add here. Earthlink Protection Control Center will prompt you with what address and port but does NOT tell you what application is making the connection. Do NOT ever install this piece of junk application even if your provider is offering it.

 

one word. "Azureus". google that. if u know how to use this u can get any software 4 FREE. 100% Guaranteed. thank me later

 

if your not careful with torrents you will end with a massive virus and torrents require a decent amount of computer knowledge to use.

plus, i dont think that kinda of talk is allowed here, its illegal.

 

how is azureus illegal?!?! and i said nothing about torrent. -,-

 

^

ummm...

 

I'm not aware of Azureus being a program that actively/passively protects your computer.

 

I would use common sense, and stay away from the places you're likely to get a virus. No software in the world can protect against someone foolish enough to click an unknown link on MySpace or one of the dozens of other sites viruses hang out at.

 

Search the world wide web is a analogy to you walking down a dark alley surrounded by strangers. Choose wisely where you are going.