net security question from a non geek

[pepperami]

Hello !
Well I never thought I be asking questions in this part of the forum!

I know nothing about computers and my Norton anti-virus has just expired.
The lads in tec-support at work said that Microsoft Security Essentials was a good free anti-virus?.

I seek your advice tecky people?
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I am the sum total of my own existence, what went before makes me who I am now!

[Quornholio]

I've never used it. I like Avast! though.

Most things are better than Norton. Good luck removing it.

[Going]

As long as you're behind a router and your firewall is setup correctly.
That's all I use when using windows. So far no problems.

The biggest problems you need to be aware of are the vulnerabilities of your chosen browsers. Mainly Java and adobe.

[chrisw]

[pepperami]

Very much thank you peoples
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[Frost]

Some of the most effective free anti virus software.

[ninja_butler]

I use:

Windows Firewall
AVG Antivirus
SuperAntiSpyware

TBH, these days I tend to switch off both my antivirus and antispyware and instead do a scan maybe once every 3 or 4 weeks. Never had a virus yet; browsers and search engines have their own built-in safeguards to protect you at the other end, it's downloading torrents (file sharing) and visiting small independent websites where you are more likely to encounter them.

As Frost suggested, you could switch to Linux, but be aware that Linux is a lot different to Windows and takes some getting used to. Instead of downloading software as you normally would, the only way most people can do it with Linux is to use it's "Software Center" which downloads and installs programs for you. The troubles start when you want to download a game or program that is not in the Software Centre library, then you have to type in pieces of code to make it work, which for the average user is confusing and difficult.

[Jayy]

AVG Free does the trick.

I also have a copy of Malware Bytes.

[bigtin]

Keeping your software up to date is really important if you don't want to be e-raped. Turn on automatic updates for anything that you can and make it check regularly, at times you'll actually be using the computer. An antivirus is helpful but most of the shit you run in to relies on exploits that have been patched in the newer versions of Java, Adobe Flash, Reader, etc.

You could have a look at Ninite. If you use a decent amount of the software listed on there then it might be worth checking out their updater program.

Also, if you're tempted by Frost's post and the thought of Linux then try installing Ubuntu using Wubi. There's no hassle with partitioning or boot loaders and you can remove it from 'Programs and Features' if you decide that it's not for you.

[P.addy]

ESET Smart Security runs on my system, take 25 meg of memory and does it firewall stuff when I need it, never really get infected as I don't surf to crap I'm unsure of or click random links when not in a VM

[supZ]

[Scotsman37]

AVG security software is the best free software available on the market, except buying one is much better because compared to the biggest bought ones AVG comes out the worst out of them all. Norton is good except others have mentioned it hogs your system a bit, but Trend Micro is one of the best on the market and McAfee is in the top 5 five listing except not as good as Trend or Norton.

I personally use Malwarebytes free anti-virus program, as backup to McAfee Internet Security Software, that has to be manually updated to the latest known list of viruses, etc, but it is good at what it does.

[MarJay]

A few people I know who are 'in the know' say that Microsoft Security Essentials is as effective as any and all other free Anti Virus programs, but as a massive bonus it uses hardly any resources and tends to integrate better with Windows.

It's what I use these days and I've not had any issues since I installed it.
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[P.addy]

^ Do you still have Windows installed? That is usually the main issue...

[The Artist]

AVG was good 6 years ago.

Get with the times people. MSE is simple, never bothers you. Hardly uses any resources either. Much better than Avast or AVG.

If you pay for AV software you have been conned.

I have had MSE for ~5 years now and never had an issue. It has asked me when I have downloaded something dodgy but that is its job.

[duhawkz]

another vote for microsoft security essentials here.

used to use AVG in 2006, now it just a crappy piece of ad supported bloat ware.
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[Tarmacsurfer]

[Clutchy]

Other than worms to get info (which I understand what they are trying to achieve) Do people even bother making viruses anymore? Thought it would have grown old by now.
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[duhawkz]

A few reason I can think of

Stealing data
To take control of the host(bot net, network jump hosts)
To destroy nuclear reactors(stuxnet)
Test their programming skills / because they can.
Destroy systems/data

The very first viruses were written because they could, to see if it was possible to write self propagating code. Most I have encounter recently seem to be data miners.

To people who don't install AV software how do you know you don't have a problem if you don't have AV software. Also how is having a firewall going to protect you against theats on commonly used ports when those ports are generally open to the world
____________________
"The guy is a worthless cunt and I honestly believe I would be a slightly happier person if he died." - Chris-Red

[J.M.]

[Islander]

Nothing wrong with MSE - it works well and it's free. Other good free AV programs are Avira and Avast.

Add Malwarebytes and run it fortnightly or monthly and you have all you need.

Unless AVG have improved their game significantly of late, I wouldn't recommend them. Their AV client used to be excellent then they became victims of their own success and started 'adding value' which turned a good piece of software into a resource hungry bloated piece of crap.

[Derivative]

Botnets are hugely profitable.

Free computing power and network access. Mine yourself bitcoins, give yourself fake hits on YouTube for advertising revenue, all sorts of similar stuff out there.

And yes, viruses are banter. It doesn't 'get old' because new people get into it. I had leagues of fun playing with Back Orifice () when I was a teenager and that was a bog standard boring 'move the mouse about' job.


In terms of solutions, well, I help out with managing public machines at work and we use MSE. As stated, it does the job on the standard stuff, is not resource intensive, and ties in usefully with Windows Update.

I think doing much more is chasing diminishing returns. If a virus is new or clever then it will not be detected by scanners, straight up. Your best hope is always going to be denying admin rights unless necessary combined with not running dodgy files.

https://virusscan.jotti.org is a brilliant site for checking the odd file before you run it.

[Quornholio]

Think most of us geeky folk played about with BO2k, Sub7, etc. when we were teens, came up with cool handles, fucked about with IRC scripts, trashed MSN chatrooms etc.

The days of sending friends cool 'games' with backdoors attached, hoping they were daft enough to click accept, then frantically loading command prompt up, and running netstat -a to see which IP address was theirs.

I'd always have an AV at the bare minimum. The McAffee that came with this laptop expires soon, then I'll go to Avast I think, or maybe look at MSE.

[Craig321]

Microsoft Security Essentials is fantastic, you don't need anything more and it's not at all a hog. It's built into Windows 8 as well which is nice.

You still need common sense. Viruses can get through a perfectly running and up to date antivirus if you're silly.
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[Scotsman37]

Actually MSE is only average and only looks out for mainstream viruses, etc, for the average user, as noted in the recent review shown below.

https://www.tomsguide.com/us/best-free-antivirus-software-2013,review-1788-5.html