Anti-Virus Essentials. And protecting yourself from hackers!

[TopNotchPCLol]

Hello.

I wanted to make my first contribution to give you windows users a little guide on security-Made Easy!.

So first off, in the package download, I have for you guys, these are just STAND ALONE tools that help clear anything that is malicious. And are meant to be along side your Main Anti-Virus software.

(please note you may need to download the newest version of ComboFix from http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/download/combofix/)

Anti-Virus Package download: https://www.dropbox.com/sh/9seuv3ldtrccdli/ZULaTcG3xC (names of all softwares kept the same so you can easily google them)

For your main Anti-Virus I recommend: http://www.eset.com/us/home/products/smart-security/

I have personally enjoyed testing out this Anti-Virus software and it by far works the best!

I recommend Using OpenDNS, and Hotspot Shield. The free version of hotspot shield is great(a TON of advertisements but there is nothing to worry about when we get to browser add ons!) OpenDNS has recently released a VPN called umbrella, which seems amazing, and I trust OpenDNS so I will test it in eventuality, and already will recommend it more then Hotspot Shield.

OpenDNS:http://www.opendns.com/

(You have a choice between these two)

Hotspot Shield: http://www.hotspotshield.com/en

Umbrella:http://www.umbrella.com/what-is-umbrella-security/

For the web browser I recommend using the webkit engine, there are some great browsers that run off of it, and one of them is Maxthon.

http://www.maxthon.com/

And for all browsers I would recommend:

http://adblockplus.org/en/

[Ghost]

Adblock is a must.

Most people dont NEED an AV if they are careful thought.

[Dave :)]

No.1 Anti Malware has to be Malwarebytes And it's free!

For actual antivirus, i use Avast, full free and does a great job.

[Money]

Adblock is a must.

Adblock is good, but be sure to turn it off when watching a video from Linus!

[Larrivee013]

Let's not forget Microsoft Security Essentials which is small and runs quietly alongside your OS. Plus, it's already included in Windows 8!

Download : http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/w...tials-download

[fardawg]

Im a big fan on spybot (i run it once a week) and Microsoft security essentials because it is relatively hassle free were i often find avast and avg are always bugging me for something, granted i do believe that avg is probably the best. As fair as system maintenance goes i use auglostic disk defrag on my hard drive (do not defrag a ssd), Ccleaner to clean up temp files and fix registry errors.

These are all free programs and i try to run them about once a week to keep my computer running pretty snappy.

[Jonny.Wong.16]

I usually just go with Microsoft Security Essentials. It's lightweight and works. Just be careful where you're downloading your pr0n.

[Dave :)]

I used to go with MSE, but recently, after reading some reviews, I decided that it doesn't cut it as well as other freeware. It misses quite a few of the more recent viruses and the like. There are better AV out there for free. It still works, but not as well as it used to, at least, that's how i feel.

[Skyhawk Delta]

Another one that is very lightweight is Webroot SecureAnywhere Anti-Virus. I discovered this when I was still using a Dell Inspiron laptop as my main PC, and I still use it to this day. It did wonders for freeing up resources. I was using Vista at the time.

[TopNotchPCLol]

Personally I have reviewed TONS of Anti-Virus softwares. And since I am getting my own business off the ground, I asked some guys in computer shops some of the stuff they use(most happily share there secrets). But honestly ESET Smart Security actually picks up threats. None of the other Anti-Virus softwares listed picked up much if not any threats at all. And yeas you do need an Anti-Virus even just going on websites can have your PC infected.

[TopNotchPCLol]

No.1 Anti Malware has to be Malwarebytes And it's free!

For actual antivirus, i use Avast, full free and does a great job.

I think I included malwarebytes in the package? Did I lol?

[James.]

I agree with Dave for the Avast+Malwarebytes solution. I've had MSE fail me one too many times to go back to it. Also, about the fact that avast has a lot of popups, that can be mended by putting it in silent mode. No more bugging from avast.

[Draex]

The performance of antiviruses varies tremendously over the year, the best bet is to check AV-Comparatives from time to and see how they stack up in the detection tests and real world tests for that time of year.

[Johnmini]

i use Avast and Comodo firewall both free and i use Spybot S&D for searching for bad things;)

[DavePC]

List of programs I'd recommend;

NOTE: DO NOT run two av suites at the same time. Scanners are fine.

Real-Time Protection/AV Suite: Comodo Internet Security, Microsoft Security Essentials, Avast Free.

Scanners: Hitman Pro, Malwarebytes Anti-Malware, Malwarebytes Anti-Rootkit (BETA).

Recovery Programs: Combofix, TDSSkiller.

Firewall: Comodo Firewall

DNS: Norton ConnectSafe DNS

Sandbox: Sandboxie

Browser Add-Ons: Web of Trust, HTTPS Everywhere, Do Not Track Me, Adblock Plus.

My setup: Comodo Internet Security, running all scanners weekly, all addons, and built in comodo firewall.

[iruixos]

My current (and favourite) AV setup:

ESET Smart Security 5

http://www.eset.com/

Malwarebyte's Anti-Malware PRO

http://www.malwarebytes.com/

Browser plugins (I use Pale Moon x64):

- HTTPSEverywhere

- Adblock Plus

- BitDefender TrafficLight

- DoNotTrack Plus

Anti-phishing and other features with my modem

SmartScreen, Defender, and Firewall are included features with Windows 8.

[Dim]

Avast is my only AV now, and I fail to fault it. I use Malwarebyte's for removal of viruses, but I haven't used it in months.

[BathroomSecurity]

For a paid antivirus solution, I would recommend Bitdefender. Other than that, Avast is always a good choice.

[Dave :)]

For a paid antivirus solution' date=' I would recommend Bitdefender. Other than that, Avast is always a good choice.[/quote']

Heard only good things from bitdefender so that is a good recommendation. Avast is great, i haven't had any issues with it whatsoever, and i have yet to get any type of malicious behaviour. *touchwood*.

[Ghost]

For a paid antivirus solution' date=' I would recommend Bitdefender. Other than that, Avast is always a good choice.[/quote'] Heard only good things from bitdefender so that is a good recommendation. Avast is great, i haven't had any issues with it whatsoever, and i have yet to get any type of malicious behaviour. *touchwood*.

The bitdefender website works terribly when you try to track and control your mobile devices.

[tidu]

Microsoft security essentials is what I would recommend for pretty much everybody. It just works and keeps to the background and updates with Windows so even your mother can rely on it working.

But I really think that a functioning firewall is way more important than any AV solution. Unless you are stupid enough to download the viruses on your own, and even in that case most firewalls can at least contain the problem to your machine.

[DavePC]

Bitdefender is very heavy on CPU load, I don't like it.

[Purple]

I use McAfee,

Running a scan now :3

[Dave :)]

McAfee, oh my. :P

[NutzInTheHead]

On Windows I just use MSE.

On Linux, Linux itself is my anti-everything protection :P