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You're welcome!Thank you - I will do that now and update afterwards.
Acknowledged...I did a factory image restore. what should I do next?
Next:
Most new machines when shipped by the vendors tend to come with all kinds of dross pre-installed and if the inbuilt recovery partition is invoked like you just did with this Dell, basically it is back as was when first booted up etc.
So this application here is worth both downloading and running.
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Install all critical updates and relevant service packs via Windows Update. For Windows 7 the latest is SP1.
I would also ensure Internet Explorer is up-to date also. For Windows 7 based machines it is IE10. Reason being even if you opt not to use IE as your main browser having a out of date version installed can leave any one machine vulnerable to malware.
The aforementioned should be available via Windows Update, if not can be downloaded from here.
Once the machine is updated and fully patched, I do advise visiting Windows Update periodically as Microsoft releases patches for Windows and other products regularly.
Plus check Automatic Updates is enabled.
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Then install a Anti-Virus software solution, there may be a option to activate a pre-installed bundled security type software...do not activate and merely uninstall etc.
Only ever have one of such installed and active in system memory at any one time.
Either of the below will suffice:-
Which ever of the above you choose to install, automatically checks for updates and downloads/installs them with every system reboot and or periodically if the machine is left running providing a internet connection is active.
I advise a complete scan with this at least once per week.
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Installing a specific Anti-Spyware application would be prudent, myself I recommend:-
Malwarebyte's Anti-Malware
During the installation process you will be offered the Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware Trial. Your choice to enable or not...
After installing, I advise check for updates and run a scan at least once per week.
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Tweaking.com - Registry Backup. I advice you consider installing this, as a means to keep a complete backup of the registry and restore it when needed. Instructions can be read here.
Myself I would actually create a new back up once per week as this along with System Restore may prove to be invaluable if something unforeseen occurs!
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A custom Host-File is a further layer of protection whilst browsing online.
Either of the below will suffice:-
Only use one of the above!
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Consider installing WinPatrol. This application alerts about possible system hijacks, malware attacks and critical changes made to your computer without your permission.
Download it from here.
You can find information about how WinPatrol works here.
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Finally, periodically visit the Secunia Online Software Inspector to ensure all third party software is up to date. As many such as Adobe and Java related applications for example if out of date can be exploited by malware.
Or alternatively download/install and use FileHippo Update Checker...
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