[saraveza408]

I just got a used HP mini 110 3000 running on windows 7.
What free programs should i download to protect it from viruses & other pollutants?

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Use these.

Avast

and

Malwarebytes

[Wolfeymole]

Use these.

Avast

and

Malwarebytes

[Niyol]

Hello Saraveza408
I use a netbook running Windows seven starter and this is what I use to protect it and it doesn't slow it down much.

Microsoft Security Essntials (anti virus)
Malwarebytes antimalware (Full version) (malware protection)
Private firewall (firewall)
WinPatrol (stops unwanted changes being made to your machine)
Peerblock the spyware block list only (blocks known spyware websites)
Spyware Blaster
Open DNS with dns crypt (secures and encrypts your DNS)
Malware bytes anti exploit (its still a beta test product) (stops exploits)
MVPS host file (Blocks unwanted connections)
Panda usb vaccine (stops things from auto running from USB)
Adblock plus (blocks addvets and some malware domains)
Bitdefenders traffic light (classify's web sites as you browse on safety, using green red and yellow lights)
Chrome browser (web browser for surfing the net)
For extra security I also disable netbios, remote access and remote registry.

I've all so never had an infection due to the fact I use safe surfing habits like don't download from dubious looking sites and research a site before buying on it make sure if you are using cash online when paying it's https:// in the address bar. Stay away from illegal file sharing sites as these are a major cause of downloading malware. Also be aware of social engineering, you would be surprised at how many fall for it.
This article better explains social engineering http://en.wikipedia....ering_(security)
My rule of thumb for emails is beware of emails from people you don't know, I never open an unsolicited email form a person I do not know.
If sent an email with a link in from anyone I will always scan it first with these scanners I have listed.
Even if not sent the link and found it myself and I am a bit dubious I scan.
http://siteinspector.comodo.com/
http://global.sitesa...trendmicro.com/
http://sitecheck.sucuri.net/scanner/
http://safeweb.norton.com/safety
https://www.virustotal.com/uk/#url
http://www.avg.com.a...b-page-scanner/

Security really depends on what online habits you have.
Oh this is a link to the geekstogo free security software http://www.geekstogo...yware-software/

Hope that helped a bit and I didn't go on to long, or step on Wolfeymole's toes....

[Wolfeymole]

<sup>I wear steel toe capped boots o0o so no worries there mate.

The only concern I have is the "Private Firewall", can you explain further please as the Windows 7 firewall is quite adequate when dealing with incoming and outgoing traffic.

One should never run two firewalls side by side.</sup>

[Niyol]

Hello Wolfeymole, I will try to explain.
The firewall topic cropped up in a discussion with a security expert who works at BT and a man who works for an AV company who again said the same, this was not to use windows firewall. I do know all security experts have a differing opinion but I also read this in a few places as well as being told.
So I did some research on firewalls trying all the major names out and found this to be the best one that gave me the least problems on windows 7 with the software I ran along side.
It's gets some good reviews and is very easy to use and I've listed it's features. I can vouch for the set up I've been using as it has not let any malware past yet and I've been to some dodgy sites, in the interest of research and learning.
When you run the installer for Private Firewall it turns windows firewall off so no worries about conflict.
I was only listing what I used on my windows 7 netbook as I know from experiance it has protected me so far from infection and its not to heavy on my netbook as they can be slow.

Zero-hour anti-virus protection

Zero-hour spyware protection

Zero-hour malware protection

IPv6/IPv4 packet filtering

Behavioral hacker protection

Top-Rated Leak Defense (32/64 bit)

Website/IP filtering

Anti-logger (32/64 bit defense)

Advanced Application Control

Advanced Reporting module

Process Control & Protection

Registry protection

System Anomaly Detection

Email Anomaly Detection

I did a scan with GRC shileds up and it came out as:
Your system has achieved a perfect "TruStealth" rating. Not a single packet — solicited or otherwise — was received from your system as a result of our security probing tests. Your system ignored and refused to reply to repeated Pings (ICMP Echo Requests). From the standpoint of the passing probes of any hacker, this machine does not exist on the Internet. Some questionable personal security systems expose their users by attempting to "counter-probe the prober", thus revealing themselves. But your system wisely remained silent in every way. Very nice.

Edited by o0o, 23 July 2013 - 11:06 AM.