[WilliamV]

Hi, currently I have Webroot SecureAnywhere and in about 35 days is going to expire. I need some opinions of a security for my laptop. I have heard that Norton is no good. I would want a security that covers everything.

I also have Advance System Care 6, what I want to know is if the program compromises with the protections of the security program?

-Thanks in advance

[Advertisements]

If you want to pay for anti-virus protection then get either Bitdefender or Kaspersky.

Personally I use the free Avast anti-virus with the free Online Armor firewall. Also use Firefox with the AdBlock Plus add-on. If you can stand it, the No-Script add-on will make your browsing safer.
It is also important to keep your software up to date and not just with Windows Updates. I recommend UpdateChecker:
http://www.filehippo.../updatechecker/
(You don't need to download Betas and if there is a program you don't use you can just uninstall it rather than update it. Exception is MSN messenger which appears to be part of Windows.)
If you get a blocked program notice after installing UpdateChecker then change it to not run at start then manually run it once a week.
Seems to work best if Firefox is the default browser. Windows always hides its icon so you need to unhide it. Click on the up arrow to the left of the clock. Then click on Customize. Maximize the window so you can see all of the options. Scroll Down and find the File Hippo UpdateChecker and change its Behaviors to Show Icon and Notifications. OK. When you reboot you should see the icon. It will take it a minute to finish checking then it will put up a bubble if you need to update something. Click on the bubble and it should open in your browser. (Seems to work best if it uses Firefox. If you do not use Firefox as your default browser then right click on the icon and click on Settings. Then on Results. Change the Open Results in Default Browser to Custom Browser and then select the line that has Firefox.exe in it. While there, also check Hide Beta Versions. OK. ) You will see a list of programs that have updates with green down arrows next to them. You do not need to download any Beta Versions. There is an option Settings to Hide Beta Versions. I do not advise updating Windows Messenger unless you really use it so I right click on the Icon and Customize Results then find Microsoft Messenger and change Show All Releases to Hide All Releases. OK.

I do not like Advance System Care 6 so my recommendation is to remove it.

A few other warnings/recommendations:

If Firefox is slow loading make sure it only has the current Java add-on. Then download and run Speedy Fox.
http://www.crystalidea.com/speedyfox . You can run it any time that Firefox seems slow.

Be warned: If you use Limewire, utorrent or any of the other P2P programs you will almost certain be coming back to the Malware Removal forum. If you must use P2P then submit any files you get to http://virustotal.com before you open them.


If you have a router, log on to it today and change the default password! If using a Wireless router you really should be using encryption on the link. Use the strongest (newest) encryption method that your router and PC wireless adapter support especially if you own a business. See http://www.king5.com...-120637284.html and http://www.seattlepi...ted-1344185.php for why encryption is important. If you don't know how, visit the router maker's website. They all have detailed step by step instructions or a wizard you can download.

Special note on Java. Old Java versions should be removed after first clearing the Java Cache by following the instructions in:
http://www.java.com/...lugin_cache.xml
Then remove the old versions by going to Control Panel, Programs and Features and Uninstall all Java programs which are not Java Version 7 update 9 or better. These may call themselves: Java Runtime, Runtime Environment, Runtime, JRE, Java Virtual Machine, Virtual Machine, Java VM, JVM, VM, J2RE, J2SE. Get the latest version from Java.com. They will usually attempt to foist some garbage like the Ask toolbar, Yahoo toolbar or McAfee Security Scan on you as part of the download. Just uncheck the garbage before the download (or install) starts. If you use a 64-bit browser and want the 64-bit version of Java you need to use it to visit java.com.
Due to multiple security problems with Java we are now recommending that it not be installed unless you absolutely know you need it. IF that is the case then go to Control Panel, Java, Security and slide it up to the highest level. OK.

Make sure Windows Updates is turned and that it works. Go to Control panel, Windows Updates and see if it works.

Make sure you have the latest versions of any adobe.com products you use like Reader, Shockwave, Flash or Acrobat. Uncheck any foistware before downloading.

Whether you use adobe reader, acrobat or fox-it to read pdf files you need to disable Javascript in the program. There is an exploit out there now that can use it to get on your PC. For Adobe Reader: Start, All Programs, Adobe Reader, Edit, Preferences, Click on Javascript in the left column and uncheck Enable Acrobat Javascript. OK Close program. It's the same for Foxit reader except you uncheck Enable Javascript Actions. (Foxit installs the adware Ask Toolbar so be careful when downloading or installing that you opt out of the toolbar.)

Special note on Java. Old Java versions should be removed after first clearing the Java Cache by following the instructions in:
http://www.java.com/...lugin_cache.xml
Then remove the old versions by going to Control Panel, Programs and Features and Uninstall all Java programs which are not Java Version 7 update 9 or better. These may call themselves: Java Runtime, Runtime Environment, Runtime, JRE, Java Virtual Machine, Virtual Machine, Java VM, JVM, VM, J2RE, J2SE. Get the latest version from Java.com. They will usually attempt to foist some garbage like the Ask toolbar, Yahoo toolbar or McAfee Security Scan on you as part of the download. Just uncheck the garbage before the download (or install) starts. If you use a 64-bit browser and want the 64-bit version of Java you need to use it to visit java.com.
Due to multiple security problems with Java we are now recommending that it not be installed unless you absolutely know you need it. IF that is the case then go to Control Panel, Java, Security and slide it up to the highest level. OK.

[RKinner]

If you want to pay for anti-virus protection then get either Bitdefender or Kaspersky.

Personally I use the free Avast anti-virus with the free Online Armor firewall. Also use Firefox with the AdBlock Plus add-on. If you can stand it, the No-Script add-on will make your browsing safer.
It is also important to keep your software up to date and not just with Windows Updates. I recommend UpdateChecker:
http://www.filehippo.../updatechecker/
(You don't need to download Betas and if there is a program you don't use you can just uninstall it rather than update it. Exception is MSN messenger which appears to be part of Windows.)
If you get a blocked program notice after installing UpdateChecker then change it to not run at start then manually run it once a week.
Seems to work best if Firefox is the default browser. Windows always hides its icon so you need to unhide it. Click on the up arrow to the left of the clock. Then click on Customize. Maximize the window so you can see all of the options. Scroll Down and find the File Hippo UpdateChecker and change its Behaviors to Show Icon and Notifications. OK. When you reboot you should see the icon. It will take it a minute to finish checking then it will put up a bubble if you need to update something. Click on the bubble and it should open in your browser. (Seems to work best if it uses Firefox. If you do not use Firefox as your default browser then right click on the icon and click on Settings. Then on Results. Change the Open Results in Default Browser to Custom Browser and then select the line that has Firefox.exe in it. While there, also check Hide Beta Versions. OK. ) You will see a list of programs that have updates with green down arrows next to them. You do not need to download any Beta Versions. There is an option Settings to Hide Beta Versions. I do not advise updating Windows Messenger unless you really use it so I right click on the Icon and Customize Results then find Microsoft Messenger and change Show All Releases to Hide All Releases. OK.

I do not like Advance System Care 6 so my recommendation is to remove it.

A few other warnings/recommendations:

If Firefox is slow loading make sure it only has the current Java add-on. Then download and run Speedy Fox.
http://www.crystalidea.com/speedyfox . You can run it any time that Firefox seems slow.

Be warned: If you use Limewire, utorrent or any of the other P2P programs you will almost certain be coming back to the Malware Removal forum. If you must use P2P then submit any files you get to http://virustotal.com before you open them.


If you have a router, log on to it today and change the default password! If using a Wireless router you really should be using encryption on the link. Use the strongest (newest) encryption method that your router and PC wireless adapter support especially if you own a business. See http://www.king5.com...-120637284.html and http://www.seattlepi...ted-1344185.php for why encryption is important. If you don't know how, visit the router maker's website. They all have detailed step by step instructions or a wizard you can download.

Special note on Java. Old Java versions should be removed after first clearing the Java Cache by following the instructions in:
http://www.java.com/...lugin_cache.xml
Then remove the old versions by going to Control Panel, Programs and Features and Uninstall all Java programs which are not Java Version 7 update 9 or better. These may call themselves: Java Runtime, Runtime Environment, Runtime, JRE, Java Virtual Machine, Virtual Machine, Java VM, JVM, VM, J2RE, J2SE. Get the latest version from Java.com. They will usually attempt to foist some garbage like the Ask toolbar, Yahoo toolbar or McAfee Security Scan on you as part of the download. Just uncheck the garbage before the download (or install) starts. If you use a 64-bit browser and want the 64-bit version of Java you need to use it to visit java.com.
Due to multiple security problems with Java we are now recommending that it not be installed unless you absolutely know you need it. IF that is the case then go to Control Panel, Java, Security and slide it up to the highest level. OK.

Make sure Windows Updates is turned and that it works. Go to Control panel, Windows Updates and see if it works.

Make sure you have the latest versions of any adobe.com products you use like Reader, Shockwave, Flash or Acrobat. Uncheck any foistware before downloading.

Whether you use adobe reader, acrobat or fox-it to read pdf files you need to disable Javascript in the program. There is an exploit out there now that can use it to get on your PC. For Adobe Reader: Start, All Programs, Adobe Reader, Edit, Preferences, Click on Javascript in the left column and uncheck Enable Acrobat Javascript. OK Close program. It's the same for Foxit reader except you uncheck Enable Javascript Actions. (Foxit installs the adware Ask Toolbar so be careful when downloading or installing that you opt out of the toolbar.)

Special note on Java. Old Java versions should be removed after first clearing the Java Cache by following the instructions in:
http://www.java.com/...lugin_cache.xml
Then remove the old versions by going to Control Panel, Programs and Features and Uninstall all Java programs which are not Java Version 7 update 9 or better. These may call themselves: Java Runtime, Runtime Environment, Runtime, JRE, Java Virtual Machine, Virtual Machine, Java VM, JVM, VM, J2RE, J2SE. Get the latest version from Java.com. They will usually attempt to foist some garbage like the Ask toolbar, Yahoo toolbar or McAfee Security Scan on you as part of the download. Just uncheck the garbage before the download (or install) starts. If you use a 64-bit browser and want the 64-bit version of Java you need to use it to visit java.com.
Due to multiple security problems with Java we are now recommending that it not be installed unless you absolutely know you need it. IF that is the case then go to Control Panel, Java, Security and slide it up to the highest level. OK.

[WilliamV]

Thanks for the advise! Will definitely do what you recommended.

[RKinner]

OK. If you go with Avast a few tips:

Some people object to the voice notification of updates. To turn it off, click on the Avast ball then on Settings. Then on Sounds and uncheck Automatic Updates OK. (It will still update it just won't tell you about in a loud voice in the middle of the night.)

They have also started using their info popup to try and get you to upgrade so I go into Settings, Popups and change the first two to 1 second.

The registration is good for 12-14 months then you will need to register again. They will, of course, try to talk you into buying the product but you can always register again for another year free tho it usually won't be the default option.


One of the best things about Avast (other than the price and how well it works) is their boot-time scan. This loads before most malware so has a better chance of removing it if you do get infected (Good to run when you first install it to make sure your previous anti-virus didn't let something through.). It takes a lot of time so I usually let it run while I sleep.


First mute the speakers so it won't wake you up when Windows loads. Click on the Orange ball. Click on Security. Click on AntiVirus. Scroll down to the bottom and find Boot-time scan. Click on Settings. Where it says Heuristic Sensitivity click on the last rectangle so that all of them are orange and it says High. Then change When a threat is found ... to: Move to Chest. OK. Now click on Schedule Now. Close the Avast window and then reboot. The scan will start. It will tell you where it will save the report. Usually it's
C:\ProgramData\AVAST Software\Avast\report\aswBoot.txt but it might change so verify the location. When Windows loads Click on the Orange Ball then Maintenance then Scan Logs. Click on the Boot-time scan log and then View Results. IF it found anything then open the saved Report and copy and paste the text into a reply so I can see it.


Make sure that Webroot is not set up to automatically renew your license. No fun paying for an anti-virus that you don't use.

http://support.webro.../1360/related/1

Once you uninstall it, it is a good idea to run their CleanWDF.exe file

http://download.webr...om/CleanWDF.exe

Right click and Run As Admin if Vista, Win 7 or 8 Reboot before trying to install a new anti-virus.

This will clean up anything their uninstall program forgot.