1. Welcome Guest! In order to create a new topic or reply to an existing one, you must register first. It is easy and free. Click here to sign up now!.
    Dismiss Notice

Which One Should Be First?

Discussion in 'Windows 7' started by menewguy, Nov 6, 2012.

  1. menewguy

    menewguy Registered Members

    Joined:
    Nov 5, 2012
    Messages:
    45
    Location:
    Caseyville, Illinois
    Operating System:
    Windows 8
    The Security Program that I purchased along with my PC is going to expire in December. I am thinking of D/L and installing the many free security programs available rather than renew my current one. What is the correct way to use them. By that I mean should anti-virus be first, then a firewall, then anti-spyware, then anti-malware, etc.
     
  2. BeeCeeBee

    BeeCeeBee ADMINISTRATOR IN MEMORY

    Joined:
    Apr 20, 2009
    Messages:
    7,201
    Location:
    New Jersey "Stronger than the Storm"
    Operating System:
    Windows 7
    There are a few things to keep in mind. As for the question that you asked, it really makes little difference although I would not install any new firewall until the last. Frankly, if you are using a router that is properly configured and have good security programs, I can see no reason not to rely on the Windows Firewall already built into your OS.

    Since I don't know which paid security programs you are using I will give you a general rule. Make certain that you fully uninstall the AV program first. I would not rely on the built in uninstaller. It leaves too many remnants. Most of the big name security programs have their own uninstall tool that you can download. You can either google it (Norton uninstaller as an example) or let us know what you are using and we can help you out.

    Once that is done you can proceed to install one of the free programs. As of late Microsoft Security Essentials has been getting some good reviews and has a pretty simple interface. Malwarebytes is is the industry standard as far as most security experts are concerned. Keep in mind that the free version does not scan in real time while the paid version does. The databases are the same.

    Finally make absolutely certain that your current AV program is either uninstalled or at very least disabled before you begin running another AV program. It is OK to run more than one anti malware program at the same time but it is never advisable to run 2 AVs at the same time.
     
  3. PseFrank

    PseFrank Registered Members

    Joined:
    Nov 10, 2010
    Messages:
    962
    Location:
    Cambridge UK
    Operating System:
    Windows 7
    Edit to reflect that BeeCeeBee posted while I was typing.. :blink:

    Hi Menewguy, and welcome to Computer Help Forums.

    You would probably get a different answer to your questions depending on who you where asking, as everyone has their favourite programs. But my advice would be this...

    First job would be to install an Antivirus program. There are some good free ones available. My personal choice would be Avast Free Addition. (See link below)

    Avast Free blocks spyware as well as viruses.

    http://www.avast.com...CFerItAodoBoA5w

    Note: You should only have one Antivirus program on your computer at any one time. So even if the old one is out of date or disabled, you should uninstall it. Many AV's have there own uninstaller, but a good free program for uninstalling software is Revo Uninstaller. This usually does a pretty good job of removing even the remnants of a program from your PC. (See link below)

    http://www.revounins...e_download.html

    As for a antimalware program. Malwarebytes-Antimalware is thought to be among the best. This is also a free program. (See link below)

    http://www.malwareby...CFebLtAodgUgA4w

    All of the above programs offer a pro version, but the free versions work very well.
     
  4. menewguy

    menewguy Registered Members

    Joined:
    Nov 5, 2012
    Messages:
    45
    Location:
    Caseyville, Illinois
    Operating System:
    Windows 8

    I purchased a Systemax PC and they talked me into buying their Internet Security Suite Plus program.

    Thank you for your suggestions.
     
  5. menewguy

    menewguy Registered Members

    Joined:
    Nov 5, 2012
    Messages:
    45
    Location:
    Caseyville, Illinois
    Operating System:
    Windows 8
    After I D/L and Install Avast, Malwarebytes, etc. do I have to do anything else or will these programs operate behind the scenes without me having to do anything?
     
  6. BeeCeeBee

    BeeCeeBee ADMINISTRATOR IN MEMORY

    Joined:
    Apr 20, 2009
    Messages:
    7,201
    Location:
    New Jersey "Stronger than the Storm"
    Operating System:
    Windows 7
    Avast will monitor your computer in real time. Malwarebytes will not unless you use the paid version. You should really make it a practice to do a malwarebytes scan every few days and do an individual scan of any new download or program you may get. In the case of a download, it is a good idea to scan the program both before and after you install.
     
  7. menewguy

    menewguy Registered Members

    Joined:
    Nov 5, 2012
    Messages:
    45
    Location:
    Caseyville, Illinois
    Operating System:
    Windows 8
    Thank you very much for all your help.
     
  8. starbuck

    starbuck Rest In Peace Pete Administrator

    Joined:
    Sep 26, 2009
    Messages:
    3,830
    Location:
    Midlands, UK
    Operating System:
    Windows 10
    CPU:
    AMD Athlon II x2 250 Processor 3.00GHz
    Memory:
    8gb DDR3
    Hard Drive:
    500gb SATA
    Graphics Card:
    ASUS GeForce GTX 960 2gb
    Power Supply:
    650w PowerCool X-Viper
    Don't be tempted to add too many security programs.
    Avast, MBAM and the Windows Firewall ( if using a router) should suffice.
    Adding too many will probably cause conflicts and also the possibility of one program trying to stop another.
    Keep it lean and keep it mean.
     
  9. menewguy

    menewguy Registered Members

    Joined:
    Nov 5, 2012
    Messages:
    45
    Location:
    Caseyville, Illinois
    Operating System:
    Windows 8
    Thank you for the great news. I was planning on D/L 5-6 different programs.

    I understand Windows Firewall came with my PC. When my current paid Security Program expires next month will Windows Firewall automatically start operating?
     
  10. BeeCeeBee

    BeeCeeBee ADMINISTRATOR IN MEMORY

    Joined:
    Apr 20, 2009
    Messages:
    7,201
    Location:
    New Jersey "Stronger than the Storm"
    Operating System:
    Windows 7
    Probably not unless your current program does not include a firewall in which case the Windows firewall is already working. I would suggest that you download Revo uninstaller http://www.revouninstaller.com/revo_uninstaller_free_download.html and use it to get rid of your expired programs. Select the freeware version and it will direct you to a mirror site. Be very careful that you only select Revo and not anything else that may come up on the page. Also make certain that no little boxes are checked for toolbars etc.

    I don't seem to be able to find a specific uninstaller for that security suite so Revo should do fine.

    You can activate the windows firewall from your control panel.
     
  11. menewguy

    menewguy Registered Members

    Joined:
    Nov 5, 2012
    Messages:
    45
    Location:
    Caseyville, Illinois
    Operating System:
    Windows 8
     
  12. starbuck

    starbuck Rest In Peace Pete Administrator

    Joined:
    Sep 26, 2009
    Messages:
    3,830
    Location:
    Midlands, UK
    Operating System:
    Windows 10
    CPU:
    AMD Athlon II x2 250 Processor 3.00GHz
    Memory:
    8gb DDR3
    Hard Drive:
    500gb SATA
    Graphics Card:
    ASUS GeForce GTX 960 2gb
    Power Supply:
    650w PowerCool X-Viper
    Click Start >> Control Panel >> System and Security >> Windows Firewall
    Click Turn Windows Firewall on and off ( left hand side)
    You will now see the options for turning the Windows Firewall, on and off.
     
  13. menewguy

    menewguy Registered Members

    Joined:
    Nov 5, 2012
    Messages:
    45
    Location:
    Caseyville, Illinois
    Operating System:
    Windows 8
    Thank you very much for all your help.
     
  14. allheart55 (Cindy E)

    allheart55 (Cindy E) Administrator Administrator

    Joined:
    Jun 11, 2009
    Messages:
    10,620
    Location:
    Pennsylvania
    Operating System:
    Windows 10
    Computer Brand or Motherboard:
    ASUS M4A77TD AM3 AMD 770 ATX AMD
    CPU:
    AMD Phenom II X6 1090T-Thuban 3.2GHz
    Memory:
    Crucial-DDR3 SDRAM 1333-8GB
    Hard Drive:
    WD Caviar Black SE HDD 640 GB - WD Caviar Black SE HDD 500 GB
    Graphics Card:
    Sapphire Radeon HD-7870 2GB
    Power Supply:
    CORSAIR CMPSU-750W
  15. jaylach

    jaylach Registered Members

    Joined:
    Nov 11, 2012
    Messages:
    475
    Operating System:
    Windows 8
    Please keep in mind with MalwareBytes Antimalware(MBAM) that, if you run the free version, you should manually update the signature data base before every scan. Personally I think the price of the paid version is well worth the cost and it plays well with Avast and MS Security Essentials.

    I run Security Essentials, MBAM and Windows firewall along with a hardware firewall in my router.
     
  16. DSTM (Dougie)

    DSTM (Dougie) Registered Members

    Joined:
    May 3, 2009
    Messages:
    8,270
    Location:
    SYDNEY AUSTRALIA
    Operating System:
    Windows 7
    My Malwarebytes won't let me run any scan till it automatically updates.
    You don't need Avast if your running MSE.
    MSE, Malwarebytes, Windows Firewall SAS for the Cookies is good protection.
    I also use W.O.T. as a Site Advisor.


    For XP you need a better Firewall than the Microsoft one as it's only one way.
    Windows7 the Firewall is two way and does a good job.
    Windows 8 Microsoft uses Windows Defender instead of MSE.
     
  17. jaylach

    jaylach Registered Members

    Joined:
    Nov 11, 2012
    Messages:
    475
    Operating System:
    Windows 8
    Errors caught... ;) I only use MSE on the Win 7 side of my dual boot. Hmmm, going to have to check my profile and see if I can change my system to both. On the initial signup it would not as the choices were radio buttons.

    Then, like myself, I take it that you have the paid version of MBAM. The free version will allow a scan without updating... or did the last time I had the free version installed.
     
  18. DSTM (Dougie)

    DSTM (Dougie) Registered Members

    Joined:
    May 3, 2009
    Messages:
    8,270
    Location:
    SYDNEY AUSTRALIA
    Operating System:
    Windows 7
    Hi Jay.Pm Admin BeeCeeBee and he will change to dual OS for you.
    The Free version does auto update before a scan now. (Does on all my computers)
    I am running triple boot on this beast and used "EasyBCD" as the boot manager.
    I have Paid NOD32 on one computer.
     
  19. jaylach

    jaylach Registered Members

    Joined:
    Nov 11, 2012
    Messages:
    475
    Operating System:
    Windows 8
    I don't multi-boot as much as I used to, mostly use virtual machines now and not a lot of that. Actually don't even use XP Mode much any more. I was using it as a server base with Apache, SQL and PHP installed for development of my sites but don't really need it any more. At one time I had a multi-boot of Win 7, Vista, XP, 2000, 98, 3.1 and Linux. I had the drive space and it was to play.

    Never used EasyBCD, have used VistaBootPro instead. Even with that I just use it to back up the boot loader.

    Eset is GOOD AV! Used to get it free when getting MVP awards but have switched to MSE~Defender since.
     
  20. Dalo Harkin

    Dalo Harkin Registered Members

    Joined:
    Apr 24, 2009
    Messages:
    1,820
    Location:
    Stockport near Manchester
    Operating System:
    Windows 7
    Computer Brand or Motherboard:
    ASUS - are there any others worth buying?
    CPU:
    Q6600 at 4.0Ghz per core (Watercooled)
    Memory:
    OCZ PC8500 4x1GB sticks
    Hard Drive:
    Samsung - all the way
    Graphics Card:
    XFX 260GTX rev 1
    Power Supply:
    Seasonic 600Watt
    I have used MS Security Essentials since it was the previous product called OneCare, never ever had any issues at all
     

Share This Page