ebrke Posted June 26, 2009 Share Posted June 26, 2009 I haven't been concerned with securing a windows system in some time (usually run linux) but I need suggestions for antivirus/security software for new WinXP system. Family member (elderly mother) got new Lenovo laptop (I was actually still able to get XP professional loaded--I was trying to avoid problems with peripherals).Although it's a laptop, it won't be leaving the house. It will be running behind a router using a limited user account. I've been looking at Kaspersky Antivirus 2009 and Sunbelt's Vipre software, but I was wondering if anyone here had any suggestions, since I'm really out of the loop on windows software these days. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redmaledeer Posted June 26, 2009 Share Posted June 26, 2009 Good old free AVG Antivirus might be fine for an elderly mother. It's largely "set and forget," and assuming she doesn't go to too many pornography sites its capabilities should be adequate. 8-) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zlim Posted June 26, 2009 Share Posted June 26, 2009 (edited) If she is on dialup, forget AVG 8.5. Ooops, I see she is behind a router so she's on broadband. It will update as soon as you are on and it can slow down a computer. (Of course my computers are slower than a new laptop, so maybe she won't notice any slowdown). Avast or AntiVir would be the better choices for dialup.I'm a beta tester for VIPRE. I have it on one computer. (windows 2000) It's both av and anti-malware. I'm not convinced that it ranks up there with the likes of EsetNod - which I think might be tops.Avoid McAfee and Norton/Symantec.I put malwarebytes on every computer. I consider it the best malware/trojan/keylogger detector. The freebie version needs to be updated manually and offers no real time protection. I bought the paid version for my husband because I wanted his computer fully protected just in case he stumbles on to an unsavory site. Malwarebytes has no problem running real time along with AVG 8.5. Edited June 26, 2009 by zlim Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ebrke Posted June 26, 2009 Author Share Posted June 26, 2009 (edited) Thanks for the warning, but I already wrote off Symantec and McAfee. I wasn't familiar with Eset Nod, but I just went to their website to check them out.I have AVG 8.5 on her old computer, and it was slowing her down, but then again the old computer is an 8-year old P3! The subscription is about to expire on the AVG anyway, and I was wondering if I could install anything better on her new system. Eset Nod looks pretty good, I may give that a try. I'll remember malwarebytes and check it out when I have a little more time. Right now I'm trying to get her MS Money 2001 (another really old clunker) data into the windows version of GnuCash. The import went well, but I'm having a little trouble replicating the reports I had created for her years ago in MS Money. Edited June 26, 2009 by ebrke Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ed_P Posted June 26, 2009 Share Posted June 26, 2009 (edited) I found avast! to be much less of an impact on the machines I work with. I run it and Windows Defender primarily for security. I use older versions of ZA and Comodo for firewalls on the machines since I am behind my routers' firewalls.Both avast! and Defender will auto update. Edited June 26, 2009 by Ed_P Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Elf Wizard Posted June 27, 2009 Share Posted June 27, 2009 I found avast! to be much less of an impact on the machines I work with. Hi! Just a quick note here.I'm not spending much time in Windows since I moved to Linux, but I installed before some days Panda Cloud Antivirus at an older PC of a friend of mine, because it's free and very light in resources.I'm impressed of it's efficiency and easy of use.PS. I agree for antimalwarebytes. If someone don't want the paid version, a weekly scan with the free version after a manual update, it's OK for me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peachy Posted June 27, 2009 Share Posted June 27, 2009 I am using ESET NOD. For a free firewall/AV combo take a look at the free edition of COMODO. Or there's always, Scot's recommended On-Line Armor. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ebrke Posted June 27, 2009 Author Share Posted June 27, 2009 (edited) Okay, another quick question. With all the add-ons most anti-virus software has today, since this machine is behind a router, is a software firewall necessary or more of a belt-and-suspenders solution? I was pretty much going to go with ESET NOD. Edited June 27, 2009 by ebrke Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Elf Wizard Posted June 27, 2009 Share Posted June 27, 2009 With all the add-ons most anti-virus software has today, since this machine is behind a router, is a software firewall necessary or more of a belt-and-suspenders solution? I was pretty much going to go with ESET NOD. I think not. My opinion is that a software firewall is needed for "outdoors" systems (laptops, mobiles, handhelds etc.), when they're away from home (at a cafe, or at airport, or highway etc.).Just because cheap models routers (like mine), normally have only inbound firewalls (not outbound), be sure to check regularly (eg. at weekly basis) your system for malware infections. I think that an outbound firewall is not needed at a malware free, uninfected system.Of course, if you're going to surf at dangerous places, or you're trying a lot of unknown risky software, an outbound software firewall is a must.* Just in case you're going to install P2P software, consider to install also an IP filtering package (like PeerGuardian). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ebrke Posted June 27, 2009 Author Share Posted June 27, 2009 System is a laptop, but will stay at home with wireless disabled at this point. Absoutely no P2P software or anything risky installed--I know, because I'm the only one with the administrator password. Mother surfs pretty safely with limited user account, only hazards might be following a bad link from a search engine. I'm trying to keep down the amount of money spent on new software, but some things you can't skimp on. I think I'll start with ESET Nod and free version of malwarebytes and take it from there.Thanks for the input everyone, I really appreciate it! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ed_P Posted June 27, 2009 Share Posted June 27, 2009 HW/router firewalls prevent nasties from getting in, SW/pc firewalls prevent nasties from getting in and out. Malware and alike that slip in past HW firewalls and then try to phone home. With the nb behind a router the pc fw's overhead will be minimal.And why won't your nb be using WiFi to connect to the 'net? It must have a WiFi NIC built in. Find a used 10MB router and you're online for little or nothing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ebrke Posted June 28, 2009 Author Share Posted June 28, 2009 HW/router firewalls prevent nasties from getting in, SW/pc firewalls prevent nasties from getting in and out. Malware and alike that slip in past HW firewalls and then try to phone home. With the nb behind a router the pc fw's overhead will be minimal.And why won't your nb be using WiFi to connect to the 'net? It must have a WiFi NIC built in. Find a used 10MB router and you're online for little or nothing.I just don't want the security hassles of wireless. That will be for the future if Mom has trouble getting to the lower level of the house where office is located. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ed_P Posted June 28, 2009 Share Posted June 28, 2009 Hassles? What hassles? You change the admin signon password, you hide the SSID and you create a passkey. If you're really paranoid you filter MAC addresses also.Piece of cake. Walk in the park. And if you need help we're always here for you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ebrke Posted June 29, 2009 Author Share Posted June 29, 2009 Hassles? What hassles? You change the admin signon password, you hide the SSID and you create a passkey. If you're really paranoid you filter MAC addresses also.Piece of cake. Walk in the park. And if you need help we're always here for you. Thanks, Ed, when the time comes I will certainly check back here for help and advice. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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