Computer Security

I'm looking for some advice on Security for my laptop.

For years now, I have always paid for security to be installed on my computers. However, my current subscription has ran out (Norton) and I have often heard people say that there's no need to pay, as there are free security systems you can download that are just as good.

My questions are 1. Is this true? And 2. Can anyone recommend any?

My main concern is that I use my laptop for internet banking and also, use my debit and credit cards a lot to by things via the internet. So I really do need something that is secure as can be.

Any advice would be appreciated.

I use Microsoft Security Essentials on my laptop and have never had any problems with it, including internet banking.

I also use MalwareBytes for a weekly full scan. Again no problems and it has never picked anything up which needs to be quarantined.

I also use MalwareBytes for a weekly full scan. Again no problems and it has never picked anything up which needs to be quarantined.

You obviously don't watch enough porn 

Thanks guys!

Also, Mods. Can this be moved to the Computers and technology board? I thought I had put this thread in there but, obviously I didn't.

You obviously don't watch enough porn 

  Obviously not.

I think alot depends on your web browsing habits and whether you do much downloading. If you spend most of your time on "established" websites and don't download much, Microsoft essentials and/or one of the free anti- virus/malware scanners will cover your needs. If like me however you like to go where you please on the web and download huge amounts then I would recommend a decent Internet security suite like Kaspersky.     

I have had a few nasties in my time and found it's much easier to buy good protection rather than end up re-installing windows or searching for the backup image you made 2 years ago.

The good thing about Kaspersky is you can buy an old copy (2010 or2011)for very little and you can then update it to the latest version for free rather than paying the premium price for the latest version.

As with most things there is a downside as all internet suites slow your computer down a little..... some more than others!

I use avast! Its free and I have never had a virus once in all my time using computers.

I also use McAfee site advisor, it gives you a little green tick next to links to show you if they are safe, yellow warning if they are not sure and red warning if they know the site is bad, also free.

And lastly I just use Windows default firewall, never had a problem with it.

I think alot depends on your web browsing habits and whether you do much downloading. If you spend most of your time on "established" websites and don't download much, Microsoft essentials and/or one of the free anti- virus/malware scanners will cover your needs. If like me however you like to go where you please on the web and download huge amounts then I would recommend a decent Internet security suite like Kaspersky.     

I have had a few nasties in my time and found it's much easier to buy good protection rather than end up re-installing windows or searching for the backup image you made 2 years ago.

The good thing about Kaspersky is you can buy an old copy (2010 or2011)for very little and you can then update it to the latest version for free rather than paying the premium price for the latest version.

As with most things there is a downside as all internet suites slow your computer down a little..... some more than others!

Cheers Saint. Yeah I do actually download a lot, mainly films (all legal of course  )

So, am I understanding you correctly that if I buy a version of Kaspersky, I never have to pay again and continue to get updates of new threats?

As I said, I have always used Norton and never had any problems with viruses. In fact the only time I did was when I got my new laptop and used the 3 month free trial of Mc Afee that came with it. Needless to say, I won't use them again. As for Norton though, I just didn't want to keep handing over dosh every 12 months, if I could get the same level of security for free.

Cheers Saint. Yeah I do actually download a lot, mainly films (all legal of course  )

So, am I understanding you correctly that if I buy a version of Kaspersky, I never have to pay again and continue to get updates of new threats?

As I said, I have always used Norton and never had any problems with viruses. In fact the only time I did was when I got my new laptop and used the 3 month free trial of Mc Afee that came with it. Needless to say, I won't use them again. As for Norton though, I just didn't want to keep handing over dosh every 12 months, if I could get the same level of security for free.

No mate, what I mean was you can get last years version cheap and update it to this years version free rather than pay full price for this years version, but only for one year ..... then you have to pay again. e.g. I got 3 comps covered for one year for £7.50 by buying the 2010 version and then updated them to 2012 version which would have cost over £20.

Personally I don't believe you can get the same level of security free but if you are willing to do a bit more work you can get decent security free.

When I used a free av and firewall I used to do additional scans with Emsisoft and Malwarebites and quite often they would find something that my av had missed. I still do the odd scan with them, but they have never found anything since I moved on to Kaspersky.

I have used Kaspersky for almost 2 years now and never had a problem, before that I would guess I used to have a problem a couple of times a year. Although I don't tend to click on exe's in files I download "just to see what happens " anymore either.

Never any need to pay for any security... AVG as your antivirus and a decent firewall (Komodo or the like)... I've never had a virus on any of my computers and I do my fair share of downloading.

Ah....I'm with you now S@int, Cheers.

Never any need to pay for any security... AVG as your antivirus and a decent firewall (Komodo or the like)... I've never had a virus on any of my computers and I do my fair share of downloading.

Thanks mate. Not too sure if I want to chance it though. I guess it's partly a fear of the unknown 

And thanks RP for moving the thread to the correct board 

I'm running avast anti virus free and windows 7 firewall and I do all my downloading, surfing of various dubious web sites, wanking banking etc with no issues at all.

To keep it clean and tidy I use malwarebytes anti malware and cc cleaner. I have other stuff but they're not really necessary so I won't bother clogging your lappy up with them Dave.

I'm running avast anti virus free and windows 7 firewall and I do all my downloading, surfing of various dubious web sites, wanking banking etc with no issues at all.

To keep it clean and tidy I use malwarebytes anti malware and cc cleaner. I have other stuff but they're not really necessary so I won't bother clogging your lappy up with them Dave.

Good advice.

Avast is nice enough, and it's free. I've been using it for about a year and I've had no problems. Plus it's fairly un-intrusive, and doesn't clog up memory. Kaspersky is a good option if you'd like to pay for something.

It's always useful having one or two programs that do similar jobs, as some things are picked up by one scan, but not another. A combination of Avast, Malwarebytes anti-Malware, and CC Cleaner is pretty solid. And it's free

It's always useful having one or two programs that do similar jobs, as some things are picked up by one scan, but not another. A combination of Avast, Malwarebytes anti-Malware, and CC Cleaner is pretty solid. And it's free

Ccleaner has a good registy cleaner. 

I myself use Norton 360 and have never had any problems,on line banking has been very secure and also your banks site should make sure of security with your security check and passwords,if you have any doubts you should always contact your bank by phone with your own personal password or Number#.

Personally I would never pay for Norton. My parents used it and my house mate has it on his pc and it's just too obtrusive and heavy.
I'm a bit behind the times with these things so not sure which is the best free / cheap antivirus but I agree that you should download ccleaner (Crap Cleaner as it used to be called). It's quick to run (especially if you used it regularly) and keeps your pc nice and clutter free, including the registry.

Slightly off-topic, I'd also recommend SpaceMonger
http://download.cnet.com/SpaceMonger/3000-2248_4-10050288.html

It's a very small program that proves you with a visual representation of what's on your drives. I'd do you a screenshot if I was at home but it shows up as coloured boxes, the bigger the box, the more memory that file / application is using. So for example, you might have a green box labelled 'Videos'. Zoom in on that and it shows all the videos and again, they are sized to reperesent the file sizes.
It's great for seeing what's clogging up your drive so you can clear out and crap that you don't need and / or have forgotten about.

Personally I would never pay for Norton. My parents used it and my house mate has it on his pc and it's just too obtrusive and heavy.
I'm a bit behind the times with these things so not sure which is the best free / cheap antivirus but I agree that you should download ccleaner (Crap Cleaner as it used to be called). It's quick to run (especially if you used it regularly) and keeps your pc nice and clutter free, including the registry.

I think you're a bit behind the times Rep mate. Norton was a resource hog for a good few years, but I believe they have now sorted that problem. I know years ago I got it free with my computer and it was a b***ard to remove, not sure if they have fixed that problem too?

Again I wouldn't recommend any register cleaning to anyone, although I do use CCcleaner to clean mine occasionally myself and never had a problem (do as I say not as I do ) Very limited benefits for considerable risk. 

 

Cheers rep!


I have always used Norton (for about 7-8 years) and it's always served me well tbh. My subscription ran out just over a week ago and I have been relying on windows security since then. Which is obviously sh*te! For reasons that I will now explain.

Went into my bank this morning to pay a cheque in and put my card into the card reader at the cashiers desk, who then asks me when I last used my card. I told her that it was a few days ago but, couldn't remember exactly when. She again puts my account details into the computer, writes down a number and tells me she'll be back in a minute. She returns to the front desk and asks me to step into one of the private rooms as, the fraud squad want to speak to me. I follow her through to the room thinking wtf is going on?

She rings the fraud squad up and hands me the phone, were they explain what's happening and tell me that they have had my details handed into them by the police, as they have discovered that my card details have been hacked  How they know this I don't know but, they have my details. They tell me that at this moment they don't know if my card has been skimmed at an ATM or over the internet. Seeing as I haven't used an ATM for a few weeks, this seems unlikely. They check and verify my last few card transactions with me and they all tally up.

Thankfully, the thieving hacking bas**rds would have been disappointed as, my current account's empty at the moment. Although I was just putting in a cheque from the taxman for £700. So If the police and fraud squad had not got onto this, I probably could have say bye bye to that.

Anyway they have shut the account in question down and are going to issue me a new card in the post. Meanwhile I cannot update my security with norton as, I have no card to pay for it at the mo.

Guess I had a lucky escape though, as there has been quite a bit of money going through that account over the last few weeks and they could have got away with the lot.

Still a bit puzzled as to how they got my details as I am quite careful and only use secure sites. I may stick to using cash and cheques in future.

Still a bit puzzled as to how they got my details as I am quite careful and only use secure sites. I may stick to using cash and cheques in future.

Do you use all different ATM machines or do you mainly use the same ones day to day? My mum had over £9000 taken from hers, she got it back, but after a few weeks of investigating they found out someone had messed with one outside a newsagents so that it read peoples cards as they put it in. They only found out after it happened to a few people who had all used that ATM, scary stuff! I try to stick to the ATM machines outside actual banks, or just pay online if I know for certain it is safe.

Obviously, her first thought was that it was due to purchasing online but it isn't always the case.

Do you use all different ATM machines or do you mainly use the same ones day to day?

Usually use the same two.

I'm curious as to how the police managed find out that my card details had been stolen before I did but, can't say how the criminals got hold of them. If they are on to the person (which they must be) you would think they would know if they are scamming ATMs or hacking computer to do it. Guess I got off lightly though, could have been much worse.

Getting back to computer security though. As I said in my OP, my current Norton subscription had only run out just over a week ago. So today, I found a Kespersky free one month trial on the net. Downloaded it and scanned my laptop. It found 3 trojans had infected it. So I guess that's how my card details had got nicked. Bloody annoying that in such a short space of time without security, this happened to me. Yet I always have a go at my cousin, who has never bothered with any security on her computer for years and buys alsorts on it, yet she has never had a problem.

Dave70, you could've just used a free anti virus like AVG or Avast, instead of having none at all. That in combination with free software like Malware Bytes and CCleaner is what I use. I've been running stuff like that for the last decade or so, while I'm an avid visitor and downloader of shady pirate stuff, never had any issues.

But personally I'm not too worried about all this hacking and skimming. It may seem scary, but I think you'll always get your money back. Banks can't afford to have people think that their money isn't safe with them.

^^^Was just relying on windows for a week or so until I got the cash to get something better. Thought I'd probably be okay. Lesson learned I guess.

Yeah, I thought I would probably get the money back off the bank if sh*t did happen (which it did but, thankfully the account was empty) but, it's more an inconvenience now, as I have to wait for a new card, so the only way I can get money is by going into a bank, which is a hassle with working.

I'm using Kaspersky 2012 version, paid £19.99, piece of mind

I'm using Kaspersky 2012 version, paid £19.99, piece of mind

Cheers. Downloaded their free months trial, then going to purchase a copy.

Cheers. Downloaded their free months trial, then going to purchase a copy.

Cheapest I could find at the moment for Kaspersky internet suite 2011 is £5.99 for one computer for one year on Amazon. This updates completely to the 2012 version. If you look no doubt you will see better offers..... I got 3 computers covered for one year for £7.50 off Play.com, but have seen it as low as £3.99 good luck.     

Swerve paying, just use the piratebay.

Swerve paying, just use the piratebay.

Think that's where I got my trojans from 

Think that's where I got my trojans from 

I've never had anything like that, just have to make sure it's a trusted user.

Think that's where I got my trojans from 

Just make sure to read the comments and see if it is a trusted or VIP user, sod paying for internet security, the free ones like AVG and Avast a long with other free software do an equal, maybe better job than the stuff people pay for.

Yeah, you shouldn't just download everything. You need to be careful if you don't download scene releases from trusted uploaders.

I usually am careful with who I download from and have never had a problem before. Just got a bit careless of late, as I've never had a problem and have been doing it for years.

I usually am careful with who I download from and have never had a problem before. Just got a bit careless of late, as I've never had a problem and have been doing it for years.

Sounds like it's been covered but as an Information Security Consultant, I have Avast free on my work laptop and I have AVG free at home. Combine that with a reasonable firewall (Windows Firewall is robust enough) and something like Malware Bytes and Ad-Aware and you should be good to go.

Just about every IT Tech on the planet has an opinion on what the best AV is.  For a pay suite I would go with Kaspersky. However, in this day and age the free AV suites are very, very good.  I have used AVG, M/Soft Security, Avira, Macafee and Norton.  So far the best free program, by far is Avast. It is non intrusive, doesnt annoy me with non stop popups about upgrades, it has stopped a lot of bad scripts and malware, so far I have used it for 18 months now and never had 1 problem.

The key to keeping the system safe is not just using AV.  You really need to follow that up with additional tools. Keep your updates current and your Firewall current.

I run scans once a week. On Sunday I update my AV, Firewall, M/Soft Updates etc.. I then run cleaner programs. Its best to have multiple cleaner programs. I run 3 programs on top of my AV scans.  I run Malware Bytes, Spybot SD and Advanced System Care which comes w/ a bundled toolbox of all the IObit tools. Its always good to have various scan tools because one program will find and remove an infection that another wont remove. Just dont run them at the same time. 

If your familiar with Network security, you can run a network monitor and see if anyone is on your system.  Its not even necessary to get someones PC infected to steal info. I can go online and download some very powerful tools and get into just about every wireless network around me. Especially if its running WEP encryption. For additional security try and use WPA-PSK or WPA2, Just go into the setup screen on your router and you should be able to change it. WPA is a lot harder to crack, compared to WEP. The older routers w/ WEP used a 64bit encryption key compared to WPA2 which is an AES 256 bit encryption. 

If you just follow a plan like I listed, or something different to suite your needs, you will keep your system secure. If a hacker really wants in to your system, he will get in. For the most part if your system is even a little bit challenging hackers will just ignore you and look for something less secure.

if you are a virgin custermer you can download there free virus protection