IT experts, help!

Hi guys

I've just bought a new laptop and don't have any virus protection yet. I'm already getting redirected to dodgy websites and pop ups so what should I purchase or install to prevent this?
Thanks in advance
Yvonne

 

I believe AGV is free ... http://free.avg.com/gb-en/homepage
Personally, I subscribe to McAfee but did use AGV a number of years ago and it did the trick.

Good luck ... nothing worse than dodgy websites and pop ups

 

Hi Yvonne

be careful as you may pick up something that lingers , I have Norton and the back up is free and I had problems at Christmas and it took the guy hours to fix I had a trojans ? and other cookie problems , and imagine how much that would cost if I got someone to do that ££££
I had all-sorts popping up

 

AVG is free and I have used for many years now. Pretty much trouble free and I have had no virus problems I was aware of.
There are other good free anti virus programs as well.

 

I had Norton already installed on my laptop when I bought it last year.
After the first month I was hassled to pay up for the next 12 months, which I did.
Not really sure if it does anything though, much like most of this security junk they worry you into buying.

I did get a virus on my old PC a few years ago, at the time I was paying Mcafee, it was totally useless.
The bloke that cleaned it out for me put AVG free on it, and I just used that for the last few years before I moved onto the laptop.

BTW, I found uninstalling Macafee to be a real problem, and it conflicted with other security downloads I tried.

 

Yvonne...I suggest you contact a computer forum if you wish to have enough replies on which to make an informed choice.

I can recommend....http://forums.digitalspy.co.uk/ (free to become a member)
Under the Gadgets section, i.e. PC & Mac Hardware & Software, I have had many problems solved! I usually wait until more than one person recommends the same thing.

It is advisable to get more than one form of anti viral software and you need to ensure that they are compatible.

I have a Toshiba laptop that came with McAfee (free version). Some people have a low opinion of this anti viral software but I find it user friendly, i.e. it stays on the top toolbar with a symbol that changes colour if going to a dodgy site and also comes up on google search - giving the green
light to certain sites. So it works as a deterrent, i.e. you need to be observant to it.

I back this up (from advice given) with Malware Bytes (Anti Malware) which is compatible with McAfee. Ensure you go down the free trial route though (has a premium/paid option too). This I use to scan my pc fortnightly for viruses. If you want to go down the Malware route, I have kept all the info re. installing it so could share this with you if you PM me.

Re. dealing with those annoying pop up windows. The best way to annihilate them when they pop up is to press down CTRL + ALT + DEL this takes you to Task Master - click on that then delete the offending name of the pop up. Gone!

(Incidentally, I am far from being techno savvy, but am passing on the info from experts).

 

I'd like to add that I shouldn't really be posting in a thread with this title.

 

Well me neither actually! I was just passing on where more expert advice can be found and my notes on what the experts have told me.

 

Zone Alarm security is always rated as one off the best free firewalls . I have used it since Virgin removed their free firewall . It sits there does its job pops up an add once a week . When I scan my system , I find very few nasties have got past it. Nothing of any danger.

 

Yes I can vouch for the info in the "edited to add" paragraph since that is precisely my situation, i.e. having firefox and adblock plus. Good stuff.

 

I'd agree with some others and go for AVG, I have it and have so for years on various laptops and installed in on many others and no problems. Ensure you stick with the FREE version which is more than adequate. Update it as soon as installed and update manually a couple of time the first week. Have to admit was a fan of Zone Alarm but it was developed badly IMHO, also as FC says Norton and McAfee are bloated, slow down your computer and have sneaky toolbar additions if you are not careful.

With a new laptop I'd also ensure that you do the Windows Update several times in the first week, there will probably be a massive download including some essential protective modules. Also with your chosen browser (I'd go along with FC again and use Firefox as a preference) and ensure the internet options are as you wish, e.g. ensure that block popups is selected and your privacy rules are as you wish as well as internet security set appropriately. AdBlock is brilliant also.

Once you've got everything downloaded and set up, do a manual virus scan on AVG and then set it to scan automatically every week.

Good luck.

 

Having read some posts here recommending AVG, I looked into it today (was thinking of maybe changing to it). This year's review of it doesn't sound good, i.e. although it has a lot going for it the protection scores are low.

http://www.expertreviews.co.uk/software/internet-security/1401990/avg-free-antivirus-2015-review

 

I've used AVG and ZoneAlarm (both free) for years

You can use Trend Micro Housecall to scan for viruses.

 

I'm with AVG Free and never had an issue.

Agree with FC about MacAfee - it is big and slows the system down.