BleepingComputer.com: new internet on new comp

i just got internet on this comp for the first time and need to know how to scan my comp for viruses and malware or spyware and stuff so if someone could help i would apreciate it thanks jess

I suggest you get AntiVir free, it has very high detection rates and is light on resources.

You can also prevent a lot of malware simply by using Firefox with the WOT and Adblock Plus addons.

You should also use Malwarebytes Antimalware free and Superantispyware free as on-demand scanners.

What Firewall and other security do you have installed at the moment and what is your operating syatem youngmomma?. The following links are from the stickies at the top of this forum and are excellent reading in regard to your question.
http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/forums/topic2520.html
http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/forums/topic405.html

You need a good 2 way Firewall which protects your PC from both ingoing and outgoing traffic. No good just protecting incoming if the baddie is already onboard and connecting home every time you connect to the internet. My preference is Comodo but their are others.
You also need a good Antivirus my preference is Avira Antivir but like Firewalls there are other choices.

If you prefer an all in one system then the latest version of Comodo CIS v3.10 **** 530is very good and the default settings are good enough for the learner without hardly any popups at all once it has learned your programs. Comodo also have an excellent forum full of friendly people who will answer your queries quickly.
http://forums.comodo.com/

Spywareblaster is a must have program which will protect your PC from many infections.

Superantispyware and Malwarebytes antimalware scanners are probably the two best programs at the present time and are best used as on demand scanners to avoid conflicts.

Mozilla Firefox is a safer browser than Internet Explorer although IE8 is pretty good. Firefox is generally seen as better due to the add-ons available. If you use Firefox then the following add-ons will make your browsing very safe. No-Scripts, Ad-Block Plus and World of Trust. You will need Internet Explorer in order to use Windows Updates for keeping track of the latest security fixes etc.

Hope this helps and feel free to ask any questions.

i tried to download the antivir free and it said i have to get a newer version of windows and it wouldnt let me download it. do you have any other suggestions? it did the same thing with malware bytes says i need windows nt V 4.0 or newer thanks jess

ps i cant dowload and install the superanti spyware either said i need updated version of windows installer.. i get lost when i go to microsoft and look for updates is there a way you guys could get me a list of windows updates for my version of win me on hewlitt pac with fire fox? thanks so much

i dont think i have any firewall or protection thats why im so worried

by the way the add ons for firefox are now installed so hopefully they do some good for me.

What Operating System are you using?

i am using a hewlit packard with windows me and im not sure of much else thanks

Here is a link to a reputable download site called File Hippo. As Windows ME is quite old it is difficult to find modern security programs but if you look back through the older versions in File Hippo and click on the Technical tab you will see if they are compatible or not. To start you off you can download the final version of the AntiVirus program AVG Free Edition 7.5.524 from there. It is compatible with all versions of Windows but since they went to v8.5 they no longer support v7.5 but it will be better than nothing. perhaps someone with more knowledge of Firewalls will be able to point you in the right direction.
http://www.filehippo.com/

Old Apps might be very useful in this situation.




http://www.oldapps.com/

youngmomma, on Jul 8 2009, 07:18 PM, said:

In that case you should add Avast (free) as your antivirus protection.

According to the link below an older version of the Zone Alarm firewall vZoneAlarm Free 6.5.737 will work with ME and Someones is correct the latest version of Avast is compatible with all Windows systems and will therefore be more advisable than the AVG I mentioned in my previous post.
http://www.oldversion.com/ZoneAlarm.html

thank you all for your help i did download avast and it tool forever for my comp to load so i think i am having some major memory issues with this piece of junk.i am going to have to spring for a new comp i think but wont be able to do that till oct.. i am currently using ie but everyone keeps telling me to use firefox?? but ie is so much faster than firefox on here . ugh im frustrated thanks again guys jess

youngmomma, on Jul 9 2009, 10:11 PM, said:

You should definitely use a non-IE browser, as IE constantly being targeted by exploits. Do you mean IE is faster to load or has a faster browsing speed?

To speed up your computer you could download and run ATF Cleaner and JkDefrag. For more detailed advice, quietman7 has written a comprehensive guide.

thank you so much i have been trying to get something like this from someone and couldnt think of what it was i needed and yes ie seems faster on both loading and browsing but i have been using firefox and trying to be patient thanks again jess


ok i downloaded the atf cleaner but cant remember what to check safely on it and the jkdefrag is a zip file and im not sure how to get to the program can you help ?> thanks alot jess

For ATF Cleaner, I suggest you check everything in the Main tab except for cookies, and the "Firefox cache" item under the Firefox tab.

For JkDefrag, you have to extract the files first. The easiest way to do this is to download 7-Zip. After you install 7-Zip, right click on the JkDefrag file and click "7-Zip" and then "Extract here". You can then double click on the JkDefrag.exe file to run JkDefrag.


Edit: Edited to remove unnecessary quote. ~tg