Anti Virus

[potty64]

I have Windows Vista which has Windows Firewall. Do I need Norton anti virus as well? I've just uninstalled Norton as the Talk Talk engineer said having both was causing my PC desk top to go slow. Now a sign comes up saying I'm not protected. Advise me please.

[Giggsie]

you do need an anti virus as well as firewall. Plenty free one to choose from AVG, avast ,commodo ,to name a few MSE too.

[bibblebub]

panda http://www.cloudantivirus.com/en/ is also good

[FrogNog]

I recommend Avast.
It's free and can be downloaded safely from here:

http://download.cnet.com/Avast-Free-Antivirus/3000-2239_4-10019223.html?part=dl-85737&subj=dl&tag=button

I hope this helps. x

[Buenchico]

You need THREE things:

1. A decent firewall. Most people are happy with the one that comes with Windows but it has its critics (because it doesn't offer 'two-way' protection). Many people prefer to use Comodo or ZoneAlarm.

2. An anti-virus program. The free ones are just as good as the paid-for ones (because they're actually just a part of a full commercial suite of programs anyway). The most popular include Avast (which I use), AVG and Avira.

3. An anti-malware program. The free version of Malwarebytes is by far the most popular.

You should note the following:

1. You should only ever have ONE firewall running on your PC at any one time. (Otherwise system conflicts might occur).

2. Likewise, you should only ever have ONE anti-virus program in operation.

3. Firewall and anti-virus programs both 'run in the background'. (i.e. without you needing to do anything).

4. You can have as many 'run on demand' anti-malware programs (such as the free version of Malwarebytes) as you like but you need to remember to run a scan with them every so often.

If I was in your position I'd stick with the Windows firewall. I'd then also download and install Avast:
http://www.avast.com/en-gb/index
(Reject any offers of a trial of their full security suite that you might encounter).
Lastly, I'd download and install the free version of Malwarebytes Anti-Malware:
https://www.malwarebytes.org/antimalware/
(NB: When installing it, take care to deselect the pre-ticked option to take a free trial of the Premium version).

[potty64]

Thx for all the advice. I shall go for AVAST and assume it's compatible with Windows Vista.

[FrogNog]

Yes it is compatible.

[potty64]

I'm Back! Before down loading AVAST, I've gone to SECURITY CENTRE, where it says 'MALWARE PROTECTION'not monitored. Is this a virus protection 'thing'?! (One of these days I'll understand pc's!!)

[Buenchico]

Just a little hint about Avast:

By default, every time the program updates itself (which is often!), an American woman's voice announces that your security settings have been updated. That can be really, really annoying (especially if she announces it over the sound of a Youtube video or iPlayer programme that you're watching). So I strongly recommend disabling her!

It's really easy to do. Simply click on the Avast icon (at the bottom right-hand corner of your screen). Then click on 'Settings' and next on 'Sounds'. Click to remove the tick alongside 'Enable Avast sounds'. Then click on 'OK'.

[Buenchico]

A full security suite (such as Norton) comprises the three elements I've mentioned above (i.e. a firewall, an anti-virus application and an anti-malware program), possibly with a few other 'bells & whistles' thrown in. We've told you how to get the lot for free (by using separate applications). Don't worry if Windows reports that you've not got any malware protection in place. Avast will take care of most threats and occasionally running the free version of Malwarebytes (perhaps once a fortnight) should take care of anything else.

[potty64]

OK. I've down loaded AVAST but where can I find it? (!!)

[Buenchico]

I assume that you mean that you've downloaded the installation file but not yet installed it (by double-clicking on the download).

It will have been downloaded to wherever your browser is configured to put it! In Firefox you can find it by going to Tools > Downloads and then double-clicking on it from there. (Other browsers might be similar but I can't be sure).

Otherwise the default location is usually found simply by going to 'Computer' and then clicking on 'Downloads'.

[potty64]

Right. Found it in DOWNLOADS. 4980KB. Sounds a lot but a lot of what?

[Buenchico]

Around 5Mb isn't very big at all. (A single image, taken on a digital camera at its highest resolution, can be that big)

It's the program which will automatically set up Avast's anti-virus software on your computer when you double-click on it and follow any prompts that you might see.

[potty64]

Do I need to do anything else then? (By the way, thanks for helping me!)

[potty64]

Hi Methyl, I'm sure I've completely uninstalled Norton anti virus. Now AVAST is in my recent Down loads so can I assume it's now working?

[Buenchico]

If you downloaded the setup file for Avast AND double-clicked on it (following any prompts you might then have seen) it should now be running on your computer. There should be an Avast icon at the bottom-right of your screen. (It's an orange circle, with the letter 'a' inside it. You might need to click on 'Show hidden icons' if it's not visible at first). Clicking on it should bring up a box showing 'You are protected'.

[Buenchico]

>>>I'm sure I've completely uninstalled Norton anti virus

How did you do it? You can't simply uninstall Norton via your control panel. You need to download and run a special tool:
https://support.norton.com/sp/en/uk/home/current/solutions/kb20080710133834EN_EndUserProfile_en_us