advice on virus protection ect.

[wendilla]

I am buying new computer system just basic windows xp at weekend Could you please advise me what virus and spyware i need so as i will know what to get as i wont understand what the salesman will be on about thanks

[Mattk]

well,for starters dont let him sell you a product as these are all available for free over the internet.

i use anti-virus from grisoft(free download) , firewall from sygate(free download - and another good firewall is zone alarm) & for spyware i use microsofts own(again a free download)

[guy9663]

Download this lot & do the updates.

WinPatrol
http://www.winpatrol.com/

Spybot
http://www.safer-networking.org/en/download/

Spywareguard
http://www.javacoolsoftware.com/spywareguard.html

Spyware Blaster
http://www.javacoolsoftware.com/spywareblaster.html

AdAware
http://www.lavasoftusa.com/software/adaware/


All of this is freeware. Enjoy your new computer.

[wendilla]

Thank you both very much I shall try that out on this computer i have but i am still buying new one thanks understand i bit better now good to have people with knowledge to help out

[stevie21]

I agree with all of the above. As much as it's tempting just to bypass downloading and installing all of these free programs, the amount of hassle that having a virus (or even spyware) can cause can be unbelievable so it is worth it.

Also, from your Start Menu, click "Windows Updates" and install all of them. All of this will take a while so make sure that you have something else to entertain you. Check back on your PC now and again - don't sit there staring at it while all of this goes on!

[mattie]

I will have to disagree with advice concerning free antivirus scanners, I spend most of my day cleaning PCs covered in viruses, many of which have free antivirus scanners.

The best combination in my opinion for Windows XP is

Microsoft Antispyware from www.microsoft.com

Nod32 from www.eset.com 30 day trial available.

Windows updates as already suggested.

[d0gsb0dy]

I use (and swear by) Avast anti-virus and Sygate fire-wall. Never had a problem.
My daughter uses (or, rather, used) Norton untli yesterday, when her computer was wiped clean by a nasty. She has now installed Avast.
One over-hyped programme is AVG. Doesn't do what it says on the packet.

[xstitcher]

Hi Wendilla,

Help, for some reason I can't get on to our onwards and downwards and don't get any of the threads either. Help.

[xstitcher]

Hi Again Wendilla, Our computer man put in the AVG anti virus free, for us and we haven't had any problems for years and haven't spent any money on it. I know quite a few people using this who are 100% satisfied.