HP desktop, Windows Vista Home Premium 32-bit. Connection is through a Verizon DSL Modem/Router. (This computer is wired, others in the house are wireless). Security on this unit is set to none, so all is allowed.
I’m new to all this. Got a new HP machine last year which came with Norton, which recently expired.
Ran the Norton removal tool, now it’s all gone.
Installed the free version of Avast. Up and running. Starting my reading now to figure out how to use it.
My question is about Windows Defender and the Windows Firewall, Ad-aware, and the Modem/Router security. Not knowing what Avast does and does not include, which programs should I use, not use? Is Avast all inclusive, and enough protection, or should I keep them all? Keep some running, and not others?
As I learn, I will be tweaking things accordingly, I just want to make sure I have enough protection now, and not be burdening my connection with redundant programs.
Though adaware is a bit of a lightweight, I’m not entirely a fan of windows defender either and as for the windows firewall well don’t get me started ;D A fire door that only protects you from fire from one side wouldn’t be called a fire door.
Whilst the windows Vista firewall is usually good at keeping your ports stealthed (hidden) by default the outbound protection is disabled you should consider a third party firewall or enable the outbound protection (not very user friendly, see below).
Any malware that manages to get past your defences will have free reign to connect to the internet to either download more of the same, pass your personal data (sensitive or otherwise, user names, passwords, keylogger retrieved data, etc.) or open a backdoor to your computer, so outbound protection is essential (enable the outbound protection in Vista or consider a third party firewall).
There are many freeware firewalls such as, Comodo, PCTools Firewall Plus, Jetico, etc. - Zone Alarm free works fine with avast and has a reasonably friendly user interface, however, the free version is becoming bloated with trial ware and is also crippled as far as outbound protection goes In the Program Control, configuration area, the slider will only goes as far as Medium protection, if you want more you have to buy the Pro version.
SUPERantispyware On-Demand only in free version. Or Spyware Terminator Resident scanner (if you use this don’t install the toolbar or crawler or the anti-virus module). Or a-Squared free. I suggest trying then in order as the order that represents the better detection and clean-up. Some elements of the programs might not work if you have an older OS like win9x or winME, this is namely the resident protection in SpywareTerminator.
Installed the free version of Avast. Up and running. Starting my reading now to figure out how to use it.
Until you become more familiar with avast!, I suggest you leave it alone and let it do it's job.
Sometimes tinkering with a toy that you know nothing about, can have dire consequences. :)
Welcome to the forum.
I agree with Bob in that avast will work very well as installed with the default settings. Once you have read and basically understand the avast Help file, then you might want to change a few settings to accommodate your particular situation.
Since I use XP and not Vista as you do, I can not give you the exact location of the Help file but you should find it inside the awil software folder on your C drive provided you used the default location.
C drive > Program files > awil software folder > Avast4 folder > language folder (English folder, in my case) > Help folder > help Compiled HTML Help file
That should be a general idea od where to look. I hope this helps you.