I have the latest free avast on my wife’s laptop.
She recently became the proud owner of a Koobface fake antivirus gift.
Avast prevented the Koobface from dialing out-thanks!
I need suggestions for free software that I can get that will prevent future infections like this.
She uses IE8.
I tried to get her to switch to firefox but that is not going to happen any time soon.
I need something so she can use IE8 and be safe-help!
avast + Malwarebytes PRO …not free,but only a one time fee for a liftime license
Try harder, it would be the best choice for more security… 
Sure there are ways to make ie8 more secure, but it will always be the first to be attacked for several reasons.
asyn
I know-she has a hard head-I had to run free malwarebytes and superantispyware 2 times to get rid of it this last time!
What about free firewalls?
She only has the windows7 firewall-
You could try one of these… (all reported to work fine with avast)
PC Tools Firewall Plus http://www.pctools.com/firewall/
Comodo Firewall http://www.comodo.com/home/download/download.php?prod=firewall
Outpost Firewall Free http://free.agnitum.com/
asyn
You can remove Internet Explorer using Control Panel → Programs And Componnents (or Add/Remove Programs) → Windows Componnents.
You should also install the Web Of Trust Firefox/IE/GoogleChrome plugin.
Web of Trust is user biased.
Outpost firewall is good.
I recommend purchasing Malwarebytes as it is a one time charge and is good protection for surfing:
http://www.malwarebytes.org/mbam.php
Internet Explorer 8 Desktop Security Guide
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=44405777-51B4-4376-9CEF-F0341B13FCDE&displaylang=en&displaylang=en
I made Firefox her default browser and going to buy malwarebytes.
Is Avast going to offer something like malwarebytes paid version in the future?
I can’t really understand you. Avast! already offers a Pro version and Internet Security Suite besides the Free version.
Then why did they not suggest it?
I like Avast but I’m not sold on the paid for version full suite yet.
I use Avast Internet Security,(The paid version). I installed it 1 week ago and right away it found a Trojan on my Wife’s laptop. It also removed it. It comes with a firewall and all. I would defiantly recommend AIS . My wife also uses IE8 and I can’t get her to switch. I prefer Chrome.
wsx123,
Any browser can, if configured poorly (generous permissions) allow a script in a hacked site to run, possibly installing stuff (like a rogue AV) on your wifes computer.
The security guide posted by YoKenny above looks like it would be worth studying.
Alternatively, (and also my preference) in Firefox there is a very handy add-on available, called NoScript, which stops almost all these attacks in their tracks. It doesn’t take too long to get the hang of. It will probably irritate your wife a little, for a few days or maybe weeks, but in my opinion (and many others) is invaluable. http://noscript.net/
I also recommend an application called PSI (from www.secunia.org ) to monitor software vulnerabilities. It compares the version of all sorts of programs/applications installed with the current version, and notifies of any issues.
Flash drives can be a source of malware, too. Autorun Eater (available here: http://oldmcdonald.wordpress.com/ ) will stop bad stuff installing via a flash drive.
I’ve been using these for a while, plus a couple of other “belts and braces” applications, and have stayed malware free for about 3 years. Avast and my firewall form the main shield, Noscript blocks heavens knows what from installing itself (should it have a signature that Avast doesn’t recognise), Autorun eater hasn’t had to actually do anything yet. I also use Threatfire. It hasn’t had to do anything, either.
All these are free, or have free versions.
Your Wife can use Firefox using a theme simulating all the look of Internet Explorer 8
https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/4129
Is the skin of Internet Explorer With all the Firefox Security ;D
Maybe in that way could be easier for Her to Switch to another (More Secure) Browser
Hope that it Helps.
Maybe because you were asking about a free firewall…!?? ;D
asyn
I was wondering why they suggested Malwarebytes paid instead of Avast paid versions.
The suggestion to run a paid version of anything was based on the information given that suggested that your wife, (like most computer users) was more likely to need something that would take care of things without too much user expertise/interaction needed.
Given that the free version of Avast uses the same antivirus engine and definitions as the free version, and that the pro has a few more technologies - like a script shield, for example, perhaps it was considered that a second opinion blocker like MBAM would be appropriate, particularly given the attractive price. Also given that at the time, it was considered unlikely she was prepared to use Firefox.
Don’t assume that Firefox is bullet proof. It has a reduced exposure compared to IE, but only becomes really secure when NoScript is added.
I’m not sure there is actually anything that is bullet proof, not without a lot of user interaction.
Who did this? Are you talking about Pondus’ post?
He’s a user, like you are, stating his opinion…
asyn