I just bought a new pc w/ windows 7 (of course) and i was wondering whats the best security set up? Avast already installed.
1 you need a third party firewall (PCtools, Comodo, Outpost, OnlineArmor) >>> then turn off W7 firewall
2 drop IE for Firefox or Chrome
3 if you’re on wi-fi, switch from WEP to WPA.
I disagree somewhat as I would keep IE and wait for the upcoming v9 which looks very promising, and maybe even stay with the W7 firewall which is much better than any other Windows Firewall and can be set to give 2 way protection. A third party one wouldn’t be a bad choice though. Most of the 3rd party firewalls now also include a HIPS component which, if you don’t mind coping with alerts, can give very good protection.
Don’t disable windows defender. In my system it found a spyware which avast and malwarebytes missed. Installing malwarebytes will also increase your protection. Because when one misses the other will detect it.
Don't disable windows defender
:
>>> do disable Windows Defender and ditch IE
ps: on a side note, yeah, IE has always been very promising, for more about 15 years now, and counting 
And why do you think it’s so important to disable WD ? I left it running ever since i installed Win 7(almost a year now) and not a single problem with it since. No noticeable impact on performance either. What is so wrong with it Logos ?
I mainly use Windows for gaming. Everything else I use a linux distribution.
Ubuntu is a good easy linux distribution, why not give it a go on your old PC?
I keep Windows Defender updated daily on my Windows 7 system:
Latest definition version: 1.87.348.0
http://www.microsoft.com/security/portal/Definitions/ADL.aspx
The choice of a browser is like choosing a wife and some times you have to put up with their constant nagging to take out the garbage and not to forget to bring home the paycheck before getting new toys. 
My set up suggestions are my set ups. ;D
See my signature for my set ups.
The FREE versions of WinPatrol & ZoneAlarm are good.
+1
That’s good advice, imo…!
Also add free Mbam to your system and add NoScript to FF…!!
asyn
I hope that’s avast! 5.
Hi…
Although it sounds conflicting from the other posts on this thread, I would encourage you to not outright dispose of IE or Windows Defender unless you experience compatability problems. More than once, I have ran across web sites that would only work correctly using IE (I use only IE and Opera,) which included non acceptance of usernames and passwords and even having buttons (on the page) work. If you choose to use another browser, then you can use IE as a backup in case a page or site does not display or work correctly.
Also, with third party firewalls, which are in a sense better as they offer both inbound and outbound protection, be prepared for constant pop up windows asking you verify any action you’re taking at least until it gets “trained” enough. I’ve only experienced one firewall that did not do this, Kerio 4.2, now on the older, possibly obsolete side.
Additional software that would/might be helpful would be SpywareBlaster (free of charge) and Zemana (this program requires a fee and is for 32 bit systems only) or the free version of SpyShelter (64 bit compatability is available but requires a fee; also I’ve never tried this program so I cannot vouch for its quality or effectiveness.)
Regards…
I also would not disable Windows Defender. I have it running along with Avast! on the Vista machine here with no problems whatsoever. It’s not a full AV product and does not conflict with Avast!.
The browser is just personal preference as none are inherently more secure than another although I still say that out of the box, with no addons or plugins, IE8 is the best. I’ve exclusively used IE since v4 that came with Win98 and upgraded it to the latest version as soon as possible. I never have had a single problem caused by using it. Try out the alternatives and pick the one you like the best and is easiest for you to use. They all do the same job. It’s like a baseball player using a specific model of bat or glove that suits them best.
alleluia brothers…alleluia 8) …and amen to all the non-sense ;D
Let Windows Defender on.
Keep Windows 7 Firewall which is 2 ways and better than the XP Firewall.
Get Malwarebytes Free.
Keep IE.
Get Firefox Or Safari Or Chrome.
You might want to use a cloud AV with real time scanning
Immunet
This is my security layer config
Avast Internet Security
Malwarebytes
Immunet
WinPatrol Pro
Hostsman - not actually a security app, but helpful to prevent malware and ads
http://www.abelhadigital.com/hostsman
OpenDNS
SpywareBlaster
Keyscrambler Premium
There is a free version for Firefox and IE
Zemana
Since, this is paid, you might want to try SpyShelter
Lol. ;D
That is true. Internet Explorer has all of its security features by default. For firefox, you have to download plugins (i.e. Noscript).
Antivirus: Avast 5
Antispyware: Windows Defender
Firewall: Windows
DNS Service: Clear Cloud
On Demand Scanner: Malwarebytes, Virus Total Uploader
Web Browser: IE with Smart Screen enabled
That is very good and enough for a standart user.
Honestly, you don’t need loads of stuff on it. Just install avast! and that’s enough. Use Windows Firewall and some browser other than IE.
-1
Go back and read what ilker and GloobyGoob said.