Securing a computer for someone...

Howdy,

So I'm going to be helping a friend with her laptop in a few days. She's not computer saavy, I want the practice/chance to learn more, all is great. Will be reformatting and reinstalling OS as well as giving her some spare RAM that I have. Anyway, the reason for this OS reinstall is that she got a virus that completly disabled her system. I asked her what antivirus she was using at the time...

an EXPIRED Norton trail, she said.

*headdesk*

So I'm wondering what the best combination of security programs (free ones, that is, we're both broke college students) is best for someone with XP Home that isn't the best with keeping her laptop secure and sometimes lets her brother, who has NO safe browsing common sense, use hers too.

I have Vista and use AVG on mine, but not sure what would be the optimal/securest combination of programs to install on her notebook. Antivirus, antispyware, maybe a firewall too? Suggestions for what would be best in this situation?

 

I love AVG 8. It can be a bit heavy on the resources but it has caught its fair share of little evils. Avast is also a popular lightweight solution, just considerably more confusing for learning computer user. Spybot SD and Spyware Blaster are must haves. If you want a free firewall, then ZL is your one. It may cause more issues than its usefulness if she has no use for blocking/allowing apps/ips...especially on the wonderful college network. I would also suggest using CCleaner once a week and have her defrag with Defraggler once a month. I use the above regime on many clients as well as on my eee with no issues. Some suggestions would be to use FireFox with many of the popular ad blocking, etc. extensions. I also suggest the McAfee site advisor on top of the existing AVG safe link advisor. They both control google, but MC will also scan each page. Not using Limewire or downloading from unknown sites would also be useful tips of advice for her to take to heart. Good luck.

BTW: You may want to nlite your installation to make it quicker to install and tweak.

 

I second all that was said. I would also like to mention that AdAware is a good free application to use in conjunction with Spybot Search and Destroy.

 

nothing you can do. all the antivirus and firewall in the world is utterly useless against stupidity. the best lock in the world can't keep you safe if you open up the door for the person trying to break in.

that said, if you just want to set her up with free software, the rec's above are all good. avg antivirus is good in my experience.

 

Thanks for the suggestions...Mmmm yes, I got her using CCleaner a couple months ago and will also give her defragger...Ive been using Auslogics and its suited me fine...is defraggler better? She knows not to use Limewire but will talk about the otherstuff with her.

 

Here is what I recommend...

Windows Defender: for real-time anti-spyware protection ( http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/...-AFA4-F7F14E605A0D&displaylang=en&mg_id=10134)
Spybot Search & Destroy: While it's scanning isn't that great, its "Immunization" feature is quite good. I use it for that reason only. ( http://www.safer-networking.org/en/index.html)
Comodo Firewall: Works well and is simple to use. When you first use a program that tries to access the internet, a notification will pop-up allowing you to allow/deny it, and if "remember this answer" is checked, you'll never see it again for that program. It's quite easy to use. Make sure Defense+ is turned off, though. It's confusing to use and will just cause problems for your friend. ( http://www.personalfirewall.comodo.com/license_registration.html)
a-squared free -or- SuperAntiSpyware: For on-demand anti-spyware scanning. I use a-squared free and like it, but either is good.
Avira Antivir: for real-time antivirus scanning. Very light on resources and has great detection rates. ( http://www.free-av.com/en/download/1/avira_antivir_personal__free_antivirus.html)

As for protecting the computer against her brother... you can't. Stupidity will always prevail. The only way to really prevent her brother from doing anything is creating a limited permission user account on her computer for him and deny access to all web browsers and internet access.

 

I use AVG Free as my anti-virus and anti-spyware. Disable Windows Defender, AVG covers that and it just sucks resources. Windows Firewall is awesome. If you're really paranoid use Spybot, although common sense is the best defence.

 

On the defrag note, I have started to love the Defraggler program. It has had some great bug fixes but I find it to be quick and very descriptive. I used to use Auslogics, but both it and MS Disk Utility, took way to long and gave me no information. Defraggler may not be perfect yet, but I find it very useful. My favorite feature is the ability to see what files have how many chunks and are how large. If its some game file I don't use, I can skip it, or swapped.

 

I use JkDefrag and really like it, but it's not very simple to use, so I don't recommend it for your friend. Either Auslogics, Defraggler, or Windows Disk Defrag is good.

 

I usually install three lines of defense for friends and relatives who aren't computer savvy.

+ Firefox 3.0 with Noscript and Adblock Plus. The safest browser imo. Other than the small learning curve with Noscript, everything runs quietly in the background.
+ Eset Smart Security. Resident antivirus, spyware, firewall, and overall system security. Easy to use with it's recommended settings and again, runs quietly in the background.
+ Norton Ghost. In case both fail to secure the computer, daily/weekly backups to fall back on when things get irreversible.

In my experience, for the "average" computer user, active maintenance is very low on the priority list (probably next to checking spam mail). That's why I recommend a setup that is least intrusive on the user and automated with updates and daily scans.

 

Good call with Firefox. I'd recommend not using NoScript though, because that can be tedious allowing/disallowing things all the time. It seems that the friend is relatively smart with what she does online while it's her brother that's the problem.

 

It can be tedious, but noscript can be the best line of defense against harmful scripts and ads when used correctly. With this setup, I have yet to get an unwanted popup since install. All it takes was a few minutes in learning what to allow/disallow. These settings are also saved so the next time you frequent the site, there's no need to click it again.

Ultimately, the end user gets a better experience with faster surfing, cleaner look with no ads, and safer browsing altogether @ zero cost.

 

Oh, I understand. I used NoScript for quite some time and for frequenting regular sites it's no big deal once you've allowed what you want, but visiting new sites (for fun, research, etc) always became such a pain in the ___ (fill in the black.. language filter ) that I've since disabled it and not really regretted it. I haven't had any issues with pop ups or spyware.

I just don't think that a novice user is going to want to go through the trouble of allowing things to load on every new website she visits.

 

Hi Cassandra022,

In the sticky I've listed some programs which I think are the best freebies.
Important is that you use a combination of security programs that your friend is able to use.
Maybe the most important part is to setup a limited user account for your friends brother (and maybe also one for her?).

I can recommend Comodo firewall with its strong HIPS, Defense+, but if your friend doesnt know how to use it, it's pointless to install.
I do recommend free Avast!, it has antivirus, antispyware and antirootkit protection.
An alternative is free Avira AntiVir, it has even better detection rates than Avast but it lacks AS protection.
An on-demand scanner like SUPERAntispyware or Malwarebytes'Antimalware is usefull for a thorough weekly scan.
About a firewall, it's really depends on your friends knowledge/eagerness to learn, whether another FW (+HIPS) is usefull for her.
With a HIPS you can have granular control over what to allow/disallow on your notebook but if the user doesn't know what to do, he/she will end up just clicking " Allow/OK" or end up frustrated.
I assume she will use Windows Defender?
If so, setting it up with an ' Advanced Spynet membership' (under WD options) will turn WD in the most simple HIPS available. That will offer a bit more protection while it requires almost no input.

Secure browsing with Firefox addons AdBlockPlus and NoScript is highly recommended, I also use it myself.
NoScript has a small learning curve though.
SpywareBlaster is another small but effective program to avoid spyware.
Cheers. And feel free to ask if you still have questions.

 

Mmm, this thread is quite informative. I just downloaded Adblock Plus for myself actually, I've never really been big on bothering with most firefox add-ons but clearly I am missing out :0

The limited account thing is also a good idea. I might bring it up about her mothers notebook too actually. He alternates between using hers/her mothers when she lets him and...yeah his browsing safety habits leave much to be desired.

Mmm, so I'm thinking a regimen along the lines of Avira + Spybot + Superantispyware (I switched this with the anyspy I was using...it catches better!) + MAYBE a Commodo I will discuss with her whether she wants to learn + Firefox + adblock plus + regular ccleanings and defraggs and maybe suggest Norton Ghost though isnt that not free?

You guys are super helpful!

 

Nope, it isn't but DriveImageXML and Karen's Replicator are free.
Cheers.

 

excellent. free is always...excellent xD