things to install after reformat?

[cryforme1v]

i've recently reformatted my computer and i have a few questions i'm not sure where to ask so i figured since you guys are well educated that you might be able to assist me.
i downloaded avast for virus scanner.
malwarebytes and ccleaner.
i was thinking about firefox but not entirely sure on how it works or even if its free.
is there anything else i need to get to keep my computer safe?

Thanks.

 

[silverwhisper]

cryforme: first, i think it's pretty important to know what operating system you use. i'm gonna guess some version of windows. the most useful advice you will get however is going to be predicated upon what OS you're using. but some general guidelines:

1. anti-virus and anti-malware software. set this to update as often as possible and run daily.
2. yes, firefox is free. :>
3. depending upon what version of windows you're using (XP? vista? 7?) it might or might not be smart to activate automatic updates.

and a question: what led to the reformatting of your hard drive?

ed

 

[cryforme1v]

cryforme: first, i think it's pretty important to know what operating system you use. i'm gonna guess some version of windows. the most useful advice you will get however is going to be predicated upon what OS you're using. but some general guidelines:

1. anti-virus and anti-malware software. set this to update as often as possible and run daily.
2. yes, firefox is free. :>
3. depending upon what version of windows you're using (XP? vista? 7?) it might or might not be smart to activate automatic updates.

and a question: what led to the reformatting of your hard drive?

ed

sorry i should have been more specific.
Its a Vista.
I have been doing updates daily and virus / malware scans daily as well.
I reformatted because its a semi public computer and Norton didnt catch all the virus's. I had avast a few months ago and a friend told me norton was better - so i tried it out. Well norton didnt catch any virus's. About a week ago my computer decided it hated me - i turned it on and none of the exe files would work. I took it in and they told me the only thing i can really do is reformat, that there was a virus somewhere in the systems files, so i had that done after putting all of my pictures onto a thumb drive.
They reformatted for me. When i got home i did all of the windows updates / installed avast / maleware bytes / ccleaner and so far everything has been running smoothly - i just didnt know if there were anything else i should be aware of getting.

 

[silverwhisper]

sounds to me like you're in good shape, dude.

yeah, norton sucks balls: all it does is slow down your PC and catches less malware than the free stuff. complete waste of your money.

ed

 

[frdrcnjohn]

AVAST! is the only way to go

 

[coastal-boy]

is this is a "box" computer and therefore did you use the "boxed" OS disk for the reinstall? If not, make sure you have the appropriate drivers for both the motherboard and the video card at minimum for optimal performance.

 

[cryforme1v]

is this is a "box" computer and therefore did you use the "boxed" OS disk for the reinstall? If not, make sure you have the appropriate drivers for both the motherboard and the video card at minimum for optimal performance.

i'm not sure what you mean by "box computer" ?

 

[fgarvb1]

i'm not sure what you mean by "box computer" ?

Did you buy configured and boxed up at Walmart or some place ?

 

[cryforme1v]

no it was given to me. they had used it for about a year or so then gave it to me when they got a laptop.

 

[satindesire]

Trillian- a messanger service that can run multiple accounts from AIM, YIM, ICQ, etc. at the same time.

AVG- Great anti-malware program for your computer.

VLC Media Player- Better than Windows Media by a long shot.

 

[cryforme1v]

Trillian- a messanger service that can run multiple accounts from AIM, YIM, ICQ, etc. at the same time.

AVG- Great anti-malware program for your computer.

VLC Media Player- Better than Windows Media by a long shot.

Trillion wont be necessary because the only messenger service i use is yahoo and i havent even installed that yet.
VLC Media Player? never heard of it. Would i have to uninstall Windows Media player before installing that - if so, how would i go about that?
Isnt AVG a program you have to pay for? I'm looking for free stuff, at the moment with the holidays and birthdays and such, i'm broke.

 

[fuyutsuki]

VLC Media Player? never heard of it. Would i have to uninstall Windows Media player before installing that - if so, how would i go about that?

VLC will intall just fine without getting ride of WMP, but it wouldn't hurt to do so.

 

[satindesire]

Would i have to uninstall Windows Media player before installing that - if so, how would i go about that?

No, you won't have to uninstall anything. You'll love VLC, you can make playlists that are hours long, in case you have torrents or movies or music, whatever. Really convenient.

Isnt AVG a program you have to pay for? I'm looking for free stuff, at the moment with the holidays and birthdays and such, i'm broke.

AVG has a free version, so no. It's a VERY good anti-malware program, so it's worth it.

 

[cryforme1v]

AVG has a free version, so no. It's a VERY good anti-malware program, so it's worth it.

will it interfere with Malware Bytes?

 

[cryforme1v]

sorry for all the nub questions, i feel so stupid right now lol i'd rather ask than let my computer get fucked up again tho.
thanks a ton for all the help ladies n gents - much appreciated <3

 

[coastal-boy]

will it interfere with Malware Bytes?

they are freeware versions, so they are not like the versions that you can buy that actually run in realtime. They are just apps that you can run periodically to check for the baddies. If you were running both in realtime, it is possible there could be issues. It is really hard to design a program that catches everything.

 

[satindesire]

will it interfere with Malware Bytes?

No, not at all.

sorry for all the nub questions, i feel so stupid right now lol i'd rather ask than let my computer get fucked up again tho.
thanks a ton for all the help ladies n gents - much appreciated <3

The hubs and I do this for a living. No big deal. ^_^

 

[SubNebGuy]

Yes, get FireFox 3.5.6
Then in Firefox, go to "Tools" and then "Add Ons".

Search for the add on: No Scripts

Download and install this add on, restart Firefox, and then read the instructions.

Its quite possible you infected the computer by clicking what appeared to be a link but it was actually an embedded attack. No Scripts pretty much eliminates this potential, but you have to teach it what is safe so that the 'normal' parts of your 'normal' websites still function.

I'd also install Spybot search & destroy, have it immunize your system, and then keep it current.

It doesn't hurt to run more than one anti-malware utility, in addition to anti-virus, and tightening up security in the browser with No Scripts (which is a free add on).

 

[silverwhisper]

subnegbuy: i was under the impression that most anti-virus apps do not play well with one another. ?

ed