Jude Hand asks:
I have a used Dell Inspiron 8600 with a 60 GB harddrive. All I want to do is email, occasional research and play Big Fish Games. I’d like to sign petitions on the care2.com site as well.
I’ve come to find out my laptop actually has a lot of viruses despite the fact that I only do these things. What’s the best browser and anti-virus for me? I’m not computer savvy and am about ready to forget computers completely. Help!
5 Answers -
Chris Hoffman
January 18, 2012Microsoft Security Essentials is a free, easy-to-use antivirus. I like it:
http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/free-security-suite-for-windows-microsoft-security-essentials/
As far as a browser goes, as long as you keep your browser up-to-date with security updates, it’s hard to go wrong these days. I like Google Chrome, but Mozilla Firefox and even Internet Explorer 9 are decent choices.
Anonymous
January 18, 2012this depends on how the antivirus will react against new threads
Microsoft Security Essentials mentioned by Chris is good.
Avira free
http://www.avira.com/en/avira-free-antivirus
Panda Cloud Antivirus free edition
http://www.cloudantivirus.com/en/forHome/
Immunet protect
http://www.immunet.com/main/index.html
you can add immunet with your chosen security tool and this makes stronger combination.
concerning browser try Comodo Dragon
http://www.comodo.com/home/browsers-toolbars/browser.php
FIDELIS
January 18, 2012Hello, if a browser is well configured and security is installed, there should be no virus problems. You could have the securest browser in the world and still get infected. The weak link is always between the keyboard and the computer. Try to use Chrome or firefox. As long as they are both updated and with the use of add-ons you could stay virus free. I advice you to try the following:
– keep your browser/browsers updated
– install security add-ons if available
– keep your antivirus/antimalware up to date
– run microsoft windows malicious software removal tool once in a while
– use antimalware programs such as malwarebytes and superantispyware to run scans once in a while
– visit the following link and make sure your browser and software does not have vulnerabilities:
http://secunia.com/vulnerability_scanning/online/
– there are several freeware antivirus capable of keeping your system clean:
microsoft security essentials
avira antivirus
avast
Dave Parrack
January 18, 2012There is no definitive answer to this question.
All up-to-date versions of the mainstream browsers are very similar in terms of security. Which is why your choice comes down to which suits your needs better.
As for anti-virus/malware I use a combination of Avira and Malwarebytes, but there are plenty of other free alternatives.
Don’t give up on computers! Update every day, scan every week.
Thanks for the “don’t give up on computers!” It may not do the trick, but I’m here….so far….
January 19, 2012Finchy
February 4, 2012google chrome for the browser and microsoft security essentials I reckon anyway