Securing my Laptop

[pfunk880]

I'm trying to make sure my laptop computer is as secure as possible before I take it to college. I am good about keeping XP up to date, I have XP Pro SP2 with all the latest critical updates. I also have Norton Antivirus Corporate Edition free from my university, and I am buying Zone Alarm Pro to serve as my firewall and to take care of spyware. I've got the Google Toolbar which should take care of most popups. Is there anything else anyone here would recommend that I do or install to keep my PC secured?

[shugknight]

Re: Securing my Laptop

Get rid of Norton and download AVG. free.grisoft.com They are free, and one of the most reliable Anti-virus programs out.

I also wouldnt suggest Google Toolbar as a pop-up blocker. I tend to find that most toolbars makes your system slower and tend to include spyware, adware, etc. If you want a pop-up blocker, download firefox. Its an internet browser that has plug-ins such as Ad-block. Its very reliable and I'm sure everybody will agree with me that its one of the best browsers around.

As for a firewall, I wouldnt purchase anything too expensive. Your school should already have a firewall installed on their servers, as well as the Windows firewall that you can activate. Those 2 firewalls alone, should be enough to keep most hackers out.

Another key download is the Microsoft Anti-Spyware program. It's free and pretty reliable.

[RubenDouglas]

Re: Securing my Laptop

if you dont have to sign in with a user name and password, create one and do that.. set all kinds of restrictions on other accounts but youre own

[ODogg]

Re: Securing my Laptop

Get rid of Norton and download AVG. free.grisoft.com They are free, and one of the most reliable Anti-virus programs out.

I also wouldnt suggest Google Toolbar as a pop-up blocker. I tend to find that most toolbars makes your system slower and tend to include spyware, adware, etc. If you want a pop-up blocker, download firefox. .

I agree, get AVG and Firefox and ditch Norton and Google.

[pfunk880]

Re: Securing my Laptop

Get rid of Norton and download AVG. free.grisoft.com They are free, and one of the most reliable Anti-virus programs out.

I also wouldnt suggest Google Toolbar as a pop-up blocker. I tend to find that most toolbars makes your system slower and tend to include spyware, adware, etc. If you want a pop-up blocker, download firefox. Its an internet browser that has plug-ins such as Ad-block. Its very reliable and I'm sure everybody will agree with me that its one of the best browsers around.

As for a firewall, I wouldnt purchase anything too expensive. Your school should already have a firewall installed on their servers, as well as the Windows firewall that you can activate. Those 2 firewalls alone, should be enough to keep most hackers out.

Another key download is the Microsoft Anti-Spyware program. It's free and pretty reliable.

So even though my school is giving me Norton for free, you'd still recommend AVG instead?

Thanks everyone for all the help.

[shugknight]

Re: Securing my Laptop

So even though my school is giving me Norton for free, you'd still recommend AVG instead?

Thanks everyone for all the help.

YES! Sometimes the word free can be deceiving.

[Peji911]

Re: Securing my Laptop

YES! Sometimes the word free can be deceiving.

whats so good about it tho? i have the newest norton out, spent a hell of alot just to secure myself and now sumone mentions a free and BETTER antivirus? hmmm

what are its features that u prefer?

[ODogg]

Re: Securing my Laptop

whats so good about it tho? i have the newest norton out, spent a hell of alot just to secure myself and now sumone mentions a free and BETTER antivirus? hmmm

what are its features that u prefer?

My computer came from Falcon-Northwest and those guys know their stuff, they recommended AVG and that was good enough for me. I've also seen PC World magazine say it's the #1 virus protector as well.

[pfunk880]

Re: Securing my Laptop

Is it worthwhile to buy AVG + Firewall Edition?

I think I'd be more comfortable with more firewall protection then what is offered by Windows and my campus network.

[Peji911]

Re: Securing my Laptop

ya, should i buy the AVG anti-virus edition 7.1.394 Build 757?

rather than the free one that is

[pfunk880]

Re: Securing my Laptop

ya, should i buy the AVG anti-virus edition 7.1.394 Build 757?

rather than the free one that is

I figure considering how good the prices are for two year licenses compared to other products it's probably worth it but I want to try and wait for a few opinions.

[Peji911]

Re: Securing my Laptop

I figure considering how good the prices are for two year licenses compared to other products it's probably worth it but I want to try and wait for a few opinions.

same here bro...

i just bought the latest norton too, fak

[pfunk880]

Re: Securing my Laptop

*bump*

[shugknight]

Re: Securing my Laptop

whats so good about it tho? i have the newest norton out, spent a hell of alot just to secure myself and now sumone mentions a free and BETTER antivirus? hmmm

what are its features that u prefer?

What makes AVG so good is exactly what you just posted. ITS FREE!

AVG offers daily updates for FREE. Not too mention its the only antivirus that will get some virus' out that others cant.

The thing that sucks about Norton is that month after month after month, you have to pay a stupid subscription fee. And unless you pay that monthy fee, you wont get the latest updates. Hence your PC wont be as secure.

Why pay for something, when you can get something better for free?

[pfunk880]

Re: Securing my Laptop

What makes AVG so good is exactly what you just posted. ITS FREE!

AVG offers daily updates for FREE. Not too mention its the only antivirus that will get some virus' out that others cant.

The thing that sucks about Norton is that month after month after month, you have to pay a stupid subscription fee. And unless you pay that monthy fee, you wont get the latest updates. Hence your PC wont be as secure.

Why pay for something, when you can get something better for free?

But if I want the AVG + Firewall is it worth it to pay?