which firewall/antivirus should I use on new laptop?

[nuley]

Dear friends

 

I have new laptop for teenager. I have just installed firefox for browsing. Laptop has come loaded with various stuff he will never ever use. I currently have no antivirus (he hasn't got the laptop yet, and won't until I get one on). Which one do you recommend?

 

Thank you as ever for your help!

 

Nuley

[KenB]

Hi Nuley,

 

If your laptop has Windows-8 or 8.1 on it you do have an AV on the system.

It is called Defender.

It is inbuilt into Windows.

 

To check - Windows Key + S ...........then type in .....defender .....

You should be able to tell from here if it is enabled. ....which it is by default.

 

This is the old Security Essentials updated.

 

One of our security team may add to this - but for the time being it is good enough if it is enabled.

[Starbuck]

Hi Nuley,

 

Which one do you recommend?

It all depends on what the laptop will be used for.

If it's just basic surfing and emailing..... then Windows Defender will probably do the job for you.

It is a basic AV, but doesn't have the sophistication that some AV's have.

 

Teenagers probably need something with a bit more strength behind it.

In this case I'd recommend either:

Eset Nod32

 

Emsisoft AntiMalware

 

unfortunately both are 'paid for' versions, but they are both first class programs and should provide the best security for a teenager.

Both offer a 30 day trial, so you can try before to buy.

I do use Nod32 on some of my systems and EAM on others.

[nuley]

Hi Starbuck

 

Thank you very much for this, I'll probably go for the Eset. And my Avast is due to expire this month so I'll upgrade to Eset on my main PC too, and my other teenager's laptop.

 

All best

nuley

[Plastic Nev]

Firewall hasn't been covered, however check in control panel and see if Windows own firewall is turned on, the general recommendation seems to be that it is as good as any other third party firewall these days.

 

Nev.

[Starbuck]

I'll probably go for the Eset. And my Avast is due to expire this month so I'll upgrade to Eset on my main PC too, and my other teenager's laptop.

The cheapest way is to click the 3 PC option then.

Buying the 3 together will save you 20.00.

 

Firewall hasn't been covered, however check in control panel and see if Windows own firewall is turned on, the general recommendation seems to be that it is as good as any other third party firewall these days.

Nev is right.

The windows firewall now is just as good.

[RustyKnight]

After using Avast for years and then having problems with it I changed to Zone Alarm (free version) at the beginning of last year. In my opinion it is far better than Avast, plus it is an anti-virus and firewall.

I now have the paid for version because they had a special offer for a 3 PC license.