Newly formatted config

[Deleted member 178]

Ok since a few of you have all mentioned it I will take a shot for Comodo Internet Security (free) , I assume it would be a pointless purchase upgrading to the PRO version just to get some live pc support for problems that myself or with some help on here can resolve?

You are right.

I will go ahead and get MBAM (free), Hitman Pro (which I have seen A LOT of people mentioning, not just in my posts. It is a piece of software I actually have not heard of until I joined these forums and the bitdefender trafflic light.

Good choices.

one recommendation, with Hitman pro , just do a scan, then close it, don't clean your system with it (unless you buy a license), if you do you pass in trial mode for 30 days then after you will not be able to clean anymore if you have a serious infection

As well as them I was wondering for some more information on the following,

- Sandboxie free and paid : a must have (any version)
- EMET 3: also a must have
- Shadow Defender/Toolwiz Timefreeze: same functions, allow you to test some apps/malwares in your real system and when finish , you reboot then it is like nothing happened in your system. SD is paid and no more supported, TF is free.
- Emsisoft Emergency kit: another On(demand scanner, effective but not absolutely necessary since you have MBAM & HMP
- Comodo Cleaning Essentials: specialized in infected system, it include some very useful tools
- Ghostery: a browser addon to improved your privacy, useful.

With the ones I mentioned getting are any of them needed?

I will use the windows image maker for initial backup but will be likely to grab Paragon Drive Backup as I have used Paragon partition manager previously so may be more familiar with that one. Any of the others better?

Paragon is a good one , keep it.

 

[Ink]

This reminds me of the Episode #368 of The Simpsons. [x]

I was going to suggest to keep it simple, but it's flowing the other way.

 

[Plexx]

Toolwiz Timefreeze is an option if you dont go Sandboxie. Personally both are good. Only thing I dont like in Timefreeze is when you stop the mode it restarts the system.

Emsisoft Emergency Kit: handy on demand scanner

Comodo Cleaning Essentials: Cleaning tool basically if you do decide to go Comodo Internet Security Route.

Ghostery: Havent used it since I used adblock plus

EMET 3: Hardening of applications: strongly recommended.

Also you did mention before you wanted to go AV and Firewall separate route, and not a suite, so my best suggestion is:

Avast Free AV + Comodo Firewall installed and have Comodo Cleaning Essentials as an additional On demand scanner. There is a guide somewhere here or perhaps one of the users can give you further guidance on this.

 

[Plexx]

This reminds me of the Episode #368 of The Simpsons. [x]

I was going to suggest to keep it simple, but it's flowing the other way.

Going more simple than this there is one option: Linux

 

[Ink]

And then chose from one of the million distros available. Hahaha

 

[Plexx]

And then chose from one of the million distros available. Hahaha

Leaving Slackware based out, theres only a handfull of them, that is if we do not consider the forks.

Ok then to be more simpler: FreeBSD. Cant go much simpler than that!

 

[luke.douthwaite]

As CIS has auto sandboxing is there a real benefit to getting sandboxie or some alternative? As well, what is the best DNS software to go about getting, child protection software (for desktop computer, which the kids use) and any other kind of software people can think of. I intend to use Google Chrome just so people know. Is it worth having the alternative browser too?

Thanks,

Luke

 

[Deleted member 178]

As CIS has auto sandboxing is there a real benefit to getting sandboxie or some alternative?

CIS auto-sandboxing is based on policy rules, but its manual sandbox is like Sandboxie, it is a on true virtualization.
Sandboxie one is better because it is more advanced and more tweakable.

As well, what is the best DNS software to go about getting, child protection software (for desktop computer, which the kids use) and any other kind of software people can think of. I intend to use Google Chrome just so people know. Is it worth having the alternative browser too?

if you are concerned about child safety as well as malware protection, i suggest Norton Connect Safe alias Norton DNS , you have 3 kind of setting:

1- malware only
2- malware and porn
3- malware, porn, harmful topic sites

https://dns.norton.com/dnsweb/huConfigureRouter.do

 

[luke.douthwaite]

As CIS has auto sandboxing is there a real benefit to getting sandboxie or some alternative?

CIS auto-sandboxing is based on policy rules, but its manual sandbox is like Sandboxie, it is a on true virtualization.
Sandboxie one is better because it is more advanced and more tweakable.

As well, what is the best DNS software to go about getting, child protection software (for desktop computer, which the kids use) and any other kind of software people can think of. I intend to use Google Chrome just so people know. Is it worth having the alternative browser too?

if you are concerned about child safety as well as malware protection, i suggest Norton Connect Safe alias Norton DNS , you have 3 kind of setting:

1- malware only
2- malware and porn
3- malware, porn, harmful topic sites

https://dns.norton.com/dnsweb/huConfigureRouter.do

Ah that looks great mate, thank you

Are any of the advised programs doing a job that something like ccleaner would do?

Thanks,

Luke

 

[Deleted member 178]

Are any of the advised programs doing a job that something like ccleaner would do?

i am using System Ninja (yes the name is a bit unprofessional but it is a perfect complement ^^) and Wise Disk Cleaner alongside Ccleaner augmented by CCenhancer

 

[luke.douthwaite]

Are any of the advised programs doing a job that something like ccleaner would do?

i am using System Ninja (yes the name is a bit unprofessional but it is a perfect complement ^^) and Wise Disk Cleaner alongside Ccleaner augmented by CCenhancer

Ok great I will look into them too, are they worth getting, does ccleaner not do a good enough job? Do you also run a defrag prog?

I still have questions lol, what about a password manager and things like that? I use to run LastPass but that was years ago and was unsure if it still does a good job. What about start up managers, process manager and such items. Is that maybe getting a bit too over the top and if anything will just effect performance of computer due to running so many processes?

Thanks,

Luke

 

[Deleted member 178]

Ok great I will look into them too, are they worth getting, does ccleaner not do a good enough job? Do you also run a defrag prog?

it is good enough, CCenhancer just add more folder to its cleaning list

I still have questions lol, what about a password manager and things like that? I use to run LastPass but that was years ago and was unsure if it still does a good job.

i am still using it and didn't find a better option, it is free, effective, doesn't use resources. All i want from a application ^^

What about start up managers, process manager and such items. Is that maybe getting a bit too over the top and if anything will just effect performance of computer due to running so many processes?

no since you don't run them in permanence, i'm using:

start up manager : Autorun (free and portable)
Process manager/monitor : Process Hacker (free and portable)

check "my config", link on my signature, you will see all i'm using.

 

[jamescv7]

IE 9 browser is definitely fine and covers from protection on its SmartScreen Feature and Website Blocking thus known to be effective protection while you are on browsing.

 

[MrHacker]

Real Time protection: ESET Smart Security or Avast Free AntVirus
On Demand Scanners: Malwarebytes Antimalware free
Browser: Firefox

 

[shalnark11]

For Browser Use Maxthon 3
For Virtualization Use Sandboxie Free
For Uninstaller Use Iobit Uninstaller

 

[luke.douthwaite]

Thank you very much for all the replys so far

I have spent the last couple of days downloading software and getting things together. Just need to get myself a little set of portable apps put together on my portable drive but that is something I can do with new install. I am planning on formatting the laptop tonight (unless football keeps me lol, EURO 2012!!) <-- LoL ..

Once I get up and running I will be right back her to update config and more.

Cannot thank you all enough for the advice and help, much appreciated ..

Cheers,

Luke

 

[Plexx]

No worries. Glad we could help.

As for me... well have a look at my 2 threads (Combos and main config)...

what a nightmare!

 

[luke.douthwaite]

Well after waiting well over a month I have finally decided to do my format and installation of Windows. (been busy at home)

I have installed Windows and got all my programs on a portable HD atm. I have a quick question about doing my first initial backup. How do I do it with the Windows backup tool as I want to do my first backup without installing my programs. Do I just do a system image and install it on another partition on my drive as it will be fairly big size?

Once I do my initial backup I will use another program to do them every 2nd week more than likely..

Thanks,

Luke

 

[Ink]

I did a reinstall of Windows 7 Professional 64-bit a month and a few weeks ago.

What I did:
- Install Windows 7
- Install Security Updates and SP1
- Disable unnecessary services
- Take a System Image using Windows Backup (to my external portable HDD)
- Create a System Repair Disc (as instructed after a System Image)
- Create a System Restore point, unless you use a rollback software
- Install the programs/software etc, create shortcuts for the portable software in the start menu etc.
- Use PC as normal

Does this help?

 

[Deleted member 178]

I do almost same than Earth except i installed my backup soft and do a backup up right away after disabling the services.