Just bought a Vista laptop: what do I need?

I've just bought a Vista laptop.

What do I need?

Do I need a virus checker?
Do I need a software firewall?
For both of these: I understood it that Microsoft had their own
versions?

For the firewall... I would normall install Kerio free firewall.
And for the Virus checker... I would install Grisoft's free antivirus
checker (from experience... I haven't liked it as it doesn't pick up
on everything).

Any recommendations and advice would be appreciated.

Thanks.


OM

Exactly what else you need depends on how the computer is used and and
what you are comfortable with.

Windows Vista already comes with a firewall and Windows Defender for
spyware so all that is really needed is an anti virus.
I currently use AVG Free and Nod32 on various computers, only one
installed on any computer.
Another good one is Avast.

Many run 3rd party firewalls so they are better able to control and
monitor what goes in and out.
Many also use two or three spyware detector programs since often one
finds what another misses.

--
Jupiter Jones [MVP]
http://www3.telus.net/dandemar
http://www.dts-l.org


"OM2" <> wrote in message
news: ups.com...
> I've just bought a Vista laptop.
>
> What do I need?
>
> Do I need a virus checker?
> Do I need a software firewall?
> For both of these: I understood it that Microsoft had their own
> versions?
>
> For the firewall... I would normall install Kerio free firewall.
> And for the Virus checker... I would install Grisoft's free
> antivirus
> checker (from experience... I haven't liked it as it doesn't pick up
> on everything).
>
> Any recommendations and advice would be appreciated.
>
> Thanks.
>
>
> OM
>

"OM2" <> wrote in message
news: ups.com...
> I've just bought a Vista laptop.
>
> What do I need?
>
> Do I need a virus checker?
> Do I need a software firewall?
> For both of these: I understood it that Microsoft had their own
> versions?
>
> For the firewall... I would normall install Kerio free firewall.
> And for the Virus checker... I would install Grisoft's free antivirus
> checker (from experience... I haven't liked it as it doesn't pick up
> on everything).
>
> Any recommendations and advice would be appreciated.
>
> Thanks.
>
>
> OM
>

You need a Virus checker. Microsoft offers One Care but AVG and Avast! are
free.

The Windows Firewall is all you need.

--
Frank Saunders MS-MVP IE,OE/WM
www.fjsmjs.com
Do not send email

"OM2" <> wrote in message
news: ups.com...
> I've just bought a Vista laptop.
>
> What do I need?
>
> Do I need a virus checker?
> Do I need a software firewall?
> For both of these: I understood it that Microsoft had their own
> versions?
>
> For the firewall... I would normall install Kerio free firewall.

I doubt that Kerio 2.15 is going to run on Vista. You need to find a
solution that is Vista compliant. I myself when the machine is directly
connected to the modem, I just use Vista FW/packet filter and IPsec that
comes with the O/S. Both are two way solutions that can stop inbound or
outbound traffic. If I want to see connections made, then I use CurrPort,
which is in the link below.

> And for the Virus checker... I would install Grisoft's free antivirus

You better make sure it is Vista compliant and will run on Vista.

> checker (from experience... I haven't liked it as it doesn't pick up
> on everything).

Nothing picks up everything. There are always zero day exploits that can
happen.
>
> Any recommendations and advice would be appreciated.


The first thing you should come to terms with is to NOT start installing
software on the machine that is non Vista compliant, otherwise, you're
asking for trouble.

http://www.bestvistadownloads.com/
http://kb.wisc.edu/helpdesk/page.php?id=5175
http://blogs.zdnet.com/Ou/?p=785

"OM2" <> wrote in message
news: ups.com...
> I've just bought a Vista laptop.
>
> What do I need?
>
> Do I need a virus checker?
> Do I need a software firewall?
> For both of these: I understood it that Microsoft had their own
> versions?
>
> For the firewall... I would normall install Kerio free firewall.
> And for the Virus checker... I would install Grisoft's free antivirus
> checker (from experience... I haven't liked it as it doesn't pick up
> on everything).
>
>

I downloaded Windows Live One Care (beta 2) for Vista x64 and I've been very
happy with it. It runs in the background and doesn't appear to slow the
system down at all.

As already stated, yes, you need an antivirus program.

Vista's firewall is, like XP's, only watching inbound traffic. If you want
to prevent any malicious programs that do sneak in from phoning home, you
need somenting more robust. I use ZoneAlarm's free version.

Be aware, once you start monitoring outbound traffic, you will amazed at how
every Tom, Dick and Harry application thinks it need to communicate with
someone else. Many seem to be using TCP just to talk to the local computer,
many want to talk to my router, and others actually seem to have a distant
entity in mind. This is not just the usual browser and email, but every app
that thinks it should check daily for updates, and a whole bunch of things I
don't think have any reason for talking to anybody. Just be ready for lots
of warnings or log entries.

Val

"OM2" <> wrote in message
news: ups.com...
I've just bought a Vista laptop.

What do I need?

Do I need a virus checker?
Do I need a software firewall?
For both of these: I understood it that Microsoft had their own
versions?

For the firewall... I would normall install Kerio free firewall.
And for the Virus checker... I would install Grisoft's free antivirus
checker (from experience... I haven't liked it as it doesn't pick up
on everything).

Any recommendations and advice would be appreciated.

Thanks.


OM

"Val" <> wrote in message
news:...
> As already stated, yes, you need an antivirus program.
>
> Vista's firewall is, like XP's, only watching inbound traffic. If you
> want
> to prevent any malicious programs that do sneak in from phoning home, you
> need somenting more robust. I use ZoneAlarm's free version.

That's incorrect that Vista's FW only deals with inbound only. It deals with
outbound traffic too and is a two way FW, and in a lot of ways is more
robust than a 3rd party solution. And if you want to see inbound and
outbound connections, you go to Vista's FW log to see it.

If one needs to see connections in real time, then one will use something
like CurrPorts.

http://www.snapfiles.com/get/cports.html

If you're depended upon Application Control (the phone home) snake-oil in
personal FW(s) to tell you what's going on, then you have already lost 3/4
of the battle, because malware can punch-out through that like a hot knife
cutting through butter and you wouldn't even know it.

On Sat, 27 Oct 2007 17:06:46 -0700, OM2 wrote:

> I've just bought a Vista laptop.
>
> What do I need?

A decent manual.

--
Chris Game

"During my service in the United States Congress, I took the
initiative in creating the Internet." - Al Gore, March 9, 1999

Windows OneCare: http://onecare.live.com/standard/en-us/default.htm

--
Carey Frisch
Microsoft MVP
Windows - Shell/User
Microsoft Community Newsgroups
news://msnews.microsoft.com/



"OM2" wrote:

> I've just bought a Vista laptop.
>
> What do I need?
>
> Do I need a virus checker?
> Do I need a software firewall?
> For both of these: I understood it that Microsoft had their own
> versions?
>
> For the firewall... I would normall install Kerio free firewall.
> And for the Virus checker... I would install Grisoft's free antivirus
> checker (from experience... I haven't liked it as it doesn't pick up
> on everything).
>
> Any recommendations and advice would be appreciated.
>
> Thanks.
>
>
> OM
>
>

"Mr. Arnold" <MR. > wrote in message
news:...
>
>> Vista's firewall is, like XP's, only watching inbound traffic. If
>> you
>
> That's incorrect that Vista's FW only deals with inbound only. It
> deals with outbound traffic too and is a two way FW, and in a lot of
> ways is more robust than a 3rd party solution. And if you want to see
> inbound and outbound connections, you go to Vista's FW log to see it.


Sorry but you're wrong. By default, Vista's firewall blocks inbound
only. You need to go into the Advanced Firewall settings to enable
outbound filtering and then customize all the settings.

It works well when properly configured, but the average user will have
no idea what to block and what to allow, and the setup is rather
confusing for inexperienced users. That's why many users want a simpler
firewall.

Personally, I recommend using a router with NAT to provide firewalling
to the computer. A wireless router is a great idea for a laptop since
you can move the computer around the house without worrying about a
wire. You can use it in the kitchen, living room, bedroom (careful with
this one!), backyard, whatever, and all the while you're getting very
good firewalling features. Just make sure you put passwords on BOTH the
Admin and User logins to secure the router. Read up a bit on it, and
even an inexperienced user can configure it to be safe and secure.