Setting up new laptop, best security/malware options?

[Malwarenator]

Hi,

 

I typically run HiJackThis and come look for the problem in here whenever something is wrong. I just had some malware that took forever to get off, and I went through like 8 steps listed in a thread here.

 

But I am getting a new laptop in a few days, and want to do security right before things go wrong. If this is the wrong section for this post, feel free to move it.

 

Typically, I will install the following off of a USB stick before it is even connected to the Internet:

 

Replace hosts file from mvps.org.

Spybot S&D, including Tea Timer.

AVG Antivirus

NoScript on Firefox

All Windows patches of course

Then plug it into a router-based firewall

Any P2P downloading I have been doing I run in XP Mode as a sandbox using PeerBlock, then run AVG in that environment (extremely slow, but hoping my new i7 quad core speeds that up).

 

I'd prefer not to be running too many extra processes in the background.

 

Anyway, what am I missing from what the gurus here typically install?

 

I assume Mawarebytes is one of them.

 

TIA!

[daman1]

Are you running free or paid AV? spy bot i never liked that.

 

my set up is in my sig. simple, light gets the job done.

[AdvancedSetup]

A lot of reading here but if you take the time to read a bit of it you'll see why/how infections and general damage are so easily inflicted on the computer. There is also advice on how to prevent it and keep the system working well. Don't forget about good, solid backups of your data to an external drive that is not connected except when backing up your data. If you leave a backup drive connected and you do get infected it can easily damage, encrypt, delete, or corrupt your backups as well and then you'd lose all data.
Nothing is 100% bulletproof but with a little bit of education you can certainly swing things in your favor.

 

• How Malware Spreads - How did I get infected
• Best Practices for Safe Computing - Prevention of Malware Infection
• Avoiding those unwanted free applications
• A close look at how Oracle installs deceptive software with Java updates
• IAC / Ask.com toolbars
• Malwarebytes Unpacked Blog
• List of well known antivirus products

 

 

If you're not currently using Malwarebytes PRO then you may want to consider purchasing the product which can also help greatly reduce the risk of a future infection

[AdvancedSetup]

As this has been discussed many times and always goes afoul and users seem to get heated over it I'm going to go ahead and close this topic now.

 

There is  link to another forum that loves to discuss this in great detail under the List of well known antivirus products.

 

Thanks