Reasonable Maintenance Programs

tlcmd · 31. May 2013, 02:05 PM

I'm in the process of wiping my old computer and would like some advice.
I have an 8 year old computer with a 2.66 Dual Core Pentium Chip, 2Gigs of RAM, and 2 HDD's; one with Windows XP SP3 and the other with Linux Mint Debian Edition. I am backed up on a 1 TB external HDD.

I'd appreciate some advice regarding a reasonable list of maintenance programs for the Windows HDD

Currently, I'm planning to use:

Microsoft Security Essentials
CCleaner
Malwarebytes
Secunia
Microsoft Windows Malicious Software Removal Tool
Windows Firewall

Any other suggestions, comments, and snide remarks would be appreciated.

Thanks,
tlcmd (aka Dick)

Sope · 31. May 2013, 02:36 PM

Looks like a reasonable plan to me.

Personally I would probably add WinPatrol and Sandboxie into the mix. These are the first two security programs I would install on a fresh system.

Joe A.TT · 31. May 2013, 11:51 PM

I agree with Sope. I have the same software on my W7 x64 machine. The only exceptions are:

o - I also have the free version of SUPERAntiSpyware,

o - I don't use Secunia. It is good, but I prefer to update as and when I choose. I may consider installing it later.

MidnightCowboy · 01. Jun 2013, 01:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sope

Personally I would probably add WinPatrol and Sandboxie into the mix. These are the first two security programs I would install on a fresh system.

I would go with this too.

Sandboxing is the only way to reduce zero-day vulnerablities to their absolute minimum as no antivius performs well enough in this area. Additionally, WinPatrol will help you to avoid the maze of toolbars and browser hijacks now bundled with so many programs that antivirus software does not even register.

J_L · 01. Jun 2013, 05:57 AM

Microsoft Windows Malicious Software Removal Tool is pointless in my opinion, because you have MSE which has the same signatures and probably engine as well. A better choice would be Hitman Pro.

An important piece of info we're lacking is what browser you'll be using, along with which extensions. Something like WOT (note FP's), VTchromizer/VTzilla, and maybe LastPass are essential. Alternatives you can use concurrently with WOT include BitDefender TrafficLight, Norton/Comodo DNS, a good HOSTS file, and even Peerblock. If you're geeky enough, NoScript/ScriptSafe and EMET are also options. Those extensions, DNS, and HOSTS can be used in Linux Mint as well.

Lastly, make sure that backup includes drive imaging.

31. May 2013, 02:05 PM	#1 (permalink)
tlcmd Full Member Join Date: Oct 2012 Posts: 61	Reasonable Maintenance Programs I'm in the process of wiping my old computer and would like some advice. I have an 8 year old computer with a 2.66 Dual Core Pentium Chip, 2Gigs of RAM, and 2 HDD's; one with Windows XP SP3 and the other with Linux Mint Debian Edition. I am backed up on a 1 TB external HDD. I'd appreciate some advice regarding a reasonable list of maintenance programs for the Windows HDD Currently, I'm planning to use: Microsoft Security Essentials CCleaner Malwarebytes Secunia Microsoft Windows Malicious Software Removal Tool Windows Firewall Any other suggestions, comments, and snide remarks would be appreciated. Thanks, tlcmd (aka Dick)

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31. May 2013, 02:36 PM	#2 (permalink)
Sope Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Wales, UK Posts: 1,174	Looks like a reasonable plan to me. Personally I would probably add WinPatrol and Sandboxie into the mix. These are the first two security programs I would install on a fresh system.

31. May 2013, 11:51 PM	#3 (permalink)
Joe A.TT Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2012 Posts: 1,028	I agree with Sope. I have the same software on my W7 x64 machine. The only exceptions are: o - I also have the free version of SUPERAntiSpyware, o - I don't use Secunia. It is good, but I prefer to update as and when I choose. I may consider installing it later.

01. Jun 2013, 05:57 AM	#5 (permalink)
J_L Co-Author, Best Free Security List Join Date: Dec 2008 Posts: 2,003	Microsoft Windows Malicious Software Removal Tool is pointless in my opinion, because you have MSE which has the same signatures and probably engine as well. A better choice would be Hitman Pro. An important piece of info we're lacking is what browser you'll be using, along with which extensions. Something like WOT (note FP's), VTchromizer/VTzilla, and maybe LastPass are essential. Alternatives you can use concurrently with WOT include BitDefender TrafficLight, Norton/Comodo DNS, a good HOSTS file, and even Peerblock. If you're geeky enough, NoScript/ScriptSafe and EMET are also options. Those extensions, DNS, and HOSTS can be used in Linux Mint as well. Lastly, make sure that backup includes drive imaging.