Windows 8.1 - Good security software?

terazbox

Member
Member
Messages
33
Hello all,
We recently got a new laptop - HP Envy with Win 8 on it and did the upgrade to 8.1. Then, I installed Team Viewer on to help my Dad out when he got his new computer with 8.1 on it.

I wasn't too concerned about ours but then he ran into an issue with getting in his e-mail account and contacted his provider - Century Link, to help out. The fellow there was awesome and spent hours with Dad - apparently he had some Trojans already on his new computer. The fellow installed a few things for him, CCleaner, Malwarebytes, ran Windows Defender and I think 1 other thing.

So, this morning, I installed malware and CC. I've got malware bytes doing the full scan right now.

My question is, what all do I want to run on our laptop to keep it as safe as possible?

We had Webroot installed on our previous laptop that died this fall and I just went ahead and loaded it on our new one but now I'm wondering, our paid subscription runs out later this spring.

Do I want to continue using it? Do I want to include anything else as far as the CC & Mbytes?

And no, I can't get Windows Defender to go from off to on, can't find where to turn it on, so I am guessing that Webroot has made it go into off mode?

The quick scan with bytes showed a few things but believe from a quick glance that they are all combined with 2 things, the one is an open candy? Anyhow, once I get the full scan completed, I'll let you know what all popped up and if anything seems really bad, hopefully you can help me get it out.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated as we absolutely love our new laptop and my husband has ordered me to keep it healthy and happy :) My husband thinks I can work miracles in computer land, LOL little does he know I come here to learn.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    WINDOWS 8.1
    Computer type
    Laptop
ok, the full scan completed and the 2 things are a bunch of pup.optional.wecare and open candy. I would think it would be quite safe to eliminate those, correct?
Other than those things, nothing else showed up. I think that is probably a good thing.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    WINDOWS 8.1
    Computer type
    Laptop
Here are a few tips I use..

1) Uninstall EVERYTHING you don't need. New computers always come bundled with software that no one will use. This will cause unnecessary startup entires, slow performance, and often conflicts with newer software you might want to use.

2) Install all available updates through Windows Update.

3) Check the manufacturer website for updated drivers.

4) In my opinion, Windows Defender is sufficient as an Anti-Virus. Extra's such as CCleaner, Malwarebytes are a plus if the situation calls for it.

Aside from that, safe browsing habits are always your first line of defense. :)
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Enterprise
Here are a few tips I use..

1) Uninstall EVERYTHING you don't need. New computers always come bundled with software that no one will use. This will cause unnecessary startup entires, slow performance, and often conflicts with newer software you might want to use.

2) Install all available updates through Windows Update.

3) Check the manufacturer website for updated drivers.

4) In my opinion, Windows Defender is sufficient as an Anti-Virus. Extra's such as CCleaner, Malwarebytes are a plus if the situation calls for it.

Aside from that, safe browsing habits are always your first line of defense. :)

so instead of duplicating, I totally agree with what you typed, the only thing I would add is get the Malwarebytes Pro version. It is not expensive, it runs fine along WD, and you can set it up to do scans and it is watching over you in real time
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    4 Windows 7 Pro Sp1- 4 Win 8 Pro, 1- xp pro sp3
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Optiplex 390, 380, 3 Vostro Laptops (7 computers in all)
    CPU
    desktop/laptop
    Memory
    4gigs
    Graphics Card(s)
    atm randioum
    Hard Drives
    350,250
The best security for any Windows machine is to have the PRO sku and then to implement a Limited Account with Software Restriction Policies.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
I agree Malwarebytes Pro is a good investment.

Newegg has it for $14.99 with Coupon code "EMCPHPC47" this is for the Lifetime license. These will not be available for much longer as they are going to a subscription rate of $30. a year.

Newegg.com - Malwarebytes Anti-Malware Pro Lifetime - 1 PC

The other one I would suggest is WOT (Web of Trust) it is free and will give you advanced warning of a bad site you are trying to go to.

https://www.mywot.com/en/download

Yes, Windows Defender is turned off by Webroot. You will have to remove it before you can turn on Defender.

This Tutorial will show you how to turn on Defender : http://www.eightforums.com/tutorials/21967-windows-defender-protection-turn-off-windows-8-a.html

 
Last edited:

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Win 8.1.1 64 bit
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Lenovo Z710 #59400485
    CPU
    i7-4700MQ
    Motherboard
    LENOVO Durian 7A1
    Memory
    8.0GB PC3-12800 DDR3L SDRAM 1600 MHz
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel® HD Graphics 4600
    Monitor(s) Displays
    17.3" FHD LED Glossy Wedge
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080
    Hard Drives
    1TB 5400 RPM

    WDC WD10JPCX-24UE4T0
    PSU
    4 Cell 41 Watt Hour Lithium-Ion
    Case
    Lenovo
    Cooling
    Air in, Air out.
    Keyboard
    Logitech usb
    Mouse
    M$ Arc
    Internet Speed
    60 down- 25 up
    Browser
    Firefox - newest
    Antivirus
    Defender
    Other Info
    MBAM Pro, SAS Pro, Revo Pro.
ok, the full scan completed and the 2 things are a bunch of pup.optional.wecare and open candy. I would think it would be quite safe to eliminate those, correct?
Other than those things, nothing else showed up. I think that is probably a good thing.

Yes, delete everything Malwarebytes find.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Win 8.1.1 64 bit
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Lenovo Z710 #59400485
    CPU
    i7-4700MQ
    Motherboard
    LENOVO Durian 7A1
    Memory
    8.0GB PC3-12800 DDR3L SDRAM 1600 MHz
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel® HD Graphics 4600
    Monitor(s) Displays
    17.3" FHD LED Glossy Wedge
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080
    Hard Drives
    1TB 5400 RPM

    WDC WD10JPCX-24UE4T0
    PSU
    4 Cell 41 Watt Hour Lithium-Ion
    Case
    Lenovo
    Cooling
    Air in, Air out.
    Keyboard
    Logitech usb
    Mouse
    M$ Arc
    Internet Speed
    60 down- 25 up
    Browser
    Firefox - newest
    Antivirus
    Defender
    Other Info
    MBAM Pro, SAS Pro, Revo Pro.
The other one I would suggest is WOT (Web of Trust) it is free and will give you advanced waring of a bad site you are trying to go to.

i cant imagine using this instead of WD
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    win8.1.1 enterprise
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Hinze57
    CPU
    AMD FX 6100 6core 3.30gHz
    Motherboard
    gigibyte ga-78lmy-s2p
    Memory
    4gig ddr3
    Graphics Card(s)
    Radon hd5000 Series
    Sound Card
    onboard realtek hd
    Monitor(s) Displays
    19" viewsonic/ 22"Samsung
    Screen Resolution
    1680x1050
    Hard Drives
    128gig ssd Kingston
    80gig WD 10000 rpm spinner
    Case
    micro
    Keyboard
    microsoft curve 200
    Mouse
    Logitech wireless M215
    Internet Speed
    high speed 20
    Browser
    ie 11
    Antivirus
    windows defender
    Other Info
    updated enterprise apr 2/14
1) updated OS
2) configured firewall
3) secured browser(s)
4) EMET (configured)
5) SRP (if possible)
6) strict download/visited sites policy

I don't have any AV anti malware installed. Why? Because OS is compromised already if you need to remove anything. It always amazes me when users with several AV anti-malware and some very sophisticated firewalls (HIPS and whatnot) still have problems with system security
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    windows 8.1
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    MSI
    CPU
    i7-4800MQ
    Memory
    32GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    nVidia GeForce GTX 770M
    Browser
    Enhanced Protected Mode IE/protected mode Firefox
    Antivirus
    nope
    Other Info
    OpenNIC/DNSCrypt/VPN/EMET
1) . It always amazes me when users with several AV anti-malware and some very sophisticated firewalls (HIPS and whatnot) still have problems with system security

because nuttin is 100% secure
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    win8.1.1 enterprise
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Hinze57
    CPU
    AMD FX 6100 6core 3.30gHz
    Motherboard
    gigibyte ga-78lmy-s2p
    Memory
    4gig ddr3
    Graphics Card(s)
    Radon hd5000 Series
    Sound Card
    onboard realtek hd
    Monitor(s) Displays
    19" viewsonic/ 22"Samsung
    Screen Resolution
    1680x1050
    Hard Drives
    128gig ssd Kingston
    80gig WD 10000 rpm spinner
    Case
    micro
    Keyboard
    microsoft curve 200
    Mouse
    Logitech wireless M215
    Internet Speed
    high speed 20
    Browser
    ie 11
    Antivirus
    windows defender
    Other Info
    updated enterprise apr 2/14
1) . It always amazes me when users with several AV anti-malware and some very sophisticated firewalls (HIPS and whatnot) still have problems with system security

because nuttin is 100% secure

no, because users believe that installing all possible security software will render them immune to possible threats while in fact biggest security problem is user.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    windows 8.1
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    MSI
    CPU
    i7-4800MQ
    Memory
    32GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    nVidia GeForce GTX 770M
    Browser
    Enhanced Protected Mode IE/protected mode Firefox
    Antivirus
    nope
    Other Info
    OpenNIC/DNSCrypt/VPN/EMET
1) . It always amazes me when users with several AV anti-malware and some very sophisticated firewalls (HIPS and whatnot) still have problems with system security

because nuttin is 100% secure

no, because users believe that installing all possible security software will render them immune to possible threats while in fact biggest security problem is user.
have to agree with that 100%
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    win8.1.1 enterprise
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Hinze57
    CPU
    AMD FX 6100 6core 3.30gHz
    Motherboard
    gigibyte ga-78lmy-s2p
    Memory
    4gig ddr3
    Graphics Card(s)
    Radon hd5000 Series
    Sound Card
    onboard realtek hd
    Monitor(s) Displays
    19" viewsonic/ 22"Samsung
    Screen Resolution
    1680x1050
    Hard Drives
    128gig ssd Kingston
    80gig WD 10000 rpm spinner
    Case
    micro
    Keyboard
    microsoft curve 200
    Mouse
    Logitech wireless M215
    Internet Speed
    high speed 20
    Browser
    ie 11
    Antivirus
    windows defender
    Other Info
    updated enterprise apr 2/14
Using bitdefender free antivirus or forticlient 5 would be good for you.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    viktik
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    MSI CR420
    CPU
    Intel i3 330M
    Motherboard
    MSI
    Memory
    4 GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    INTEL HD 1ST GEN
    Browser
    FIREFOX
    Antivirus
    F SECURE
Do what ectech said, you'll be fine!
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Win 10 Pro 64bit
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Home built Intel i7-3770k-based system
    CPU
    Intel i7-3770k, Overclocked to 4.6GHz (46x100) with Corsair H110i GT cooler
    Motherboard
    ASRock Z77 OC Formula 2.30 BIOS
    Memory
    32GB DDR3 2133 Corsair Vengeance Pro
    Graphics Card(s)
    GeForce GTX 980ti SC ACS 6GB DDR5 by EVGA
    Sound Card
    Creative Sound Blaster X-Fi Titanium HD, Corsair SP2500 speakers and subwoofer
    Monitor(s) Displays
    LG 27EA33 [Monitor] (27.2"vis) HDMI
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080
    Hard Drives
    Samsung SSD 850 EVO 250GB (system drive)
    WD 6TB Red NAS hard drives x 2 in Storage Spaces (redundancy)
    PSU
    Corsair 750ax fully modular power supply with sleeved cables
    Case
    Corsair Air 540 with 7 x 140mm fans on front, rear and top panels
    Cooling
    Corsair H110i GT liquid cooled CPU with 4 x 140" Corsair SP "push-pull" and 3 x 140mm fans
    Keyboard
    Thermaltake Poseidon Z illuminated keyboard
    Mouse
    Corsair M65 wired
    Internet Speed
    85MBps DSL
    Browser
    Chrome and Edge
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender, MalwareBytes Pro and CCleaner Pro
    Other Info
    Client of Windows Server 2012 R2 10 PC's, laptops and smartphones on the WLAN.

    1GBps Ethernet ports
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