Avira or Microsoft Security Essentials

Hi


TBH I would say either is going to be good, Avira free is a great app as is MSE, I tend to use Avast but then we all have different options on security, but I feel you wont be disapointed with MSE.


Also do have a read of this How to Protect yourself from malware! for more tips as one app I would install on any PC is Spywareblaster, doesnt run and to be free you need to choose the manual update run and manually update it once a week, but it aids you by blocking any nasty known sites and activex.

 

Hi

Good list of apps btw, I would as I do have MalwareBytes installed and run the free option, is to have Superantispyware also as its scan can find different things to Malwarebytes, so they just back each other up.


Quick question, what Windows version you installing and are you going with the Windows built in Firewall and say a NAT/SPI Router over a 3rd party software firewall in say Comodo or PC tools etc?


Yeah that article from Chas is really good to just give an overall picture of what you can do to secure your PC as much as possible, I will always add the user is the biggest security issue, in where they surf and what they download, you up your % risk of malware by downloading off p2p and unsafe sites etc

 

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Vista Firewall is much better than XPs built in one (Windows 7s is even better, but do still need to know a bit about firewall rules as outgoing filtering is not like you see in 3rd party FW's but not hard in Win7 to block apps) dependent on how techy minded your friend is and how safe they may surf could be worth looking at the guides suggestions on a software firewall, PCtools I think is pretty good.

Powerline from what I'm told works really well, on a home powersystem thats not got any spike issues etc, so if their home power is stable its great.

WHS is a great option, not gotten around to building a WHS box, even though I have the software, but do read a friend of mines blog on WHS as he is also a Microsoft MVP but in WHS and has some great tips and plugins for WHS.

 

Hi

Sounds a great idea on the UPS backup battery.

Also great price on the ACER H340, indeed that is a winning price. Actually looks like a nice neat package, easy access to HDDs from the front cradles and neat look, thats not going to look out of place on show over hidden away.