New Laptop - Software Recommendations (Win 10 Home)

SaberX on 31/03/2019 - 18:44

Hi all,

Got the prior model HP spectre x360 13", late 2017 one (before they cut off the corners).. not that it matters, but a bit of context. :)

Just wondering what the goto free to use software recommendations are these days for:

a) antivirus
b) other malware, adware/rootkits
c) browser software
d) encryption for laptop privacy

Elaborating:

a) I have typically used avast, and a second laptop i ran AVG. Can't tell which I prefer but I am probably used to avast and happy to go. I know no antivirus will protect against stupidity and the "newest" virus, however are these two still the go tos for a decent free solution?

And if you had to pick between avast and avg , given I'm running win 10 home , which would be recommended in order to maximise system resource usage?

b) I have typically used a combination of free (run on demand, no real time) malware bytes mixed with spybot search and destroy to immunise and do ad hoc sweeps for trackers and other spyware.

c) I have always found it hard to decide between chrome and firefox so wondering which hogs most resources? Most notably looking for a browser where extended usage and tabs do not result in the resource memory stacking until it freezes up the system - so far I think both firefox and chrome do eventually until you shut them down completely.

Is there a 2019 consensus on which is most efficient and best for privacy or general use? Chrome obviously syncs with google account (although I think this may be a negative in terms of tracking everything you do whilst logged in), and firefox does have the built in add to pocket which helps. Unfortunately firefox removed the session manager add on which was a big + for why I used to use firefox more often, as I keep ALOT of tabs open, and occasionally firefox and chrome failed to "open last session" properly. .I was losing alot of tab data until session manager was a guaranteed backup.

d) encrpytion - my lat laptop was purchased 2011 and back then win 7 home did not come with bit locker encryption for win 8.

I can't see any mention of a similar tool in windows 10 home - is there no longer free encryption built into win 10 computers?

If not is my best bet a folder container via veracrypt that way the OS is not encrypted, just all personal data. I know the hp spectres come with built in security etc. but i assume it is just like old computers where anyone ripping the HDD out physically could access unencrypted files and data? While I have no trade secrets I would never want any photos, resume, bank statements etc. and tax files in the hands of someone else - whom, if they have it, most likely stole my computer.

any advice and recommendations would be great - as mentioned my last laptop purchase was in 2011 so I've been stuck in my old ways for awhile!

I am trying to get microsoft office reinstalled as I last had the 2013 office professional via HUP but am not sure if you can install it on a 3rd computer? is openoffice the next best free version? As I note 2019 HUP i am desperately trying to find someone to buy for me, as I am not a big fan of the whole subscription based "cloud" software i.e. office 365. I just want my word, excel etc. physically available offline once installed… without this yearly bs.

Thanks in advance!

Computing Computer Laptop Software

Comments

  • Hybroid on 31/03/2019 - 18:47
    +5

    a) antivirus

    Not required. Microsoft Security Essentials is built-in, ensure it's updated and active.

    b) other malware, adware/rootkits

    Malwarebytes is the only one you need. Free version works fine if you're happy to do manual scans occasionally.

    c) browser software

    Firefox is the best for privacy and extensions. uBlock Origin for ad blocking.

    d) encryption for laptop privacy

    If this is very important to you, consider upgrading to Win 10 Pro for Bitlocker. Best option rather than third party ones.

    www.ninite.com is great to streamline new computer software downloads in one go.

    • SaberX on 01/04/2019 - 03:10

      Thanks for the suggestions. Never heard of Microsoft security essentials. Does it replace windows defender? And how up to date is it compared to a free version such as avast or AVG? I presume it doesn't block live links and popups for the shadier side of town that avast's or AVG's live shields would normally pickup? not that I would click these shady popups but it saves you the time of closing new browser window popups when they are blocked automatically.

      Firefox - roger. Is privacy with chrome not great given the ecosystem?

      Re: encryption, how much is it for win 10 pro? Is that the only advantage of upgrading, and how does an upgrade work when you have bought alaptop these days preloaded with win 10 home? Does it bolt on and can be used everytime you reformat the computer to factory settings?

      Otherwise if 3rd party is veracrypt still the bread and butter goto?

      Not sure what a computer software downloader like ninite does but i'll check it out afte rwork this week ! THank you!

      • scrimshaw on 01/04/2019 - 08:33

        SEcurity essentials is kind of an old brand name that stuck around — it was what was used in Windows 7 days, and killed off in Windows 8. Now in Windows 10 it's just called "Windows Security" and it is baked in as part of the operating system.

        It runs in the background by default until manually disabled or you run a 3rd party antivirus, in which case the antivirus tells Windows Security "Don't worry, I've got this" and it takes over it's duties.

        For most people, Chrome is fine but if you ask the privacy advocates they will tell you how bad it is. But it is true to a degree that yes, Google's web services and Privacy are two things that don't necessarily go together. Their services are free because you are giving your data so that they can develop their products and give you a customized experience.

        If you want Win10 Pro for cheaper, one way to get it is with education discounts, or the Microsoft Home Use Program. Otherwise there are OEM licenses you could purchase, though on eBay it is full 'gray area' sellers with questionable feedback.

        if you only have certain folders that you want to lock up, veracrypt or 7zip compression software's all you need.

        • SaberX on 02/04/2019 - 02:47

          When I searched up Windows Security Essentials it seemed to be part of the ecosystem but required installation? Rather than being already a part of the system that needed activation? Am I missing anything? Regardless I can just install it and turn it on, but was just curious.

          If it runs in the background that's great. But does it therefore actively block shadey popups and links like avast and AVG would therefore?

          With grey area OEM licenses - do these work if your using your computer and not the computer the OEM was installed with? I have no idea how these work but noticed when I googled to see if I could still buy MS Office outright without the need to go to cloude based like office 365 i got a few different microsoft office professional 2016 and 2019 sellers through various websites pop up, and some seemed abit too cheap to be true….

          Yeah, I might just go with the veracrypt on a personal folder…. the 7zip is abit hard as I don't have a specific file or folders to zip up encrypted. THe best would have been an one stop shop windows encrpytion with the TPM module, but alas I only noted the HP Spextre x360 has no TPM after I had decided I'd go and buy it. I do note some of the Lenovos such as the thinkpad E580 and E590 have it, so looks like next time I will just need to choose a more "business" grade laptop when I finally upgrade.

          As for spyware do you find malware bytes free, run on ad hoc covers pretty much the same as running and installing spybot search and destory these days? Or are both complimentary and worth running?

  • scrimshaw on 31/03/2019 - 19:02
    +1

    Lifehacker has a pretty good list of apps (most free, a few paid) that you find handy
    https://www.lifehacker.com.au/2019/01/lifehacker-pack-for-wi…

    and yeah basically what Hybroid suggested is what I would also suggest. Ninite is great and everything listed on there are tried / tested software, and the automated installer does a pretty nice job of ensuring the bloat is not installed.

    Brave browser is an Open source alternative to Chrome. It is based on the Chrome browser engine so everything feels and looks the same, but it's more privacy focused.

  • [Deactivated] on 31/03/2019 - 19:05
    +1

    Just keep W10 and essentials up to date and you will be fine.

    Google docs/sheets etc can be used offline and don't cost a thing.

    A lot of your questions sound like things that were issues 5-10 years ago. Just avoid dodgy sites and pr0n.

    • SaberX on 01/04/2019 - 03:04

      I haven't heard of this essentials - does it allow real time blocking of popups similar to avast/avg e.g. the typical junk that starts to pop up when you start to visit the more suspect side of the internet?

      I didn't know google docs could be used offline? I thought it was a web based interface? haha and yes, I was worried alot of these were 5-10 year old 'problems'.

      Any solution to my encryption question however?

      • [Deactivated] on 01/04/2019 - 03:16

        Essentials is built into W10.

        To block pop ups just use an extension in your browser of choice - Chrome or Firefox.

        Why encrypt? Just store files on Google drive or similar. It's free. It's backed up off site and technically only you can access it.

        If you want to encrypt maybe try veracrypt. There is a free version. Once installed just right click on the files you wish to encrypt and you are done. You probably only have a few files or a folder you wish to encrypt.

        • SaberX on 02/04/2019 - 02:49

          I'm not a huge fan of storing all personal stuff on cloud. Firstly the speed of offline access, and the ability to offline access is more important to me as NBN and the like isn't always connected, and if it goes down at the time of wanting to use the computer it would render the data inaccessible temporarily.

          I want to encrypt more so if someone steals or finds the laptop, rips out the hard drive and then your personal sensitive data is showing. I dont have trade secrets but I would rest alot easier knowing photos, resumes, bank statements and other personalised docs are locked in an encrypted folder at least….

          W10 Essentials when I googled it appeared to require installation through the MS ecosystem? I'll check again that it isn't already installed and requiring a flick of the switch to turn on….

          Any privacy extension for browser popups to recommend for firefox? What's the goto?

  • No Username on 31/03/2019 - 20:27
    +1

    For Security download these and run them monthly:
    * Windows Defender
    * Malwarebytes
    * RKill
    * Hitman Pro (30 Day Trail)
    * ADW Cleaner
    * Malwarebytes Anti-Rootkit BETA

    Browsers:
    Edge for 4k and 5.1 Netflix
    For Casual Browsing Use Firefox

    Cleaning Software
    * CCleaner
    * Disk Cleaner

    • SaberX on 01/04/2019 - 03:07

      Windows defender isn't part of windows anymore by default? Needs to be downloaded ?

      Malware bytes agreed, haven't heard of RKill, Hitman Pro (trial.. probably won't bother as I dont think i'd pay for anything past trial) nore the ADW Cleaner.

      For rootkits 5-10 years ago tdsskiller rootkits from kaspersky labs used to be the goto. Not popular anymore?

      Browsers - this is a 1920 x 1080 full HD i believe screen. Why is edge recommended for 4k screens, and how does edge even differ to internet explorer? Is it like an upgraded version? haven't heard of the 5.1 netflix or whatever that is??? Guess being everyday browsing I'll stick with the firefox suggestion.

      Are cleaning softwares safe these days? 5-10 years ago automatically running registry cleaners and other things ended up half baking applications and windows so i stopped using it.

      Any suggestion for the encryption question?? No bitlocker built into win 10 home?

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