New PC Computer Protection Advice

MorganV

I finally broke down and bought a new computer. But I've been out of the game a while (previous was Win7 with no graphics card). New one has all the bells and whistles.

I run through a switch, through a modem (if that matters), but I'm seeking advice on what to do with regards browser's, firewalls and antivirus.

I'm a fairly careful user, in that I'm careful with links, and don't use executables I don't completely trust. I haven't had a serious break in a long time (at least a decade).

But I'm looking for advice on protecting the new thing, without paying an excessive amount, or having it significantly impact performance (a friend had an antivirus that kept annoying him through games, but that was a while ago).

So, any advice? Preferably on the thrifty side, though I'm not averse to paying something.

davidsdurions

I literally only use the built in protection from windows. Being personally vigilant is the only real protection these days. Works perfectly fine for me and has for the last decade at least. Unless you’re running a business that stores personal data for other people.

For physical theft or other types of loss, your homeowners or renters insurance should be sufficient but check the fine print, sometimes you have to add a rider to your coverage for some items. Usually just jewelry or other very expensive things, but insurance companies are weird do best to check.

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davidsdurions

The only thing I do is make sure to not disable anything that gives you the option and definitely run all of the windows updates and do the restarts until it doesn’t ask for anymore after doing the check for updates thing.

That’s all I do at least, never had any trouble myself.

BahamutZERO

agreed with eveything davids said

discrider

Get a script blocker though, so ads don't have a chance to deliver malicious garbage to your browser.

BlindZenDriver

I highly recommend using Firefox as you main browser and then a different browser for say your bank and such and then only those exact pages. Not that Firefox isn't good for that also, but I think there is a point to keep a browser for only such few sensitive pages and nothing else.

Unlike Edge and Chrome, the Firefox browser is not owned by companies which see your data as a revenue source and it is a browser with lots of clever functionality - like a great history function, a smart way to organize bookmarks and letting you open multiple of them in one go...

And you should set up an adblocker on Firefox, not only does it mean browsing is faster it also means less risk since ad servers have been targets of hackers - meaning they made ads include all sorts. I block ads everywhere except select sites I feel need extra support, it just makes the internet better (for me, not for advertisers).

Also, a way to be extra safe is to set up virtual machines on your system. Doing so doesn't take much work and you can easily run a virtual machine you use to surf the web, it is almost like having an extra computer for that, only it is one you can easily reset in seconds if needed, provided you keep a copy of the initial setup. And you can have the virtual machine be a Linux one, to make it safe from Windows malware and if it is just to browse from it is easily done.