The best way to protect my new computer please

[Corey244]

Ok I just bought a new computer and spent over 2,500 for it. As soon as my processor & second HD arrive from Newegg, I will be assembling it. I would like to know the best way other than a router I already have to protect my computer. On my old machine I use 2004 Norton anti-virus, but I don't think I like it. It seems like Norton has become very lazy to update since the year 2001 when I bought my first computer. I use to get updates at least once every 2 weeks. Now it seems 2 months per update is the norm. Not only that, I have never seen Norton detect a virus from a scan. Beleive me, I download stuff that I know had some kindof virus during all this time I had my computer. I've had to wipe my drive becuase of it, but Norton went on pretending it was actually doing something as these viruses ultimately cuased me to reformat a few times.

I wondering what are all you people doing to keep your comp protected these days? I don't want to go thru the BS of reformatting constantly again becuase I spent 50 bucks on a pretty yellow box. Any info would be appreceated.

Thank you

 

[wallsfd949]

Load a linux distro on it and you will never have the problems you described.

BTW, what did you get for $2500?

 

[igowerf]

There's a stickied thread about this.

 

[Chompman]

Best way to protect it is simple....
Don't connect it to the internet

 

[bsobel]

I use to get updates at least once every 2 weeks. Now it seems 2 months per update is the norm

Huh? You should be seeing updates weekly if not more often...
Bill

 

[Corey244]

BTW, what did you get for $2500?

Ok since you asked.

AMD Athlon 64 FX-53, 1MB L2 Cache, 940-pins, Windows Compatible 64-bit Processor - Retail

MSI K8N Neo2 Platinum NForce3 Ultra Motherboard S939

Cooler Master Hyper 6 P4/K8 CPU Cooler

Corsair Value Select 1GB (512MBx2) PC-3200

Thermaltake Xaser V Damier Black Full-Tower Case, Model "V5000A" -RETAIL

Antec 550W TruePower PSU

eVGA GeForce 6800GT 256MB DVI/VO

Two - Western Digital Raptor 74GB 10,000RPM SATA Hard Drives, Model WD740GD

Got a cheap Dvd burner since Im not into burning cd's much- CDRW/DVD COMBO52X32X52X16|LITEON B%

Also- will use my old 19'' flat I bought a few years back, till I get more $$$ to buy another

Don't care much for sound, so I will use the on board, but may change my mind later

I have not bought the processor yet, and most likely will monday. thing that has me concerned is the 940 pin, while my mobo says its for 939. Will this work?

Huh? You should be seeing updates weekly if not more often...

I swear I do not. I dunno why. I only have the norton anti-virus, might be why. Before I had the firewall/anti-virus combo and I was getting updates weekly. Not sure if they update the firewall more, but I would think with all the viruses floating around, Norton would try to stay on top of that updating anti-virus more than every couple of months.

 

[Corey244]

Lol just checked again. the last update was weeks ago and it says all symantec products and blah blah are currently up to date.

 

[AyashiKaibutsu]

IMPORTANT: 940 socket processors don't fit into 939 mobos. The 940 socket has 940 pins... clearly a circle into square sort of thing. There's an FX-53 for 939 you need to find. Sockets always need to match they aren't ever interchangable.

 

[bsobel]

Originally posted by: Corey244
Lol just checked again. the last update was weeks ago and it says all symantec products and blah blah are currently up to date.

Something is wrong or broken in your configuration, latest defs I have are from today. We do update alot more often than your seeing (I work there, I know), something is definately wrong (just not sure what yet). Since it's a clean install, I'd reinstall NIS and make sure you ahve all the current SP2 updates.

Bill

 

[MrChad]

1. Run an up-to-date antivirus.
2. Run an up-to-date spyware scanner regularly.
3. Run a firewall.
4. Make sure you turn automatic updates on, or visit Windows Update on at least a weekly basis.
5. Set up a limited user account and use that for day-to-day computing tasks (browsing the web, email, writing documents, etc.). If you don't have administrative access, it will be difficult for many spyware and virus programs to do damage.

 

[Modeps]

Honestly, I dont see what you would pay $2500 on in that setup... You may as well have just bought a system from Alienware if you wanted to waste your money.

 

[MedicBob]

One thing you are overlooking is a UPS, ie:battery back up. THey will protect the computer from power spikes, brownouts, etc. The better ones will provide "clean" power at a constant and consistant rate.

 

[Corey244]

IMPORTANT: 940 socket processors don't fit into 939 mobos. The 940 socket has 940 pins... clearly a circle into square sort of thing. There's an FX-53 for 939 you need to find. Sockets always need to match they aren't ever interchangable.

Ok thanks for the imprtant info. It's a good thing I did not buy that yet. I have asked a few people already about this and one of them said it was interchangable. You can never get enough opinions. I will probably spring the extra money for the fx-53 939

Something is wrong or broken in your configuration, latest defs I have are from today. We do update alot more often than your seeing (I work there, I know), something is definately wrong (just not sure what yet). Since it's a clean install, I'd reinstall NIS and make sure you ahve all the current SP2 updates.

Right after my last reformat 6 months ago, I upgraded from win98 to xp. 2001 is not compatible with xp and I did not know, so I had to buy 2004. I don't think I completely removed all of the 2001 program. That might be part of the problem. I may need to reformat to completely remove it.

Set up a limited user account and use that for day-to-day computing tasks (browsing the web, email, writing documents, etc.). If you don't have administrative access, it will be difficult for many spyware and virus programs to do damage.

How is this done?

Honestly, I dont see what you would pay $2500 on in that setup... You may as well have just bought a system from Alienware if you wanted to waste your money.

I'm not sure if you're being sarcastic.. I have spent time reading reviews about each of these components and have heard nothing but very good to excellent about each part. I got most of this through http://forums.anandtech.com/me...1717&enterthread=y You make it sound like I went to Best Buy

One thing you are overlooking is a UPS, ie:battery back up. THey will protect the computer from power spikes, brownouts, etc. The better ones will provide "clean" power at a constant and consistant rate.

I have a Cyber Power 3200SL from a few years ago. Not sure if these batteries are like cordless drills where you need to replace them becuase they develope short term memory. It seems to work fine on my comp now, since I can say nothing has gone wrong from the 4 or 5 power outs per year I have had

 

[JackMDS]

Link to: Basic Protection for Broadband Internet Installation.

Link to: Internet infestation -Or, how ...your Computer/Network?

:sun: