what security for my win 8.1 laptop

I use kaspersky (free version) on my laptop.

Kaspersky is a good one but I pay for mine, it does everything, I get it at bestbuy, never seen it at walmart.

I use the build in Windows Defender and it works just fine.

I have AVG2014 (free version) and ADVANCED SYSTEMCARE (Free Version) and sometimes run Malwarebytes Anti-Malware (Free version)... So far so good...

Been running these programs for past many years. I also use FIREFOX Internet Explorer.

I haven't converted my XP DELL M90 laptops yet... Looking to change over to WIN7 PRO instead of replacing computers.

Roy Ken

Thanks for the quick replies.
I, too, thought about converting my xp to win 7 (again due to the suggestions on this forum). I found that it cost $$, and since I'm not tech saavy, decided to buy an inexpensive laptop instead, to avoid any hassles.

RoyB wrote:
... I also use FIREFOX Internet Explorer.

:h

Bitdefender Antivirus Antivirus Free Edition. Top rated, higher than most paid AV. Very light on computer resources. Free updates. Windows Defender is not even close for protection.

HappyKayakers - I didn't know what to call it haha... Mozilla Firefox, a free Web browser maybe is a better choice... Sorry bout that...

All I know is it runs alot smoother than MS IE and doesn't have any lock ups here...

Roy ken

charlysmom&dad - I love my older DELL M90 high end Workstation laptop setup here. I use this with a DELL DOCKING Station which supports DUAL Monitors and external keyboard/mouse, speakers, and different I/O units.

The beauty is I can just just grab the M90 Laptop out of the docking station from the house and set into a similar setup including printer in the RV Trailer and allows me to carry all of my things with me on the trips in the one M90 laptop. I also carry three or four different USB hard drives with me that has alot of my other hobbies on them like photos, drawings, Family Research, etc...

Changing to another computer will be a bummer for me. However I'm hoping all of my stuff will run on WIN 7. It may end up costing too much like you have indicated getting everything compatible again with what I have to use here...

I am planning on experimenting on a second M90 I have here that is used for my HAM RADIO interface to learn what I have to do to upgrade Dell M90's to WIN 7 PRO 32-bit... The FULL BUILD WIN7 software is available for around $130 and up at a few places.. It does however require you to fully scrub the hard drive - not an upgrade... That part is scary for me too... Then you may run into video board, DVD player, and who knows what problems that doesn't like WIN 7.

Moving data files around is not fun... Might lose something in the process...

I originally got my DELL M90 laptops off of EBAY OFF-LEASE SALES and they only cost around $500 each back then ready to go on XP. The M90 Workstation is replaced by the DELL M6000 series now and their OFF-LEASE cost is around $900 each.

Sure is a mess having to re-do things that has worked so good for you over the years... gripes me big time...

Roy ken

Not a fan of payed anti-malware

Firewall. None better or more annoying, than Zone Alarm, There is a free version, NOTE this program not only blocks INCOMING attacks but asks for permission before it will let a program call out as well. This is why it is most annoying You have to approve most programs that wish to access the internet. This has enabled me to find infections in computers in the past (When the mal-ware tried to "Phone Home" Zone alarm told me about it).

Anti-Other stuff (Virus et-al) AVAST or AVG FREE backed up with Malware Bytes.

(You run malware bytes manually) There are other good Anti-malware programs too but those get good reviews. I like having two different ones on board One runs in the background all the time,, The other I fire up manually from time to time.