A little computer help help needed

Little House on Unaka | December 26, 2011 | don-o

[don-o]

I received a new laptop for Christmas (Sony Vaio). I've done a couple of downloads - MalewareBytes,etc. When d/l completed, I see a quick flash - "virus scan OK" or something like that.

Also, when d/l begins, I get a popup, indicating that it's safe.

My question is: Do I have the MS Security Essentials already installed? I cannot find anywhere yea or nay. But, I may not be looking in the right place.

[don-o]

I have Kaspersky on my old Dell, with one license remaining. But, I am thinking the MS option might be enough. If I have it

[don-o]

help help??

oops

Well, that will get me noticed.

[Bigh4u2]

Do you see this icon on the right side of the task bar?



If so, then Security Essentials is installed.

[don-o]

Nope. And I looked in hidden icons. Not showing

[Eccl 10:2]

I have Avast and Malwarebytes installed on all my PCs, and I have never had a serious problem.

And stay away from any untrusted sites, IF you know what I mean. It’s not worth it, on SO many levels.

[upchuck]

Norton or McAfee are commonly preinstalled on computers. Do you have either of these?

[E. Pluribus Unum]

You have to install it.

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows/products/security-essentials

[varmintman]

Best antigriefware I've come up with is a thing called Prevx:

http://www.prevx.com/

Prevx is a cloud app so that, amongst other things, no sooner does any sort of a new virus pop up anywhere in the world, you're pretty much protected from it an hour or two later.

[UB355]

Just type Security in search box on Windows 7. Microsoft Security Essentials shows up in the pogram list if installed

[don-o]

There is a trial version of Norton. Due to past experience, I am not a big fan.

[Bigh4u2]

Try checking your ‘Programs’ menu for third party software.

Or look at your Windows Firewall settings to see if it shows and anti-virus program is installed.

[Navy Patriot]

With Windows 7 you might have to click the “show hidden icons” ^ to see the Security Essentials icon.

[corbe]

Remove all NORTON & McAfee. Download and install Micrsoft Security Essentials from Microsoft.com

[raybbr]

What browser are you using? Your browser my be checking for viruses. It’s not that sure a thing but it may be.

Also, open up your control panel and click on “uninstall programs”. Look for existing virus programs that are installed like McAfee or something. A lot of downloads also include McAfee “free” unless you deselect the download.

[warsaw44]

FReeper might need the tech ping group.

[don-o]

Interesting discovery. Showing Norton is running. I guess it goes by default because I never installed or accepted the trial offer.

No mention of ms SecEss

[Bigh4u2]

Since I’m running XP, I forgot about that feature in Win7.

[Cicero]

It’s possible you have MS Castle or something installed, although not the whole program of MS Security Essentials. Or it could be a function of Windows 7, in which some security procedures built in. If you click on Tools at the top right of the Internet Explorer Screen, and then click on Manage Add-ons, then you can see what programs are connected with Internet Explorer, and which of those are Enabled or Disabled.

Windows 7 and IE9 both are somewhat different than earlier versions, and involve more safety precautions.

[don-o]

Remove all NORTON & McAfee

That is how I am tending right now

[Bigh4u2]

Might have been ‘bundled’ with the computer.