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I have a 6 YO Lenovo computer

dpmule
That has never been connected to the internet.
Just used it for work stuff with external hard drive and thumb drives.
I need to use it next week for a four day online course, my question to you fellows in the know.
What is the best or popular and effective free anti virus to load on it?

Mule
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Comments

18 comments

Date Votes
  • Rocky Raab
    I'll assume Windows...
    Browser: Firefox
    Anti-virus: Avast!
    Anti-malware: Malwarebytes
    Adblock: uBlock Origin
    Those will get ya hummin' without fear. Or cost.
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  • dpmule
    Thank you Mr Rocky.
    I was hoping you would chime in with advice.

    Mule
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  • charliemeyer007
    I'd be making sure all the window's updates are in place.  You will likely need to check several times.  You are the most effective anti-virus - don't click on things without looking/thinking.
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  • Frogdog
    You should be okay. My Lenovo is well over 6 years old.  For anti-virus, I use AVG Free, and have never had any problems. If you use it, though, just read carefully when you set it up. There will be a couple of boxes you want to uncheck. Otherwise, it will change your default search engine and home page. 

    On another note, don't wait until the last minute to connect to the internet for your course. Not being connected in so long, the computer is probably going to freak out a little and require a whole bunch of updates. That should be okay, but it will take some time. I would go on and connect it now, so you can see what happens and work though update stuff well in advance.

    Good luck. 
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  • dpmule
    Thanks guys, that why I am starting a few days early in case the gremlins show up.

    Mule
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  • Rocky Raab
    Oh Lord, I didn't think of that. Six YEARS of Windows updates? Even if they don't kill your computer outright, it will take days to download, install, do a gazillion reboots, and finally result in a computer so bogged down it won't even function for an online study course.
    You're no low-IQ type, DP but I don't know how computer adept you are or I would have suggested the switch to Linux myself. (It is also possible that your online course might mandate some Windows-only bit of software, in which case Linux might not be able to cope, either.)
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  • DirtyDawg
    Why take a chance????? If it's never been connected to the "www" for 6 years, and you depend on it for other reasons....then by all means, go buy something,  just to connect to the virus portal of the world.  Don't add pain or uncertainty to your life.  Buy a $500 computer and throw it away after the "online" self destruction of your "smart access device".....
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  • Rocky Raab
    That is an option, but you don't need to spend $500. Run down to Walmart and pick up a $200 Chromebook. It does everything online, works right out of the box, and retains none of your data in the box itself so if you lose it, nothing is compromised.
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  • papernicker
     No windows updates ever in my 2010 laptop and only one problem, a few months back. It wouldn't boot up after a shut down with the power button.
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  • Frogdog
    Rocky Raab: 31540110806939/comments/31540111875995
    That is an option, but you don't need to spend $500. Run down to Walmart and pick up a $200 Chromebook. It does everything online, works right out of the box, and retains none of your data in the box itself so if you lose it, nothing is compromised.

    Don't get a Chromebook. I tried that. Good if all it's for is casual surfing. Anything else is a pain in the honkus. And, it may not work for your online class.

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  • dcon12
    Why not just take the online course on the computer you post on GB on? Don
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  • Rocky Raab
    Respectfully disagree with Frogdog. Chromebooks are cloud-based. All the software you need and all your data storage - encrypted - is right there. You do have to be able to access the internet to make use of it, but that's hardly an issue in most places. It's Google-based, which some may object to, but there's darn little you can't do with a Chromebook. Taking an online course is well within their capabilities, even two-way ones. My $179 Wallie special can do it.
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  • dpmule

    I may commandeer the Brides MacBook Pro or try to use my IPad.

    Thanks for the ideas and advice fellas.


    Mule

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  • Rocky Raab
    Either should work fine.
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  • Butchdog2
    Run Norton and Firefox for many years.  Never a hitch, so far.
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  • Rocky Raab
    You're happy with Norton? Huh. Did you ever check to see how much memory and disk space Norton uses? Notice how slow your 'pooter runs and never think it might be Norton's fault? I ask only because most people abandoned Norton years ago for those reasons. Not all, obviously.
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  • Butchdog2
    No issues here with Norton, quick as an electric cat.
    Only memory issue I have is mine, must auto delete every five minutes or less.
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  • mrmike08075

    Not to threadjack your post - but here are a few pics of the laptop my neighbor has been able to salvage data from and get going again...

    It's from 2004 / 2005 and I don't know how good it was new or how useful it is now after he upgraded it and rebuilt it and tuned it up and overhauled it...

    Perhaps one of our computer tech savvy member can opine...



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