I need protection, but I'm not working, what do I do?

I just went ballistic. After my 5th or 6th attempt to upgrade from Windows 8.1 to Windows 10, folks here have given me enough tips to keep me crashing every few minutes. However, I still have the free ISO sitting in my download file which I will ask the kind folks over in the Installation forum how to burn off.

In the meantime, this morning I woke up unable to access my computer. I JUST purchased and installed a new router a week ago today. That SSID wasn't even visible in my list. So I did like most would do and did a warm reboot. When the splash screen came on and I attempted to sign into windows, my password didn't work. I have an extremely unique, long (15 characters long) using Caps and stuff, so there's no chance anyone grabbed it. I don't download torrents anymore. Only think I added in the last few days was Open Office I downloaded straight from thier mirror.

Since I'm not working, I rely on Windows Defender virus protection and as well as Windows Firewall. Oh, and the new router, instead of using my wife's uncle's 13yr old b/g router with only WEP, I'm using WPA2-PSK (AES encryption) pretty much like everyone else is these days.

I don't get it! Again, I NEED this computer stable as hell as my wife and I are homeschooling our daughter. Not withstanding, I'm also looking to work from home telecommuting. I need this computer safe and stable! As soon as I make some $$$ I'll re-invest into better software and such. But for now, what can I get from Cnet downloads or directly from a company?

I know all about the saying, "You get what you pay for..." But I'm sure I can get some sort of protection above and beyond what's preinstalled in Windows 10? Please don't suggest any programs that will find what's wrong, but won't fix it unless I upgrade for $29.99. That's EXTREMELY aggravating!!!!!!

Free versions available that do a good job for me:
Malwarebytes Anti-Malware
AVG Anti-Virus
Both are available from MajorGeeks.Com - MajorGeeks, has always been a reliable source.

The built-in Windows Defender has been good for a lot of folks.

I've had a few difficulties with CNET and Download.com downloads adding PUPs.

Superfly said:

Well, from the OP''s report Windows Defender did not do a very good job.

Install MBAM free it's a good accomplice where WD fails.

MBAM has to be PRO to get active protection.

Porthos said:

MBAM has to be PRO to get active protection.

The free version still work fantastic. Just run a threat scan once a week, and you're good. MBAM free and Windows Defender is the best free that lots of people using today.

If MBAM stands for Malwarebytes, I had it, it expired, won't let me reinstall. Grrrr! I should really learn how to clean keys in registry without screwing it up too badly. Managed to get Norton uninstalled using thier tool, but thier lost or stolen tool is still stuck on my laptop.

jayv2251 said:

If MBAM stands for Malwarebytes, I had it, it expired, won't let me reinstall. Grrrr! I should really learn how to clean keys in registry without screwing it up too badly. Managed to get Norton uninstalled using thier tool, but thier lost or stolen tool is still stuck on my laptop.

The current policy for MBAM Consumer/Home is ONE Trial per system per major program version.
Alas, there is no way to legally reinstall the Trial for the same program version on a given computer.
Any attempt to do so would constitute piracy.

MBAM Free, as @Porthos pointed out, does not provide protection. It is merely an on-demand, manual scanner to help remove malware that made it past your anti-virus onto the system. If you want the layered, real-time protection to help PREVENT infection, then you will need a paid, Premium license.

The cost works out to a few pennies a day. It is much cheaper than the cost of trying to recover from a serious episode of data loss, identity theft or other malware catastrophe. But each computer user must calculate the cost:benefit ratio that best suits that user's risk tolerance, computing habits, and budget.

Thanks,

Berton said:

Free versions available that do a good job for me:
Malwarebytes Anti-Malware
AVG Anti-Virus
Both are available from MajorGeeks.Com - MajorGeeks, has always been a reliable source.

The built-in Windows Defender has been good for a lot of folks.

I've had a few difficulties with CNET and Download.com downloads adding PUPs.

For all software, but especially for security applications, it's probably advisable to download the software directly from the publisher's own site. That will help to ensure that it is the most current version and that it is not bundled with any sorts of unwanted freebies. (There have been instances where even Majorgeeks and bleeping and other credible sources have offered slightly outdated installers.)

Alas, the "Free" AVs are, in large measure, a marketing tool. For most of the "free", 3rd-party anti-virus products, there is usually a down-side. Most of them contain toolbars, upgrade popups/ads, reduced features and/or support, or other disadvantages. One needs to weigh the advantages of being "free" against some of these disadvantages.

MM