Hi there,
does it really matter what I do after wipeing my windows drive and reinstalling.
should I download windows updates first or update my AV?

The limits of my language are the limits of my world.

Me personally I like to make sure my Firewall and AV is installed and updated before doing anything else, but it really doesn't matter.

PC1:
- Asus M2V-MX SE Motherboard
- AMD Athlon 64 4200 X2 Dual Core CPU, 2.2GHz
- 1GB DDR667 Memory Module, DDR2
- Onboard GFX (atm)

PC2:
-P4 Laptop/512DDR RAM
-Mobility Radeon9000

Oh, it does matter.

It's always a good idea to install and update Antivirus at first.
Then install a personal firewall at next.
After that, install all Microsoft updates.

Thats because Windows, if connected to a router, connects direktly after startup through the internet.
At this time, your computer is extremely vulnerable.

Going on the inernet without a firewall is risky, even for 5 minutes.

I suggest you install the basic install, then the MBoard chipset drivers and any other drivers you need to install. Then your Firewall. Then update Windows and then install your AV. Going to Windows update site shouldn't expose you to any viruses.

The real question is this. Why are you wiping and re-installing anyway?

Hi all,
eh' It's not actualy myself that has wiped and reinstalled. A friend asked me the question in post No.1, I answered, "better to do the AV first" and also suggested this site to her. I don't know if she bothered to come here or not, (it was ST.Paddy's night).
Mulling it over in my own head, I just thought to ask, to make sure, for myself as well as her.

The limits of my language are the limits of my world.

Anti-virus should be installed and updated before connecting to the internet. Then, install updates after connecting.

Life's more painless for the brainless.

For instanse, I don't have a "personal firewall" My router has a fire wall, and I have windows firewall, Should I download another?
Also I find it all so bizzar, all this spyware and stuff. What I mean to say is they really are wasteing their time bothering with my movements on the old www.
I thought that if my AV was updated and I don't get a virus, then it's happy days.
All that said, I do detest the intrusion suffered by one and all by that malware sh*t, OOPS, should have said pest, or was it vermin.

The limits of my language are the limits of my world.

http://www.computing.net/security/w...

Opinions will vary, but here are my recommendations:

For anti-virus, AVG Free or Avast!

For firewall, Sunbelt Kerio Personal.

For anti-spy, SuperAntiSpyware.

And don't forget CCleaner.

All of them (& more) are available here:

http://www.filehippo.com/

Thanks guys, that's a whole heap of very usefull info and stuff,
I'm very greatful :)

The limits of my language are the limits of my world.

For what it is worth I am using a wired router and don't use any other firewall. Perhaps I am just lucky but I have never, to my knowledge, had any virus or trojan infections. I do use AV programs. I do dump my browser cache quite often.

Because AV programs are still one step behind the virus. So if you get infected by a trojan, the trojan can't download and install other programs, viruses or trojans, because the they are not allowed to start by the personal application firewall.