TheDriver 0 Posted December 7, 2014 Share Posted December 7, 2014 (edited) Hi folks, hope you're well! I have just purchased a Dell Latitude E6540 running Windows 7 and wanted to get the best AV protection before I start using it, which has led me to this site I was hoping someone could help enlighten me so I don't get myself in a muddle. I'm reading a few posts about conflicts, hard-drives locking up, etc and didn't want to make a hash of this new machine, so thought I'd ask the experts. So basically, from today's research I have decided to go with ESET Smart Security. I haven't purchased it yet as I am guessing I will need to buy/install on the new laptop (currently typing on my old HP dv6). First question, is it safe to uninstall McAfee which is pre-installed on the Dell, then connect to internet and go to ESET and pay for/download ESET? Would this not leave my system open to infestation? Reason I ask is just that I remember many years ago I connected a new computer to the internet without any protection and literally within the first 5 minutes I had pop-ups, malware, viruses, and all sorts of guff opening up on the screen right before my eyes, I was only connected to the net for a couple of minutes! From reading through this website I see that it is paramount that any existing AV is fully removed before installing ESET, but that simply going to Control Panel --> Add/remove Programs --> Uninstall - is not sufficient enough? Could anyone offer any more info on the correct method of uninstallation please? Secondly, is anyone familiar with the factory set-up of this particular laptop? It mentioned in the blurb that it has all sorts of security features built-in: encryption, Dell Control Vault, Dell Protected Workspace and others. I was wondering if any of this extra security software will conflict with the installation/operation of ESET? Finally, I was looking to purchase MalewareBytes aswell on top of ESET. Is this advisable, and are there any reasons why I should or shouldn't do this? It would be great to hear your answers/opinions if anyone is able to help get me on my way. Thanks in advance! Max. EDIT: From the Dell website... Stop advanced malware in its tracks with Dell Protected Workspace, a proactive approach to malware protection that automatically detects and blocks all malicious behavior in real time — even zero-day attacks. It is easy to deploy and completely unobtrusive to users so employee workflow is uninterrupted. Will this affect ESET doing its thing? Edited December 7, 2014 by TheDriver Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sdalgl72 6 Posted December 8, 2014 Share Posted December 8, 2014 First and foremost welcome to the Eset Community and I hope you enjoy your stay. I would recommend keeping Mcaffee on your machine until you have downloaded Eset Smart Security from here: hxxp://www.eset.co.uk/Download/Software/Home after you've downloaded it then you can uninstall it and run the install of which you could just activate the trial. Although like many others here I wouldn't talk you out of using Smart Security but it gives you a chance to make sure the product is for you. (Although realistically you could uninstall Mcafee first as long as you knew you were only going to the eset website and downloading the set up, however I couldn't recommend this completely because there is the small chance of an accident). As for the Dell Protected Workspace I haven't used it myself but I know that the set up for smart security does have a compatibility conflict scanner in it so if it does conflict I am sure it will let you know or remove it for you. Maybe someone else can definitely answer that question for you. Malwarebytes is another great bit of software but I would honestly recommend saving your money and downloading it but keeping to the free version because I would just scan with Malwarebytes if you think you've downloaded something dodgy or just once a week or so just for a second opinion. As I feel Smart Security has all the layers you really need and Malwarebytes real time is just overkill however the on demand is a valuable tool. Hope that helps and good luck. I've been a happy Eset user for over a year now and it will be the only one I have consecutively renewed Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Solution TheDriver 0 Posted December 10, 2014 Author Solution Share Posted December 10, 2014 (edited) First and foremost welcome to the Eset Community and I hope you enjoy your stay. I would recommend keeping Mcaffee on your machine until you have downloaded Eset Smart Security from here: hxxp://www.eset.co.uk/Download/Software/Home after you've downloaded it then you can uninstall it and run the install of which you could just activate the trial. Although like many others here I wouldn't talk you out of using Smart Security but it gives you a chance to make sure the product is for you. (Although realistically you could uninstall Mcafee first as long as you knew you were only going to the eset website and downloading the set up, however I couldn't recommend this completely because there is the small chance of an accident). As for the Dell Protected Workspace I haven't used it myself but I know that the set up for smart security does have a compatibility conflict scanner in it so if it does conflict I am sure it will let you know or remove it for you. Maybe someone else can definitely answer that question for you. Malwarebytes is another great bit of software but I would honestly recommend saving your money and downloading it but keeping to the free version because I would just scan with Malwarebytes if you think you've downloaded something dodgy or just once a week or so just for a second opinion. As I feel Smart Security has all the layers you really need and Malwarebytes real time is just overkill however the on demand is a valuable tool. Hope that helps and good luck. I've been a happy Eset user for over a year now and it will be the only one I have consecutively renewed Thanks for your reply mate. Some sound advice there, which I followed. Basically the same thing Gareth from Tech. Support said to do. Common misconception that there are a ton of bugs just waiting until you connect to the internet to pounce into your machine and ruin your life, whereas in truth, it seems you have to initiate the attack yourself really, either by clicking through to some kind of dodgy link, fishy emails, dodgy download sites, etc, so I was fine just doing it how you said. Thank you for your assistance. I think i'll just go with the Malwarebytes free edition, as you say, the real-time scanning could pose problems and if ESET is as good as everyone says then it should catch the majority of nasty's and maybe scan once a week with MWB just to make sure nothing has gotten through.. Happy with ESET and its interface/functionality at the moment, no doubt when the trial is up I will be subscribing. Thanks for your help! Edited December 10, 2014 by TheDriver Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sdalgl72 6 Posted December 11, 2014 Share Posted December 11, 2014 Glad to have helped I am sure if you have any problems there will be others and myself able to help. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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