Security Suggestions Needed...

[shadowpr]

I'm using Vista Home Premium 64

I have the following installed:
Avast Anti-Virus
SpywareBlaster
Spybot Search and Destroy
AVG Anti-Spyware
And still trying out SuperAntiSpyware

Have not had any error messages.

[viracocha711]

Originally Posted by shadowpr I'm using Vista Home Premium 64 I have the following installed: Avast Anti-Virus SpywareBlaster Spybot Search and Destroy AVG Anti-Spyware And still trying out SuperAntiSpyware Have not had any error messages.

I really think it was spyguard but I can not be sure.

[viracocha711]

did you see what I posted about spybot S&D? PC World basically said it was an old usless program...I would assume you would disagree?

[shadowpr]

I thik a lot here would disagree. I didn't read the article though, so I can't really comment on it.

Do you have a link to it?

[viracocha711]

http://www.pcworld.com/article/id,136206/article.html

[shadowpr]

That was an older version of Spybot.

[viracocha711]

Yeah but I know from using it for years that it has not changed...It does one aspect of security fairly well but fails in every other cat...This is why it has to be used with 4 or 5 other programs, correct? Every where spybot is suggested to me it is suggested to be used with 3-5 other programs in order to cover what spybot can not do...I am trying to keep the number of security programs down as much as possible. Less stuff running the less there is for conflicts and problems. I just went through problems with running 5 dif security programs on brand new XP machine, so I do not want to try it my VISTA. I'm paranoid of spyware and the programs that are suppose to help prevent and clean spyware! LOL! AAAHHHHHHH!

I am learning that free means "must be used with a handful of others" So, I may just go back to SpySweeper which I have used for the past 3 years with no problems...Get what you pay for? I think there has to be a way to have decent security with 2-3 programs versus 4-6...I hope...AND SMART BROWESING HABITS! Which is the best security, right?

I am just paranoid of using so many dif programs as I am not to good at trouble shooting which program is the trouble maker. This maybe because I have always paid for security and not had to do much trouble shooting.

Plus, I think I am over paranoid about security anyway...AVG anti virus and spysweeper are the only two programs I have used for ythe past 3 years on my XP machines with not a single problem they did not take care of...However, I read all these horror stories and the fact I just built my first computer and how much "most" everyone says VISTA sucks

[shadowpr]

The reason people use mulitple programs is because there is no single program that will catch everything. That includes the paid for programs.

I think most feel that a few free programs provides enough security, and probably more so then one paid for program.

But in the end, it comes down to surfing habits. The better you are about what you do, and where you go, then the less likely of getting anything.

[viracocha711]

Yeah, I know...I really appreciate all your help. Thanks for the answer about NERO 7!

[Masaki 7-11]

Regarding security on my computers, I use only three programs, and I haven't had problems with this setup since, I use AVG 7.5 Free Edition, SpyBot S&D 1.5 and Windows Firewall. I'm using Windows XP Pro, I use Firefox for my browser, and I have most of the options in SpyBot enabled. The majority of your viruses/malware will come from your internet surfing, so as long as you clear out cookies, cache, and other private data from your browser, you'll have a lot less problems in terms of viruses/malware.

[Cricket]

Originally Posted by viracocha711 Yeah but I know from using it for years that it has not changed...It does one aspect of security fairly well but fails in every other cat...This is why it has to be used with 4 or 5 other programs, correct? Every where spybot is suggested to me it is suggested to be used with 3-5 other programs in order to cover what spybot can not do.

I would use several programs whether or not I'm using Spybot: S&D. Like shadowpr said, no one program catches everything. Have you tried the latest version of Spybot: S&D?

Originally Posted by viracocha711 I am trying to keep the number of security programs down as much as possible. Less stuff running the less there is for conflicts and problems.

It depends, not all anti-spyware programs run actively in background so there isn't much chance of them conflicting with each other. I have a bunch of anti-spyware programs on my computer but none run actively in background.

Originally Posted by viracocha711 I just went through problems with running 5 dif security programs on brand new XP machine, so I do not want to try it my VISTA. I'm paranoid of spyware and the programs that are suppose to help prevent and clean spyware! LOL! AAAHHHHHHH!

What 5 programs were you running on the XP machine? Were they all legitimate anti-spyware programs?

Originally Posted by viracocha711 I am learning that free means "must be used with a handful of others" So, I may just go back to SpySweeper which I have used for the past 3 years with no problems...Get what you pay for?

Yes, but you also get more than you pay for sometimes...just look at Norton and McAfee anti-virus programs. They're so bloated and hard on system resources that they actually make computers run slower.

Originally Posted by viracocha711 I am just paranoid of using so many dif programs as I am not to good at trouble shooting which program is the trouble maker. This maybe because I have always paid for security and not had to do much trouble shooting.

If you'd feel better using pay-for security programs then get NOD32 for your anti-virus and SpySweeper for your anti-spyware, install SpywareBlaster, use an alternate internet browser (FireFox or Opera) and you should be fine.

Originally Posted by viracocha711 Plus, I think I am over paranoid about security anyway...AVG anti virus and spysweeper are the only two programs I have used for ythe past 3 years on my XP machines with not a single problem they did not take care of...However, I read all these horror stories and the fact I just built my first computer and how much "most" everyone says VISTA sucks

If that combination of security programs worked for you in the past then you should stick with it...it's your comfort zone.

I just looked over my computer to see what I'm using. Here's a list:

AVG Anti-Virus
AVG Anti-Spyware
AVG Anti-Rootkit
CookieWall
CoolWebShredder
SpywareBlaster
SuperAntiSpyware
SpywareTerminator

I haven't gotten hit with anything really nasty since I started using SpywareBlaster 4 years ago and it's the one security program I install on every computer I build for other people...seems to be very effective as long as you keep it up to date.

Cricket

[viracocha711]

Thanks Cricket! SPYGUARD was the nasty little program that was causing problems(I think) on my new XP laptop...However, it is gone and no more probs.

I have not had anything nasty for at least 5 years running AVG AV and Spy Sweeper on my old XP machine. Other than "low prority" crap that would be cleaned nightly...I was just worried that things maybe dif with VISTA.

...And YES! Comfort zone is very important when it comes to security. I guess it really comes down to whether you spend all your surfing time on porn sites of download sites? I do niether, so I guess that is why I have avoided contracting something nasty. And I never click on links in email that I have not asked to be sent to me, period! I have a friend who is always having to get something nasty removed from his computer bc all he does is look at "free porn" LOL!

I laugh everytime he starts calling his computer a POS. LOL!