Should I Buy Anti-Spyware or Anti-Virus Software? - Comments Page 5

I use Lavasoft's Ad-Aware, Javacool's SpywareBlaster and SpywareGuard, Spybot S&D, and Zone Alarm. All of these are free. I also have Norton Internet Security, which is NOT free. I have not had any problems with this setup and have recommended it to others.

I am interested to read the comments from people who have used some of these programs in the past and who have now switched to others. I'm reluctant to change, though, since this setup has been successful for me for quite some time.

EDITOR'S NOTE: I think it's overkill to run more than one or two spyware programs. I use ONLY MS Anti-Spyware (now called Spyware Defender) and have had no problems.

I switched to Firefox from IE. I had a lot of problems with adware and spyware and had to run Ad-Aware frequently. I like the ability to control who is residing or visiting my "home." I run Ad-Aware (though not very frequently), use Avast and CCleaner and T-Bird. Switching to Firefox was the best thing I did.

I have WIN 98SE and once had a problem with frequent BSODs, but this was solved with the help of a forum and getting rid of an update that was installed by Microsoft on my computer, but was not meant for WIN98. It was running as a process.

EDITOR'S NOTE: Not sure I understand... how does switching to Firefox give you "the ability to control who is residing or visiting your 'home' " ?

I tried installing the Windows AntiSpyware recommended yesterday, and installed Windows Defender from the site. It did a scan and said there wasn't any spyware. But then, my DSL stopped working.

This morning, I've spent over an hour on the phone with AT&T and finally HP. The ethernet card had to be reinstalled before I could get back on the internet. HP said that Windows Defender probably caused all the problems. I've uninstalled it.

I use Norton utilities, Webroot spy sweeper and webroot window washer along with a hardware firewall. I also have a secure network that no one can access without my permission. grc.com scanned my computer-every port and found that my computer didn't exist on the internet, which they commented was very cool.

I have used alot of the well known free anti virus/spyware but did not feel my system was 100% safe,a friend recommended panda platinum(paid)and it works very well.I will say it is pretty intolerant of any other programmes and seems to object if you run any registry repair programmes.I do put systems together for people who cant afford to buy new and have found that doing an intial scan with AVGfree solves so many problems and would recommend it as a free alternative.

I've used just about every security program there is, and I've finally been able to boil it down to, well, not too many. For those who like to stick to freeware, please, don't strain your eyes; skip over this - I used to be all about the freebies, but over time I've finally found what works for me best; it's not necessarily the paid-for programs are always better, it's just that the programs I use suit me best. ZoneAlarm Pro is my firewall of choice (there's a free version, but Pro has some great extra features). You can configure it so there's a lot of user interactivity involved or none at all. I highly recommend looking into ZA Pro. For anti-virus, AVG Professional Edition is the way to go; it doesn't slow much down like Norton, you barely even know you're using it. My anti-spyware: I use the free SpywareBlaster and SpywareGuard to run in the background, and I also use eTrust's PestPatrol, which picks up a lot of stuff others such as Ad-Aware and Spybot don't. And the main reason I'm posting a comment is because I wanted to recommend DiamondCS's Process Guard (paid-for). It's about the only good security program for blocking rootkits and guarding your PC from global hooks like (dll infection), which just about all your AV software doesn't.

I personally find you don't need to pay for security programs to achieve good protection. The best way to do so in my mind is through layering. For virus protection, I use AVG Free Edition (available at http://free.grisoft.com/doc/1), and for trojan protection I use ewido anti-spyware Free, available at the same website above. Although it is ewido "anti-spyware" I find it is the most effective free anti-trojan program. My third layer of protection is protection against spyware, for which I use Windows Defender (available at http://www.microsoft.com/athome/security/spyware/software/default.mspx) Note you must be running an authenticated Windows XP box in order to use Windows Defender. The last program I use is Prevx Home (available at http://www.download.com/Prevx-Home/3000-8022_4-10364927.html). Note the Prevx website no longer provides a link to Prevx Home and so you must use the above address to download it. I use this program as an intrusion detection program for monitoring behavior rather than signatures. In conclusion, with these four layers of protection, I have been able to achieve an outstanding level of protection for free.

Hi Bob and other members here, I have been subscribing to your newsletter for several years and find it very helpful! Thanks! I used Norton System Works, Spybot Search and Destroy as well as Ad-Adware and thought I was protected, but I installed the Invisus suite and the spyware remover found 806 spyware programs and one of them was a Key Logger...UGH!! This is managed computer security and it may be worth taking a look at. See what you think www.myinvisusdirect.com/PCranford

Nobody has mentioned Bitdefenders security suite. It does it all. I must admit, I have tried every program listed on this comment page. I get bored, and so i try diffrent software. My current is Bitdefender SS, but I also love zone alarm security suite. I tried to install MS defender yesterday,(after installing gdi) and it still stops about two thirds the wat through the install. Any help would be appreciated. I am new here, but I love this place. thanks bob

I understand the Norton Antivirus and firewall are difficult to remove from the computer. My subscription will soon be over and I am interested in the free anti-virus programs you suggest. When the subscribtion is ended should I just leave Norton on the computer and turn it off rather than trying to remove it. Then download other anti virus ware?

EDITOR'S NOTE: I recommend that you run the uninstall program for Norton, before installing any new A/V stuff.