Should I Buy Anti-Spyware or Anti-Virus Software? - Comments Page 7

NOD32, Windows Defender, Zone Alarm Pro and safe practices such as not opening attachments from strangers has kept my computer clean from Win 98SE through Win 2000 to my current XP sp2. However I install an earlier free version Of ZA in friends' computers as it can create incompatibility problems. To the person who wants to install Windows Defender with Win 2000 - this can be difficult but at least with the last version I could find fixes on Google.

I used eTrust EZ Antivirus from Computer Associates for several years. However, when I purchased a new computer about a year ago, this AV program kept locking up my new system. I ended up having to reformat my c:\ drive and reinstall everything to solve the problem caused by the eTrust software. Needless to say they lost my trust. I switched to AVG free from http://free.grisoft.com and have had no problems ever since.

I use AVG anti-virus (free), Adaware (free), and
Spybot S&D (free). Have been for a couple of years.
My Favorite is SpywareBlaster (free). Update it every week or two and the two spyware apps won't have very much to find when you run them. It keeps the junk off of your system. Remember to update all of these apps regularly and they will do a great job...for free.

EDITOR'S NOTE: I like Windows Defender because it keeps itself updated, and does everything the others do.

I regularly use Opera and Firefox which have a lot of built in security features. I run my anti-spy/spam programs (the free ones: Ad-aware and Spybot) only once every few months (after updating their databases -very important!) and nothing has ever been found. I credit my browsers for that. Last year, I switched from AVG to Avast Antivirus. Avast found three virus/trojan programs (can't remember what they were now) that AVG apparently missed. I don't know if that indicates that it is better, it just happened to "know" those from its database. I imagine switching back and forth every year or so couldn't hurt. One might find a virus the other has yet to be "shown". So again, it comes down to keeping your databases up-to-date. That's probably the most important thing to do for all your anti-spy/spam/virus, browser, and firewall programs! UPDATE!!!

AVG rocks - have used it for a long time and love it. Stared using AVG-S (Spyware version) - so far so good. Both are free and used at home. In fact I am planning to advise my clients to change to AVG enterpise versions.

im having Avast free edition, now i have bought AVG proffesional, but i cant uninstall Avast. when go to windows uninstaller it reinstall the software insted of uninstalling. waht sould i do?

EDITOR'S NOTE: Did you do this via the Windows Control Panel?

Great advice, Bob. I've been using Free AVG Anti-virus for a long time and really like it. You can search for "AVG FREE" using your favorite search engine.

For the last 27 years have just about tried everything. Got rid of Norton years ago when his picture was still around. Avast and AVG got B- from me. I challenged the head IT at a 85 person office to try BitDefender. After 2 weeks he removed AVG from every machine. Just yesterday, a tech visited my doctor's office and ripped out SpyBot 4, BitDefender AV and installed AVG. He "represents" them. The PC was rebooting itself after working for 2 years just fine. After reinstalling Spybot and BitDefender, found 1 virus and 3 spyware... in just 12 hours of running AVG.

I really like to see the popup windows from Spybot and BitDefender warning me about changes that programs try to make. I also use PCTools Spyware Doctor once a week to deep scan everything. So far, it has not found anything. Would also strongly recommend a program that monitors DL and UL on your PC called DU Meter. It's a small little window that will let you know graphically if there is traffic going on. Any activity on the UpLoad side and I didn't authorize it, grabs my full attention immediately. One last comment. BitDefender updates every hour per my setting. It's amazing to see how many new signatures they sometimes add in just one hour.

Over the 4 years i've had this computer i have used alot of good/bad software but i have narrowed it down to what i have and stick with now. I use analogX port blocker, AdAware, Kerio firewall version 2.15, Avast Antivirus home addition, Peerguardian2, Arovax shield version 2.0, a-squared (free), Curr ports, SafeXp, CCleaner, Block List Manager, Autoruns System Internals.

EDITOR'S NOTE: That's TWELVE anti-malware programs! Ouch. If your computer is bogged down, it's probably all the "good guys" fighting with each other.

I use AVG Free Edition, Ad-Aware SE Plus, Spybot Search & Destroy and my favorite, Webroot's Window Washer. I've been using various versions of Window Washer since the 1997 or 1998, almost right from the start of their company. I have used aVast 4 Home Edition and was very pleased with it, until I tried to remove it from a friend's PC. In my research, I found that you had to go the aVast's website to download a small program to remove it from any PC.

My opinion is ... when you are using a Free program, you should be able to remove it at will, not using their 'removal' program, to get the job done. Otherwise, aVast 4 Home Edition works extremely well, especially for those who are 'computer illiterate'.

One word of caution, if, you use a router for your DSL or Cable internet copnnection, do NOT use anyone else's Firewall program, until you make sure that you do NOT have a functioning Firewall with your router for DSL or Cable connection. You only need ONE working Firewall.

I have a 2Wire DSL router and their Firewall is fantastic!!! So, I must 'turn off' Windows XP Firewall, to be stealth and hidden. Gibson's Shields Up always shows that I "Passed" and have no pings noted. Yes, I still get spyware and malware, because I choose to have my 'cookies' available for MY convenience. Therefore, I use Ad-Aware SE Plus, Spybot Search & Destroy and Webroot's Window Washer to keep my PC 'clean'.

EDITOR'S NOTE: You cannot get spyware from a cookie. Some spyware scanners FALSELY identify cookies as a threat.