Should I Buy Anti-Spyware or Anti-Virus Software? - Comments Page 2

I have been virus-free for years running the Trendmicro Internet security suite. Have just migrated to the ZoneAlarm ver 6 Internet Security suite due to Trendmicro quirkiness and found it to be far superior in terms of resource usage, firewall effectiveness and sophistication of email spam handling. I believe the ZA antivirus is the same CA product you advocated. Abandoned Symantec products years ago due to poor support and major system problems traced to their software.
My antispam approach is Microsoft plus Spysweeper, Spybot S&D and Adaware that are used only in a weekly scan of the system.

I'm a freeware fan: still have Win98SE, with free AVG constant in background, and free ZA firewall. I also run free A-squared every few days, and free spybot-s&d every few weeks. AVG must let the trojans and venomous cookies through, that A-squared finds. Very, very rarely do I find anything with spybot, which has escaped A-squared. Go A-squared !!
However, I'm going to replace 2GB HDD with 80GB one; just as soon as I get a round toowit! I'll then use MSft's XP and MS Anti-spy, keeping A-squared too of course. I'm also considering X-RayPC tool, and checking if I'll need ZA in addition to XP's buil-in firewall. I will NEED 80GB with all that!!

I have been using eTrust EZAntivirus since it was totally free and I suppose I was testing it, although I wasn't aware of it at the time. However, even though I have to pay for it annually, I still trust it 100% and I let it update itself automatically whenever it wants to.

I also use Spyware Blaster, SpyBot and the free Ad-Aware. Each of them seems to do their own thing, although Spyware Blaster is the only one running in memory that I can determine. I run the other two on a daily basis early in the morning and clear out anything they suggest I should.

ZoneAlarm rounds out my protection and although it is an older version, I prefer it to other later versions because several of them have nasty issues with them.

I didn't see any postings regarding the McAfee Online Virus Scan and McAfee Firewall Express that come with AOL 9.0 Optimized SE Broadband at no extra charge. I havn't had any problems whatsoever.

Microsoft is working on a comprehensive program that will do all of these functions -virus, firewall,and adware checks - in one package called something Live. I believe it is now in a public Beta which allows one to try it out at no cost. I don't know who has had the opportunity to try this out, but it might become a good alternative if priced correctly.

EDITOR'S NOTE: It's called Windows OneCare, and you can see it at http://www.windowsonecare.com/ -- I think the service will be part of the new Vista OS.

My computer is at the law end and any resident anti virus program slowdowns it. Virtually all antivirus programs are great slow-downers and Norton Anti Virus probably the strongest slow-downer among all. So I prefer the anti virus programs that are not insist to be resident and that I may run manually. So far I have not been infected more than 20 years. I simply use text mail and open attachments only after checking it.

Free Avast works great for me. Free Microsoft Anti Spyware is also good. One word of caution about Spybot S&D. There were documented cases with Spybot false alarm for very widespread and popular Inno Setup installer that many small companies use to pack their programs. Now they fixed this, however it means that SpyBot was not due tested before the release.

Onecare is in beta and I have it on one of my computers. Haven't really pushed it to see if it's worthy of paying for but it's a no-brainer program. updates automatically and reminds you to back-up regularly. Ewido, AVG and MS anti-spy are my favorites right now. IE 7 will be good for phishing problems. The beta 1 I have has already found a couple of sites.
I have run AVG after running Norton several times on different systems and AVG has always found things that Norton couldn't.

I bought Trend Micro's PC-cillin Internet Security Suite 2005. It was garbage. It allowed a worm in that had been in their database for at least 2 years. I found it by accident. Their scanner never once picked it up. Their 'fix' didn't work. Their Tech Support (Level 2 or 3) couldn't do anything about it. Their anti-spyware is a joke; it never found anything. Their security check is also a joke; it never recognized that i don't have SP2 installed. As a result, they've given me a free year of service, as if i would ever install that hot mess back onto my PC.
I was using Avast Antivirus, and SensiveGuard's Firewall as freebie protection until i found a new security suite, but i've decided to keep and use them both exclusively. Avast updates almost daily. It even tells you if you have corrupted software, and where the corruption is; Trend Micro didn't do that. Both products are easily configured to your liking. SensiveGuard's firewall (which no one else has mentioned here) offers more configuration options than free Zone Alarm does, and it seems to work really well.
I use both Spybot S & D and Ad-Aware SE, and i have SpySweeper through MSN. I like all three, and use all three (not at the same time). Of the three, it seems like Spybot finds the most, but each one seems to pick up something the others didn't pick up from time to time. I also use a SpoofStick just in case i've been redirected to a site that's not the one i think i'm on. SpoofStick lets you know exactly what site you are on.

I,as do several others who commented,use a multi-layed defence system. XP home firewall (a router would be even better); AVG runs every morning 3:00AM ; Ad-Aware; Ewido ; and Prevx.
Of course the most important thing is to use common sense and reasonable care. What do you think of Ewido and Prevx if you have tried them.

Have Norton Internet Security, dumped all but the antivirus. Run ZoneAlarm and Spyware Blaster constantly in background. Bi-monthly checks with Ad-Aware and Spybot, usually don't find much. Monthly runs with Registry Mechanic works well for me to. So far no problems for years with this combo!

I bumped into 'Avast4' - updates the program and updates automatically when I get on the net. No trouble to run it and home version is free.

The Anti Spyware I found that has found the Most SpyWare is---COUNTER SPY By Sunbelt--Any Comments by others about this Excellent Program

EDITOR'S NOTE: Have not used that one, but you made me wonder... does this program classify cookies as spyware? Some do, which is patently false and misleading.

As an A/V programme i`ve taken to using a freebie from my ISP,(NTL) NTLNetguard,it`s not let me down in over 6 months.

Anti-spyware I have a number installed,Adaware,Spybot,M/S AntiSpyware,Spyware Guard and SpywareBlaster,the Ms prog runs in the background,as does the `tetimer` from Spybot and Spyware Guard.All the others are run 1 at a time on a weekly basis.

This might seem overkill,but it keeps my system clean.And of course Spoofstick is runnung in IE.

Mick Waldron

I no longer use Spybot because it was wanting to remove parts of genuine programs.

I use McAfee everything, with the exception of SpamKiller which took on a life of its own and stopped mail on my whitelist........at random!

I use Spywareblaster and Adaware. I currently subscribe to Spyware Doctor but won't renew it because it never finds anything. And, I use Registry Mechanic and Win Patrol.

I use and have used on all of my computers the FREE AVG AntiVirus System and it works just fine it updates every time I get on the Net...Soo...

I recommend it to all who need a GREAT ANTIVIRUS

SYSTEM...Thank You Lewie

Have you tried "CCleaner". It does a fast job of finding all the Nasty's like Ad-Aware does and more. It also has a Reg cleaner. I now use the free versions of Zone Alarm, AVG, PrevX, CCleaner, and have had no problems.

I used to run SpywareBlaster, and Spybot S&D, in addition to Ad-Aware, but the PrevX-CCleaner combo seem to run deeper, faster. My 2½¢

I've set up a bunch of PCs for pals with the following setup that really keeps 'em clean (all are XP): free Zonealarm, Trend Micro PC-cillin antivirus, Spybot S&D, free Ad-Aware, Spy Sweeper, and Spywareblaster.

Being paranoid myself, I've modified my own 2 PCs as follows: removed Spybot S&D (caused problems once other stuff added), replaced free Ad-Aware with paid Ad-Aware Pro (for real-time, active monitoring and for ability to schedule scans), and added: Counterspy (from which Microsoft created it's new antispyware program), Spyware Doctor (hoping to get more keylogger protection), and Pest Patrol (for overkill). My PCs are both 2,800 speed, one a P4 and other an AMD Athlon 64, both with 512mb RAM. Seven of these programs are always actively monitoring in the background, yet my PCs don't bog down at all. All programs are scheduled to run full scans nightly (never get anything, though I'm an 8-hour/day surfing maniac). Very slick.

Other notes: I do recommend a router (for a hardware firewall), even if you don't have a network. Spywareblaster, which is superb, does NOT run in the background. When you update it, it adds to a list of websites to be automatically blocked, that's all it does.

EDITOR'S NOTE: I think "overkill" is an understatement! But whatever works for you is fine with me.

Norton - to add insult to injury, it is the very devil to clean out of your computer.

EDITOR'S NOTE: I concur! I once rendered a WinXP computer almost unusable by trying to expunge Norton. It gets its dirty little hooks in far too many places.

I have used Kaspersky (purchased with daily updates) for the past 2 years as a purchased software along with AdAware and Spybot. I've had Norton, AVG and McAfee along with the freeware and have always ended getting a virus. But haven't had a problem since the people that used to have to fix my computers suggested Kaspersky. They don't get to see me anymore unless I screw-up something myself (which I'm prone to do thinking I'm still an "Advanced User".

Was a big fan of AVG, MS Anti-Spyware, Adaware and Spybot. They worked well but now I trust everything to Windows One Care. Worked with the beta from the beginning then signed up for the paid service at the discount rate of $19.95 per year (regularly $49.95) Think there are still a few bugs but only in the Windows Defender portion. (formerly MS Anti-spyware)

Updates smoothly with the added benefit of back-up. Am pleased so far and will probably stick with it even at the next years price of $49.95.