Should I Buy Anti-Spyware or Anti-Virus Software? - Comments Page 3

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.

I would like to try EZ Antivirus and Microsoft's FREE Windows AntiSpyware, but am not sure my computer is robust enough. I have Windows 2000 Professional and 196 MB RAM. I am currently using Trend Micro PC-cillin Internet Security 2006 and am not completely happy with its performance. Thank you!

EDITOR'S NOTE: Sounds more than adequate. Give it a try!

My computer arrived with Norton Security Suite installed.

I would love to dump it, but understand that it doesn't uninstall cleanly. I shall now ponder on whether or not to actually use their uninstall program.

EDITOR'S NOTE: I would TRY the uninstall... I tried to "dig it out" once and made things worse.

Well I'm using Adware and Spybot now. But be reminded. This don't take out viruses..

EDITOR'S NOTE: No, they're not designed for that. You still need a good anti-virus program.

For antispyware I use Hitman Pro, a freeware program which sequentially combines AdAware, Spybot Search and Destroy, Spyware Blaster, Webroot Spy Sweeper, and CW Shredder. And it updates the programs every time you use it. It takes a while for the programs to run so it might be something you run before you go to bed at night. I've never had a problem with it and I've been using it for over 2 years.

Avast! free antivirus software is absolutely wonderful. Basically does everything for itself, automatically downloading new virus definitions and also new updated versions of the program, and all pretty much "under the radar" (without interrupting what you're doing).

We also use a free program called Cleanup!, which we run a couple times a week to clean out things like temp internet files, unused registry entries, and other unneccesary, unwanted stuff. (You set the level of cleaning.) The only downside I can find to Cleanup! is that you can't tell it a specific file *not* to clean out. Our son uses Rollercoaster Tycoon Gold, and for some reason Cleanup! knocks out a couple of its .dat files every time we run it, and then we have to reinstall RCT to get it to work again, which means he loses all the parks he's created.

Hi Bob: Just found your site...and love it! Re: AVG FREE--it won't be after first of year. I'm researching now to find free but best anti-malware for my sweet machine. 2) I would NEVER any entity to SCAN my computer! That's just giving carte blanch to any hacker. I like your suggestions on free ware. I've found holes in AVG, but for free I'd rate it a 85.

This is just for you, you don't have to post.

EDITOR'S NOTE: Every time AVG releases a new version, the rumor starts that "AVG is free no more!" Fear not, the NEW version will be free. The OLD version will be unsupported and you should upgrade.

Hi everyone! I have read the archieve and all comments here and try a lot of program for security suite. With me panda internet security is good even when it is not free for all, you need a lisence to update but due to their truprevent technology it can detect and elimate a lot of virus even with 3 month out of date. It can elimate both virus, spyware, adware... And for aditional choice I use tenebril ghostsurf platinum for proxy program to hide my IP, block unwanted cookies and ad, and it has spy catcher, a good antispyware too. Spyware doctor of PCtools is great too because of it's real time shield is good defend again malicious software change your setting or try to install. I also use system guard in system mechanic suite to protect my startup, home page and search page. That four software protect me good and i haven't got any problem for a long time. Sometime I run ad-aware SE to scan for some adware but never found any. I have try other antivirus like AVG, Bitdefender, Avast, CA but all have their problem. AVG scan too slow. Bitdefender always expire after update even with the free edition or have problem with firewall when I start-up. CA not good at detect other malware than virus and avast make my torrent software really slow with it's P2P shield is the only one I like at it and bitdefender and sometime my computer crash. If anyone experience the same problem as mine with bidefender and can solve that plz tell me I like it P2P shield because I download through P2P a lot and sometime I forgot to scan downloaded file with panda even though it can auto scan when I open file but sometime it is a trouble when i accidently open those unscan file on my friend conputer who doesn't have internet connection and lazy to use an antivirus solution because they make computer a bit slower.

PS: I really hate norton they are too noisy and cause a lot of problem with P2P software.

Thanks all and very thanks who can help me solve my problem with bitdefender

A few comments. Used to use Norton and aside from being a resource hog, it took down computers several times when the update process failed. In several cases, the updater installed updates in the wrong sequence. Crash!

We tested several programs and ended up choosing AVG. In an office, it allows centralized updating. While it is not the top of the reviews, it has been reliable and effective and has not caused any trouble.

For those who find protection bogs down their computer - take a look at getting a bit more RAM. Its not safe to surf without it. I would also take a look at what you have running. Too many programs have unnecessary "quick start" features that basically leave them running all the time. If you tray is full of junk, browse the preferences of stuff you don't need running all the time and turn them off. Programs that are resource hogs may need to be run one at a time, like Outlook, until you are able to upgrade.

Bob asked as to why someone commented MS firewall was useless. Basically because it has no outbound protection. This is the key reason for having a software firewall with a hardware one. If you do get infected and are unaware of it, your system can be pumping out viruses to your friends/ clients, etc. We had a client turn off Zone Alarm because they were annoyed with all the prompts (rather than turning off prompts). Later that day, they accidentally distributed a virus to their entire membership. We watched it cross the country through most of the industry. Thats why you need outbound protection and thats why its included in the Vista firewall. Every other sw firewall I've ever used is 2 way.

I use AVG free at home, ZA free firewall, and MS Defender. With safe computing habits, thats been fine for me.

One of the issues with Norton is when you try to pull it, it leaves all sorts of entrails scattered about. You can uninstall the program itself, and the updater, etc. But it leaves registry entries and folders behind.

If you dig in the Symantec web site, you'll find manual uninstall instructions. Simply Google "Norton Uninstall" and you'll find they now have an uninstaller tool and a page with a long list of "Manual uninstallation documents for Symantec Client Security products". Finally.

I run my XP Pro machines with the Google toolbar, Netcraft toolbar and the Avast (Avast.com)free home edition AV and firewall. No problems whatsoever! I'm also running Mozilla Firefox with the above.