Should I Buy Anti-Spyware or Anti-Virus Software?

Hey bob.. i got this virus the other day on the interenet somehow. And it seems like everytime i go on the interenet it goes to the "about: blank" page. And then it dissapears and goes to a site called www.puresafetyhere.com.
I tried to go to system restore but it only lets be go back 1 day, which wasnt when i got the virus. Any suggestions on what i should do???? please help =[

EDITOR'S NOTE: I would get a good anti-virus program and let it scan and fix any problems on your system. See the suggestions in the article above.

HELLO BOB RANKIN,
I, BONNIE LOU, NEEDS YOUR FEEDBACK & SECURITY TECH SUPPORT. I'm a novice user with computers and the Internet. And I need HELP!! I'm so totally lost so I do greatly appreciate your help. I have WINDOWS XP\SP2 Home Edition. I have DSL high-speed internet. My browsers are IE6 and MSN Explorer. For security, I use WINDOWS FIREWALL, WINDOWS DEFENDER, AVG FREE EDITION and WEBROOT SPY SWEEPER and IE6 POP-UP BLOCKER with WINDOWS LIVE TOOLBAR. When I use my MSN it provides a popup blocker as well. I'm now using IE6 and have a security problem. In the lower right corner of the page; The Privacy Report Icon (Eye, with the red circle and the white minus sign in the center of that red circle) is present. I don't understand any of the Internet Options settings so I need step-by-step Instructions on all settings and how to remove the Privacy Report Icon. It's eerie, I feel like someone is watching me.

EDITOR'S NOTE: Just ignore the Privacy Report Icon. It does not indicate any security or privacy problems -- only that the website you're visiting has not published a machine readable privacy policy.

as an old skool type ime not computer literate but ive gotta say since installing norton my computer slows-freezes-restarts-overheats-sounds like an old fords loose fan belt on startup... its outa that window gonna get some other anti virus will trawl your site for ideas fanx for info -very helpful-you remind me of my mom

Hi Bob-- I have ridden the Bus since Win 95, always appreciated the quality information. So here is my 2-bits: I have been running (at home) XP Pro with CounterSpy (CS)($20/year) and AVG Free behind a D-Link hardware firewall for the past few years (since CS was beta). I have had zero problems with infections, no problems with AVG and only handful of problems with CS (all fixed promptly by Sunbelt Software support). Before CS I was using four different anti-spyware programs in rotation (Ad-Aware, Webroot, one with a Scotty Dog icon and something else less memorable)--each caught some but not all the junk. CS got it all, and my younger daughter was still at home surfing the web for two of those years.
Sunbelt just came out with their "Vipre" product in Beta that combines CS with an antivirus engine-- I am running it now and the Beta is working fine doing both jobs.
BTW: I do use the Google Toolbar popup blocker and have the Microsoft one turned off.

Hey Bob! Your website is really helpful! I do have a question however. I downloaded the CA anti-spyware (the 3 month trial), and it scanned for me, however in order to remove it, it says I have to subscribe. Is there a way around this? Let me know, thanks!

EDITOR'S NOTE: Try the AVG Free Edition that I mentioned here: http://askbobrankin.com/free_antivirus_programs.html

I just bought the kaspersky 7.0 {KIS} although my IP is road runner which comes with free CA as you use Bob but my windows vista ultimate {64 bit} is not compatable with CA therefore I am forced to buy my pc security I think kaspersky works great for us vista ultimate {64 b} users

I got a virus that nothing I had would get rid of. Finally, I stumbled upon Spyware Doctor and it not only zapped it, but has since kept my pc clean. The only time I have to reboot is after an update, so that's ok. I also run AVG and Spybot as backups, but they don't have much to do anymore. Bottom line, I highly reccommend Spyware Doctor.

Hi Bob I ownloaded and ran windows defender as you said it was better than spybot that I was already using. Runs fine, but than tells me I have all these bad files but wont let me get rid or even look at them! When I go to close it I get told that I have all these bad files out there do I really want to close!!
How do I get rid of the files?

EDITOR'S NOTE: Try running the scan again after booting into Safe Mode.

I am suprised I only see one comment from someone using Avast from Alwil software. It is really good. It is free for personal use computers. Have to register once a year, but no Ads/Spam etc and most important, daily automatic updates and is very effective without getting in the way.

Is Free AVG Anti-Virus,Windows Defender,and X-ray Pc all compatible together?

EDITOR'S NOTE: Yes, I use all three.