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

I have used most of what has been mentioned but MalWare Bytes is beginning to fall by the wayside in my experience. The latest strains of "XP Antivirus", "Antivirus 2010", and other strains of the current wave of fake antivirus infections. The SuperAntiSpyware time and time again has done wonders. The key to fighting any of the fake antivirus strains is to catch them very early, take immediate action, don't even close the pop-up, do a full scan.

A word about the seeker of Firewall. I tried Comodo's new (free) full security suite as it does include a firewall. I found it a bit on the techie side. You have to tone it down almost to inactive to keep if from asking you every second to "allow" or "deny" a firewall activity. Other than that snafu, it is an excellent program package and the free registration key is good for life! (what ever that is supposed to mean:)If you don't mind a firewall that has a bit of an agressive "learning curve" then it is great for the price.

I am getting svhost.exe error in windows server 2003. how can i kill this application error?

I use Norton Internet Security 2010 and Windows Defender. Do you think I use enough protection for my PCs, or should I look a different route for Spyware protection?

EDITOR'S NOTE: In my experience, Defender does a great job. I wouldn't add anything to that combo.

The local IT guy who repaired my laptop recently has installed AVIRA and Malwarebytes since the free McAfee Virus Scan Plus which had been supplied by my bank, HSBC, expired around the same time.

He did say that I could also install Spybot if I want but I saw a criticism about it taking up a lot of memory, so I haven't so far. I'm mindful that it's not advisable to install too many programs as they might clash. I guess I will also have to add anti-Spam for my webmail as my old free Spamfighter only works on Outlook Express which I don't use any more.

And what about phishing? I'm not covered for that, am I, though I don't think I'm likely to fall for it.

You're right Bob, too many cooks spoiled the broth. I have only 2 anti-virus and anti-malware installed: Windows Defender which is free, and the other one, Rising anti-virus, which is also free. They both do great jobs. I'm just wondering, why is it that when the other one can't detect a virus or a malware the other one can and vice versa. There was never a time when both of them simultaneously detected the same virus.

Hi Bob, I thought AVG free was fine also until just the other day, for some reason I just decided to open up my AVG suite to check on it and everything had a green checked and all seemed well, then all of a sudden I was attacked and a pop up said I was infected by 34 viruses, trojans and malicious stuff, I couldn't get online, so I had to use my USB stick to get up and going again, I have it loaded with super anit spyware and Malwarebytes and I was ok, I'm adding Windows defender and that will be it.

Hello I currently use Microsoft security essentials in conjunction with zone alarm firewall. Please could you reply rating what I use and how to improve. Thank you

Hi Bob, I am new to your site and am liking it very much. I wanted to ask you, I am using CA products now. I hear it is very intrusive and slows the system down considerably. Is this correct, and if yes what is good program that I can switch to?

EDITOR'S NOTE: I used CA anti-virus for years and it worked well. But if you're paying for it, dump it and get one of the freebies I mentioned.

Going to give XRayPC a try. I've also found Malwarebytes, Glary Utilities and two programs from IOBits - Security 350 and Advanced System Care - to be very good.

Bob; I sure am happy with Avira Security Premium
Suite. I also have Windows Defender. Is that enough secutity. Thanks. Delmar

No doubt there are a number of very good free anti-spyware and anti-virus programs, but for the past two years plus, and having tried a number of various programs, I settled on PC Tools Anti-spy-ware with Anti-virus, and I have yet to experience a single problem. Their software has kept my PC free of such problems, as well, they provide warnings about various sites a person may visit unknowingly is a place to stay away from. PC Tools is not free, but I don't feel their being all that costly for one year subscriptions. I will continue to place my trust in PC Tools ability to keep my PC free of hazards.

Hi Bob,

Just to comment on your Anti-Virus suggestions, i totally agree with you on some of the freeware, it is better than the paid versions. having tried Norton 2005, Kaspersky 2010 and Panda, removed all of them as they really did interfere with my system. I now use Advanced System care and AVG 2011, have never looked back. My pc is Windows XP Home SP3

I only use Nod 32 buisness edition. Is this a good anti virus software. Its really fast and light. Yeah I need to pay for it but I got a username and password from the torrent and it worked! Now its like free t me then. Tell me that if its a good antivirus tool or not?

I had Norton on my new computer (it came free with the new computer and I assumed it was up to date. I connected my computer to the internet and while I was updating the installed Windows, my brand new computer picked up a virus!I hadn't even got a chance to surf ANY sites!

I got on my old computer and asked for help from Malwarebytes and some unknown person I remain grateful too helped me download Malwarebytes onto a disc which I put into my new computer. I followed their instructions and eventually managed to get my new computer up and running again. But I've never gone on the internet with it again. We only use our old computer on the internet.

If you know nothing about computers and viruses I would recommend Malwarebytes. It found, quarantined and fixed something that the trial version of the Norton subscription let through. If I can ever afford to splurge on PC protection I'll be subscribing to Malwarebytes because of their goodwill.

I hear all of you, including you Bob, saying dump Norton. Sorry, I have to put in my 2 cents for the product. Yes, it may have its faults, but being a slouch on security isn't one of them. Recently, I've been using Norton 360, and consider it well worth the cost. Watch for it on sale, and it can be reasonable. I run at least 4 ram on all my computers and it doesn't seem to slow them. I don't want to compromise when it comes to computer security, I just want the best. Norton 360 does it for me.

Dear Bob,
You may have been happy with AVG, but my computer IT techie insisted that I run a free virus scan trial using VIPRE b/c he said that AVG is weak and I did and it found 15 harmful things on my computer that AVG and Malwarebytes ignored (incl. 2 Trojans). I knew this stuff was on my computer because of the new toolbars it would force me to use but I didn’t know how to get rid of them. I am willing to pay to have a real virus scan. Try it out and see for yourself. (I am not affiliated with this company, I am just shocked at how much AVG missed and want to warn people). http://www.sunbeltsoftware.com/home-home-office/vipre/Download/

Very helpful your posts are Bob! Tx! One question I have is what is the difference between an Antivirus software and an Internet security software as we have both these options available in some of them, eg: Kaspersky? I would like to download Avast from all that I hear from your post & comments, but the internet security is not for free. What other free programs would I need to compensate?

EDITOR'S NOTE: I would suggest adding the following: Anti-spyware, firewall, and spam filtering.

Of all the tech people i have interacted with so far on the net you stand alone as a very good adviser; thank you for your elaborate but quite appropriate postings on this site.
i have been a netizen for the past 5 years or so with much interest in net-browsing, emailing, net-banking etc. i have been using the Norton Internet Security all these years though , to my utter dismay, it couldn't protect my pc from hang ups & crash downs; as i am afraid of freebies i had gone for the supposedly highest rated i'net security software; the other reason is that the Norton people are quick to help you online.

I've been told to dump Norton (employer provided), skip AVG and the other free AV titles and download MSE. Would be interested in your opinions of MSE. Thanks!

Hey Bob,

Glad to see your decision to dump Norton. We advise all of our computer repair clients inGrand Rapids to go with AVG over a paid Antivirus program.

Thank you for the tips!