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

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!

OK, here WAS my problem. I lost my printer (don't know why) and while trying to reinstall it, I only had Norton and Lexmark running. Up popped PC Mighty Max 2012. I had gotten this back in 2009? Anyway, Norton did not even see it (will cancel them in October) and I tried Malwearbytes and it also was blind to this problem. AVG picked it up on install and put it in Virus Vault (wherever that is) and it popped up on restart. So, AVG picked it up again, but again it popped up. I can tell you how I got rid of it in my Vista computer and it is not hard, but do not know if you want me to include it here or not.

Anyway, I am wondering if the paid AVG is any better than the free version?????

What is the difference between anti spyware/malware software and does malware software cover spyware and vice versa? its all very confusing. i already have avg but have also used avira as well and was also pleasantly surprised. thanks for your help!

Hi Bob,

I've had mixed results with the programs you mentioned in the article. I'm sorry but I have to disagree with your choice of CA Anti-v as being the best. I purchased a copy of it several years ago from either Best Buy or Circuit City (can't remember which), and I had it off my system within days...very sloppy and quite the resource hog if I remember correctly.

I moved on to AVG and was extremely happy with it until recently when I started a telecommuting job, and after numerous tech issues was told by their IT dept that AVG does not play well with Java or Flash material. They suggested I install MS Security Essentials, and while I'm relatively OK with it, I can't quite shake the feeling that I'm not getting the same protection as I had with AVG. I had a HUGE problem with a very nasty MW/SW/rogue after I installed MSSE, and it took quite a while for SuperAntiSpyware to remove it completely. While I agree that MBAM is a great program, I've found that it prevents me from accessing certain websites that I normally visit so I end up turning it off more often than not.

In summary, I'm using MSSE, SuperAntiMalware, and Windows Firewall...I'm guessing I should switch my firewall, but I seem to remember having problems in the past with Zone Alarm. Thoughts anyone?

I have used McAfee and had poor performance along with poor tech support. Went with norton and after 3mos. I acquired a virus. I then was recommended to try Kaspersky, so I did and have never had a problem nor any kind of virus since. Also use MBAM free vs. as a secondary. This is my arsenal and do not plan on changing, why change to something else when this has worked problem free for 3 yrs. now! Free has never worked for me, but to many security software whether free or not will cause a battle field on ur computer. Amen on zone alarm firewall, caused major trouble for me.

While attempting to download Malwarebytes the link takes you to a page with 11 links to “Download” but none seem to be for Malwarebytes. The top link is for ARO 2013 but does not tell you what it is.

EDITOR'S NOTE: In most cases, the download starts automatically. You don't need to click anything on that page with the ARO 2013 advertisement. Check your download folder.

Very nice boys but has anybody tried SpaBot-SD (search and destroy?) perfect. One thing thoug, thre are fakes on the web. So be carefull.
Brad

I depend on the router for firewalling, and check effectiveness at GRC.com. I'm on with you on the free antivirus and anti-malware suggestions and have added MBAM for periodic checks. One other thought is Secunia PSI to make sure that Drivers are maintained up-to-date.

Have got subsidized laptop with Symantec Endpoint Protection included with organization license which I think was purchased by university for every student. The policy configuration is managed from central place and because of this I have less control over advanced functions like annoying full weekly scans that I cannot disable. Although it may be heavy on resources, with SSD it is considerably less noticeable and so far I didn't get any virus.

The thing is Bob, I partly would like to switch to another program but I feel more protected with Symantec Endpoint Security. Do you think ditching Symantec and swtiching to free antivirus will be worth it, provided it is no longer cumbersome on my system resources as it once was? Thanks.