How much software is actually needed?

I just got a new computer and wanted to make it safe. I have Comodo Internet Security (so the Firewall and the AV), I have Firefox, and I have Comodo BOClean. Do I also need Spybot and SpywareBlaster? What added functionality do these provide that I won't get with what I have. Seems like a lot of bloat to have 5 different anti-spyware programs.

 

First, Welcome to Major Geeks
There are too many different types of spyware/malware for any single program to cover. That is why so many different programs.
Some, like SuperAntiSpyware, are like General Practicioners in medicine. They try to cover the general major ones.
Other types are Specialists that watch for specific types of behaviour( rootkits, key loggers, etc).Don't need updating that much.
Some watch for suspicious behaviour before responding and don't need updating. Others are signature based, which is what you update in those programs.
Some are real-time that are always watching while others are used as on-demand (user controlled)
The best defenses try to combine some of most types.
Hope this helps explain.

 

Have Spybot and use it's immunization features. I think it can replace SpywareBlaster though others might disagree, it's just one less program to run and update. Spybot is good for locking down your hosts file and other security tricks automatically. Personal preference, but don't use it's teatimer since you have BoClean running.

 

I use both Spybot S&D and SpywareBlaster. They're not the same. Read about it here: https://www.javacoolsoftware.com/su...dgebase&_a=viewarticle&kbarticleid=38&nav=0,4

Above is an excerpt only.

I mainly use Spybot for scanning and to manage startups.

 

Wow, thanks for the quick responses!

So what's the difference between Spybot's scanning and Comodo's scanning?

 

Oh, also Spybot gave me an error during installation (even though the installation completed), and when I try to Immunize it's saying I lack some administrative powers even though I'm the administrator on this computer.

 

When you run Spybot you have to right click the icon and "run as administrator" for it to run in my experience. There is an update that came out today too.