Updating defense measures...Need advice

First a general comment or two.

• The free version of Ad-Aware 2008 and Spybot (without Teatimer) do not provide any active defense.
• If you are using Spybot's Teatimer at the same time as Spyware Doctor's protection then you should disable Teatimer.
• ZoneAlarm firewall is not passive.

Dump Ad-Aware and keep SUPERAntiSpyware (SAS) installed. Even thought the free version of SAS offers no realtime protection and is only an after the fact scanner with addition useful tools, it is much much much better than Ad-Aware.

Also we recommend keeping Malwarebytes Anti-Malware (MBAM) as an additional scanner.

Both SAS and MBAM are much more userful as scanner/removal tools than Spybot or Ad-Aware. Spybot should be considered your 3rd scanner and you are more using it for the Immunization feature that it provides (much like Spyware Blaster).

 

Most AV and AS programs these days cross the boundaries somewhat. MBAM calls itself an anti-malware tool which means it is not just a general antispyware tool. It is however not a full blown antivirus program though. And remember unless you purchase it, there is no active protection.

Yes but some people have found the newer versions to be somewhat resource hungry and too much for their PCs to handle. Also the new free version actually comes with the security suite and you have to make sure you elect not to install the security suite to only get the firewall.

We don't write the software. Ask them. Did you purchase it? If not then don't complain as you got something for free. The paid product has more features.