Antivirus/spyware/firewall questions

Hello,

This is my first post here, so I apologize if I posted in the wrong forum, neglected to post info you might need, or should have broken this up into different messages and posted on different forums. Let me also apologize in advance for the length of this post and multiple questions : / Okay, I just purchased two brand new computers for myself and for my brother. They are MDG and are identical in specs = Intel Pentium D 805 Dual Core CPU 512MB DDR 400MHz... according to the purchase quote, and system properties says Intel Pentium D CPU 2.66Ghz, 2.67Ghz 448MB XPSP2 Media Center Edition (don't really understand why it says 448mb instead of 512). Both will be upgraded to 1gig in a couple days. One of the things included with both computers was eTrust EZAntivirus 2006 and eTrust Pestpatrol. My first question is whether this antivirus software is trustworthy and dependable as the sole antivirus software on these computers? I also run Trend Micro online scans occasionally just to be safe, is Trend Micro a dependable online scan? Also, is the antispyware software any good? I did install CCleaner on both computers and run it at least once a day. I would like to keep the computers as clean as possible but do not want to bog it down with a bunch of different programs that are going to slow it down. For this particular OS and such I am curious what you consider to be the best anti-spyware software to install. I am trying to follow the steps from here http://www.majorgeeks.com/page.php?id=20 but there are several to choose from so I thought I should ask. Would the PestPatrol and SpywareBlaster be sufficient? And do I also need Ad-ware and Windows Defender in addition to the Pestpatrol and SpyBlaster? As for a firewall I have read that ZA is a problem and was thinking of using Sygate Personal Firewall free, is that fairly dependable? I should also mention that the copier/printer/scanner I purchased along with the new computers will be used by all 3 computers in our house and so I plan on networking the 3 together. The third computer is running win98se (it's old) and wanted to make sure none of the antivirus/spyware programs or firewall will cause a problem when networking those? On a different note, I have a question regarding my mouse. My brother and I have noticed the same thing since we have started using the new computers. The mouse randomly moves really fast all over the screen pretty much on its own.. I know that sounds kind of strange but it's like it just spazzes out for a second and it happens randomly and quick enough that you lose sight of it, and have to swirl the mouse around to find it again. Really annoying when you are trying to play a game. It is an optical mouse so I wonder if maybe we are just lifting it up off the mouse pad just high enough? or if perhaps of you have heard of this before and it is caused by something else. Thanks in advance.

 

I had a mouse that did the same thing. It was just a bad mouse.
Took it back to the store, got the same brand and it was fine.

 

Thank you for the quick replies and info, sorry for not responding back sooner. Both mice are still doing the same thing, but I haven't bothered getting either of them replaced, . Seems odd that both would have the exact same problem, they are brand new, but I wouldn't be too surprised if I managed to pick up 2 defective mice at the same time. If it gets to be enough of an annoyance I'll go get it replaced, just wanted to make sure it wasn't some sort of technical issue that could be resolved. Thanks again.

 

i've tested eztrust AV before, and it's pretty smooth. i didn't have a problem with it. i've tried out just about every AV application out there, and if you're looking for a free AV program, I'd say AVG Free is your best bet. If you're willing nto spend some money, i would get nod32, which is what i use. As for TrendMicro, the online scan is fine, it's a very thorough scan. But i don't like TrendMicro 2006 Pc-cillin AV on my computer (incase you were considering buying), because, it conflicts with gaming and the scan takes too long imo.

For anti-spyware, if you get Ad-aware SE, Spybot S&D, Windows Defender, you should be well off. I don't know anything about the ezTrust PestControl, but if it runs in the background (like a AV program that has real time protection), i wouldn't recommend. From my experience, programs like Spyware Doctor, AdWatch, which comes bundled with Ad-aware SE aren't good choices, and will just slow you down and become a pest.

I use Zone Alarm Free firewall, i like it a lot. But like you said, I don't think it would work with Media Center Edition. I haven't tried out other firewalls.