Best Protection with least interference

I was running Zone Alarm, AVG, Spybot, and Spyware Blaster on my system (Vista SP1 Home Premium) and I began having problems with Firefox 3 not closing out properly. It would remain open in the processes list in Task Manager and sometimes have several listings of it. I would have to hardboot my computer to get it to end. I searched through MG a little and came across the PC Tools Firewall that was supposed to fix this problem. Unfortunately when I tried to use Firefox I kept getting connection errors. I am currently using Comodo, AVG, Spybot, and Spyware Blaster and would like to know if this is sufficient protection for my system. I google all incidents that Comodo pops up to make sure they are for reliable programs and so far everything has been necessary. If there are alternatives to the ones I am using that will not interfere with my web browsing or computer usage and are better than what I am using please let me know. Thank you for your time.

 

I assume you want to use a free software, but if not I recommend ESET NOD32 AntiVirus software I use it and have not had a virus for a long long time. I have tried many different AntiVirus softwares such as panda, AVG, Zone Alarm, Norton, McAfee, etc. and find NOD32 the best overall. It is simple yet sophisticated.

However, I think running AVG alone is fine without Comodo, Spybot, and Spyware Blaster as all those programs may conflict.

If you are very cautious you can use AVG and Spybot together, as long as you don't visit any harmful/obscene sites you shouldn't have any problems.

 

Well, from my own experience, I have been using Trend Micro PC-Cillin for 3 years, and NOTHING ever got past it, not even a virus, and I have had no problems with it. It updates, scans, and pretty much takes care of itself. Doesn't interfere with my browsing, but I am using Windows XP SP3, with IE7.... I hope this helps, if not, someone else will be along, I am sure. :wave

 

I agree with MajorAttitude. Windows firewall is more than enough with a hardwire router between your computer and the modem. I use Spyware Terminator with the Real-Time Shield enabled, SpyBot mainly for the immunization feature (It's great for your host file protection and can replace Spyware Blaster), MalwareBytes for weekly scanning, and I use Avast! for anti-virus needs. I also disable activeX in IE, install IE7Pro, and use mainly Firefox with AdBlock Plus and Download Statusbar (with it, I can easily have everything I download scanned by Avast!).

Hope that helps!

 

I agree with the Major. I've found PC Tools firewall and PC Tools antivirus to be a lean combination involving only two Windows NT type 023 services and three running processes. I've used both anti-spyware apps you mention but found that a careful savvy user can minimize the need for these. Super AntiSpyware is a good choice and installs or uninstalls easily. If one surfs carefully, I believe a 'heavy hitter' like Spybot can be dispensed with. I'm to the point where I simply install and run Super AntiSpyware when I think a scan is in order, then uninstall it, but that's just my preference.

 

I have decided on using PC Tools Anti-Virus and Firewall, Spyware Blaster, and keeping Spybot around for the immunization capabilities. I also downloaded the FF add-ons mentioned in the thread, I have used Adblock Plus before and noticed an immediate difference. As I do not visit any "bad" sites I find that I really need minimal protection but I am not very trusting of Windows Firewall even though it has been upgraded in Vista. I use Windows Defender Scan weekly and will use PC Tools Anti-virus scan weekly. Update them all weekly and that should give me reliable coverage with limited CPU usage. I have 4GB of RAM so that is not an issue really. I would like to thank you all for the information and help. MG- Sorry I cannot bring myself to rely on Windows firewall completely even though I am a safe surfer. I do watch movies online and download music occasionally and those are the only instances I can think of where it might not be strong enough to prevent anything from getting through. Kudos to all responders again, been on this site for awhile and rely heavily on the input I receive. Any ideas about this set-up please let me know. Thanks all.

One last question that concerns me, why do I have to disable UAC in order to immunize my system with Spybot? Is there a way around this or should I just give up on Spybot and try something else to control immunization?

 

Thanks for the information. I gather that it is not necessary to have UAC enabled since I have a firewall, anti-virus, and spyware/active X controls in place. Is this assumption correct or should I just disable UAC while immunizing with Spybot and reenable it when completed?