Choice in security software right?

Hi

:confused

My Avast Anti Virus paid for version has just expired and I am not happy to renew it as I did not find it very efficient or reliable. I had a major catastrophe during the middle of the year and feel very wary about using it again. So at the moment I have been contemplating installing Iobit System Care Ultimate. I have already been using their Iobit Malware Fighter (paid for version) and am quite happy with it's performance.

Apart for the Iobit Malware Fighter I use Malwarebytes (also paid for), Super Anti Spyware (free) and Hitman Pro (paid). I have also installed Spyware Blaster and Spyware Search and Destroy. What do you think is not worthwhile and could cause me problems? I would be grateful for your advice on the above malware programs and whether my selection for an AV program is fine. Do I need anything else? I have a laptop as well as a desktop.

Thanks

Yazzie0

 

Greetings, yazzie0...

I'll not offer any opinion about the Iobit software - never used it. If you're happy with the company's track record then by all means stick with their products.

The Malwarebytes, SUPERAntiSpyware and Spyware Blaster programs are all top shelf.

Assuming you're referring to Spybot - Search & Destroy: I personally do not like it. I think it falls into the same category as Ad-Aware - their approaches and philosophies have become outdated. If you do decide to keep Spybot at least consider disabling the TeaTimer - it's a known resource hog.

I'm sure other MGs will chime in with their opinions. Bottom line: the best internet defense is common sense.

 

Ok, relaying reports I receive every day is that, ESET seems to be the top paid version out there. This is not a recommendation, just an opinion on information I receive. I have never had a problem with Avast Free, or Microsoft Security Essentials.

 

My 2 ¢:

Malwarebytes paid: Great choice for real time protection.
SUPERAntiSpyware and Spyware Blaster, Spybot Free: For passive can't hurt, may help.
Microsoft Security Essentials: AV is very good.

I'll second Caliban's remarks about TeaTimer, I uncheck it because it is a pain. Didn't know about the resource hogging, thanks... And pay attention when updating, it will be on the list pre-selected for you, uncheck it at each update...

You don't mention your firewall. If you're using a fairly new router, you most likely have Stateful Packet Inspection (SPI) in place. An additional software firewall is good to have as well, with an SPI router, native Windows firewall should be fine. You can check out your router by going to http://192.168.1.1 in most cases in a browser, check the manual for any password you may need or different URL.

If not, check out matousec.com for ratings and links on firewalls...

 

Too much AV/AM running in real time, can also cause problems. Certainly MSE and Avast can fight like cat and dog and cause serious system instability.

 

I run Avast Free on my main computer, I run MSE on my others, along with Mbam, and SAS. Never run 2 AVs on the same computer.

 

I use MSE on my home computer, but we use trend deep security at work. Of course that is an enterprise solution for vitalization, via vmware.

 

My personal choice would be Emsisoft Anti-Malware. Can be run with most other Anti-Virus programs (scan times take longer if running both during a system scan), and has a 30 day free trial.
http://www.emsisoft.com/en/software/antimalware/
http://www.majorgeeks.com/Emsisoft_Anti-Malware_d172.html
Don't care for MSE, tried it in the past. Still an avid Avast user for full free version, and use Malwarebytes and PeerBlock also. Haven't used Spy-Bot in years and haven't used Spyware Blaster recently. Also like WinPatrol, install it on others machines on occasion. I don't run Oracle's Java or any Adobe programs. Also use the QuickJava extension with Firefox. I don't use Window Media Player (Foobar for audio, VLC for video, Cyberlink PowerDVD for BluRay - aka no codec packs...) and only use Internet Explorer for Windows Updates. All that being said I believe you know the best security for any Operating System is the operator. If you do want to get adventurous on the Web, without the worry of sites throwing rocks at your Windows, better to run a live CD or set up a Linux box on an old, or unused system. Happy Hunting :major

 

I have checked matousesec.com and it rates ( as you would know ) that Comodo is the best on to have in terms of firewall protection. Avast is way down in terms of efficiency, but I am really confused by this report. The reason being Avast claims it has a firewall and yet Matouse says it does not have one. Please forgive my ignorance but are there different types of Firewalls? I think I will get rid of Spybot as the response has not been so enthusiastic toward this program. But I would appreciate some further enlightenment on firewalls, does this mean Comodo is an antivirus program?

 

I checked out the website and my history with Avast and my version was the Internet Security Program v 7. I had paid for it for on year around January 20. Forgive me if I sound a little slow in wrapping my head around the difference between the functions of internet security and an antivirus program but I have ADD and as a result of this I can to sometimes take a little longer at comprehending new information. I paid for the Internet Security Version as I wanted to be sure I was comprehensively covered. Looking at the link it seems to be that I was. Am I right? I find suddenly now that their costs have doubled and this is for one computer. I got a one year lenience for 3 computers for $37.20 and now it $69.99 for just one computer. Given that I was completely let down by their system I am a little anxious about their performance. Was the Internet Security system I bought not the right one to get --? I would appreciate some clarification on this.
It has been so good to have learnt so much just by reading your pages I must thank you all for offering such a wonderful service :highfive