Sercurity and Cleaning

Ok so I know this should probably go in "Software" but I figured it might be better here, feel free to move it

I'm curious, bored of my security and cleaning software I fancy like having a play with some new ones and would like to know what you guys use and recommend, also a breif reason why you use wouldn't be frowned upon

I'm thinking about Virus scanners, Spyware, malware etc and cleaning/optimizing tools such as Ccleaner and ASC etc.

I'm currently using

Avast Free Ed.
SuperAnti Spyware (not active, used for manual scan only)
Malware Bytes (same as above)
CCleaner (For cleaning garbage and Registry)

I also occassionally use..

Game Booster
Advanced System Care

My PC runs pretty well and rarely has any form of bug.
So I figure my setup is pretty good, but I'm bored of them and want to play with new stuff

 

I'd recommend you install a new OS inside a VM if you're gonna play with cleaners and A/V's. And ensure you have a known good image ready to reinstall from.

How about you learn to do some of those things a little more manually, like using some Sysinternals and Nirsoft tools - small and light but very powerful in the right hands. You can download and keep them all updated using WSCC.

If that doesn't keep you busy for a few weeks, call your doc and ask for some ritalin

 

Sounds like we use pretty much the same security programs - except I still use Spybot and Spyware Blaster. Haven't ever used SuperAnti Spyware. I have mixed emotions about Advanced System Care.


I haven't really got any new suggestions for other apps . . . I have been thinking about giving Ad-Aware another shot - I really liked it before they discontinued the SE version. The new versions just didn't work for me.

I agree with satrow that using a virtual machine is a fantastic way to do "risky" software tests or OS tweaks. I'm lucky in that I have a spare computer (much like my "main" computer) that I use for special ops - I have restore disks and a partition should it become compromised . . . :-D I usually use it when I play online games with my sons - I have a hardware confirguration for just that purpose. Works pretty well.

 

I recently switched to Avira on my laptop, paired with the Ashampoo WinOptimizer that was free from the MG software store a while back (liking it so far, btw). Ashampoo normally costs money though, so maybe not a good one if you want something to play with.

Avira has lots of fascinating customization options and features to play around with though.

 

My listing is:
Comodo firewall
Avira AntiVir
MalwareBytes
SuperAntiSpyware
SpywareBlaster
WinPatrol

 

Linux Mint 9 Isadora - try it, you'll like it, and you'll thank me later.

 

Ok thanks for the info guys, I will look into those mentioned so far.
As for testing stuff on my main PC, yeah I'm not gonna do that lol, I have my laptop to play with although I keep meaning to build another machine from the spare parts I have building in the Basement that Time Forgot :-D

@Satrow... I'm fairly confident with doing this stuff manually, have cleaned reg and removed nasty stuff manually many times but will definitely look into that prog.

Just think it's time to play, not played with new stuff since I dropped AVG a couple of years ago.