Which Malware/Spyware program to delete?

Hi!

I have "Malwarebytes Anti-Malware, SUPERAntiSpyware, Microsoft Windows Malicious Software Removal Tool and SpywareBlaster installed on my laptop. If this is overkill, which 1 or 2 should I use in case it's "too much" for the basic laptop to handle?

Laptop Specs (as noted on box, not sure exactly what I should be posting):


HP Compaq Presario CQ56 - 109WM Notebook PC

Windows 7 Home Premium (64-bit)

Intel Celeron Processor 900
(2.20GHz, 1MB cache, 800 MHz FSB)

2GB DDR2 system memory

250GB (5400RPM) SATA hard drive

SuperMulti 8x DVD+-R/RW with Double Layer support

802.11 b/g/n wireless LAN

15.6" diagonal high-definition HP BrightView display
(1366 x 768)

Intel Graphics Media Accelorator
4500M with up to 797MB total available graphics memory

3 USB 2.0 ports

Thank You!

 

Don't have the MS myself, but I do have all other 3.
MBAM and SAS are on-demand and SpywareBlaster watches in "real-time" at the front door.
No conflicts of any kind.
I also have WinPatrol running at bootup with SpywareBlaster.

 

So if I keep all the programs, it won't hog the system resources with the laptop being a basic model?

 

Hi I personally think you have too much spyware on there. I have Avast antivirus (for viruses)....Spybot (for spyware and malaware)....and zone alarm for firewall. You shouldn't have more than one programme doing the same job or they will conflict with each other, and you should uninstall one before using a different one. I don't know about the ones you are using but I update my spybot every few days and do manual checks with both avast and spybot and have no problems.

Good luck.

 

The Malware fighters here ALL recommend multiple anti-spyware programs.
They don't all look for the same type of signature or pattern.
I have been using this combination for quite a while with NO problems.
And as for Spybot S&D, I feel that is out-dated . Used to be good, but it hasn't kept pace like the others.

 

+1
Was going to type this then deleted it. But I agree 100% that all programs don't scan as good as others. Not to mention the best way to stay safe is the user itself. You could have all those programs yet still go to a harmful site and get infected.

 

I have three of the four (I removed SAS) and I have no problem running all of them because two are passive. If you are running the free version of MBAM then three of your programs are passive and you will not notice a difference if they are installed or uninstalled so keep them and stay safe.

Also to correct something honeybabe mentioned, Malwarebytes is NOT an AV program. You need AV even if you run MBAM.

 

What happened with your SAS? Is it something I should also perhaps remove?

 

If his was as slow when updating as mine is, even on a 6MB cable connection, I don't really blame him.
Halfway tempted to remove from mine sometimes.

 

I use MBAM realtime (paid version)
- SAS on demand (Free version)
- Spywareblaster
- PC tools firewall plus
- AVAST anti virus

NO issues whatsoever here.

 

The trouble is, most 'antivirus' programs now have 'antispyware' capabilities also. It's actually a touchy and much argued discussion. They are really antimalware programs, and the terminology confuses. I rotate out Avast and Avira periodically, as my only *resident* antivirus/antispyware programs, and PrivateFirewall, is my favorite FW. Because firewalls also, have taken on all kinds of other capabilities. I'm a 'less is more' guy when it comes to malware protection. I have one standalone antimalware program installed--the free version of Malwarebytes--and I feel this is sufficient. We often confuse *how* spyware/adware/ransomware/password stealers/bot creators get on our computers, with *what* they are. Trojans, viruses, worms, rootkits, bootkits, are one thing...and the payload they bring--or hide--is something else...kind of

----

I think safe surfing habits, updated programs (java, adobe, etc) strong passwords, and a bit of common sense, are more important than lots of installed anti-spyware programs.

 

Thanks, I wasn't sure of what the little laptop can handle, it's my first one. (I'm used to my desktop).
So it's safe to say that none of these programs will hog system resources.

 

DavidGP,

Didn't you mean to refer to Spyware Blaster instead of Superantispyware as not being a scanner? :confused

 

I felt it was too slow and took long to update. That's the only reason I removed it - it wasn't any malfunction nor lack of detection. Though I have to say 99.9% of my scans come up clean.

 

Good to see that my thoughts in post #9 were confirmed.
Would remove it if it wasn't so good.