Windows Just how much protection do i need :O

Hi all,

I like a nice safe computer so i ran a few programs thinking i was safe.
What i was running;

Avira Free
Ad-aware 09 (Anniversary Edition)
CCleaner
Spybot search and destroy
Malwarebytes

Ran them all untill they found nothing then one day i was looking and saw;

Comodo security suite (antivirus and firewall)
Asquared FREE

So i get them ran them both and they both found thing -
Comodo found - 4 items
and
Asquared found - 12 items!

I couldn't believe it!

Now im wondering, am i still safe?

Thank you.

 

You mainly need 1 thing, called common sense...

 

+1

With that much crap running on your system they are all going to get in the way of each other, all I run is Avira which only actively scans my downloads and temp/cache folders and once a week I read the hijackthis log to see if anything is out of place.

 

They don't collide that's why i have them.
They all run when i want to scan.
Abuse isn't welcomed.

 

Well you can scrap Ad-Aware and Spybot IMO, realistically you only need 1 good anti-virus and 1 good anti-malware/spyware, unless you're doing a deep clean of your hard drive and all it's nasties.

Common sense prevails though, seriously
I scan every single thing I download (bar pictures I am saving) for viruses and malware with Avira Free and Malwarebytes.

 

Common sense goes along way.

The ONLY defense from Internet nasties i run is Zonelabs firewall.


how do i know i'm still practically clean and uninfected?

1, i have no symptoms. (although not proof itself)

2, i downloaded AVG, Commodo, Avast, Spybot, Adaware, Malwarebytes, hijackthis, and the only thing picked up were cookies and temp files, which i use Ccleaner to wipe anyway.

3, im quite careful on the internet, and try to use secure browsers (opera) and keep windows up to date.


I gave up a year ago having a anti virus + anti malware/spyware programs AND optimization programs running all the time, too many unwanted resource hogs.

MarkW7
I dont think uncertaingod was "abusing / insulting" you..

 

Good Firewall is your main port of call.
Anti-Virus needed for scanning files.

Like the others said though, there is no replacement for common sense.

I personally use ESET Security Suite and CCleaner, I've had no problems and my system is running quick and clean.

 

x2 for ESET / NOD32

 

It really isn't too much to have at least a Av and firewall running even if these are the most basic of programs...

They DO provide protection. I hate it when people BS about being careful and not needed AV software.... your probably just not aware of the crap running on your machine and oblivious to it... Yes even the ones with security software are still prone to attacks etc because no piece of software / hardware is going to stop everything but don't shoot your self in the foot by increasing the chances. Even more so because most of this software is FREE..

You'd be better off switching to a more 'secure' OS like Linux if your that carefree about security then (less viruses are written for it so it must be more secure ) but thats a whole other chat....

I'm not saying these are the best but these are good for the following (and free):

Spybot search and destroy is good because of it's tea-timer feature which makes you verify registry changes..

Avast is nice for the boot-time scanning...

so there really isn't any excuse...

/end rant (P.s. this is not directed at anyone, although I am bitter as I once shared a flat with a guy who was studying network security and didn't believe in AV software, just firewalls..... the amount of crap I found on that PC....... )

 

Agreed. In fact, I'm now using ESET Smart Security, which is essentially NOD32 plus a firewall, plus Spyware detection. It seems pretty solid, and I've been using it for a few months now.


Use the above, and common sense, and you'll be fine.


The problem with common sense however, is that it's not very common

 

A half-decent hardware firewall and a bit of common sense have kept me virus-free for a long time. In fact, I can't recall ever actually having a virus run, only having downloaded a dirty file that I had to rid myself of.

 

How about PeerGuardian2? You could essentially block nearly all ip addresses from accessing your computer, if you were patient enough.

 

The only way to truly be safe is to unplug the computer, walk away, and never get on the internet.

Since that is an absurdity, good AV software is required and a firewall, preferably hardware based.

 

remember that bit about common sense?

PG2 does nothing. its merely a placebo. Any body who is pro-piracy can confirm it.
as for OP, Avira, ESET Nod32 and Norton Internet Security are good ones.
And hardware firewalls are way better then software.

 

You should be shot for mentioning that in the same sentance as the word good!

 

You owe me a keyboard as this one now has breakfast sprayed all over it.

 

I run AVG, but I don't really need it. Never had it pick up anything in the last 5 or 6 years. The update is really starting to annoy me (stops any traffic whilst it updates when you boot into windows for 30 seconds or more).

Common sense wins in 95% of cases, seeing as though you are rarely ever going to be actively targetted by anyone.

And having multiple anti-spyware they will have different definitions I'm sure and pick up on things that others don't when most likely those aren't really a threat.

 

Hah, that's oldskool. Go try Norton 2009 and come back and say that again!

It uses about 5 megs of memory.

It's one of the best AV nowadays. But only version 2009.

 

I've actually heard good things about it too. Maybe they've finally realised how bad their product was

 

Granted 09 is better but it is still miles behind Avira and the like.