Comp question - do u need antispy/malware?

[FKalinx]

To all NSC geeks,

I have recently bought a laptop and need to get some virus programmes. I have AVG installed but feel that I need some supplementary antispyware or malware software.

1) Do people think these are necessary on top of antivirus?

2) If so, can u recommend any?

cheers

 

[algie]

Don't see the point.Your anti virus program should be enough.It all depends on what sites you visit.I don't download anything apart from updates

 

[Withdean Wanderer]

'Ad-aware' or 'Spybot, Search & Destroy' are your friends.

 

[Kaiser_Soze]

Its worth having it and running it every do often-adaware is very good and there are a couple of other free programs that escape my memory now.

 

[algie]

If you still feel the need then try this

Ad-Aware 2008 - Free software downloads and reviews - CNET Download.com

 

[Cheshire Cat]

AVG version 8 does both spyware and virus checks AVG Anti-Virus and Internet Security - Real-time protection against viruses, spyware and malicious websites

 

[steward 433]

I use Avast

 

[mattb]

AVG plus Ad-aware, Spybot and Zonealarm will treat you away

 

[Brightonfan1983]

Personally, I use the free versions of AVG virus and spy, and throw in Norton and Spyware Doctor that comes via Google Tools. I'd recommend them - have had no probs whatsoever.

 

[bhaexpress]

I have Avast on my old laptop but I use a paid for version of Kaspersky on my main PC, it has everything you need.

 

[TonyW]

Absolutely essential!! Each piece of software will filter out certain nasties, and miss others.
Adaware and Spybot are reasonably good, so is Windows Defender. Its worth having a few on there, and running them regularly. You will find they all pick up different things from time to time. Just Google for ant-spyware, and you'll find loads. I'd also highly recommend Comodo Firewall http://www.personalfirewall.comodo.com/index-hireit.html, its free and its excellent, much better than the Windows one.

 

[readingstockport]

I have AVG anti-virus, Zone Alarm firewall, Spybot, Adaware and a physical firewall via my adsl router and I STILL occasionally get infections. Mainly tracking cookies which are often my fault but I have had a couple of nasties as well.

 

[RM-Taylor]

Too many, and they'll all try and over-ride each other when you're using the web/Windows Live Messenger etc.

 

[readingstockport]

Too many, and they'll all try and over-ride each other when you're using the web/Windows Live Messenger etc.

Why would anyone want to use live messenger etc?

AVG has developed a nasty habit of doing a full system scan on each start up which can be quite time consuming and slightly tedious but other than that I have no problems at all.

 

[RM-Taylor]

Why would anyone want to use live messenger etc?

AVG has developed a nasty habit of doing a full system scan on each start up which can be quite time consuming and slightly tedious but other than that I have no problems at all.

Well I don't know how old he is.

And he could be a youngster, or still use it whatever age.

 

[clippedgull]

AVG has developed a nasty habit of doing a full system scan on each start up which can be quite time consuming and slightly tedious but other than that I have no problems at all.

You can turn that off and scan manually when it's convenient.

 

[readingstockport]

Well I don't know how old he is.

And he could be a youngster, or still use it whatever age.

I realise that I was hoping to save the poor soul from a life of online idiocy like what I have

 

[bhaexpress]

Too many, and they'll all try and over-ride each other when you're using the web/Windows Live Messenger etc.

Not if it's installed correctly. Frankly I prefer to use an all in one product and am a bit wary of free A/Vs. I chose Kaspersky for two reasons. One is that it works with my version of Vista and the fact it was rated the best by PC Pro magazine. Using the same product throughout guarantees compatibility.

 

[seagullsovergrimsby]

Too many, and they'll all try and over-ride each other when you're using the web/Windows Live Messenger etc.

p.s. thanks for f***ing up the computer on Tuesday night just because it was going a bit slow

 

[Cian]

I don't even bother with anti virus, if you're not going on to dodgy sites, have a hardware firewall and don't open random links or files sent via MSN and email, and keep Windows up to date you're not going to have problems, basically.