Do I Have Too Many Anti-Malware Programs?

[Ken7]

Newbie question!

Out of these, what can I delete and what should I keep and what should I get?

I use Windows XP and Firefox. My surfing habits are pretty tame, I try to not go to any bad sites etc.

I have:
Free AVG 8.0
Ad-Aware
Spybot Search and Destroy
Spyware Doctor (free version from Google)
MBAM
SAS
Spyware Blaster
CC Cleaner
Advanced System care
Glary Utilities
Smart Defrag

Thanks for any feedback

[gery]

-{ Quote: "Newbie question!

Out of these, what can I delete and what should I keep and what should I get?

I use Windows XP and Firefox. My surfing habits are pretty tame, I try to not go to any bad sites etc.

I have:
Free AVG 8.0
Ad-Aware
Spybot Search and Destroy
Spyware Doctor (free version from Google)
MBAM
SAS
Spyware Blaster
CC Cleaner
Advanced System care
Glary Utilities
Smart Defrag

Thanks for any feedback" }-
you only need these ones
AVG
MBAM .or SAS
CCLeaner
and one of the utilities programs using them with maximal care because they may destroy your computer

[maymoons]

remove
Ad-Aware
Spybot Search and Destroy
MBAM
Spyware Blaster
Advanced System care
Glary Utilities
Spyware Doctor (free version from Google)

keep
Free AVG 8.0
SAS
CC Cleaner


no need many spyware-software
if you know what you do, no need MBAM cause you can separate fake anti-malware/reel anti malware

but you can use sandboxie. it is great product.
and you can use WOT with firefox.

[blacknight]

A firewall not ?

[Ken7]

-{ Quote: "A firewall not ? " }-

Do I really need a another Firewall? I thought XP has a firewall??

Also, thanks for all this information, its helping me clear up what I need without overdoing it.

One more question, every time I run a scan on these programs, all they ever find are Cookies??? Why are these Cookies showing up as Mal-Ware??

Thanks for all your help!

[GES/POR]

-{ Quote: "Newbie question!

Out of these, what can I delete and what should I keep and what should I get?

I use Windows XP and Firefox. My surfing habits are pretty tame, I try to not go to any bad sites etc.

I have:
Free AVG 8.0
Ad-Aware
Spybot Search and Destroy
Spyware Doctor (free version from Google)
MBAM
SAS
Spyware Blaster
CC Cleaner
Advanced System care
Glary Utilities
Smart Defrag

Thanks for any feedback" }-

Keep:AVG, MBAM, SB and the non security utilities
Ditch AdAware, SD, SAS Unless you prefer it over MBAM <--- you only need 1 of these

[wtsinnc]

Hello KEN7;

In my opinion you should keep CCleaner, Glary Utilities, Malwarebytes, and replace AVG antivirus with either Avast (free) or Avira (free).

Unlike many people who swear by Superantispyware and Spywareblaster, I've never seen either to be particularly noteworthy at detecting, removing, or preventing the installation of spyware on my computer, and for the same reasons believe you will be better protected using Avast or Avira in place of AVG. As for Spybot, I quit using it over a year ago and and will soon do the same with Ad-Aware because neither has the detection capability I'm looking for. The free version of Spyware Doctor is more of a resource hog than I like and it's spyware definition database is comparatively small, plus (in my experience), it's been known to have trouble coexisting with other security applications.

Never used smart defrag so I can't comment on that application and see no need for Advanced System Care if you keep CCleaner and Glary.

[djohn]

IMO you can use sandboxie and eliminate everything but maybe a antivirus to check your downloads or your externnals devices with Avast or Avira and CCleaner to keep things tidy,and most likely you may even notice some extra life in your machine.

[doktornotor]

There's no harm being done with having many on-demand antimalware apps installer.

- I'd definitely keep both SAS and MBAM.
- SSD and AdAware really produced no useful results for me on infected boxes for almost two years.
- CC Cleaner, Smart Defrag - those have nothing to do w/ antimalware
- no idea what are these two for... Advanced System care, Glary Utilities
- Free AVG 8.0 wouldn't be my AV of choice but I don't want to get into this debate.

[progress]

-{ Quote: "Keep:AVG, MBAM" }-

That's my setup :)

You could add an antirootkit tool: F-Secure Blacklight or Trendmicro RootkitBuster ;)

[wtsinnc]

Switching from AVG to Avast or Avira will provide antirootkit capability.

[gery]

or just add an antirootkit standalone application becaouse with Avira he will need an antispyware software. What's wrong with AVG ?

[HURST]

KEEP:
Free AVG 8.0
MBAM
SAS
Spyware Blaster
CC Cleaner

REMOVE:
Ad-Aware
Spybot Search and Destroy
Spyware Doctor (free version from Google)

UP TO YOU:
Advanced System care
Glary Utilities
Smart Defrag

Welcome to Wilders by the way.

[AKAJohnDoe]

-{ Quote: "Newbie question!

Out of these, what can I delete and what should I keep and what should I get?

I use Windows XP and Firefox. My surfing habits are pretty tame, I try to not go to any bad sites etc.

I have:
Free AVG 8.0
Ad-Aware
Spybot Search and Destroy
Spyware Doctor (free version from Google)
MBAM
SAS
Spyware Blaster
CC Cleaner
Advanced System care
Glary Utilities
Smart Defrag

Thanks for any feedback" }-
As in many areas of life, if one is astute enough to ask the question, the answer is already known...

[wtsinnc]

gery;

In this theoretical setup, he would already have an antispyware application (MBAM, SAS, or...).

AVG antivirus is better than nothing, I suppose, but independent tests have consistently shown that it's detection capability has not matched that of either Avast or Avira among the free antivirus applications. Although I don't care to get into a long-winded discussion about this, my previous statement is an absolute fact.
-Additionally-
AVG has documented and ongoing problems with version 8 such as excessive resource usage resulting in system slow down and freezing plus the recent foul-up regarding a corrupted update which reinforces my opinion that a person would be better served using Avast or Avira if they desired a free application.

[progress]

-{ Quote: "or just add an antirootkit standalone application becaouse with Avira he will need an antispyware software. What's wrong with AVG ?" }-

You are right, AVG + Trendmicro RootkitBuster for example ;)

Avast is the only all-in-one, but the GUI is :gack:

[wtsinnc]

Avast, Avira, AVG,
etc.;
etc.;
etc.;

Every antivirus, antirootkit, and antispyware application will miss something.
I believe in utilizing second-opinion scanners in every case; not every time, but on occasion.

Regardless of his final choice(s), the OP has a wealth of useful free applications to choose from. :)

[C.S.J]

avg free
Drwebs cureit (or stick with MBAM)
Ccleaner

Ditch the rest

[JRViejo]

-{ Quote: "Do I really need a another Firewall? I thought XP has a firewall??" }-
If you are using the XP firewall, please review Stem's tutorial Windows XP firewall (http://www.wilderssecurity.com/showthread.php?t=218517); it's excellent!

Keep AVG, MBAM, SAS, Spybot S&D (Immunize, no TeaTimer) and CCleaner. Remove the rest using Revo Uninstaller (http://www.revouninstaller.com/index.html).

[Fly]

-{ Quote: "Newbie question!

Out of these, what can I delete and what should I keep and what should I get?

I use Windows XP and Firefox. My surfing habits are pretty tame, I try to not go to any bad sites etc.

I have:
Free AVG 8.0
Ad-Aware
Spybot Search and Destroy
Spyware Doctor (free version from Google)
MBAM
SAS
Spyware Blaster
CC Cleaner
Advanced System care
Glary Utilities
Smart Defrag

Thanks for any feedback" }-

That seems like overkill.

You could probably get rid of Ad-Aware and Spybot S&D without compromising your security even a bit.

I would advocate getting rid of the Spyware Doctor (has caused me a lot of trouble, it isn't very good, especially the free version with limited malware signatures!)

But I'm not sure if AVG is good enough as an antivirus, you could check av-comparatives or other sources.

[H47]

-{ Quote: "What's wrong with AVG ?" }-

It doesn't have anti-rootkit. (at least the free version anyway).

[firzen771]

lol ur asking a forum of people who like to "splurge" on security products :P

[Osaban]

-{ Quote: "There's no harm being done with having many on-demand antimalware apps installer.

- I'd definitely keep both SAS and MBAM.
- SSD and AdAware really produced no useful results for me on infected boxes for almost two years.
- CC Cleaner, Smart Defrag - those have nothing to do w/ antimalware
- no idea what are these two for... Advanced System care, Glary Utilities
- Free AVG 8.0 wouldn't be my AV of choice but I don't want to get into this debate." }-
I agree with doktornotor's suggestions, I would definitely add a virtualizer (Returnil free as an example, plenty of other possibilities but paid ones) which will keep your computer in pristine condition.

[Max Zorin]

I would dump all the AV / AM apps you have and instead, use Avira Free and A-Squared 4 Free as on demand.

Go for the full versions if you can and run both in real time. Avira and A2 V4 both offer broad spectrum protection and have been shown in many recent tests to beat all other AV / AM packages. You are unlikley to ever find anything nasty that will evade this combination.

Stick with XP firewall.

Try Sandboxie if you like.

Always have a full, clean system backup to restore and keep seperate up to date document backups.

This setup should be light and secure.

Dont fall in to the trap of running loads of AM scanners and other security apps - waste of time and s-l-o-w-s your system down.

MZ