Do you think a resident anti-spyware program is needed if you have PG and regdefend?

[Matt_Smi]

I was wondering if you guys think it is necessary to run a real time anti-spyware program like Counterspy, MS anitspy, ect. If you have process guard and regdefend on your system, I personally think it is a bit unneeded unless you really like being layered. I don’t think there is much that an antispy app could stop that PG + RD could not.

[Vikorr]

I run PG, RD, and PrevX Pro, and I've given up on using a AS RTS as no spyware is ever picked up on my system anymore.

Of course, I've also configured IE so no activeX is used (except in trusted sites), it has restricted sites, has a good HOSTS file, uses Sun Java, no cookies (except trusted sites) are allowed etc etc. I know I could probably have achieved the same results with Firefox, but oh well, as I said, no spyware has managed to get onto my system (that I know of).

I still run scans of Ad-Aware, Spybot, and MSAS, but they never pick up anything.

[BlueZannetti]

My experience mirrors Vikorr's.

Top tier AV/AT coverage available from a number of vendors seems to be handling spyware much better by nipping the trojan downloaders in the bud. PG/RD, and similar applications, provide all the additional backroom coverage needed.

So to answer Matt_Smi's question and the threads title - I'd also say no. Keep the basic AS application installed for very infrequent demand scans to check as desired, but with a proper front end, I'd say the resident AS portion is simply not needed.

Actually, I should confess that I've never run the resident portion of any AS application that I own, but appreciate the role PG/RD/etc. serve and do employ them. I don't see that changing dramatically in the near future.

Blue

[richrf]

Hi Matt_Smi,

Ditto Vikorr and BlueAznnetti. I run Giant AS on-demand from time to time and CounterSpy just to see how KAV, ProcessGuard, and RegDefend are doing. Ever since I installed these packages, nothing has gotten through. I know longer have Giant AS in real-time because it really uses up resources and as far as I can see no real added protection. I keep Ewido or BOClean running, mostly for fun - since I paid for them both :) .

Rich