Which software is not needed to stay protected?

[spider_darth]

These are the software which I'm currently using.

SpywareBlaster
SpywareGuard
A-Squared Free
Spybot S&D
MS Windows Defender
WinPatrol
Comodo Firewall Free
AVAST! Free
Threatfire

Am i running too many? Which are the ones which are unnecessary?

As for Sandbox, which is recommended in terms of ease of use? Sandboxie, GesWall or DefenseWall?

[acr1965]

Which Comodo are you using? 2.4 or 3.0?

I would definitely get rid of SpywareGuard and either Spybot or WD. I would also replace A-squared with SuperAntiSpyware. Definitely keep SB. If you have Comodo 3.0 I would choose between defense+, WinPatrol or Threatfire.

[clocks]

I would drop:
SpywareBlaster
SpywareGuard
MS Windows Defender
WinPatrol
Spybot S&D


I would keep:
Comodo Firewall Free
AVAST! Free
Threatfire
A-Squared Free

[deanmartin]

Originally Posted by clocks

I would drop:
SpywareBlaster
SpywareGuard
MS Windows Defender
WinPatrol
Spybot S&D


I would keep:
Comodo Firewall Free
AVAST! Free
Threatfire
A-Squared Free

From the choice's given. I agree.

[acr1965]

Curious as to why both you would drop Spyware Blaster.

[deanmartin]

Originally Posted by acr1965

Curious as to why both you would drop Spyware Blaster.

True, it could be a keeper.

[spider_darth]

comodo 3.0

thanks. i'll keep:
SpywareBlaster
Comodo Firewall Free
AVAST! Free
A-Squared Free

but still undecided on:
Spybot S&D (y did u'll decide to drop this?)
Threatfire, Defense+ (can i run both?)
Sandboxie / GesWall

[acr1965]

Originally Posted by spider_darth

comodo 3.0

thanks. i'll keep:
SpywareBlaster
Comodo Firewall Free
AVAST! Free
A-Squared Free

but still undecided on:
Spybot S&D (y did u'll decide to drop this?)
Threatfire, Defense+ (can i run both?)
Sandboxie / GesWall

For TF& Comodo 3 there is an ongoing thread here-

http://www.wilderssecurity.com/showthread.php?t=195218

It may make for an interesting combo. Also, which browser do you normally use? FF or Opera would be a pretty good choice. I recently started using FF again and it seems much better than when I used it before (like a couple years ago). Also, I have heard there are some potential conflicts running SB and Spybot together (possibly with host file protection? -not sure).

[clocks]

Originally Posted by deanmartin

True, it could be a keeper.

I agree with DM. I found immunize in spybot was keeping me from getting to sites I wanted to connect to. Since spyware blaster works in a similar fashion, I also dropped it, but it is probably safe, and does not cost any resources.

[spider_darth]

Thanks for the info. I'll drop spybot. And, try running both TF and defense+ to see whether there's any probs.

I've been using FF and Opera all the while. It's just that after reformatting, my pc can't seem to be able to install Opera due to error with the windows installer package. now, i can't even install sandboxie. anything that requires the windows installer just wouldn't work!

[Gizzy]

Originally Posted by spider_darth

Thanks for the info. I'll drop spybot. And, try running both TF and defense+ to see whether there's any probs.

I've been using FF and Opera all the while. It's just that after reformatting, my pc can't seem to be able to install Opera due to error with the windows installer package. now, i can't even install sandboxie. anything that requires the windows installer just wouldn't work!

I had a problem with windows installer once I forget what I did to cause it but this should help fix it http://support.microsoft.com/kb/555175 I think it was method 1 that worked for me.

[aigle]

Originally Posted by spider_darth

These are the software which I'm currently using.

SpywareBlaster
SpywareGuard
A-Squared Free
Spybot S&D
MS Windows Defender
WinPatrol
Comodo Firewall Free
AVAST! Free
Threatfire

Am i running too many? Which are the ones which are unnecessary?

As for Sandbox, which is recommended in terms of ease of use? Sandboxie, GesWall or DefenseWall?

I will remove all except

Comodo Firewall Free
AVAST! Free &
Threatfire.

[DasFox]

What's wrong with Spybot, I always thought they were one of the kings of spyware?

What they loosing their crown? LOL

Also my understanding is Spyware Terminator is a much better spyware app then
A-Squared Free.

[innerpeace]

In addition to most of the above, I would keep A-squared free and if you have the space, add SuperAntiSpyware free. That way you can have 2 second opinions when checking new downloads in addition to Avast's. Of course if you don't download much, then this isn't necessary. If the file is questionable, you can upload it to VirusTotal or Jotti for multiple opinions.

As far as sandboxes go, if you want free, your choices are Sandboxie and Geswall. I like Sandboxie, so I haven't tried the others. They all work in different ways to achieve the same results. I highly recommend you take a good look to see what they can offer.

[aigle]

Originally Posted by DasFox

What's wrong with Spybot, I always thought they were one of the kings of spyware?

What they loosing their crown? LOL

Also my understanding is Spyware Terminator is a much better spyware app then
A-Squared Free.

None is needed. Only one scanner( AV).

[deanmartin]

Originally Posted by aigle

None is needed. Only one scanner( AV).

Come to think of it my past Antispyware programs, spywaredoctor,Spysweeper,spybot SD, and now Avg AS have never found or blocked anything to my knowledge but tracking cookie's. My AV has had the 3or 4 detection's over the years. Yet it still makes me feel better with a Antispyware product installed. It's like a sparetire you never no when you mite need it.

[aigle]

Any new malweare will bypass ALL the scanners( AV, AS, AT..watever) even if u manage to install ALL of them on the PC.

Complement ur scanner with something non-signature based!

[deanmartin]

I will, Thank you

[innerpeace]

Originally Posted by aigle

Any new malweare will bypass ALL the scanners( AV, AS, AT..watever) even if u manage to install ALL of them on the PC.

Complement ur scanner with something non-signature based!

How do they bypass ALL the scanners and what about older malwares? What is the percentage of this stealthy malware in the wild? Were talking about scanning downloads right? Please tell me more as I scan everything I download with A2, SAS and Antivir. I would rather give them a chance rather than solely relying on my beginner HIPS knowledge. Plus, many times my HIPS is set to learning mode for installing complicated softwares so I'm left with only Antivir's protection.

[aigle]

Originally Posted by innerpeace

How do they bypass ALL the scanners

If the scanner has no signature, it will be bypassed like anything.

Originally Posted by innerpeace

What is the percentage of this stealthy malware in the wild?

I don,t know the percentage but one such malware if executed on ur machine might be enough.

Originally Posted by innerpeace

Were talking about scanning downloads right? Please tell me more as I scan everything I download with A2, SAS and Antivir. I would rather give them a chance rather than solely relying on my beginner HIPS knowledge. Plus, many times my HIPS is set to learning mode for installing complicated softwares so I'm left with only Antivir's protection.

Very simple. Don,t install anything untrusted!

[DevilFrank]

Why should he replace Windows-Defender with another application? This is a perfect solution to avoid unwanted installations or manipulations of IE. As a OS component WD will stop harmful software before it can install itself. In my eyes a perfect addition to a good av-scanner.

[ErikAlbert]

Originally Posted by aigle

If the scanner has no signature, it will be bypassed like anything.
I don,t know the percentage but one such malware if executed on ur machine might be enough.
Very simple. Don,t install anything untrusted!

Well said Aigle and I don't need to know the percentage either, I just don't want them on my computer and certainly not, when it is unknown one. How am I going to remove that one with my poor knowledge ? Most probably I won't even notice, I'm infected.

[Mrkvonic]

Hello,
I would remove all or just keep Comodo.
Mrk

[ErikAlbert]

Originally Posted by spider_darth

These are the software which I'm currently using.

SpywareBlaster
SpywareGuard
A-Squared Free
Spybot S&D
MS Windows Defender
WinPatrol
Comodo Firewall Free
AVAST! Free
Threatfire

Am i running too many? Which are the ones which are unnecessary?

As for Sandbox, which is recommended in terms of ease of use? Sandboxie, GesWall or DefenseWall?

Keep Comodo Firewall Free and Threatfire.
Add Returnil (freeware), Sandboxie or Defensewall and Anti-Executable.
Watch out for NEW objects, they are the real problem.