Looking for software that offers some technical, less common protection.

I still have McAfee Virusscan Plus 2008 on my Windows XP Home Edition computer, but it's only a matter of time till that's gone.

I used to have the 2007 version, in the 2008 version certain things are no longer active by default to put it simply, but I have enabled them again.

Some features I'm looking for, and that the McAfee software provides, and for which I'd like an alternative (not just logging, but also warning/protection):

(Abbreviated version, some examples):
Windows system guards, examples: protection windows hosts file, winlogon shell, windows protocols.
Browser system guards: examples: BHOs, toolbars, URL's for internet explorer.
Program system guards: examples: ActiveX, startup items.
Also protection of the registry is offered, although a review claimed that things were not really blocked, but if you got a warning and you decided not to allow something the McAfee software would roll things back.

Is there software that can accomplish things like this ? (Money is an issue, but it doesn't necessarily have to be free).

Maybe you'd think that a HIPS would accomplish that, but my past experiences with the Kerio Firewall were not that good. So, I'm looking for software that can accomplish what I mentioned. Preferably without being extremely technical (I still remember a Kaspersky (?) antvirus of some years ago that warned me that something was trying to inject code in a DLL file, and it asked me if I wanted to allow or block that because it might be malware ... too technical, I uninstalled it, performed some scans and no malware was found).

Other software currently installed: Spy Sweeper without antivirus, Counterspy (Sunbelt mentioned that they would try to release a version that also offers protection against viruses in the first quarter of 2008, but what's going to happen remains to be seen.)

Information will be appreciated.

 

I'll take a look at it, thanks.

 

You could also try WinPatrol though I dont know if it has registry protection.

 

Comodo will do the same + registry protection but it may be too complicated.

 

ProSecurity & System Safety Monitor do those things.