So many questions...

I apologize in advance if this is not the proper place to start this thread. Admins: Feel free to move this if that is the case.

I finally registered to the site today! First and foremost, let me just say congratulations to everyone on such a great site! As nearly everyone here already knows, there are so so many sites (i.e., pcmag.com, pcworld.com, cnet.com, zdnet.com) whose software reviews are suspect - to say the least - due to their affiliations and ad revenue streams. For that reason, I mainly go to either FileForum.com, or - if I'm specifically looking for security solutions - Wilders!

Now.... on to the questions:

1) Redundancy in Google Chrome browser extensions.
Sadly, I've only just recently discovered AdBlock Plus. I know, I know... where have I been, right? Well, the fact is, I've known about ad-blocking software for a few years now, but it's only recently that the security implications of these extensions finally dawned on me.

A bit of background:
I've tried SpywareBlaster, HOSTS file lists, and Spybot's Immunization feature (which all virtually do the same thing). Unfortunately, it has recently become very obvious that this method of protection suffers from quite a few pitfalls:
a) A large HOSTS file can seriously hamper internet/browser performance.
b) With the exception of Spybot, these lists aren't updated very often.
c) You typically have to update manually. Technically, SpywareBlaster can be set to automatic, but who's gonna pay for it? Not me!

For these reasons, jamming spyware at the source by way of a browser extension seems to be the best course.

I've been using Adblock Plus (with multiple subscriptions), Disconnect, and Adguard concurrently. This seems to be overkill. I know there is a certain amount of overlap here. Most often, Adblock Plus blocks the most items. However, on certain sites Disconnect will trump all three. But I feel that the numbers may be suspect; perhaps Disconnect is counting multiple instances of the same item being blocked, thus artificially inflating the results numbers.

Adblock Plus has the highest resource usage - specifically RAM - and yet seems to work best. I'm thinking of eliminating the other two and sticking with ABP. Thoughts?

(FYI, I've been running this setup on a newly formatted Windows 8.1 Update 1 machine without any AV/AS running. I've run MBAM scans several times now, and thus far have only collected one "PUP". Yay!)

2) So many AVs, so little time.
My personal preference has been NOD32 for years. Every time I see other AVs start to get attention or rave reviews (or I occasional get frustrated with NOD32), I decide to try out some of the others. But I always wind up going back to ESET.

I see Panda and Emisoft getting a lot of attention on here. Why? Is there something I'm missing? I've tried A-Squared (Emisoft's old name) and Panda once or twice before, but wasn't really impressed.

Enlighten me, guys.

(I'm currently running AV-free right now so I can: test how well ABP protects me; and to see if it's possible to run AV-free in the first place.)

3) What are your opinions on this setup?
Google Chrome w/Adblock Plus
ESET NOD32
Windows Firewall
(A recent test by AV-Comparatives showed that the firewalls included in most full-fledged security suites was no better - and oftentimes worse - than the one included with Windows:
http://www.av-comparatives.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/avc_fw_201403_en.pdf)


I think I'll just leave it at that for now. I knew this would be a lengthy post from the get-go. But I really like the minds at work on this site, and I also sometimes feel it necessary to write at-length so that everyone knows EXACTLY what I mean.

Thanks everyone!!

 

Hi Jason and welcome to forums!
I have similar experience with Adblock Plus and Eset as you. Adblock Plus is a must have on my system. I don't mind using a little more RAM. What else should I do with 8GB anyway? When it comes to AVs, I also prefer to use ESET.
Your setup looks good to me. I would only turn on UAC and set it to max and regularly make backup of your system and data.

 

I can say I've enjoyed using Emsisoft AM the last year plus. I've used the whole alphabet of others over the years & for me EAM is the best.

 

Nothing wrong with that setup. It should serve you well.