My final setup - I hope. Suggestions?

Well the reason I keep Spyware Terminator is just for the little bit of extra, since I have no idea how good Avira's realtime antispyware would be. I'm not too concered about spyware anyway but I just kinda like Spyware Terminator, mostly cause it guards some of the registry (enough for me!)

By the way Cyberhawk is going the paid route soon, and for people like me and you with the obsesssion, I wouldn't bother trying it, you'll only be tempted to go for the paid version.

Arovax and Winpatrol Free are fairly equal IMO, but Arovax reacts more quickly. Both are nice.

I changed my security setup slightly, and hopefully permanently- I replaced GeSWall with SSM Free just because I prefer HIPS instead of sandbox-type apps. Is SSM instead of GESWall good? Also is SSM Free going to be available free for a long time or is it going to become payware soon (as in, the only version available being the payware?)

 

As far as I know, they intend to keep both versions. Even if they don't, the free version will remain functional indefinitely. I'll keep using it whether they support it or not. When a piece of security software works properly and fills your needs, it doesn't matter if the vendor supports it or not. Kerio 2.1.5 is a common example.
If I understand GESwall correctly, it attempts to sandbox or isolate whatever is running. My concern there is that someone will figure out how to break out of that kind of system, with potentially disasterous results. I prefer having control over what is allowed to run as opposed to trying to contain an unknown. If I don't know what it is, it doesn't run. If it can't run, it can't infect me.
Rick

 

Regarding your original question, you need to choose which option best matches your personal preferences and skill level. If answering prompts and making rules for each running process is more than you want to do or if you're not comfortable or confident in your ability to do so correctly, use an option like GESwall. Both solutions have their good and bad points. Neither is the "final solution" for the average user. SSM can be anything from very good to nearly useless, depending on the user. Users who are really serious about security usually stop using Windows, choosing either a BSD or Linux system. Use what fits you, your usage habits, and your operating system.
Rick

 

The only difference between the paid version (coming soon) and the current free version will be custom rule feature according to CH support. The current version of CH is the future free version no less.

I somehow doubt that it will be your last

 

I know what you mean about Spyware Terminator kdm31091, I really like it too, but I may go with the final release of Arovax Shield if it guards more registry entries than it use too like it claims it will. I believe CH will maintain a free version as well from what I have read in the forum here, but it may just be over kill for me. I do like the CH though, so you never know. At least my AVG Internet Security Suite has allowed me to slowly get over trying programs like the Comodo Firewall which is excellent, and ST which I already said I like, and miss having. AVG ISS has also allowed me to forget about trying AOL AVS and Antivir PE again for fun. So if I only end up using Arovax Shield yet, or maybe a later release of CH, and that's all. Then I think I can finally end the insanity (LOL)

 

Well I heard the paid CH will also include cleanup which the free won't have. But I don't use it anyway.

 

From my point of view, Geswall and friends are pretty much the same as SSM except that they only try to restrict some apps. In theory, you can achieve the same thing by making SSM trust every app, except for the one being 'sandboxed'

The chances of any app breaking out of the sandbox is probably similar to the chance of another app being able to evade ssm control.

 

That is really strange.... My SSM copy must be broken, since I see it polling!!
Let me try the other version...

Testing antispyware is so 'last 3 years'. If there is anything we teach newbies here, it is that antispyware are obsolete, all you need is HIPS.