Need advice on 3 different issues

My OS is Windows XP SP3 and the current programs that I have and/or run:

General/Registry optimizing and cleaning
Ccleaner
EasyCleaner
Desktop Maestro
Advanced System Optimizer

Anti Spyware
Spybot
Ad-Aware SE personal

Anti Malware
Malwarebytes (Paid version)

Firewall
Comodo 3

I have 3 questions that don't all relate to this forum but I didn't want to start 3 different threads.

1) I need an antivirus program as I recently unisntalled AVG 8. I don't want Mcafee, Kaspersky, Norton, or AVG. I'm looking for a somewhat lite program within reason that doesn't slow my pc down too much. I'd like a user friendly GUI if possible.

2) I would like to monitor what programs are using what ports. I'm not sure if this can be done with the programs I already have as I don't know every nuance of them yet. If not, is there a small program to do that?

3) Are there any other programs that would be considered more lite or faster than my current anti spyware? I don't like having 2 antispyware programs for the same purpose. Are there any programs that could help my security a bit more? I don't want to slow down my pc very much but within reason would be fine.

 

3) SUPERAntiSpyware and Malwarebytes AntiMalware, better than Spybot & Ad-Aware, which only remove simple malware.

 

Paid or free? I would say NOD32 (paid). Other may suggest Avira, Dr. Web, etc.
The best advice is just download and try. Most AV's offer fully functional trial versions. This is the only way for you to see what runs good with your setup.

Maybe a lightweight firewall. I believe there are some apps that don't block but monitor traffic. Never used them, so I have no suggestions.
EDIT: Check out "Snort", maybe that is what your looking for.

Replace both with SuperAntiSpyware


Good Luck!


BTW, welcome to Wilders!

 

1) AVG 8 made my PC jerky and slow. Avira free is very light.

2) TCPview part of Sysinternals Suite (free).

3) Dump AdAware and Spybot, add SuperAntispyware.

All free.

 

Hi , #1: Antivirus : Avira AntiVir Personal - FREE Antivirus ; configuration : EXPERT Mode : enabled all additional settings , all files , Guard heuristic on high . #2: Ports : Seconfig XP . #3: Anti spyware : Comodo BOClean , SpywareBlaster , MBAM ( free ) , BugHunter ... # Preventive : DEP enabled on all programs . # Hardening : Advanced WindowsCare Personal ! Yes ... In Windows Task Manager , I have 13 Processes Windows + 7 other Processes = 20 Processes ; in system tray ( near clock ) : 5 icons ... ...

 

Impressive. How do you remove a malware, that bypasses your security ?

 

1) I went from AVG to Avira AntiVir recently and it seems to do a reasonable job - apparently its' detection is good but I'm pretty sure I've not been attacked since I switched so it hasn't been tested.

I don't like its pop-up "register now" screen which appears at each update, but I can live with it.

Apparently Avast is another good option, which I might try out sooner or later.

2) Pass - I know nothing about ports.

3) I've read here and elsewhere that Spybot and Ad-aware (which I used to use religiously) have been superceded - by their opposition and their peers.

SuperAntispyware (SAS) gets glowing endorsements on here and I like it, but I also liked Spyware Terminator.

 

Hello ... # ErikAlbert : look inside thread : " What is your security setup ... " - page 103 , with head hung low Thanks

 

Thanks for all the advice:

1) Using avira - works great.
2) Still no clue - diamondCS port explorer?
3) Ditched ad-aware and spybot and now have lifetime versions SUPERantispyware and malwarebytes.

 

1) CCleaner
2) Hitman Pro 2
3) Avira or Kaspersky
4) Kerio Sunbelt Firewall