Spyware/Malware Protection Software

[TBSN]

In the world of spyware, trojans, malware, etc., things change quickly. Sometimes programs which were once the best at protecting ones computer become outdated (even if it is kept updated), so I wanted to make sure my computer(s) are protected.

On the Anti-Virus front, AVG has worked fine for me.

I have a few anti-spyware programs installed though, and I don't know which one to keep.

I recently heard that Windows Defender is the best now, but sometimes I think it doesn't catch some things that the others I have installed do:

Spybot: Search and Destroy
A-Squared Free
Ad-Aware Free

Which of those is the best? Is Windows Defender enough by itself?

I don't really like having real-time protection turned on... I know Spybot S&D's tea timer is annoying as hell.

So, which is the best?

Thanks for any feedback!

 

[Quiksilver]

Avira for AV. It's free, it just requires a small security permission to hack to block the popup advertisement when it updates (asking you to buy/try their premium version) It has the highest detection rates.
For spyware I usually just use Spybot & Ad-aware together incase one misses some things. I've heard foor things about Spy sweeper though but it's not free.

 

[mechBgon]

Originally posted by: TBSN
In the world of spyware, trojans, malware, etc., things change quickly. Sometimes programs which were once the best at protecting ones computer become outdated (even if it is kept updated), so I wanted to make sure my computer(s) are protected.

If you haven't tried using a non-Administrator account, that's a good place to start. See how it goes for you. http://www.mechbgon.com/build/security2.html <--- info on non-Admin user accounts and some other Windows security features. Antivirus is frosting, but make sure you actually have the cake first

 

[Sam25]

Superantispyware is very good.

 

[sswingle]

Combo of spybot and adaware has always been good for me.

And of course using firefox instead of IE so I don't get most of the spyware in the first place.

 

[Sam25]

+1 for Firefox.

 

[TBSN]

I've actually been using Chrome, I like it a lot. I don't know about how secure it is, though.

 

[Chadder007]

FireFox > *

 

[mc866]

I use Avira free for anti virus and both Spybot and Super Antispyware for spyware etc.

 

[ChAoTiCpInOy]

Windows Defender

 

[JackBurton]

Originally posted by: mechBgon

Originally posted by: TBSN
In the world of spyware, trojans, malware, etc., things change quickly. Sometimes programs which were once the best at protecting ones computer become outdated (even if it is kept updated), so I wanted to make sure my computer(s) are protected.

If you haven't tried using a non-Administrator account, that's a good place to start. See how it goes for you. http://www.mechbgon.com/build/security2.html <--- info on non-Admin user accounts and some other Windows security features. Antivirus is frosting, but make sure you actually have the cake first

Exactly! Basic User account is what you should be using, and for added security, AV software.

 

[bruceb]

I have Spybot SD / AdAware SE Personal / Spyware Blaster / Windows Defender on my pcs, in addition to McAfee Corp AV
I also run Firefox with AdBlock Plus and RIP plug ins. Seems to do the job fine. Superantispyware is said to be very good,
but I haven't used it myself.

 

[nordloewelabs]

best protection is to use a Restricted/Standard User account.

then...

stick to Firefox for browsing (with AdBlock, FlashBlock, NoScript addons).
Foxit or Sumatra for PDFs.
Free AntiVir for virus scanning.
Spybot and SuperAntiSpyware for spyware scanning.

keep Windows, Firefox (and its addons) and Flash updated.
think twice before clicking on attachments/links ppl send you.

avoiding an Administrator User account, alone, makes a HUGE difference.

 

[ice91785]

I prefer Spyware Doctor myself.....its not free but I get it for free through work; its FANTASTIC! You can try it free for 30 days and it actually lets you remove infections if it finds any for those 30 days.....

Anything in the world > Windows Defender......defender does not do a good job at all against malware or even detecting suspicious behaviors. STAY AWAY

 

[sonoma1993]

another good spyware/adware/malware removal program is malwarebytes.

 

[bruceb]

Can't say for how well Malwarebytes does on real time protection, but it definitely is very good at fixing problems (such as Antivirus XP 2008 / 2009) that may get into a system.