would like opinions on current security apps

You'll find existing discussions about this.

As to my setup, it's just a current antivirus, firewall, and since I don't use IE much I don't find it necessary to scan daily with EWIDO or such. It's fairly boring.

Bob

My advice to you is that running two anti-virus applications CAN cause conflicts.
I think you had a wiseguy technician on your hands.

About the Firewall : I recommend using ZoneAlarm ( Free version ).You can download that app on http://www.zonealarm.com and click the "Download & Buy" and then go to the ZoneAlarm tab ,

As far as the anti-virusapps : Mcafee and Norton suck big time.
Try using an app from another vendor. I use Panda from PandaSoftware and it works well here.

As far as the anti-spyware apps : I haven't used Webroot SpySweeper , so I can't judge that.
I recommend using Spybot Search & Destroy ( http://www.spybot.info ) and Ad-Aware ( http://www.lavasoftusa.com ). I also recommend to install these apps ( they are apps that prevent spyware from being installed ) :

- SpywareBlaster


- SpywareGuard


You can download those two apps from http://www.javacoolsoftware.com


Oh , one more thing "common" sense is a also a good a good thing to use


I hope this helped you out and cleared some things out.

changing your browser would help a lot.

* I use Firefox instead of IE. (I just use IE for all my Windows Updates).
* Thunderbird email software instead of Outlook or Outlook express.
* Zonealarm firewall instead of Windows firewall. (I do not believe configuring the WIndows firewall is simple for people who are not confident with computer software. Also, I would use ZoneAlarm in addition to your router firewall).
* Only one anti-virus. Using two or more can cause conflicts, if both are running at the same time. Use a second if you must as a backup for the occasional scan.
* 4 anti-spyware utilities, Spybot Search & Destroy, SpywareBlaster, Microsoft Anti-Spyware, (Windows Defender), and Ewido. Only the Microsoft Anti-Spyware is running in the background.

I keep the anti-virus and anti-spyware applications definitions up to date.

I do not preview emails. I do not open email attachments without saving them to disk first, then scanning them with my anti-virus.

I use Thunderbird's Junk Mail email filtering system to get rid of my spam and junk emails.

Online gaming is a matter of judgement. It's difficult to say which sites are dangerous or not, so experience, reviews, etc are often invaluable to help you decide.

I hope this helps.

Mark

In my opinion : NO .
Get rid of McAfee & install a decent AV software .
Avast is fairly good AV , these are excellent :

http://www.download.com/Kaspersky-Anti-Virus/3000-2239_4-10536845.html?tag=lst-0-2

http://www.eset.com/download/index.php

One AV is sufficient .
I agree to your technician's words : run XP firewall .
Do not (absolutely !) install Windows Defender , Webroot is an excellent tool , these are excellent too :

http://www.download.com/Ashampoo-AntiSpyWare/3000-8022_4-10523477.html

http://www.download.com/CounterSpy/3000-8022_4-10462732.html?tag=lst-0-1

rEgards

wHite [ItA]

What I use, have used for anti-virus for years is Vcom Fix it utilities. It is very affordable and only needs an upgrade every 3 or 4 years, minor upgrades are typically free in between, plus it has a lot of other features like a great cleaner ,single file or full virus scan, defrag, now with spyware cleaner, file recovery, registry editor\cleaner, all in one cleaner-click and it goes through a list of objectives on it's own and the list goes on. I do swear by it and unlike NORTON, it won't bog down the system, updates are very fast and frequent, just an excellent program. Paid 39.00 for v6 pro. Of course Avg is free and is good also.

My spyware defenses are spyware blaster(helps keep spyware from getting on your pc in the first place and FREE) Spyware guard, from spyware blaster makers, keeps BHOs from being changed unless you say so among other things, also FREE. Then of course I use Adaware, FREE version of it.

I use only Zone Alarm firewall, free version, has always worked for me.

Just a note here...Another important thing you might want to know is, watch what sites you visit, watch what you download and install since usually if you manually install something with spyware, malware, whatever, you will bypass your defenses. Crossing anti virus programs is not in your best interest as the supposed technician has said , one good one will do the same as 50.

My kids are always on Neo pets and I used to be on Pogo but never had anything like what you had. As a matter of fact, I have never had a virus in over 7 years so I must be doing something right. Last, I use a little program called Ccleaner which is FREE and will do a nice Registy fix, and delete\clean temp files etc...or your choice.

Watch what you do, get familiar with the suggestions and programs from everyone here as they are good ones unlike the *cough* tech that told you otherwise.



Take care, Paul

I appreciate the input. I thank you all for your time and wish you a good memorial day weekend.

Everybody will have thier own opinion which is Great.We all have are own Opinions in forms like this.
What u need to do is take bits of each post and make up your own mind.Its your Computer.
I agree with not ever running 2 firewalls togather this is a no no.
Now about your firewall, why not run a test on 1 firewall at a time by going to (Gibson's Shields-Up Web page?Here goes my other firewall thingy that will get fired,on.I never use Suite;s like M&N ect.
Their more trouble to a (Novice)Than all the programs i help people with.I rate them with $MS.I will say of all the firewalls ive tried Microsofts Firewall which i'm useing now gets better grades on Shilds up than,Zone-alarm, Kerio,and the rest of those big buck Suites.Now before i checked all these firewalls out i used (Sygate which was a free one but since it went to the big (N)i give it up.If nothing can get in my pc how can it get out.(figure)
About what the guy that worked on your pc he needs to take a course on Spyware Programs, Or beta test them.Spysweeper has great Shield ,Protection,plus Spybot is not all that bad.I do use Firefox for Searching.But my Internet Explorer is really tight about letting anything in.My Anti-virus is a free (AVG)
I do recomend Spyware-Blaster.About (Ediwo i would'nt be with out the top trojan killer.Plus its going to be getting a face-lift real soon so watch out.
I do use the MVP Host file,plus my zones and everting in my internet exploer is tighted down.
Did beta test counterspy with the new engine its fast now,even if it was'nt ready for the release 5.0.
I can't recomend The Beta Defender from $m.Because thier planing on charging for it next year.
Beside's that your Spyware Sweeper beats it hands down.
And so dos Counterspy its little Brother.
I could go on and on but i'll say to you Don'nt belive everything you read.You have to read between the lines.

DOGTEAMS1 (Thanks All' have a nice week-end)