Anti-Malware and Anti-Virus

[JamesJ]

I'm currently using AVG free.
Should I be utilizing an Anti-Malware program, also?

Thanks,
James

 

[uker]

I'm currently using AVG free.
Should I be utilizing an Anti-Malware program, also?

Yes. http://www.antimalware-software.com/

 

[Ken Blake, MVP]

I'm currently using AVG free.

OK. Not terrible, but in my view the freeware Avast is a much better
choice.

Should I be utilizing an Anti-Malware program, also?

Since a virus is a kind of malware, it *is* an anti-malware program.
Please be aware that the term "malware" is short for "malicious
software." It includes viruses, spyware, rootkits, trojans, worms,
etc.

Undoubtedly what you mean to ask is should you also be running an
anti-*spyware* program.

The answer is yes! Very definitely! Without running at least one (and
since none is perfect, much better is two or more) you are *very* much
underprotected.

The two best anti-spyware programs are MalwareBytes AntiMalware and
SuperAntiSpyware, both available in freeware versions. I highly
recommend getting and running both.

 

[Dave]

Vista comes with Defender.

 

[JamesJ]

If a program boasts Anti-Virus and Anti-Spyware should that cover it?
I'm not concerned about paying for protection as long as I get what I
should.
My next question I think you answered.
Is Malware and Spyware the same?

James

 

[FromTheRafters]

If a program boasts Anti-Virus and Anti-Spyware should that cover it?

Sure, but it is a good idea to have access to a variety of antimalware
tools. You could add what others have suggested as long as there are no
conflicts. I would add that occasionally a "rootkit" detector may be
applied. If you have a certain type of rootkit, all of your other tools
will give you bad information completely missing the infestation.

I'm not concerned about paying for protection as long as I get what I
should.
My next question I think you answered.
Is Malware and Spyware the same?

Some spyware is malware, some adware is malware, most experts consider
*all* viruses to be malware. Malware is the umbrella term for all types
of malicious software (viruses included).

An antimalware program does not necessarily work against viruses. An
antivirus program does not necessarily work against non-viral malware.

You *need* antivirus (for old school reasons), but you probably *want*
antimalware in the current circumstances.

 

[JamesJ]

I don't understand.
Does an antispyware program protect against malware?

James

 

[Ken Blake, MVP]

If a program boasts Anti-Virus and Anti-Spyware should that cover it?

No. I would be very cautious about believing what anyone *boasts*
about.

There are no programs I'm aware of that adequately protect you against
both viruses and spyware.

I'm not concerned about paying for protection as long as I get what I
should.
My next question I think you answered.
Is Malware and Spyware the same?

No, as I tried to explain. To repeat. "Please be aware that the term
'malware' is short for 'malicious software.' It includes viruses,
spyware, rootkits, trojans, worms, etc."

That means that spyware is one kind of malware, just as a virus is
another kind of malware.

 

[Guest]

It protects against spyware. Spyware is malware. Viruses are malware.

 

[Ken Blake, MVP]

Vista comes with Defender.

Yes, and Defender is an anti-spyware program.

However Defender is not one of the best anti-spyware programs and
although I don't object to running it, if it is the only anti-spyware
program used, you are *not* adequately protected.

 

[JamesJ]

A program such as PcTools Spyware Doctor has antivirus and
antiSpyware. Should that be adequate or must I install more software?

One more quick question if you please.
If I do a reinstall of Vista Basic and have Vista format my hard drive,
should
I install Anti-Virus/AntiSpyware as soon as I can after the install or
should I wait for Vista to download and
install all updates which takes about and hour?

James

 

[FromTheRafters]

*Some* malware, yes. Some types of malware it doesn't even attempt to
detect. Same can be said of antiviruses although they are now striving
to be as comprehensive as possible. You need AV and some say it is not a
bad option to add more general antimalware (AM) detectors to your
toolbox.

 

[Ken Blake, MVP]

I don't understand.
Does an antispyware program protect against malware?

An antispyware program protects against one type of malware--the kind
called spyware. Spyware, to say it one more time, is only *one* type
of malware.

Moreover, no antispyware program is anywhere near perfect. The
protection it offers you is only partial.

 

[Ken Blake, MVP]

A program such as PcTools Spyware Doctor has antivirus and
antiSpyware. Should that be adequate or must I install more software?

Should it be adequate? Yes.

Is it adequate? No!

To repeat the two points I made earlier:

1. Spyware Doctor is *not* one of the better such programs available.

2. No such program is anywhere near perfect, and no single program is
good enough.

You should run at least one excellent anti-virus program and at least
two excellent anti-spyware programs. You don't run any of these.

One more quick question if you please.
If I do a reinstall of Vista Basic and have Vista format my hard drive,
should
I install Anti-Virus/AntiSpyware as soon as I can after the install or
should I wait for Vista to download and
install all updates which takes about and hour?

It isn't necessarily critical which you do first, but it's safest to
install the anti-virus and anti-spyware software as soon as possible.

 

[JamesJ]

Thanks much to all for all the info.
I believe I got it it.

James

 

[Ken Blake, MVP]

Thanks much to all for all the info.
I believe I got it it.

You're welcome. Glad to help.

 

[Uri]

Hi ,

yes you should , it never ends to amaze me how people do not protect
themselfs , they will lock up a car , but a comp , oh no they just refuse ....

spend a few bucks and buy a serious program , avast , zonelarm etc , malware
is plenty out there , now one had to care about a thousand and one nasty
things out there , not just a plain simple virus

avg free , okay go for avast free , microsoft defender , updates , high
settings , a good dsl router with firewall and proxy and aybe zonealarm free
firewall

have a nice day