How much protection?

[slick1]

After reading many and various posts in this and other Newsgroups, I am a
little curious and confused by what I read on the topic of how much
protection one needs on their system.

All MVP's seem to agree that only one Firewall is needed; good! But many MVP's seem to disagree on how much anti-virus protection one needs. Some say only one is needed, while others say two, three or even more are needed.
Currently on my system I have Windows Firewall, AVG (free edition 7.5), SuperAntiSpyware (free version 3.9), Spybot S&D (free version 1.5), Ad-Aware 2007 (free edition), Spyware Blaster (free edition 4.0), Windows Defender and Windows Malicious Software Tool.
Now my question is : Do I need all this anti-virus protection or just one or two? I get a little ticked having to update definitions all the time and having my system slowed down while I'm trying to work because an anti-virus program is running at the same time. I could also use the disk space and possibly, (hopefully), speed-up the boot time.
My System: Acer 2450 laptop

Windows XP , Home Edition
SP2
Explorer 7

 

[PA Bear [MS MVP]]

(Please don't use/add carats [ > ] for punctuation.)

Currently on my system I have Windows Firewall, AVG (free edition 7.5),
S*perAntiSpyware (free version 3.9), Spybot S&D (free version 1.5),
Ad-Aware 2007 (free edition), Spyware Blaster (free edition 4.0), Windows
Defender and Windows Malicious Software Tool.

Of all those applications, only AVG is an anti-virus application, and the
Malicious Software *Removal* Tool is not an installed application nor does
it provide any real-time protection.

Some would consider the real-time protections afforded by SAS, Ad-Aware
2007, Spybot, and Defender to be overkill. I'm one of them, but YMMV. If
it were my machine (and your browsing habits were as safe as mine), I'd
uninstall SAS, Ad-Aware, and Spybot...and replace AVG with something more
reliable and robust. Again, YMMV. One size does not necessarily fit all
here.

This is what's really important:

Before You Connect a New Computer to the Internet
http://www.cert.org/tech_tips/before_you_plug_in.html

Also see:

Security FAQ & Checklist
http://www.dslreports.com/faq/8463

 

[slick1]

To PA Bear: What would you recommend to replace AVG? (something free).

(Please don't use/add carats [ > ] for punctuation.)

Currently on my system I have Windows Firewall, AVG (free edition 7.5),
S*perAntiSpyware (free version 3.9), Spybot S&D (free version 1.5),
Ad-Aware 2007 (free edition), Spyware Blaster (free edition 4.0), Windows
Defender and Windows Malicious Software Tool.

Of all those applications, only AVG is an anti-virus application, and the
Malicious Software *Removal* Tool is not an installed application nor does
it provide any real-time protection.

Some would consider the real-time protections afforded by SAS, Ad-Aware
2007, Spybot, and Defender to be overkill. I'm one of them, but YMMV. If
it were my machine (and your browsing habits were as safe as mine), I'd
uninstall SAS, Ad-Aware, and Spybot...and replace AVG with something more
reliable and robust. Again, YMMV. One size does not necessarily fit all
here.

This is what's really important:

Before You Connect a New Computer to the Internet
http://www.cert.org/tech_tips/before_you_plug_in.html

Also see:

Security FAQ & Checklist
http://www.dslreports.com/faq/8463
--
~Robear Dyer (PA Bear)
MS MVP-IE, Mail, Security, Windows Desktop Experience - since 2002
AumHa VSOP & Admin http://aumha.net
DTS-L http://dts-l.net/

little curious and confused by what I read on the topic of how much
protection one needs on their system.
Windows XP , Home Edition
SP2
Explorer 7

 

[Frank Saunders MS-MVP IE,OE/WM]

little curious and confused by what I read on the topic of how much
protection one needs on their system.
Windows XP , Home Edition
SP2
Explorer 7

------------------------------------------------------------------
I agree with most of what Robear said.
To add, though:
The most important safety program is the user. No matter what you install,
if you browse dangerous sites and download dangerous programs you will get
infected. Those who know what they're doing can run for years with nothing
but a firewall and never get infected. Others can install everything you
have listed and get infected in a week.

 

[db ´¯`·.. >]

it is all relative.

people provide suggestions
that have worked best for
them and their successful
experiences.

if your system runs fine
and perfect with 20 anti virals,
then "more power to you".

however, there are others with
systems that are inadequate or
poorly configured that can only
handle one anti virus.

so, there is no rule of thumb.

besides most all antiviral engineers
will eventually obtain the latest
threats and incorporate the
definitions/threats via online downloaded
updates - plus or minus a couple of days
and a couple of virus definitions.

 

[slick1]

Thanks to all! I'm gonna kiss some programs goodbye now. Keep-up the good
work guys & gals.

 

[C.Joseph S. Drayton]

(Please don't use/add carats [ > ] for punctuation.)

Currently on my system I have Windows Firewall, AVG (free edition
7.5), S*perAntiSpyware (free version 3.9), Spybot S&D (free version
1.5), Ad-Aware 2007 (free edition), Spyware Blaster (free edition
4.0), Windows Defender and Windows Malicious Software Tool.

Of all those applications, only AVG is an anti-virus application, and
the Malicious Software Removal Tool is not an installed application
nor does it provide any real-time protection.

Some would consider the real-time protections afforded by SAS,
Ad-Aware 2007, Spybot, and Defender to be overkill. I'm one of them,
but YMMV. If it were my machine (and your browsing habits were as
safe as mine), I'd uninstall SAS, Ad-Aware, and Spybot...and replace
AVG with something more reliable and robust. Again, YMMV. One size
does not necessarily fit all here.

This is what's really important:

Before You Connect a New Computer to the Internet
http://www.cert.org/tech_tips/before_you_plug_in.html

Also see:

Security FAQ & Checklist
http://www.dslreports.com/faq/8463

Hi Pa Bear,

The the concept of 'safe wex' is one that I find amusing. Any site can
be compromised. Second, if you are going to really make use of all the
information on the web then you end up going to sites that may not have
as much security as others. I tend to go to links that I see in news
groups on a regular basis. I download files from sites other than PCMAG
and CNET.

That might be considered 'unsafe wex', but in the process of going to
all those different sites, I have found some good tech files and
programs. When I am going to places I feel uncomfortable with, I turn
on Returnils protection mode. Other times I don't bother.

Their are a large number of scanners out there, so I scan my machine
regularly and if it finds something I have it delete it. For me I am
not going to limit my access to the Internet based on a white-list of
'supposedly safe' web sites.

--

Sincerely,
C.Joseph Drayton, Ph.D. AS&T

CSD Computer Services
Web site: http://csdcs.tlerma.com/
E-mail: (e-mail address removed)

 

[Colin Barnhorst]

Avast.

To PA Bear: What would you recommend to replace AVG? (something free).

(Please don't use/add carats [ > ] for punctuation.)

Currently on my system I have Windows Firewall, AVG (free edition 7.5),
S*perAntiSpyware (free version 3.9), Spybot S&D (free version 1.5),
Ad-Aware 2007 (free edition), Spyware Blaster (free edition 4.0),
Windows
Defender and Windows Malicious Software Tool.

Of all those applications, only AVG is an anti-virus application, and the
Malicious Software *Removal* Tool is not an installed application nor
does
it provide any real-time protection.

Some would consider the real-time protections afforded by SAS, Ad-Aware
2007, Spybot, and Defender to be overkill. I'm one of them, but YMMV.
If
it were my machine (and your browsing habits were as safe as mine), I'd
uninstall SAS, Ad-Aware, and Spybot...and replace AVG with something more
reliable and robust. Again, YMMV. One size does not necessarily fit all
here.

This is what's really important:

Before You Connect a New Computer to the Internet
http://www.cert.org/tech_tips/before_you_plug_in.html

Also see:

Security FAQ & Checklist
http://www.dslreports.com/faq/8463
--
~Robear Dyer (PA Bear)
MS MVP-IE, Mail, Security, Windows Desktop Experience - since 2002
AumHa VSOP & Admin http://aumha.net
DTS-L http://dts-l.net/

After reading many and various posts in this and other Newsgroups, I
am a
little curious and confused by what I read on the topic of how much
protection one needs on their system.
All MVP's seem to agree that only one Firewall is needed; good! But
many
MVP's seem to disagree on how much anti-virus protection one needs.
Some
say only one is needed, while others say two, three or even more are
needed.
Currently on my system I have Windows Firewall, AVG (free edition
7.5),
S*perAntiSpyware (free version 3.9), Spybot S&D (free version 1.5),
Ad-Aware 2007 (free edition), Spyware Blaster (free edition 4.0),
Windows
Defender and Windows Malicious Software Tool.
Now my question is : Do I need all this anti-virus protection or just
one
or two? I get a little ticked having to update definitions all the
time
and having my system slowed down while I'm trying to work because an
anti-virus program is running at the same time. I could also use the
disk
space and possibly, (hopefully), speed-up the boot time. My System:
Acer
2450 laptop
Windows XP , Home Edition
SP2
Explorer 7
I would really appreciate any info or comments on this topic so I can
finally make a decision to remove or not to remove some of my
anti-virus
programs. THANK-YOU !

 

[PD43]

Avast.

It drove me bonkers with all of its updating and need to restart my
computer. Went back to AVG.

 

[Kayman]

After reading many and various posts in this and other Newsgroups, I am a little curious and confused by what I read on the topic of how much protection one needs on their system.
All MVP's seem to agree that only one Firewall is needed; good! But many MVP's seem to disagree on how much anti-virus protection one needs. Some say only one is needed, while others say two, three or even more are needed.
Currently on my system I have Windows Firewall,

Use Windows Firewall in conjunction with:
Seconfig XP 1.0
http://seconfig.sytes.net/
Seconfig XP is able configure Windows not to use TCP/IP as transport
protocol for NetBIOS, SMB and RPC, thus leaving TCP/UDP ports 135, 137-139
and 445 (the most exploited Windows networking weak point) closed.)
OR
Configuring NT-services much more secure.
http://www.ntsvcfg.de/ntsvcfg_eng.html

AVG (free edition 7.5),

Consider replacing AVG with:
Free antivirus - avast! 4 Home Edition
http://www.avast.com/eng/avast_4_home.html
(Choose Custom Installation and under Resident
Protection, uncheck: Internet Mail and Outlook/Exchange.)

SuperAntiSpyware (free version 3.9), Spybot S&D (free version 1.5),
Ad-Aware 2007 (free edition), Spyware Blaster (free edition 4.0),
Windows Defender and Windows Malicious Software Tool.
Now my question is : Do I need all this anti-virus protection or just
one or two? I get a little ticked having to update definitions all the
time and having my system slowed down while I'm trying to work because
an anti-virus program is running at the same time.

AVG or Avast are AV apps running real-time; They should not slow down your
system.

SAS, Spybot S&D and Ad-Aware are on-demand AS apps which you update and run
at your convenience.

WinDefender is a real-time AS apps and should not slow down your system.

SpywareBlaster is not a scanner and WMST runs only once after
downloading/re-booting on Patch Tuesday.

Again, your system should not slow down.

I could also use the disk space and possibly, (hopefully), speed-up
the boot time.
My System: Acer 2450 laptop Windows XP , Home Edition SP2 Explorer 7
I would really appreciate any info or comments on this topic so I can
finally make a decision to remove or not to remove some of my anti-virus
programs. THANK-YOU !

IMO your existing protection apps are not excessive but if you practice
'safe-hex' you could do without Ad-Aware and Sybot S&D.

The best defenses are:
1. Do not work as 'Administrator'; For day-to-day work routinely use a
Limited User Account (LUA).
2. Secure (Harden) your operating system.
3. Keep your operating (OS) system (and all software on it)
updated/patched.
4. Reconsider the usage of IE and OE.
5. Review your installed 3rd party software applications/utilities;
Remove clutter.
6. Don't expose services to public networks.
7. Activate the build-in firewall and configure Windows not to use
TCP/IP as transport protocol for NetBIOS, SMB and RPC, thus leaving
TCP/UDP ports 135,137-139 and 445 (the most exploited Windows
networking weak point) closed.
7a.If on high-speed internet use a router as well.
8. Routinely practice safe-hex.
9. Regularly back-up data/files.
10.Familiarize yourself with crash recovery tools and re-installing your
operating system (OS).
11.Utilize a real-time anti-virus application and vital system
monitoring utilities/applications.
12.Keep abreast of the latest developments - Sh!t happens...you know.

The least preferred defenses are:
Myriads of popular anti-whatever applications and staying ignorant.

 

[Kayman]

After reading many and various posts in this and other Newsgroups, I am a little curious and confused by what I read on the topic of how much protection one needs on their system.
All MVP's seem to agree that only one Firewall is needed; good! But many MVP's seem to disagree on how much anti-virus protection one needs. Some say only one is needed, while others say two, three or even more are needed.
Currently on my system I have Windows Firewall,

Use Windows Firewall in conjunction with:
Seconfig XP 1.0
http://seconfig.sytes.net/
Seconfig XP is able configure Windows not to use TCP/IP as transport
protocol for NetBIOS, SMB and RPC, thus leaving TCP/UDP ports 135, 137-139
and 445 (the most exploited Windows networking weak point) closed.)
OR
Configuring NT-services much more secure.
http://www.ntsvcfg.de/ntsvcfg_eng.html

AVG (free edition 7.5),

Consider replacing AVG with:
Free antivirus - avast! 4 Home Edition
http://www.avast.com/eng/avast_4_home.html
(Choose Custom Installation and under Resident
Protection, uncheck: Internet Mail and Outlook/Exchange.)

SuperAntiSpyware (free version 3.9), Spybot S&D (free version 1.5),
Ad-Aware 2007 (free edition), Spyware Blaster (free edition 4.0),
Windows Defender and Windows Malicious Software Tool.
Now my question is : Do I need all this anti-virus protection or just
one or two? I get a little ticked having to update definitions all the
time and having my system slowed down while I'm trying to work because
an anti-virus program is running at the same time.

AVG or Avast are AV apps running real-time; They should not slow down your
system.

SAS, Spybot S&D and Ad-Aware are on-demand AS apps which you update and run
at your convenience.

WinDefender is a real-time AS apps and should not slow down your system.

SpywareBlaster is not a scanner and WMST runs only once after
downloading/re-booting on Patch Tuesday.

Again, your system should not slow down.

I could also use the disk space and possibly, (hopefully), speed-up
the boot time.
My System: Acer 2450 laptop Windows XP , Home Edition SP2 Explorer 7
I would really appreciate any info or comments on this topic so I can
finally make a decision to remove or not to remove some of my anti-virus
programs. THANK-YOU !

IMO your existing protection apps are not excessive but if you practice
'safe-hex' you could do without Ad-Aware and Sybot S&D.

The best defenses are:
1. Do not work as 'Administrator'; For day-to-day work routinely use a
Limited User Account (LUA).
2. Secure (Harden) your operating system.
3. Keep your operating (OS) system (and all software on it)
updated/patched.
4. Reconsider the usage of IE and OE.
5. Review your installed 3rd party software applications/utilities;
Remove clutter.
6. Don't expose services to public networks.
7. Activate the build-in firewall and configure Windows not to use
TCP/IP as transport protocol for NetBIOS, SMB and RPC, thus leaving
TCP/UDP ports 135,137-139 and 445 (the most exploited Windows
networking weak point) closed.
7a.If on high-speed internet use a router as well.
8. Routinely practice safe-hex.
9. Regularly back-up data/files.
10.Familiarize yourself with crash recovery tools and re-installing your
operating system (OS).
11.Utilize a real-time anti-virus application and vital system
monitoring utilities/applications.
12.Keep abreast of the latest developments - Sh!t happens...you know.

The least preferred defenses are:
Myriads of popular anti-whatever applications and staying ignorant.

 

[PA Bear [MS MVP]]

In order: Avira AntiVir; Avast4.

Multi-year subscriptions to NOD32 and Kaspersky 7 (top o' the heap in my
book) are quite reasonable.

[Why pinch pennies when it comes to security for your computer(s), yourself
and your family? If you needed a guard dog to protect your family, would
you get a toothless, meek chihuahua from the pound ("not that there's
anything wrong with that") or a purebred Rottweiler from a reputable
breeder? Free AV apps, no matter how reputable, simply cannot stand up to
NOD32 and KAV7.]

To PA Bear: What would you recommend to replace AVG? (something free).

(Please don't use/add carats [ > ] for punctuation.)

Currently on my system I have Windows Firewall, AVG (free edition 7.5),
S*perAntiSpyware (free version 3.9), Spybot S&D (free version 1.5),
Ad-Aware 2007 (free edition), Spyware Blaster (free edition 4.0),
Windows
Defender and Windows Malicious Software Tool.

Of all those applications, only AVG is an anti-virus application, and the
Malicious Software *Removal* Tool is not an installed application nor
does
it provide any real-time protection.

Some would consider the real-time protections afforded by SAS, Ad-Aware
2007, Spybot, and Defender to be overkill. I'm one of them, but YMMV.
If
it were my machine (and your browsing habits were as safe as mine), I'd
uninstall SAS, Ad-Aware, and Spybot...and replace AVG with something more
reliable and robust. Again, YMMV. One size does not necessarily fit all
here.

This is what's really important:

Before You Connect a New Computer to the Internet
http://www.cert.org/tech_tips/before_you_plug_in.html

Also see:

Security FAQ & Checklist
http://www.dslreports.com/faq/8463
--
~Robear Dyer (PA Bear)
MS MVP-IE, Mail, Security, Windows Desktop Experience - since 2002
AumHa VSOP & Admin http://aumha.net
DTS-L http://dts-l.net/

After reading many and various posts in this and other Newsgroups, I am
a
little curious and confused by what I read on the topic of how much
protection one needs on their system.
All MVP's seem to agree that only one Firewall is needed; good! But
many
MVP's seem to disagree on how much anti-virus protection one needs.
Some
say only one is needed, while others say two, three or even more are
needed.
Currently on my system I have Windows Firewall, AVG (free edition 7.5),
S*perAntiSpyware (free version 3.9), Spybot S&D (free version 1.5),
Ad-Aware 2007 (free edition), Spyware Blaster (free edition 4.0),
Windows
Defender and Windows Malicious Software Tool.
Now my question is : Do I need all this anti-virus protection or just
one
or two? I get a little ticked having to update definitions all the
time
and having my system slowed down while I'm trying to work because an
anti-virus program is running at the same time. I could also use the
disk
space and possibly, (hopefully), speed-up the boot time. My System:
Acer
2450 laptop
Windows XP , Home Edition
SP2
Explorer 7
I would really appreciate any info or comments on this topic so I can
finally make a decision to remove or not to remove some of my
anti-virus
programs. THANK-YOU !

 

[Ken Blake, MVP]

It drove me bonkers with all of its updating and need to restart my
computer.

I use Avast on all my computers here, and I'm happy with it. It
updates frequently, but that's good, not bad. When it does update, it
notifies you with a little popup window that quickly goes away by
itself.

Need to restart your computer? I don't remember it ever doing that.

 

[Tony Meloche]

I use Avast on all my computers here, and I'm happy with it. It
updates frequently, but that's good, not bad. When it does update, it
notifies you with a little popup window that quickly goes away by
itself.

Need to restart your computer? I don't remember it ever doing that.

Both of Ken's statements are exactly what my experience has been, too.

Tony