Mike Hall - MVP said:The great thing about Windows Defender is that it is free and it auto
updates, unlike many of the other free anti-spyware solutions. It also
runs seamlessly in the background.
The advantage of the above is that their is no onus on the user to
remember to update and run anything. Even if Windows Defender does not
catch everything, it will get more than a program which has neither been
updated and/or run for a while.
McAfee Security Suite would be really good if it wasn't so invasive, but
it is and it slows any system down. Symantec products are similar, and one
can't help but feel that the two companies have a side bet on who can slow
a system down the most while getting paid to do it.
Best to uninstall McAfee and use products which does as good a job but
without the overload on the system or your pocket.
AVG or Avast do free AV products which work really well. If you want
desperately to pay for a solution, go for NOD32.
If you want a firewall which prompts and pops up, Comodo do a free version
which will ask you now and again to 'allow or deny'. Personally, I prefer
Vista firewall.
Re. anti spyware, Windows Defender has already been discussed.
WinPatrol is supplied as a free version or paid. Apart from being a great
source of information, it also warns if a process/program is trying to add
itself to startup. It tells you the origin of the attempt, so it is easy
to see if it is something you have initiated or an unsolicited attempt by
spyware to go behind your back.
Hostsman is a nice little utility which enables you to install, update and
manage a 'hosts' file. What this will do is essentially immunize your
system against web sites or ads that might otherwise infect your system
were you to click on or enter them. It is a free utility and, as with WD,
it does not rely on the user having to remember to update and run it.
Your choice of course, but you will notice that many of the experienced
users suggest removal of McAfee or Norton 'Anything'
Andre Da Costa said:I personally notice Defender has a bad rep when it comes to finding Spyware
though so I wouldn't give up on the more robust third party alternatives
just yet.
Mike Hall - MVP said:I would agree but for the fact that many don't ever remember to update and
run the 3rd party stuff, not enough time, not sure how to do it.. the usual
excuses..
As good or bad as Defender may be, at least it updates and runs without
the need for user intervention.
I run WinPatrol which has anti-spyware properties, the MVPS hosts file
managed by Hostsman, and I do believe that NOD32 has anti-spyware
properties too.
--
Mike Hall - MVP
http://msmvps.com/blogs/mikehall/default.aspx
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