On my last laptop I had Avast Antivirus, Pc Tools Firewall, Windows Firewall, Phishing tool, Spybot for spyware, and adaware (not sure what for). Was this too much and what should I do for this computer?
Chosen Answer:
I recommend installing the appropriate security software on your PC. I highly recommend using these completely free security products.
These programs are also what the United States Military uses. These are free versions. With the free versions, you must manually run the programs and get the latest updates for the program every so often. If you purchase any of the programs, then they will automatically update themselves and automatically scan and defend your computer completely on its own. So just make sure you scan your computer for threats every so often. The anti-virus protection does check for updates automatically, without user intervention. It will also scan your computer every day as well.
Anti-virus: http://free.grisoft.com/ (AVG Anti-virus free edition)
Spyware: http://www.javacoolsoftware.com/ (download Spywareblaster)
Spyware: http://www.lavasoft.de/ (download Ad-Aware)
Spyware: http://www.safer-networking.org (Spybot Search and Destroy)
Use all of these programs together. All four of these programs are listed as being legitimate programs and are recommended from Microsoft.
Also, all of these programs run perfectly (in unisom) with each other. Not only do they work with Windows XP and Windows Vista, but they work perfectly with Windows Vista 64 bit as well.
Make sure that you are not installing other programs that look similar, or have a similar name. Many of the other anti-spyware programs claim to prevent spyware, and they do for the most part. BUT, they have their own spyware that watches every move you make, and then it sends back all that information whenevery you use their program. Again, only install these programs I have listed.
One last thing. While you can have multiple spyware programs, you are highly advised to only install one single anti-virus program, and only use one firewall program at any given time. If you have more than one, they will confilct with each other and will not provide optimum care and security for you. So if you have the Windows Firewall enabled (Windows comes with it installed and operational), DO NOT install any other firewall program without first disabling the Windows Firewall.
Hope this helps.
by: Brent T
on: 23rd January 08
Posted in 
Tags: 
I recommend installing the appropriate security software on your PC. I highly recommend using these completely free security products.
These programs are also what the United States Military uses. These are free versions. With the free versions, you must manually run the programs and get the latest updates for the program every so often. If you purchase any of the programs, then they will automatically update themselves and automatically scan and defend your computer completely on its own. So just make sure you scan your computer for threats every so often. The anti-virus protection does check for updates automatically, without user intervention. It will also scan your computer every day as well.
Anti-virus: http://free.grisoft.com/ (AVG Anti-virus free edition)
Spyware: http://www.javacoolsoftware.com/ (download Spywareblaster)
Spyware: http://www.lavasoft.de/ (download Ad-Aware)
Spyware: http://www.safer-networking.org (Spybot Search and Destroy)
Use all of these programs together. All four of these programs are listed as being legitimate programs and are recommended from Microsoft.
Also, all of these programs run perfectly (in unisom) with each other. Not only do they work with Windows XP and Windows Vista, but they work perfectly with Windows Vista 64 bit as well.
Make sure that you are not installing other programs that look similar, or have a similar name. Many of the other anti-spyware programs claim to prevent spyware, and they do for the most part. BUT, they have their own spyware that watches every move you make, and then it sends back all that information whenevery you use their program. Again, only install these programs I have listed.
One last thing. While you can have multiple spyware programs, you are highly advised to only install one single anti-virus program, and only use one firewall program at any given time. If you have more than one, they will confilct with each other and will not provide optimum care and security for you. So if you have the Windows Firewall enabled (Windows comes with it installed and operational), DO NOT install any other firewall program without first disabling the Windows Firewall.
Hope this helps.
avg free version
http://free.grisoft.com/
AVG Anti-Virus is the best one i have ever used, and used it on Windows XP and still use it in Vista Home Premium. You can download it at http://www.grisoft.com
It runs great and I haven’t ever had a problem with it. Just keep it up to date and make sure you run some scans periodically.
Hope that helps
Good luck!
just get the avast antivirus , and spyware destroyer from:www.Webroot.com
http://www.free-av.com I have used Anti-vir for years with my XP and now I am using with my Vista installs.