I am using Avast free, windows defender and superantispyware, free. I was considering upgrading the superantispyware to the professional version (because they are offering an upgrade to prof. for 9.9.

Would these programs all running in real time be in conflict? Also I would like to to use Spybot again and because of the above running in background, would I have to install it without enabling teatimer?

One more question please (since it is security related), also have windows firewall on this Windows 7.
It is 'totally silent'. I wonder if I have a protective working firewall or does one have to do a bunch of settings?

Thanks

Sorry!! I must have a little gremlin on my machine. Don't know how that little guy with the sunglasses got himself inserted there in my post. Maybe he means that $9.98 is such a deal, that I should go for it. LOL

I will try to answer as objectively as I can, but please keep in mind that I may be biased.

Avast is a very good AV, and I hear that the new free version is much better than a free version has to be!

SuperAntiSpyware is a good antispyware product, and it has remained primarily an antispyware program while a lot of its antispyware competitors have morphed into "antimalware" products. I would get the "lifetime" license if you pay for it. The free version works fine. It does a very good job finding tracking cookies, but it only spots them when it scans on-demand--no matter whether you use the paid or free version.

Windows Defender is a capable product. It is 1/2 of the Microsoft Security Essentials antimalware program. It ignores cookies, as it doesn't regard them as dangerous (most cookies are really not dangerous). In my opinion, it concentrates primarily upon the high-profile spyware and may ignore some of the lesser-known stuff.

Spybot was a good antispyware program in the early days, but it has fallen behind the competition in the last several years. I had it once and had conflicts with Tea-Timer. Most antispyware programs are better currently.

I would only use one real-time AV and one real-time antispyware program together.. It would not hurt to run another antispyware if you use it in an on-demand setting. Most AVs and most antispyware/antimalware programs scan differently and will not have much conflict with each other. Here's what I would do: run Avast and Windows Defender in real-time together and keep the free version of SuperAntiSpyware. This setup is free, and free is good.

I don't know anything about the Windows 7 firewall. In my opinion, the Windows XP/Vista firewall is adequate, free, and simple (simple is also good). It does not offer much protectoin against outbound malware, but if you keep it off your machine, it doesn't matter. If the Windows 7 Security Center says the firewall is working, it is working. The default configuration is probably okay for most people.

Regards,

Thanks GuitarBob for your quick reply.
Your explanations were great and helped me make some decisions.

I would also agree that you don't need the full version of SUPERAntiSpyware, the free version is good enough to use as an "on-demand scanner" . If you were really serious about paying for a product I would choose MalwareBytes Anti-Malware instead. Personally I despise Windows Defender and find it to be an ineffective, bloated hog.

Like Bob, I also feel that Spybot Search and Destroy is no longer an effective program.

Both the Windows Vista and the Windows 7 firewall have the ability to monitor outgoing traffic but you have to manually configure it to do so and it's probably easier using a third party firewall instead . My favorite is the free version of Online Armor.

Just my two cents worth .

Davey, There is supposed to be a free program somewhere on the web that enables you to configure the standard Windows firewall to improve protection. Know anything about it?

Regards,

The program is called Windows 7 Firewall Control form Sphinx Software. It works on Vista and Windows 7. There is a free version available. It sets up outbound protection based on individual programs. You have to run a program that contacts the internet and then okay it the first time after installing the firewall control. I believe they used to have a version for XP, but it's not on their web site now.

Regards,

Thanks Bob, I ws not aware that such a program existed . I'll look into it.


EDIT: It almost appears as though it's more of an alternative to the Windows 7 (and Vista) firewall instead of an enhancement. From the FAQ:


That would explain why there may have been an XP version available . The XP firewall has no ability to monitor outbound traffic.