garris99 said:
Okay, a few updates for you guys. Thank you for your help first of all. I uninstalled OneCare, and Windows Defender. I downloaded the free 30 day trial for Kaspersky Anti-Virus (6.0.2.614)...did a full scan on my computer, and it didn't find a single thing. However, I have two questions. Since I uninstalled OneCare and Defender, I am left wide open for spyware, and firewall attacks. Any suggestions on anti-spyware programs or firewalls to install? Thanks once again for your time.
Well, you missed a trick, but easy to rectify ... KIS
Kaspersky Internet Security also has "protection" for ...
Integrated protection from all Internet threats
Cutting-edge antivirus technologies
Personal firewall
Protection from spam and phishing
Instant database updates
Free technical support
Real-time monitoring of all data streams, including email, Internet traffic and network connections
Protection from viruses, Trojans and worms
Protection from spyware, adware and other potentially hostile programs
Proactive defense against new malicious programs
Protection from network attacks and system hijacking
Blocking of popup windows and banners
Rollback of changes made by malicious programs on your computer
Blocking of links to phishing websites
Trainable spam filtration system
Support for Windows Vista™ and 64-bit systems
... yep, an all-in-one solution ...
Now, a lot of people are suspect of an all-in-one solutions thinking that they will slow your PC to a crawl and don't do as good a job as individual programs ... while this is true with certain competitors, I am really confident that KIS has the mix just right, and I don't see any slowdown on my PC.
My personal opinion is, give it a tryout.
If you would rather go the multi-program route then I can suggest, in conjunction with an AV & Firewall, the following ...
Windows Defender
(yep, I use it )
SpybotSearch&Destroy
SpySweeper
SpywareBlaster
(this is a must have program on any PC)
There are others that have had good feedback, such as SUPERAntiSpyware & Ad-aware. SAS is getting a good reputation, but the makers of that program used to be on the other side of the fence, not good in my book, but they have come a long way since those days ... use a thief to catch a thief ?
I have tried them all, but what do I use ?
On my Vista box I use ...
KIS
SpywareBlaster
Windows Defender
IE7 / Firefox
Windows Mail
On XP I use ...
KAV
SBS&D
SpywareBlaster
Windows Defender
Firefox
(no, I don't use IE on XP except to get MS updates)
Thunderbird email client
On Linux I use ...
Firefox
Thunderbird email client
no need for any AV or any other "security" as Linux cannot suffer a Windows Virus.
HTH