Spyware protection overkill?

mabbott_2

I have had lots of advice over the years as to which spyware and anti virus to use. My pc is so slow now I think I may have un-necessary programs or compatiblity problems. I have 512mb RAM and plenty of Hard drive space. I also keep getting the error 'Low on Virtual Memory'

Can someone please advise me which would be best to keep?

Here's what is protecting my XP pc!

Zonealarms firewall
AVG anti virus
Windows Defender
Spyware Doctor
Spybot
AVG Antispyware
Spyware Blaster
Adaware
Winpatrol (Scotty)
All advice will be gratefully received. Thank you

SJames_3

That a hell of a lot of protection, but I don't think half of it is needed. I've been running just Bitdefender Total Security and Spybot for a while now and have had 0 problems, despite my heavy downloading. You just need to find one or two good programs for the job in hand and stick with them rathering than installing loads of programs.

You should be able to increase the size of your virtual memory to get rid of the error message, but you also really need to think about knocking the RAM up to 1GB and taking off any useless programs and reducing what is running in the background, rather than just concentrating on viruses and spyware as the source of the problem.

aliEnRIK

With you using AVG Anti Virus AND spyware I assume your using 7.5?
Theyre going to switch off all updates at the end of the year so id suggest downloading version 8 (Which combines the 2)
Or even better ~ use AVAST or AVIRA instead
The rest looks ok (use the IMMUNISE feature in spybot)
SPYBOT, ADAWARE and SPYWARE BLASTER dont run in real time, so dont use any resources anyways (Unless your using spybots 'tea timer' mode)

Marty_J

Also, try using Firefox with the NoScript plugin.

[Deleted User]

I'd use 4 things:

1. Anti-virus = Avira AntiVir
2. Anti-spyware = SuperAntiSpyware (rubbish name I know but one of the best in its field)
3. Anti-malware = Malwarebytes
4. Firewall = Zonealarm

Step 1 - After you've uninstalled all the other rubbish, download the above, run each in turn and delete whatever they find.
Step 2 - Download and run CCleaner then reboot once it's done
Step 3 - Defrag your hard disk drives
Step 4 - Set your vitual memory to be managed by Windows i.e. Start -> right click My Computer -> Properties -> Advanced tab -> Settings (under Performance) -> Advanced tab -> Change at the bottom -> then select System Managed size -> press Set -> then OK the windows to close them.
Step 5 - One final reboot

aliEnRIK

mabbott wrote: »

My pc is so slow now I think I may have un-necessary programs or compatiblity problems. I have 512mb RAM and plenty of Hard drive space. I also keep getting the error 'Low on Virtual Memory'

Just realised what you said!
You need more RAM. 512 is an absolute bare minimum to run XP
Id suggest buying a gig of ram

Would also be advisable to check your computer with a different scanner just in case
Download MALWAREBYTES
http://www.download.com/Malwarebytes-Anti-Malware/3000-8022_4-10804572.html
UPDATE and QUICK SCAN

Id also recommend shutting down 'WINPATROL' and (For now) 'SPYWARE DOCTOR'

[Deleted User]

aliEnRIK wrote: »

You need more RAM. 512 is an absolute bare minimum to run XP
Id suggest buying a gig of ram

Agreed. 1GB in total is a minimum but since this will make the most difference buy as much as you can afford / will fit. Check out the Crucial Memory Advisor tool - http://www.crucial.com/

jasonwatkins

mabbott wrote: »

Here's what is protecting my XP pc!

That is complete overkill, but i'd hate to see the virus that got past that lot

I don't use any virus protection personally, but i do use adblock plus in firefox, and also run a program called 'bfilter' in the background which is a proxy sort of ad-removal thing - combined with adblock you don't get a single ad of any kind.

as for firewall, it's always zonealarm free and that's it.

mabbott_2

Thank you for everyone's very helpful advice.
I have updated AVG 7.5 to AVG 8, sorted out a few unwanted programs running in the background and deleted them, half of which I had forgotten I had. I have ordered a further 2gb of Ram from Crucial, so that should hopefully sort out the speed of my pc. It is already running slightly faster without the extra programs and rubbish!
I ran CCleaner and cleaned out tons of rubbish. Also ran the MALWAREBYTES but it found nothing nasty.
I will keep Zonealarm as it hasn't let me down as yet and it's free

Not sure which to keep out of SPYBOT, WINPATROL or WINDOWS DEFENDER if I am correct in thinking that they all do a similar thing? Anyone have any favourites?

Thank you all again for your advice.

aliEnRIK

Keep spybot as it IMMUNISES against many spyware threats (So long as you USE the immunisation feature)

mabbott_2

aliEnRIK wrote: »

Keep spybot as it IMMUNISES against many spyware threats (So long as you USE the immunisation feature)

Thank you I will take your advice.