Advice please

teena

I know I have too many ( free) security programs on my desktop but which ones should I remove?

I have
Avira
windows defender
spybot
spyware blaster
adaware
superantispyware
malabytes
ccleaner
zonealarm

and I have quite a few of these on my laptop too which I only use here at home. Which do I need on there too?

Thanks - I have done lots of searches but I am confused

closed

all of them apart from malwarebytes and ccleaner (which is nothing to do with security)

then install avast free, enable windows firewall, and see the speedup sticky thread above

GunJack

there's no harm in leaving avira on if it's a reasonably-specced system...

jampac

@teena: Firstly you have to trust your security software - Do these come from a reputable vendor? There is a big trend in Antivirus/anti-malware products that set out to do the oposite of what they claim.

windows defender is a microsoft tool and will do you no harm - It is a good free entrylevel protection so keep this.

zonealarm is a software firewall and is good and give application layer defences so is worth keeping.

Microsoft also offer their free Security Essentials which covers Antivirus and is a good starter is you are running a modern version of ther windows operating system

Get cover for your network protected with a firewall (software or physical). Get an application firewall (e.g. zonealarm). Get AV and malware protection (eg Security Essentials ) and you should have the main bases covers free - Extra protection will cost you. If you have something to protect then paying a little extra may go a long way.

tweeter

I found a-squared Free quite good before I navigated away from Windows to linux.

http://www.filehippo.com/download_asquared/

closed

Op is trying to slim down the security software.

tweeter

You're right. Its just that I found that a-squared Free found stuff that were missed by some of the programmes in the list.