Advanced Registry Optimizer??

mummyyummy_2

having just installed avg free edition anti-virus last week i now find on start up i am being offered (as a pop-up although i have a pop up blocker) advanced registry optimizer free too. Does anyone know what it is? do i need it? is it harmful? thanks in advance x my x p.s. i havnt put a firewall in yet, any ideas for a freebie?

superscaper

You NEED a firewall (unless you're using XP SP2's windows firewall), you shouldn't connect to the internet at all without one. You have to go through the malware removal guide sticky on this board. Sounds like you have malware installed. I currently use comodo firewall.

mummyyummy_2

hi i have checked my system and there is a windows firewall already installed. as for the malware thing, im afraid i have no idea what u r talking about!! This only happened after i installed free avg anti-virus...

superscaper

Go through the malware removal guide sticky here http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?t=133269

Rev

You still need a firewall, windows own is next to useless. It doesn't block any incoming traffic, only outgoing. Try zone alarm, it's free and highly recommended on these boards. I'm sure there are other free ones that people can point you in the direction of if you don't fancy Zone Alarm.

superscaper

Rev wrote: »

You still need a firewall, windows own is next to useless. It doesn't block any incoming traffic, only outgoing.

Opposite way around I believe. It monitors and blocks incoming but doesn't block outgoing. But either way it's not sufficient for a firewall but I think this has been resolved in Vista's firewall.

I presently use Comodo after zonealarm started forcing installation of Mailfrontier which I don't know if it still does.

spud17

I'll second Comodo, Kerio is another option although I find Comodo to be less techie/daunting to configure.

imho

mummyyummy download any of the mentioned firewalls .Stop windows useless firewall from running,then install the better firewall,dont have 2 firewalls running at the same time.
If you want a registry cleaner try CCleaner ,you dont need to pay for one