How much protection do I need?

stressedoutmum

Forgot to mention on my last post I have installed a few security recommendations from this site and recommendations from folk at work. I have installed:

Adaware (Lavasoft)
Spybot Search and Destroy
Hijack This
Start up Mechanic
Zonealarm
Avast (today!)

I've also been told to install Symantec (from lads at work) but do I need all this? At the moment I run scans on all of the above every day just to make sure. Don't laugh at my little army- but which ones would you recommend I keep/get rid of as I don't know really know what they all do. Thank You. :doh:

wolfman

You won't need any Symantec products. I'm not a fan of them, bloated and not the most efficient applications around. You have the key factors, which are a firewall (Zone Alarm), Anti-Spyware checkers (AdAware, Spybot) and AntiVirus (Avast).

If you wanted to improve your security, the best thing is to purchase a reasonable router with inbuilt firewall, but it's extra cost you probably don't need.

And with regards to spyware, AdAware and Spybot are ok, although I've found in the past they've missed a few things. I purchased Pest Patrol which I find to be one of the best. It also runs in realtime so stops spyware as and when it occurs. Again though it's extra cost you probably don't need.

Browntoa

The only other thing I would install is the Microsoft Antispyware software if you are using XP as it provides real time spyware protection for free and has automatic updates.

I would agree with the last poster that there is no need to install symantec

(did'nt mean to hit the thank you button there....lol.....though it was a good reply )

Fran

If you want to know what other moneysavers use, have a look at What security do you use?. Also have a look at Computer security - free!. Both can be found under FAQ's which is a sticky at the top of this board.