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Need advice on what Anti-spyware software to use.

Asked by Zanatar,

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Zanatar

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I know there are a thousand similar topics to this. But I think I need to explain my specific dilemma.

I've been out of touch for a few years. The last time I trolled here and looked at what was a good and powerful combination of programs to use to protect my PC , I was using AVG Free anti-syware (for Anti-virus), Ad-aware (for anti-spyware), combined with Spy-bot Search and Destroy.

At the time, that was the best thing to do.. to run Ad-aware SE edition with Spybot. The two worked well together, What one missed, the other caught, etc.

I then switched out my anti-virus to Nod32, and added a 3rd anti-spyware to the mix (Windows Defender).

So this is pretty much what I had been using.

Now, I'm still using:

-Nod32 (for Anti-Virus)

-Spybot Search and Destroy (as one of my Anti-spyware).

-Windows Defender (Build in to windows - I'm still on Windows Xp).

But for the longest now my Ad-aware SE has stopped updating (too old). And I've been trying to decide what to replace it with.

It has got me re-evaluating thing, such as if I even need to still be using some of the application in my list above.

I've heard good things (from this site), for Windows Security Essentials. But as I use Nod32. I am not sure if I should have both on at the same time.

But if I keep Nod32.. what should I do for Anti-spyware? I don't think Spybot Search and destroy on it's own, is enough. At least it wasn't so in the past.

And if I do need to add something, what should I now be using?

I'd appreciate any help you guys can provide.

Thanks,

Zanatar.

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Grand Master

Roger H. Veteran

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Just get Microsoft Security Essentials (MSE). It's free and works great and you don't have to take my word for it. :) I'm sure lots of people will come in and say the samething after me (or before me incase they hit the submit button before me :D )

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Zanatar

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The problem is Nod 32. I still use it. Unless it is recommended that I stop using it and switch to MSE? Should I stop using it? Or can both be used at the same time?

It comes down to this (And tell me if this is an accurate statement or not).

It sounds like I have 2 choices:

1) Un-install Spy-bot, and Nod32. Install MSE. And from what i've read and heard. MSE replaces all and is a 1 shot protection to everything. Is this true? Is MSE everything in one? Best Anti-Virus, Best Anti-spyware, and all that stuff? DOes it catch all the Spyware and malwares etc? You know longer need multiple coverage of different programs to catch it all ? (ie: Like I used to have to do , with Ad-aware and Spybot S&D) ?

2) Keep using Nod32, and Spybot . And if so.. what else should I use for Anti-spyware? Is Spybot S&D good enough now, that I don't need to replace my outdated version of Ad-aware?

Thanks,

Zanatar

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Roger H. Veteran

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MSE does replace everything except Common Sense 2.0. No Malware product (not even 2 of them) combined will catch 100% of stuff. You are likely to catch a higher percentage of malware when you have more products scanning for that but they just inherently slow down the PC. MSE is light on resources and catches basically everything, what it misses, consider it lesson learned. Anyways, with CS 2.0 you should be getting infected at all :)

(sorry, bad jokes in there... )

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SugarCain

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Panda Cloud AV, Avast or if your ISP has one for free is what I would go with.

MSE does replace everything except Common Sense 2.0. No Malware product (not even 2 of them) combined will catch 100% of stuff. You are likely to catch a higher percentage of malware when you have more products scanning for that but they just inherently slow down the PC. MSE is light on resources and catches basically everything, what it misses, consider it lesson learned. Anyways, with CS 2.0 you should be getting infected at all :)

(sorry, bad jokes in there... )

That is very crappy advise. CS 2.0. A great way to secure your system.

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Zanatar

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Well I'm with Bell DSL as my ISP.

Ok, so I get it, that MSE replaces all the rest. But Nod32 did get the 2nd highest votes after MSE (in a poll here on this site.) So NOD32 seems to still be well respected and liked..

So if I were to keep Nod32.. what would you then advise me to use for Anti-spyware? Is Spybot enough on it's own now days? Do should I still run something else with it.. again This is just if I opted to continuing using NOD32.. Since I do really much like my Nod 32.

But again NOd32 is only Anti-virus .

Once I know what you'd suggest if I were to hold on to Nod32. , I can then choose between the 2 overall options to either 1) ditch Nod32 and Spybot S&D and replace it all with MSE vs keep using Nod32 with whatever you'll be recommending.

Thanks, Zanatar.

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Grand Master

soldier1st

Posted
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nod32 has it's pluses but from what i have seen it has missed alot wheras others have found more like malwarebytes and superantispyware but it would be either mse or panda cloud as both are free but mse has a habit of hogging cpu usage on some systems wheras panda cloud seems to be better but sometimes it seems to take extra time to load from what i have seen.

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Grand Master

Max Veteran

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Only Nod32 is enough as it has Anti-spyware with it (Most of the AV software these days have it). You can disable Windows Defender as you will never need it.

You can got to Nod32 website to check.

I thought MSE disables Windows Defender by default?

I personally use NOD32 and Malwarebytes AntiMalware.

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Grand Master

+Frank B. Subscriber²

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I believe it does disable it by default as to my understanding MSE does everything and more to what defender does.

MSE = Windows Defender + anti-virus + easy to use UI.

As mentioned above: MSE + Common Sense 2.0 is all you need.

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Community Regular

Zanatar

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Ok well I've decided to go with MSE and just MSE.. I've removed everything else. Thank you for the advice.

On a similar note, and I don't think it warrants another post.

With MSE.. It actually detected 3 items that nod32 never did (I'm actually surprised at that). It automatically quarantined the three of them.

I have a question that I've always been meaning to ask and just never have.. When any Anti virus program quarantines a file due to an infection, it is still on your PC right? It is neither cleaned nor deleted. So what exactly does quarantining it do?

Do I need to remove those 3 quarantined files after? Or is it safe to just leave it as is now that they are quarantined. I've never known what to do with a quarantined file in the past.

Thanks, Zanatar.

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Grand Master

+Warwagon MVC

Posted
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Ok well I've decided to go with MSE and just MSE.. I've removed everything else. Thank you for the advice.

On a similar note, and I don't think it warrants another post.

With MSE.. It actually detected 3 items that nod32 never did (I'm actually surprised at that). It automatically quarantined the three of them.

I have a question that I've always been meaning to ask and just never have.. When any Anti virus program quarantines a file due to an infection, it is still on your PC right? It is neither cleaned nor deleted. So what exactly does quarantining it do?

Do I need to remove those 3 quarantined files after? Or is it safe to just leave it as is now that they are quarantined. I've never known what to do with a quarantined file in the past.

Thanks, Zanatar.

When it quarantines a file "It means that the extension of the file is changed, it may be encoded to prevent it being executed, and the file may be changed to disguise it against other malicious software."

as far as MSE finding 3 things Nod32 missed, well I think you've finally come to the realization that no AV is perfect. No antivirus will protect you from 100% of everything bad on the internet. That's where Common Sense 2.0 comes in handy :)

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Grand Master

Roger H. Veteran

Posted
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Posted

It let a virus through about 5 hours ago on my machine, so I say it blows.

Well if you installed another piece of software (Kapersky, NOD32, Avast, etc) and that's how you found out then you consider yourself reminded that none of the AV software out there is 100% fool proof. Whatever you are using now, some stuff will and has slipped by that one too.

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