Freeware Protection

[le beau monde]

I have been doing my research, but now it comes down to decision time.

For the virus protection, I am torn.
Avira sounds great, but Avast has so many great reviews.
Please, experienced users, explain to me the pros and cons.
No AVG please. Too many problems. Not enough solutions.

For the spyware, I am less torn.
I have Hijack This! installed, but I know that isn't enough.
Many have recommended AdAware 2008, but I don't trust it.
Spyware Terminator got good reviews from C-Net but subpar from users.
Is Superantispyware decent?

As for firewalls, I have ZoneAlarm, but I've had some problems with it, such as blocking important programs like my wireless card but allowing access from a package of trojans, spyware and viruses off a website. Any suggestions?


I have an IBM laptop, not sure how old, but it was originally installed with Windows 2000. It's a 20GB hard drive with pentium III. Not sure if that matters or not. My system has been slow and it seems I may have some sort of infection, as 17GB are taken when my program total should not exceed 10GB.

[The Last Rydian]

Avast has spyware protection as well.

You're right to not use hijackthis as a protection tool, because it isn't one. It's an after-infection forced-removal tool.

Ad-aware is fine.

Forget firewalls. If you have a router it's a hardware firewall keeping track of incoming traffic and windows firewall does outgoing traffic. A home user does not need an extra software firewall.

[le beau monde]

thank you.
can I have some more suggestions please?

[Feistel Jaeger]

I second Rydian's post.

[le beau monde]

well what about Avira?
and superantispyware?

[Sephiroth_the_FallenAngel]

I've heard good things about Avira, but no personal experience (so nothing you don't already know), but Rydian is always complaining about it advertising when it updates. Though thats only a minor annoyance.

Never used superantispyware, haven't even seen it recommended much.
I would suggest Ad-aware or Spybot S&D, or even using both.

[The Last Rydian]

For the harddrive space, windows itself takes up space, can be a couple gigs or more.
Download a program called SequoiaView, run it, and wait for it to scan, it'll take a while. When it's done it'll show you a chart of where files are and how large they are, so you can see which files or folders are taking up lots of space.

If you don't instantly know what something is, tell us the filename/location, and how large it is.



Avira's a good antivirus if you want to pay, the free version has an ad.

Superantispyware, I haven't heard anything bad about.

[Asamidori]

Personally I'd go with both Adaware and Spybot Search & Destroy for the spyware. Never hurts to have more than one.

[le beau monde]

okay, thanks. :]
the last time I had adaware my computer was overtaken by spyware. But maybe two will fix that?

[le beau monde]

maple story was taking up like, 15%.

[le beau monde]

thanks Rydian.
you guys really helped a computer idiot.
my boyfriend told me items on the desktop didn't affect hard drive space.
-dies-

[The Last Rydian]

Well, if it's shortcuts on the desktop they do, but they (shortcuts) affect harddrive space about as much as a grain of sand affects your weight.

[le beau monde]

I had not cleared my temp files since I got my computer.
-boggle-

[The Last Rydian]

That'd explain it.

Go into the settings of all your internet browsers and set the cache (temporary internet files) size ot like 100 megs or somehing each, that'll help keep the usage down.