WinXp Home, SP2. Am i protected?

**savagcl** · 30th November 2005

Here is what i have -

Zone Alarm (free), runs at startup.
AVG (free), runs at startup and is scheduled.
MS Anti-Spyware (free), runs at startup and daily.
Question - do these stop a virus before it get into the system (or just
notify after the fact?

For normal cleanups I have -
Weekly runs:
RegCleaner (MS) also runs on demand.
Registry Supreme, also runs on demand.
AdAware, Spybot, also runs on demand.
Spider, also runs on demand.
CCleaner, New vesion=1.26.218, also runs on demand.
dclean, also runs on demand.

For Defrag - Perfect Disk (weekly run).

For Registry backup - ERUNT, run before installation of software and/or
weekly.

For full disk backups - Acronis True Image, run as required or monthly.

I just pulled down the new Antivir program but havent installed it yet. Dont
want to create any conflicts. Question is, do i need it or is what i have
already enough?

thanks,
savagcl

**charlesvar** · 30th November 2005

Hi Clif,

Zone Alarm (free), runs at startup.
AVG (free), runs at startup and is scheduled.
MS Anti-Spyware (free), runs at startup and daily.

All those run resident, so they should stop what each is designed to stop within their limits.

Your question is specifically about viruses. The AVG is the AntiVirus among those listed. If you want to cross check it, then use the on line virus scanners - for a list and links: Quicklinks > Recommended > Security. Another way to handle cross checking would be to install AntiVir and use it as a scanner only. Or the other way around. This probably would work, but there is always a chance that these two would conflict, even if not running resident together.

ZA is a firewall, will not stop malware that's been "invited" in via the browser.

MS AS - sounds like you're running it resident - will stop malware it can detect - not necessarily viruses, plus all the other tools it has which I'm sure you know about, such as blocking Home page hijacks.

Regards - Charles

Welshjim · 30th November 2005

savacl--

Quote:

do these stop a virus before it get into the system (or just notify after the fact?

Of the programs you mention, only an antivirus program can stop a virus before it gets on your hard drive. I assume AVG can do that (I assume you have running in the background throughout a surfing session), but sometimes a virus can sneak by. So you should run a scan with your AVG from time to time, as well. And of course update AVG's definition files.
I would not suggest you have AntiVir running at the same time you run AVG (and vice versa), but there is nothing wrong with having both on your PC and running scans with each.
Neither AdAware or SpybotS&D are proactive, unless you have the Plus version of AdAware (and it is not too trustworthy) and have set the Immunize function in SpybotS&D. So updating their reference files and scanning every few days is desireable. MS claims that MS AntiSpyware is proactive --at least in some respects.
http://www.microsoft.com/athome/secu...are/about.mspx
I would suggest you add SpywareBlaster to your list of programs.
http://www.javacoolsoftware.com/spywareblaster.html
When installed, it does not run in the common sense of that word, but it is proactive in stopping bad BHO's and other spyware. It does, however, require that you update its data files from time to time.
There also Security measures that IE can add.
For example use Restricted Sites. (I use IESpyAds to populate it. https://netfiles.uiuc.edu/ehowes/www/resource.htm )
And the various settings in IE Tools|Internet Options|Security Tab|Custom level. I set those pretty strictly, but put Sites I trust into Trusted Sites, which allows ActiveX and scripting. Someone's else's opinion on this
http://www.helpwithwindows.com/techfiles/surf-safe.html
Also set the slider on the Privacy tab to Medium High.
And perhaps use a HOSTS file
http://www.mvps.org/winhelp2002/hosts.htm
Finally be wary of any attachment you get in an email. Scan it first with AVG.

EDIT--Being a slow typer, I have been beaten by charlesvar again.

**savagcl** · 1st December 2005

Thanks Guys,

I do have spywareblaster. Keep forgetting its there since it runs so quitely.

Spybot - I dont have "Immunize" turned on since it says it for IE (i use Firefox
and Mozilla.

But everything is up-to-date and no problems reported including the on-line
scan from AVG. So i'll hold on antivir.

appreciate it,
savagcl