[SOLVED] Are These Packages Sufficient?

**RobinHamilton** · 06-28-2009, 05:48 AM

Hi,

I've just bought a new laptop for my son and have decided to download the following security packages :-

Avira AV
Spyware Blaster
Comodo Firewall
MVPS Hosts File
WOT
K9 parental control

The laptop is a Dell Inspiron 15 with Vista os.

Could somebody let me know if this is sufficient, or if any of these apps clash with each other.

Thanks in advance.

Rob.

**RobinHamilton** · 06-28-2009, 05:49 AM

Sorry, forgot to say I've read the PC Safety and Security sticky and got most of the hints from there. I'm just looking for confirmation they won't clash.

**koala** · 06-28-2009, 06:31 AM

You'll be fine with those programs. No conflicts or slowdown. I use all of them except K9.

SpywareBlaster doesn't need to be running in the background. You just update it every couple of weeks, enable protection and then close it down.

You could do with a realtime anti-spyware program, as SpywareBlaster only offers limited protection. Ad-Aware Anniversary Edition or MalwareBytes (free versions) would fit in well with your other programs.

**RobinHamilton** · 06-28-2009, 07:47 AM

Thanks very much for the update koala.

Regarding the spyware stuff, could I just ask what the difference is between the real-time scanner e.g. Malwarebytes, and Spyware Blaster, and is it worth having both of them installed.

Thanks again.

Rob.

**koala** · 06-28-2009, 08:11 AM

SpywareBlaster just edits the registry and system settings to try and prevent spyware and is an extra layer in your protection, whereas a realtime program is always running in the background, scanning files as they are created or accessed.

It's a good idea to have both, as they won't conflict with each other, and SpywareBlaster uses no system resources at all once it's been updated and closed. If you only want to install one of them though, go for the realtime MalwareBytes.

**RobinHamilton** · 06-28-2009, 08:20 AM

That's great koala, I'll go for both. Sounds like I should use the real-time spyware scanner on our home pc too. I'll do that asap.

Thanks again for your help.

Rob.

**koala** · 06-28-2009, 08:52 AM

Quick update. I've just been told that the free version of MalwareBytes only offers on-demand scanning. For realtime protection, you need the full paid version. Sorry for any confusion.

http://www.malwarebytes.org/mbam.php

Quote:

Activating the full version unlocks realtime protection, scheduled scanning, and scheduled updating. For consumers and personal use, it is a one time fee of $24.95

**RobinHamilton** · 06-28-2009, 09:11 AM

No problem. Just one more question. What's the difference between an anti-virus package and an anti-spyware package?

**koala** · 06-28-2009, 09:42 AM

Spyware tries to monitor your online activity in order to get you to buy their products or to allow advertisers to target you. Viruses are programs or pieces of code that can take over your computer, self-replicate, rewrite files, do pretty much anything they want to your computer.

Because viruses can install spyware, you need to protect yourself with both antivirus and antispyware programs. Your current setup looks good.

**RobinHamilton** · 06-28-2009, 09:49 AM

Okay, thanks for everything koala.

06-28-2009, 05:48 AM	#1 (permalink)
RobinHamilton I helped the forums. Join Date: May 2008 Location: Ayr, Scotland Posts: 66 OS: XP SP3	[SOLVED] Are These Packages Sufficient? Hi, I've just bought a new laptop for my son and have decided to download the following security packages :- Avira AV Spyware Blaster Comodo Firewall MVPS Hosts File WOT K9 parental control The laptop is a Dell Inspiron 15 with Vista os. Could somebody let me know if this is sufficient, or if any of these apps clash with each other. Thanks in advance. Rob.

06-28-2009, 05:49 AM	#2 (permalink)
RobinHamilton I helped the forums. Join Date: May 2008 Location: Ayr, Scotland Posts: 66 OS: XP SP3	Re: Are These Packages Sufficient? Sorry, forgot to say I've read the PC Safety and Security sticky and got most of the hints from there. I'm just looking for confirmation they won't clash.

06-28-2009, 06:31 AM	#3 (permalink)
koala Moderator Hardware Team Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: UK Posts: 12,147 OS: XP/7/Ubuntu My System	Re: Are These Packages Sufficient? You'll be fine with those programs. No conflicts or slowdown. I use all of them except K9. SpywareBlaster doesn't need to be running in the background. You just update it every couple of weeks, enable protection and then close it down. You could do with a realtime anti-spyware program, as SpywareBlaster only offers limited protection. Ad-Aware Anniversary Edition or MalwareBytes (free versions) would fit in well with your other programs. __________________ New members: Subscribe to your thread (Thread Tools) to receive an instant email notification when you get a reply. TSF Folding@Home Team 85015 - details here

06-28-2009, 07:47 AM	#4 (permalink)
RobinHamilton I helped the forums. Join Date: May 2008 Location: Ayr, Scotland Posts: 66 OS: XP SP3	Re: Are These Packages Sufficient? Thanks very much for the update koala. Regarding the spyware stuff, could I just ask what the difference is between the real-time scanner e.g. Malwarebytes, and Spyware Blaster, and is it worth having both of them installed. Thanks again. Rob.

06-28-2009, 08:11 AM	#5 (permalink)
koala Moderator Hardware Team Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: UK Posts: 12,147 OS: XP/7/Ubuntu My System	Re: Are These Packages Sufficient? SpywareBlaster just edits the registry and system settings to try and prevent spyware and is an extra layer in your protection, whereas a realtime program is always running in the background, scanning files as they are created or accessed. It's a good idea to have both, as they won't conflict with each other, and SpywareBlaster uses no system resources at all once it's been updated and closed. If you only want to install one of them though, go for the realtime MalwareBytes. __________________ New members: Subscribe to your thread (Thread Tools) to receive an instant email notification when you get a reply. TSF Folding@Home Team 85015 - details here

06-28-2009, 08:20 AM	#6 (permalink)
RobinHamilton I helped the forums. Join Date: May 2008 Location: Ayr, Scotland Posts: 66 OS: XP SP3	Re: Are These Packages Sufficient? That's great koala, I'll go for both. Sounds like I should use the real-time spyware scanner on our home pc too. I'll do that asap. Thanks again for your help. Rob.

06-28-2009, 09:11 AM	#8 (permalink)
RobinHamilton I helped the forums. Join Date: May 2008 Location: Ayr, Scotland Posts: 66 OS: XP SP3	Re: Are These Packages Sufficient? No problem. Just one more question. What's the difference between an anti-virus package and an anti-spyware package?

06-28-2009, 09:42 AM	#9 (permalink)
koala Moderator Hardware Team Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: UK Posts: 12,147 OS: XP/7/Ubuntu My System	Re: Are These Packages Sufficient? Spyware tries to monitor your online activity in order to get you to buy their products or to allow advertisers to target you. Viruses are programs or pieces of code that can take over your computer, self-replicate, rewrite files, do pretty much anything they want to your computer. Because viruses can install spyware, you need to protect yourself with both antivirus and antispyware programs. Your current setup looks good. __________________ New members: Subscribe to your thread (Thread Tools) to receive an instant email notification when you get a reply. TSF Folding@Home Team 85015 - details here

06-28-2009, 09:49 AM	#10 (permalink)
RobinHamilton I helped the forums. Join Date: May 2008 Location: Ayr, Scotland Posts: 66 OS: XP SP3	Re: Are These Packages Sufficient? Okay, thanks for everything koala.