[BrokenScreen]

This computer is a year old and barely been used. I'm upgrading the GFX and such soon to make this computer able to play the latest games. Now since this is going to be my gaming machine I would like this computer to stay in tip top shape at all times.

So far I have:

Windows Vista Home Premium
Norton Anti-Virus/Protection Center 2008
Webroot SpySweeper
Using FireFox as web browser

Is there any other things I need or can download in order to keep this PC in great shape for the years ahead?

 

[Glaswegian]

Hi

Norton is known to be a resource hog - have a look here for other tips and suggestions

http://www.techsupportforum.com/f174/pc-safety-and-security-what-do-i-need-115548.html

 

[BrokenScreen]

Yea thats a really good guide, I read it before posting this.

Lavasoft Ad-Aware is there a point to getting that if I already got norton and spysweeper? Or any extra firewall if I already got windows vistas firewall on? Or anything else I need?

 

[Glaswegian]

AdAware is an on-demand scanner - useful as a back up check. I prefer a different firewall from Windows, but then again I'm still using XP.

Use online scanners now and again - another useful check. I would also recommend Spybot - another well regarded scanner.

 

[BrokenScreen]

I heard that more than one virus program at once is bad, does that apply also for spyware/adware/malware remover programs? Also spybot is that spybot s&D from http://www.spybot.com/en/spybotsd/index.html ??

 

[Glaswegian]

It only applies to AVs and Firewalls. Since both have real time capabilities, you would end up with this scenario:

AV1 scans files to see if any have been altered. AV2 detects that files have been examined so it checks all files. Now AV1 detects that files have been examined so it checks all files. AV2 detects......and so on.

Progs like AdAware and Spybot are scanners - they don't do anything until you run a scan. Your link to Spybot is the legitimate site.