[Egzzie]

I've had my PC for about 5 years and I never had a firewall. I only ever used anti-virus, every year it gets infected leaving me with a tough job trying to sort them out. Now, just a week ago I've decided to use Comodo firewall but after installing it I have had random problems with my computer.

I'm running Windows XP (SP3), Intel P4 3GHz. The sort of security I was using are CCleaner, AVG Anti-Spyware and Avast Anti-Virus real time protection. Since downloading Comodo I have uninstalled AVG and Avast cos I thought it might conflict with each other.

The problems I had with Comodo started with unable to open Notepad even though I manually added notepad.exe onto the allow list in all of the Comodo firewall categories. I had to uninstall and install Comodo again but this time my internet stopped working. My LAN icon revealed it is behind a firewall. Worst of all I couldn't even open Comodo to change the settings because I couldn't get in Comodo LivePCSupport. In the end I had to restore my PC to a previous restore point.

Now I have no firewall (except for the Windows one) and no anti-virus software. I really need some strong advice on what to do. I only have CCleaner and Spywareblaster installed. I'm afraid if I download a firewall it will automatically block my internet and random programs.

[perfume]

Dear Eggzie,
A small tip! Disable the default Windows Firewall before you download the third party firewall! Now, remove all traces of Comodo, before downloading another firewall> Online Armour has excellent reviews! http://www.tallemu.com/ .Best wishes.

[Egzzie]

Hi perfume,

I uninstalled Comodo via Control Panel's Add & Remove Programs. I can still see Comodo files in my C:drive's Program Files. Do I just manually delete the Comodo folder?

[Phantom010]

Yes, you can delete the folder.

[pscwb26]

Dear Egzzie,
Use Revo Uninstaller(freeware):http://download.cnet.com/Revo-Uninst...-10687648.html to completely remove any software.It will remove all registry entries & left files/folders of the uninstalled appplication.And about firewall- comodo,online armor,pc tools firewall plus ,zone alarm firewall
& outpost firewall all are free & very efficient.You can use any of them but you must turn off windows firewall before installing them as using 2 firewalls same time may lead to system unstability.But i dont understand why have you uninstalled antivirus?As quickly as possible install your antivirus & antispyware because they have different functions than that of a firewall.For example;i'm using Avast antivirus+spybot antispyware+outpost firewall.Although i change my softwares a lot,this combination is working great for me without slowing my Intel P4 desktop.

[Egzzie]

Thanks for your replies. I think I have manually removed all previous firewall & anti-virus files in my computer. But I will try the Revo Uninstaller if things starts to go wrong.

I have taken all of your advice fellow posters. I now have Online Armour and Avira AntiVir, working well so far. I also have CCleaner and Spywareblaster, but is SWB an anti-spyware program or do I have to download another one? Sorry for the mundane questions but does my Avira AntiVir also covers malwares?

[perfume]

Originally Posted by Egzzie

Thanks for your replies. I think I have manually removed all previous firewall & anti-virus files in my computer. But I will try the Revo Uninstaller if things starts to go wrong.

I have taken all of your advice fellow posters. I now have Online Armour and Avira AntiVir, working well so far. I also have CCleaner and Spywareblaster, but is SWB an anti-spyware program or do I have to download another one? Sorry for the mundane questions but does my Avira AntiVir also covers malwares?

Dear Eggzie,
A firewall at last on your PC! congrats!SWB is an anti-spyware prog., the only thing is it runs in the background. The vast majority here advise that Super anti spyware(free) is a class act and download and install it! You'll be thanking me ever after! Theoritically Avira should and will give you cover from malware, but installing Malwarebytes Antimalware(free) will do your PC a world of good! Ccleaner> use it to delete only Temp files and don't touch the Registry function there! Defragmenting the hard disk once or twice a week, speeds up you PC and an excellent, freeware tool is Defraggler! Download it from :www.defraggler.com

[Egzzie]

cheers Perfume!

Will give the Super Anti Spyware and Malwarebytes a look. I remember someone saying having too many security programs running will mess up the computer is that true? Unfortunately I have played around with some registry function on CCleaner, but I don't think I messed with it too much since my computer runs fine.

I forgot all about Defragging. The last time I did it was probably over a year ago. Thanks for the heads up! Really appreciate it!

[perfume]

Originally Posted by Egzzie

cheers Perfume!

Will give the Super Anti Spyware and Malwarebytes a look. I remember someone saying having too many security programs running will mess up the computer is that true? Unfortunately I have played around with some registry function on CCleaner, but I don't think I messed with it too much since my computer runs fine.

I forgot all about Defragging. The last time I did it was probably over a year ago. Thanks for the heads up! Really appreciate it!

Dear Egzzie,
When you have TWO Anti-Virus programs running in tandem, then it becomes a pain! So,one A-V for one PC! You better have TWO ANTI-SPYWARE PROGRAMS and that helps, as Elvandil ponted out> the database in one may not be enough to catch the spies!

I have MBAM(bought)and Emco's Malware Destroyer and have only one working in real-time, and scan daily with SAS and MBAM after the upates! Don't forget the updates as the updates have to be done manually in the free versions!

Ccleaner is the first thing to run in the morn. to delete those temp. files, otherwise the PC's speed will go down! The site members,(that includes self and you) know that there is nothing to clean there in the Registry! Best wishes! Defraggler, Don't forget!

[Egzzie]

I think I've seen Ccleaner having the option to do a clean up on start-up. So I'll set that up as well as the other Anti-malware programs.

Thanks for all the advice!