[jjammes]

First, I've never owned a computer and my brother bought the first one I now own.
Computer stats:
MS WINDOWS XP Home SP3
Intel Core2 CPU 6400 @ 2.13GHz.
1.0GB RAM RADEON 9200
That being said, there is a number of security programs on the computer.
1.Panda Security 2010 (15.01.00)
2.SUPERAntiSpyware 4.33.1000
3.Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware 1.43
4.Ad-Aware Free 8.1.3
5.ERUNT backs up registry
6.NTREGOPT optimizes registry
7.CCleaner v2.27.1070
They can be seen as Desk-top Icons and Icons along the bottom of the Desk-top.
I use Panda Security system every night for an "end of the day" security check.
Do I really need all of these security programs on my computer?

[Phantom010]

Malwarebytes Anti-Malware is great but you do not have the latest version. It's v.1.44.

Ad-Aware is useless, especially when you have MBAM and SAS.

Never use registry optimizers, cleaners, boosters... You will only mess up your registry and render many programs, or Windows itself, unusable.

CCleaner is a poweful tool but again, don't touch at its registry cleaner option.

MBAM and SAS don't have to run in real-time. The free versions are enough.

[valis]

you can easily lose 2, 3, 4, and 7. Panda security is good, you never want to have 2 antiviruses on the same pc as they can cancel each other out. Malwarebytes (MBAM) is best used by a trained professional AFTER you get infected,

As for antispyware, I guess SuperAntiSpyware is as good as any. I don't use antispyware, I only fly avira a/v and a firewall, but then I'm trained in malware removal.

hth,

v

[valis]

Originally Posted by Phantom010

Malwarebytes Anti-Malware is great but you do not have the latest version. It's v.1.44.

Ad-Aware is useless, especially when you have MBAM and SAS.

Never use registry optimizers, cleaners, boosters... You will only mess up your registry and render many programs, or Windows itself, unusable.

CCleaner is a poweful tool but again, don't touch at its registry cleaner option.

MBAM and SAS don't have to run in real-time. The free versions are enough.

one thing about ntregopt; it does not touch any keys or strings, only compresses the registry and decreases boot time. I generally have my clients run it annually, no need to run it more than that. Heck, I only run it annually and I'm generally adding or removing at least 2 apps/week.

[Stoner]

Just a couple comments...

ERUNT is only a registry backup, nice to have but not a security app.
NTREGOPT....never heard anything bad about it, but see no need for it.
CCleaner is handy for removing temp files that Windows doesn't delete but the registry cleaner function is dangerous to use IMO


You might even consider adding Rootkitrevealer to your list.
http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/s.../bb897445.aspx
Ask for help before you delete any items that appear in a scan, though.

[valis]

ntregopt is nice if you are in the process of add/removing apps at a frequent pace. The average it will compress your registry is ~4-5%; that will only shave off about 10-20 seconds of boot up time. However, anything higher than 4 or 5%, such as 10 or 15%, and you are looking at minutes saved on boot up time.

Doesn't touch any keys, doesn't touch any strings. Just compresses the registry, removes all the blank spots that removed apps have left.

v

[Nebastion]

ATF Cleaner Will Sort out your Temp Files and Such, But you Should Consider Exactly what your deleting Before you click ok.

For the average User Its safe to let the program run its course.

[thegaminggamer]

I usually just install AVG and Spybot, Both programs are freeware. The less programs running in the background, the better. AVG takes care of viruses and Spybot takes care of spyware, etc.

[Kenny94]

I would keep Malwarebytes. And Perform Quick Scan from time to time. But be sure to update it before you scan...

Having the full version unlocks realtime protection, scheduled scanning, and scheduled updating. And IP Protection! To prevent the user being infected in the first place. Also, it's compatible with other virus programs as well....

[Phantom010]

Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware is a great tool but I keep IP protection disabled, even at Startup. The thing is really annoying and prevents some legitimate websites from loading. I still don't see its use.

[Nebastion]

Originally Posted by Phantom010

Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware is a great tool but I keep IP protection disabled, even at Startup. The thing is really annoying and prevents some legitimate websites from loading. I still don't see its use.

I agree, with the annoying part
So What Are the advantages of buying it??

[jjammes]

To All,

Thanks to all you who responded. A "friend", and I use the word loosely, bought and downloaded a bunch of tools to try and fix my problem and now it's worse than when he started. I will take all of the information to heart and make note to use this great info.
Thanks again.

[tomdkat]

Originally Posted by Nebastion

I agree, with the annoying part
So What Are the advantages of buying it??

The other things mentioned:

Originally Posted by Kenny94

I would keep Malwarebytes. And Perform Quick Scan from time to time. But be sure to update it before you scan...

Having the full version unlocks realtime protection, scheduled scanning, and scheduled updating. And IP Protection! To prevent the user being infected in the first place. Also, it's compatible with other virus programs as well....

Getting people to manually keep their protection software up to date can be quite challenging. That's one of the things I like about Spybot S&D. I can configure it to automatically update when it scans the system and it can be scheduled to do everything.

I'm thinking automatic updates and scheduled scans are almost enough justification to purchase any reputable anti-spyware product.

Peace...