Ok so I just had to reformat after my Mobo died. I'm installing my usual suite of security software and was wondering some things about this version of Ad-Aware. The last version I used was SE Personal. This new version has a program Ad-Watch to do realtime protection. First question is should I bother with Ad-Watch? Right now I have Windows Defender, AVG Free, and Comodo Firewall Pro that run all the time. I also have Spybot S&D and still need to download some others for browser protection and the like. I may also install AVG Anti Spyware Free but i'm not sure i want to bother since the trial expiring will take away the live protection anyhow.

Another question is should I really even be using this version or should I go back to the SE Personal? A number of times I've seen that the latest and greatest isn't always the best and want to be sure that won't be the case with this.

Finally, if this version isn't all that good what should I use instead?

Any help would be appreciated.

Hi toyotomi

First off, let me tell you that I am not an security expert. But I've been "around" in a long time to have picked up something here and there. So, only use it for what it is, advices and suggestions. Descicions all yours.

In your current selection, you have the potential to run into conflicts regarding your Anti-spyware. The golden rule is to never have more than one of each type of real-time / resident protection running at all times, whether its anti-spyware, firewalls or anti-virus programs. So, one firewall, one anti-virus and one anti-spyware doing real-time only.

Edit: (ThreatFire mentioned below are a special HIPS program, which doesn't count towards that rule)

Ad-Aware, Windows Defender and Spybot S&D's teatimer are all capable of real-time protection.

In addition you don't mention what AVG AV version you are using. But given the fact that AVG 7.5 is about to be outphased, I'll take it that it is AVG 8.0. Which also have anti-spyware protection with the build-in AVG-Antispyware (former Ewido anti-spyware). One thing I am unsure of here, is if the anti-spyware part follow the anti-virus or if it should be treated as a "separate" anti-spyware program with regards to real-time protection.

So basically you have to choose which of those anti-spyware programs you want to do the real-time protection.

My suggestion for a security package with the programs you have:

Comodo Firewall Pro (If you feel that you get to many pop-ups and its bothersome, try have a look on Online Armor Firewall, just as good and less pop-ups)
AVG Anti-Virus (If the Anti-spyware part gives problem, you could consider Avast or Avira's Antivir)
Windows-Defender running in real-time protection.


Sadly, the new AVG 8.0 is not compatible with Spybot S&D, have a read here: Link But you can still use the immunization feature in Spybot if you choose another Anti-Virus program.

If running AVG 8.0, you don't need AVG-Antispyware. You could keep the Ad-Aware for a on-demand scanner, but I would suggest some other programs for that (see below)

Additional programs to consider: SpywareBlaster(same as Spybot S&D with regards to AVG 8.0), WinPatrol, ThreatFire (Obs: Threatfire conflicts with Online Armor if you choose to try it), MVPSHosts.

As on-demand scanner's, have a look at my own choices.

As I said at the top, those are my suggsetions and advices. No two machines are alike, and what works for me may or may not work for you. Ultimately the deciscion is yours.

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My own freeware package looks like this:

Comodo Firewall Pro
Avast Anti-virus
ThreatFire
Windows-Defender
SpywareBlaster

On-demand scanners: MalwareByte's Anti-malware, SuperAntispyware, TrojanHunter and AVG Anti-Rootkit.

On occasion I use various online Anti-virus scanning engines, just in case Avast failed to pick something up, where Trend Micro's Housecall and Kaspersky online are those I use the most.

Various non-specific's: Mcafee's site-advisor(Firefox plugin, also available to IE7), MVPSHosts, (Adblock+ and NoScript for Firefox)

My package is a little heavy on low-end machines. Especially Avast can be a resource hog and Windows-Defender to some degree.

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Phew, its "dangerous" beginning to answer something like this, so many options and still haven't said all regarding the various protection programs, its gotten quite long .
However, the first and most dangerous thing for a PC is its user! So have a look at this article by Tony Klein, which also give recommendations on various security apps.

So how did i get infected in the first place

If you have any additional questions, just ask away.

There may be some out there who won't agree with my choices / recommendations, but those are the programs where I would lay my "bets" if we talk freeware all way through.

Regards Abydos

This post has been edited by Abydos: May 3 2008, 04:34 AM