Having gratefully resolved my hijacking problem, I find I now have several anti-spy, anti-ad and cleaning software, a lot of which I am guessing, do the same things. Not only that but in finishing my problem, other software that I don't have was recommended. So, in essence I would be grateful for advice about what other have found worth keeping and what else I should get.
I have:
Norton Antivirus & Internet Security
Webroot Window Washer 5
PC Rescue
CW Shredder
Spybot S&D
Ad-Aware SE Personal
Hoster
CleanUp312
CCleaner
And the recommended downloads were:
Spywareblaster
Spywareguard
IESpy Ad
and the free Firewall and Anti Virus
Norton Antivirus & Internet Security <<< Anti Virus & firewall a must
Webroot Window Washer 5 <<< clean up program optional but always good to have
PC Rescue <<<< good to have
CW Shredder <<< on demand scanner so leave on system and only use as required does not take up resources.(put in folder)
Spybot S&D <<<< on demand scanner use weekly dores not take up resources
Ad-Aware SE Personal <<< a good on demand scanner, works well with Spybot a good 1-2 punch
Hoster <<< on demand tool, unless you need to clean out your host files and reset them you can get rid of that one or not(put in folder)
CleanUp312 <<< no familiar with this one
CCleaner <<< on demand cleaner like window washer, free and takes no resources(put in folder)
Spywareblaster <<< resident protection tool a keeper
Spywareguard <<< resident protection tool a keeper
IESpy Ad <<<< adds 1000's of known bad sites to your IE restricted zone so uses no resources.
and the free Firewall and Anti Virus <<< as you have Norton this is already taken care of.
I would recommend that you add a folder to your desktop and drop the programs that are on demand scanners in there. That way your desktop does not get clutter.
I would run these scanners on a regular basis, making sure that you update them before you scan
SpyBot
Adware
CCleaner or Web Washer
Update Spywareblaster and Spywareguard weekly.
Keep your antivirus up to date.
Hope that helps
