spyware & anti virus

AVG Anti-Virus
Spybot & Ad-Aware

Spyware is needed because everyone gets it i have it and so does a lot more people

Anti-Spyware programs are definately necessary, and there are many free ones out there that you can get. Start with Ad-Aware, Spybot Search and Destroy, and Windows Defender.

As for Anti-Virus, I use the Norton Internet Security 2005 package, but that kind of takes up a lot of memory. Of course, with 2GB, I don't notice a hit, but I definately notice a hit when using my 384MB desktop that has Norton on it compared to when it doesn't have Norton. Anyway, I've heard that AVG doesn't take up a lot of resources, and it's free. Check that out.

I use Mcafee Virus scanner 2006 and it has detected many viruses that my old scanner (norton 2004 or something) didnt detect.

I also use a-squared for anti-spyware. Its free and all they ask you to do is make an account. Even when you have the account, they wont spam you or give your email to other people.

Also i used SpywareBlaster to prevent the spyware from getting imbedded in my system in the first place. Its also freeware. Check those out

Avast is best out of all i tried.
ad-aware
windows firewall

AVG / AdAware. Nothing else required, software wise. I also recommend a router as your firewall.

I used to use AdAware, but I put on Spybot to try it out and it found a good amount of stuff. AdAware just never seemed to find anything on my computer.

I found that Adaware and Spybot have a habit of finding different things so they compliment each other pretty well. Neither one on its own finds everything.

The only other program I keep is Process Explorer, which doesn't really do anything on its own to counter spyware. But if I have something on my machine which I think is hazardous and AdAware doesn't pick up on it (hasn't happened before), I just run PEXP and Google the mystery process.

Avast and Ad-ware

On my system, the results are usually just the opposite, but from what I've read, and through my own experience, it seems that no single app is able to find all spyware.

In any case, I also use Spyware Blaster, and since its installation, have had no sypware show up no matter which app I use.

AVG Free
Lavasoft Anti-Spyware Personal
ZoneAlarm Free

I use those three, theyre awesome.

I have limited resources (read RAM) so I tend to pay a lot of attention to this sorta thing, and AVG worked really well for me, until my fully updated version recently detected a trojan but couldnt block it, move it to the quarantine vault much less remove it. I then went to BitDefender's online scanning engine and it detected (and successfully removed) a few infected files. :-o My 2 cts on this matter: invest in a personal firewall at least (or get Zone Alarm, there's a free download for personal use), practice vigilance when dealing with strange files and get a good antivirus, most do the job of detection, blocking and removal of spyware as well. If you can afford the cost and the processing power, an anti-spyware software should provide an extra layer of protection for your computer as that's their specialty. The good ones tend to hog memory and processing power (though I doubt you will notice it on your machine) but it's worth it, considering your precious system and all the information in it is at risk.

Take a look at these reviews on anviruses:
PCWorld review (March 2006 issue)
http://www.pcworld.com/reviews/artic...,124163,00.asp
Top Ten Reviews
http://anti-virus-software-review.toptenreviews.com/

Anti-spyware reviews:
PCWorld review (April 2006 issue)
http://www.pcworld.com/reviews/artic...,119572,00.asp
Top Ten Reviews
http://anti-spyware-review.toptenreviews.com/

There are infinitely more reviews out there but I feel these really helped me, and besides being very recently written, they're both comprehensive and easy to understand as well.

Do try a few demo versions before deciding on the one you like best ie in terms of mem usage, interface, features etc.

Last but not least, remember to update your virus .dat files religiously!

edit: minor adjustments to text, just remembered about ZA free

If you've never used an anti-spyware program, you should download any free one right away and run it. No doubt, you'll have all sorts of junk to clear from your machine.

Rootkit revealer from sysinternal.
AdAware/Spybot can not see rootkits.

Avast was able to remove some crap that Mcaffe would see but wouldn't do jack squat about!

IIRC, there is a sticky thread on this section exactly about this.

- Avast!
- Kerio PF 4.2.2
- SpyBot/Adaware + Rootkit revealer