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Technical News & Discussion => Windows News & Discussion => Topic started by: jupiter on Apr 03, 2007, 22:02:55

Title: What to ditch?
Post by: jupiter on Apr 03, 2007, 22:02:55
Over time I have gained several security related progs which load on this XP machine at start up.  I would be glad of opinions on which to ditch as start up is beginning to be accompanied by grinding gears and the smell of hot oil.

As well as NOD32 I have Spyware Blaster, Spybot and WinPatrol.  Some opinions seem to suggest that only NOD32 is needed.

What do you think?
Title: Re: What to ditch?
Post by: Lance on Apr 03, 2007, 22:55:02
I think that only NOD32 is needed, but for peace of mind you might want to keep one of the others on your machine as well. If you chose to do this, remember you don't have to have it run on startup, but maybe do a manual scan once a week or so. I'll leave it up to more knowledgable others to suggest with one to keep of the other 3.
Title: Re: What to ditch?
Post by: Rik on Apr 04, 2007, 08:21:43
I think I'd keep Blaster and Bot, and, as Lance suggests, run them once a week, Jupiter. I've not met any one program that finds 100% of spyware, so two bites at it are usually useful. For most people, however, I don't believe it's necessary for there to be continuous monitoring. If you go anywhere you are a bit suspicious about, run them afterwards. I do advise running McAfee's Site Advisor, which will give you a clue as to potential problems. It's free and here (http://www.siteadvisor.com/).
Title: Re: What to ditch?
Post by: DorsetBoy on Apr 04, 2007, 09:21:41
You security list is tiny compared to many users so it should not cause start up problems.

Assuming you are behind a router NOD32 with hardened settings and a decent antispyware will be fine.

Go here for advice on setting NOD32 to its full potential.......BLACKSPEARS SETTINGS (http://www.wilderssecurity.com/showthread.php?t=37509)

Dump Winpatrol.Spywareblaster is passive and won't affect resources and Spybot(not my choice)if you are happy with it then keep.

SuperAntispyware is an excellent choice and is very reliable.


To check out your system try TuneUp Utilities 2007.You get a 30 day free trial,use it ,then pay or dump!

TuneUp2007 (http://www.tune-up.com/)

This will allow you to check things that are slowing your machine,can tune your net connection,clear old files,recover files
and many other functions as well as a start up manager.
Title: Re: What to ditch?
Post by: Inactive on Apr 04, 2007, 11:00:26
Quote from: rikbean on Apr 04, 2007, 08:21:43
It's free and here (http://www.siteadvisor.com/).

I like free and here, thanks Rik, downloaded. ;)
Title: Re: What to ditch?
Post by: Rik on Apr 04, 2007, 11:09:26
I like free and here myself, Inactive. :) I normally wouldn't have looked at it, bearing the McAfee name as it does, but it was an independent operation until recently, and I have found it to be quite a good guide as to a site's 'risk'. Mail.com, for example, is red, and you do get spammed from a lot of the links there.

We are still grey here, though I have submitted the site for assessment.
Title: Re: What to ditch?
Post by: Inactive on Apr 04, 2007, 12:15:33
I agree with all of that, I too was concerned about the McAfee thing, however it works OK.

I reckon it must be worth a karma..  ;)...Have one on me..  :)
Title: Re: What to ditch?
Post by: Rik on Apr 04, 2007, 12:24:32
Thank you, kind sir. :) Do hit the grey icon for this site, then "View site details" and post a recommendation, it will help towards making us green!
Title: Re: What to ditch?
Post by: Inactive on Apr 04, 2007, 12:26:51
Will do Rik, I read yours. ;)
Title: Re: What to ditch?
Post by: Rik on Apr 04, 2007, 12:34:13
I've just updated it, it was a bit behind the times. :)
Title: Re: What to ditch?
Post by: Inactive on Apr 04, 2007, 12:39:29
So I see, that makes three.

Oh, a poet and didn't know it... :laugh:
Title: Re: What to ditch?
Post by: Rik on Apr 04, 2007, 12:46:28
You do now. :)
Title: Re: What to ditch?
Post by: jupiter on Apr 06, 2007, 09:15:46
Quote from: DorsetBoy on Apr 04, 2007, 09:21:41
Go here for advice on setting NOD32 to its full potential.......BLACKSPEARS SETTINGS (http://www.wilderssecurity.com/showthread.php?t=37509)
SuperAntispyware is an excellent choice and is very reliable.
To check out your system try TuneUp Utilities 2007.You get a 30 day free trial,use it ,then pay or dump!
TuneUp2007 (http://www.tune-up.com/)
This will allow you to check things that are slowing your machine,can tune your net connection,clear old files,recover files
and many other functions as well as a start up manager.

Thanks for these suggestions.  I like TuneUp and had fun playing with it.  Now if only there was a version that would get my body to optimum I'd have more than the 30 day trial. ;D