BleepingComputer.com: I believe I have too much or many Security Suites.

I am beginner with hand-me-down Acer Extensa 5420 laptop running Windows Vista Home Premium. Supposedly cleaned before I got it. My ISP is Comcast and use wireless router for the laptop. Wired directly is Compac Presario 5300us desktop, also hand-me-down. Already installed on laptop are the following Security Programs: CCleaner Piriform Ltd., Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware, Spybot-Search & Destroy, Norton Security Suite (installed by Comcast). I also believe that there is Microsoft Security Suite and some kind of internal Acer security but I don't know for sure and don't know how to check. When I originally got my desktop a 3 months ago, I had the same problem with too much security and tech at computer store told me that they were fighting each other. I had a pop-up System Tool which warned me that my pc was infected which turned out to be the virus itself and it cost me $95.00 to have my desktop wiped clean. Now I have only Microsoft Security Suite installed on it with CCleaner and MalwareBytes all installed by tech at computer store. What do I really NEED on my laptop? Norton tells me only Norton but will give any further assistance. I believe that I have too much. Please help.

This post has been edited by Orange Blossom: 09 April 2011 - 05:35 PM
Reason for edit: Moved to AV forum from Vista. ~ OB

<<I also believe that there is Microsoft Security Suite...>>

Is this based on what is reflected in Add/Remove Programs...or listed under the Program Files folders?

FWIW: CCleaner is NOT a security program. Spybot is primarily devoted to spyware/adware, probably should remove it and replace it with SUPERAntiSpyware. Malwarebytes is a good tool to have installed, as long as you keep it updated. Norton Security Suite is a resource-gouge...I'd talk to Comcast about removing it...IMO, it's probably part of the problem, not the solution.

http://www.microsoft.com/business/smb/en-xg/servers-and-tools/forefront-security.mspx , if you have that installed...I suggest removing it.

For an AV, I would suggest either Avira Free or Avast.

Louis

I also would uninstall Norton using the norton removal tool:

http://majorgeeks.com/Norton_Removal_Tool_SymNRT_d4749.html

I like MSE as it uses less resources than others.

http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/security_essentials/default.aspx

other suggestions
spywareblaster: http://majorgeeks.com/SpywareBlaster_d2859.html
defrag and disk clean your computer:

http://www.microsoft.com/atwork/maintenance/speed.aspx

Quote

Note that it does NOT mention anything about being a firewall. MSE is antivirus/antispyware ONLY.

If you uninstall Comcast provided Norton-which includes a firewall-you will need to either enable the Windows firewall OR install a stand-alone firewall.

I've never understood...why some install a 3d-party firewall...when they neither pay attention to the additional info provided...nor require/want the differerential features.

The Windows firewall works quite well for the majority of users hwo want protection and don't want to monitor excessively or bother with it, once it's turned on.

Louis

I think that's true for Windows Vista and 7, but IIRC Windows XP's firewall is inbound only? It won't stop things (read malware) sending info out to the big bad WWW.

Casey

As a general rule of thumb, what you want is:

1 Anti-virus program
1 Firewall
at least one Anti-spyware program, but only ONE with real-time protection.

For more information and ideas:

http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/forums/topic389653.html/page__view__findpost__p__2198432

http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/forums/topic389510.html/page__view__findpost__p__2198404

Orange Blossom