Ad-Aware OR Spybot vs AVG Free + Malwarebytes

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As an experienced newbie using Win XP, I don’t have any serious problems with my computer since I practice “safe computing”. Opera is my default browser.
I am using Malwarebytes Free and AVG Free for security – I have questions about these.

In the distant past I have used Spybot S/D and Ad Aware.

I went to CNET and found this about AdAware >>>>>>>> ” Ad-Aware 9 Free performed scans on a real-world computer quite slowly, taking close to 2 hours for its first Full scan. The quick, “Smart” scan took about 4 minutes, slightly slower than the quick scan under version 8.3. ”

AdAware had many more DLs than Spybot which came in second in terms of the number of DLs.

AVG Free 11 says I am secure and up to date.
It claims to have a SPYWARE element that protects me.

Question >>>
I don’t want tons of redundant apps to slow down an otherwise fast machine albeit slightly older.

Should I be content with the AVG CLAIM that its SPYWARE element will protect me…………….OR…………should I install either Spybot or AdAware ???

Thanks in advance.

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I tried MSE on an XP Pro SP3 and found it to be a memory and CPU hog. I am now using free AdAware and so far I am pleased with the performance.

PC Mag has made AdAware Free an Editor’s Choice.
The story “The Best Antivirus Software in 2011” is here ….
http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2372369,00.asp

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PC Mag has made AdAware Free an Editor’s Choice.
The story “The Best Antivirus Software in 2011” is here ….
http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2372369,00.asp

Looks as though that recommendation would be for their complete (yet free) Internet Security suite, which presumably would replace AVG rather than supplementing it. (To avoid conflicts in real-time scanning.)

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Here is the AdAware part of the PCMag recommendation ( BTW It is FREE) ….
http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2374093,00.asp

PS: I don’t think it is a “Suite” as that term is used these days.

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PS: I don’t think it is a “Suite” as that term is used these days.

You’re right, it’s not as comprehensive as other products that use “Internet Security” in their name. The company has a feature comparison chart (free vs. paid) here: product_comparison_chart.php.

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I took the advice above and downloaded Spyware blaster.
I indicated It should be saved in Program Files, but each time I clicked on save, it opened a different folder that had nothing to do with programs. Has anyone ever experienced this? Mostly when I download something and open program files and then click save, it works.
I also get frustrated when I download something and the response says “You have chosen to open the download”, but it then gives the only option “to save”. It would be faster if you could install the program without having to save it and then go to the folder to run the installation.

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I took the advice above and downloaded Spyware blaster.
I indicated It should be saved in Program Files, but each time I clicked on save, it opened a different folder that had nothing to do with programs.

Which browser do you use? Most let you save anywhere you want, but you may need to tweak the settings.

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Hi Arturo : I do not believe any “antivirus” program that “they” are the only security program needed ; other than software firewall and the excellent and FREE “SpywareBlaster from http://www.javacoolsoftware.com , I use Avast Antivirus Home Edition supplemented by the FREE versions of Malwarebytes Anti-Malware and “SUPERAntiSpyware” . Several yrs ago Ad-Aware and Spybot were the top antispyware programs, but no longer . I never rely on “Recomendations” for security programs made by PC-oriented magazines ; for several yrs PC Mag and I disagreed on their Forums on their “Choice(s)” of various security programs . Perhaps people disagreeing with their “recommendations” is one factor WHY they discontinued with their Forums !?

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By default, most browsers store downloads in a Folder called Downloads. You can change that if you like, but do not store program downloads in your Programs Folder. These downloads are not the programs themselves. They are installers, which need to be run once they are downloaded, to install the programs. The programs install into the Programs Folder or wherever else they are supposed to go automatically.

-- rc primak

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It’s important to understand what free antivirus software is: it’s a marketing gimmick. The software publisher is hoping that once you install their free version, you will ultimately upgrade to their paid version. Stop deluding yourself into thinking the free version is as good as the paid version. It’s not – that’s why it’s free. Free AVG will not protect you from rootkits, free Avast! will not protect you from rogue scripts, free Avira will not protect you from unknown viruses, free Ad-Aware does not provide full real-time protection for your registry or against unknown viruses, free Malwarebytes doesn’t have real-time protection, Spybot has software bugs and excessive false positives, and SuperAntiSpyware has no real-time protection.

If you are serious about protecting your computer system from malicious attacks, then get serious protection and stop fooling around with that free stuff. You might find this helpful: http://www.consumersearch.com/antivirus-software My personal preference is ESET NOD32 Antivirus http://www.eset.com/home/nod32-antivirus No children are using my computer, blocking spam is my ISP’s job, and I have a firewall, so I don’t feel the need for a suite. This ESET product is very light on your system resources; you will hardly know it’s there. It’s highly regarded in that respect.

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I have been that route of all the free stuff and now I’m using MSE and am happy with it…
I also run regular scans with Maywarebytes, Ccleaner etc. and am confident my system is clean…

Of course, only the Shadow knows for sure…

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I have CCleaner. I have not used it much, so I am uncertain about some things. I opened it and clicked on analyze and it listed items to be deleted, and it included Spybot, multimedia flash player, and sun java. So I am not sure I would want those programs deleted.

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Hi asteven1,

I believe if you look closely at the items reported for deletion concerning Spybot, flash player and sun java, that you will find those items to be logs and/or temp files associated with those programs and not deletion of the programs themselves. I have used CCleaner for years, and have never seen a recommendation to delete any software program after using the analyze feature. In fact, the only way to delete a program in CCleaner, is to use the program uninstaller provided in CCleaner. :cheers:

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Should I be content with the AVG CLAIM that its SPYWARE element will protect me…………….OR…………should I install either Spybot or AdAware ???

Thanks in advance.

Hello Arturo:

Spybot S&D and Ad-Aware don’t update as frequently as MBAM.

With fine reputations all, why not consider the free Avira AntiVir Personal, MBAM PRO, SpywareBlaster, and a HostsMan maintained HOSTS file?

With any version of Windows XP, a good personal fire wall such as COMODO’s free firewall will also serve you well.

One would wish you already have a good NAT router.

HTH

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