Required Security Software

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I have pondered long on whether to post this here or in the Security forum, finally decided here.

My new system has
XP SP2 Firewall
CA Antivirus
CA Anti Spyware
CA Anti Spam
Lavasoft AdAware SE Plus
Lavasoft Ad Watch SE Plus
Spybot Search & Destroy
CW Shredder

On my old system I also had
AdsGone
Spyware Doctor
Registry Mechanic
Window Washer
CC Cleaner

I believe now it was overdone and slowed the system as most were resident, do I need over and above what I have? I am not asking for comparisons unless there is a significant hole or something not covered.

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You seem to be pretty well covered.

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Personally, to your list I would add
Spyware Blaster
Spyware Guard
and replace the Windows XP Firewall by
ZoneAlarm Free firewall.

John

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I’d reinstall Registry Mechanic. It’s non-resident, and does the best job I’ve seen in identifying erroneous/ redundant registry entries.

Alan

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My choices would be one each resident:
Firewall
Anti-Spam
Anti-Virus

All the rest could be installed but run on an as scheduled basis or manually running them maybe once a week or so.

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Well, I am a firm believer in security but I march to a different drum than the typical masses. I would say you are over-protected, i.e., you have unnecessary (redundant) programs installed. From your list I would get rid of all but the following:

XP SP2 Firewall (there is now available a free add-on which allows increased outbound/inbound rules if desired)
Spybot Search & Destroy

Yep…. and then I would add/substitute the following:

SpywareBlaster
Kaspersky AV or KIS (full suite which I personally find unecessary)
Windows Defender

With those 5 security applications you should be well-protected.

Also, I would NOT/NEVER install “Registry Mechanic” but rather the simple, reliable “CCleaner”. If you want a dedicated Registry Cleaner which is indisputably the very best (safest and thorough), go with “RegSupreme Pro”. (This is the Registry cleaner module of the larger “jv16 PowerTools).

My recommendations, with the exception of “RegSupreme Pro” are what I install on every (now in the 100’s) of machines I build and/or service for both corporations, businesses and individuals. Not one has every been hacked, infected nor comprised.

Jeff

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Not really being an expert in these matters, I would not have offered my recipe for security, but what I use (successfully thus far) is remarkably similar to what Jeff recommended:
XP SP2 Firewall
Wireless router (for address translation)
SpyBot search & Destroy
AVG Free antivirus

If I need to dust out the registry I use CCleaner

Paul

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[indent]

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Also, I would NOT/NEVER install “Registry Mechanic” but rather the simple, reliable “CCleaner”. If you want a dedicated Registry Cleaner which is indisputably the very best (safest and thorough), go with “RegSupreme Pro”. (This is the Registry cleaner module of the larger “jv16 PowerTools).

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[/indent]These are very “bold” recommendations/ claims. What are they based on?

Alan

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They aren’t so “bold” as they are factual. Registry Mechanic is known to cause problems on many machines as well as its Registry Cleaner to cause problems and/or give false positives. I personally tried that program and also experienced problems, some severe. That’s why I do not recommend it to anyone. Further, there isn’t much that Registry Mechanic does which can’t be done by other free programs which many do better.

As for my high recommendation for “RegSupreme Pro”, this too is documented to be the best of the best by many reliable reviewers, e.g., Fred Langa, et al. And as I stated in my reply I have personally installed this application either as a standalone or as part of “jv16 Power Tools” on not only my own machines running various O/S, but on many others. No false positives, no problems whatsoever have ever been encountered.

Now, IF you personally like Registry Mechanic…. so be it. However, I don’t care for it. Surely, I am entitled to voice my opinion of the product based upon years of experience and the testimony of others, eh? As the old adage goes, “Different strokes for different folks”. Unfortunately or fortunately, depending upon how one might look at it, I am the one who gets to repair the machines of others who insist on using such products. The problems are due to either poor applications or user error or a combination of both. But ethically, I cannot recommend a product which is more than likely to cause problems just so I can further my business. Such unethical practices always come back to bite you.

Jeff

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Well, I’m afraid your use of “factual” does not instill great confidence. “Registry Mechanic is known to cause problems on many machines” reminds me of “anthropogenic greenhouse gas emissions are known to drive the world’s climate”. I’ve also read Fred Langa since he started his newsletter, and while he’s presented some good material, he has also had his share of false positives and negatives. I have personally never had any problems with Registry Mechanic, but I can’t say the same for jv16 Power Tools I’m afraid… based on many years of usage too.

So I’d say we agree – we are both recommending products “based upon years of experience and the testimony of others” and ethically disuading the use of a “product which is more than likely to cause problems”.

As far as jv16 goes, there’s also the last ware version 1.3 of jv16 PowerTools. Last time I checked, there seemed little to warrant “upgrading” to a $$$ version? I’d recommend the lighter Reg Cleaner component (still also , based on Jouni Vuorio’s original code, seems more stable, and has never given me problems personally) in combination with Registry Mechanic. The great (unique?) feature of Reg Cleaner/ jv16 to me, is its registry display of installed apps. If there are entries to programs that you know you’ve uninstalled, a single tick of its checkbox is all that’s needed to erase all redundant registry entries, no matter how they’re strewn across the registry.

Alan

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Jeff, Alan,

Clearly, one man’s “fact” is another man’s “opinion” or even “prejudice”. Let’s leave it at that.

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I certainly got what was desired, a lively discussion.
I omitted that I do have Microsoft’s Defender, it is so quite in the background.
I have also tried all of SuperWin’s products, i.e. Regvac, A1 Click cleaner and Winrescue.
My belief is that you must be covered, however there is a limit. I now have to contemplate the replies.

Warning I am about to post another

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You forgot one – one man’s fish is another man’s poisson.

Alan

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