Cathy: Until this thing happened to me, I would have recommended Webroot's SpySweeper, both the antivirus and anti-spyware. Not so sure now. I used to have Norton antivirus and various free anti-spyware, but Norton made my computer so slow. I uninstalled Norton and all my free antispyware and put in SpySweeper and my computer was much faster. I have also read that you should never run >1 real-time virus or spyware at the same time because they interfere with each other. You're okay if your programs are not real-time (ie, you just run them to scan what you already have, rather than the programs' trying to stop things before they get there).
When I was researching my problem, quite a few people suggested that you use Malawarebyte's program to clean up. If ComboFix didn't work, I was going to try that. However, it's just my opinion that free programs aren't as good as the ones that require a modest annual subscription fee. As mentioned by others, I also have turned off Windows Firewall and gone with the one on my router (not that it helped me here, I guess). This is the first virus I have EVER gotten so I guess I shouldn't complain??? I was impressed with Webroot's tech support. Was on hold a moderate amount of time, they would break in periodically with a message to tell me what number I was in line. I called twice, both people were easy to talk to, easy to understand, very knowledgeable and weren't rushing me off, stayed on the line with me until I received the emails they were sending me ... First time I ever had to call them (have had SpySweeper installed for 2 1/2 yrs) and it was a good tech experience. Karen > Though I have not had the problem below (at least not to my knowledge), I > would love to get all your advice on the best protection programs for > anti-virus, anti-spyware/malware, firewall, etc. so I have the best chance of > avoiding future problems. > > I am a single user and am hoping there are some good free (or not too > expensive annual fee) programs that will protect me. I have Windows XP > Professional on new computer purchased a few months ago. At that time, my > Windows/drivers were updated by paid tech guy. But I am not getting any > additional Windows updates as every single time I have done this in the past, > it > has completely wrecked my computer (and several other friends have had same > experience - HATE Microsoft weaknesses). > > Anyway, I am currently using only Windows firewall (have router), which I > don't really know how to configure. Used to have Norton - HATE Norton as > caused more hassle/problems than helped, so didn't reinstall in new > computer. I also have Avast! Anti-virus, Spybot, Spywareblaster, and > Malwarebyte's anti-malware (all free programs - but, again, I really don't > know enough > to use them other than with their defaults). I also use Tune-Up Utilities > and Ultimate Troubleshooter to clean up and check what is running. I have > Privacy Control, but newest version of that continually removes all my > passwords from email, and they don't know how to fix that, so will probably > remove as I don't remember my passwords and have to use Restore to get them > back (as I did with another of their programs, DriverControl, which totally > messed up my printer drivers and couldn't fix after tons of emails to them > and 8+ hours on phone/email with Hewlett Packard - Restore didn't help > there). > > Will the programs I'm using keep me safe enough? Are there others any of > you would recommend? Hope this is an ok question to ask this group. > > Cathy Grimes > Huntington Beach, Calif >
