How often do I need to run all my new scans???

[Legally Blind Egghead]

Hello,

 

I've been researching Freeware AV, Firewall and AntiSpyware/Malware programs for a while. I just ran out of a free trial of Windows Live One Care and although it was not bad it costs $50 per year! Also, on my other pc I tried a Internet Security Suite by CA which is free from my cable company (BrightHouse) but didn't feel safe with it. Its scans were only seconds long and many reviews were not favorable either.

 

So today I installed a bunch of new freeware programs on both my kids' and my own pc and need advice on how often to run these scans.

 

Anti Virus = Avira Antivir Personal Free

Firewall = Agnitum Outpost Free

Anti Spyware/Malware= Ad Aware AE (been using), Malwarebytes, SuperAntiSpyware Free, and Spyware Blaster

 

I only have one AV and one firewall running. I know I should use multiple spyware programs but is this too many?

 

I'd really apprecialte any advice on how to set up schedule for the AV and Firewall and how often to run all the scans.

 

Is Spyware Blaster a scanner or more like a "guard" of my computer?

 

Also, if I've missed anything or mad bad choices I'd love to hear.

 

Thank you so much in advance as I've been lurking around heare for a little while and decided to become active.

 

Joey

Legally Blind Egghead

 

P.S. Yes I am legally blind and use software that speaks to me and enlarges my print.

[RandyL]

Your choice of programs is good. Spyware blaster is not a scanner but does block certain types of spyware. I use it myself. Check for updates for it periodically.

 

As far as how often to scan you'll get different answers. Some will say every week. Some will say once a month. As for myself I just do it whenever I'm not doing anything else. Maybe once a month.

 

As for myself I only scan with my AV and Superantispyware. Malwarebytes is a good scanner too.

 

Yes only use one firewall and AV at a time. You can use a combination of antispyware programs.

 

I'll let an Avira user advise you on how to setup a schedule.

 

Check out Extreme Tech Support - Free PC Help Recommended Security products if you need any more ideas.

[Guest Wolfeymole]

With Avira you will have to manually download virus definition files unlike Eset's NOD 32 Security Suite which will download them automatically.

 

To me all all comes down to how comfortable you are with regards to where you have been surfing so I'd suggest a scan at least once a week and depending on the kids ages and their internet habits perhaps more than once a week.

 

Run things like Super Anti Spyware and Malwarebytes etc while your doing other household things as they can take a while.

 

Also consider McAfee's Site Advisor to alert you to potentially dangerous sites that may contain malicious items.

 

 

P.S. I didn't know it was illegal to be blind. :D

[Goku]

P.S. I didn't know it was illegal to be blind.

You are off your rocker mate. :D

 

Here, legally means officially.

 

 

-- Goku

Edited July 10, 2009 by RandyL

[RandyL]

A very good play on the wordings of the English language Wolfeymole. Very funny the English language. Nice joke on your native language Wolfeymole.

 

Like I said you will get different opinions and as Wolfeymole pointed out there are many factors such as kids to consider too.

[Guest Wolfeymole]

As usual Goku you missed the connotation of the sentence. :rolleyes:

 

I also think Legally Blind Egghead intended her User Name to be a parody or a paraphrase of the film Legally Blonde.

[Plastic Nev]

To add my two pence worth, I agree with all you have at the moment, though AdAware is getting a bit behind these days it is still a part of the overall armour. No single antispyware program can catch them all, it is better to have more than one and run scans consecutively one after the other, that way the next to run may catch those the first one missed.

 

You are right in a sense about SpywareBlaster, it sits there in the background blocking the spyware it is configured to catch.

 

In all cases, update each before running a scan, as most freeware does not include automatic updating, and in the case of SpywareBlaster, update regularly anyway as there is no scanning function, it is always "on".

 

As to when to run scans, it is entirely down to your own preferences and should take into account whatever you do or use on the internet and how often, but as a rough guide once a week or even more frequently if you or your family are heavy users, especially if the younger generation are downloading music on a regular basis.

 

I will also warn against the use of what is known as Peer to Peer websites, not only are they now a real threat in regard to including malware in whatever you download from them, a lot of content is also illegal and / or in breach of copyright laws.

 

Hope that is of further help to you.

Nev.

Edited July 10, 2009 by Plastic Nev

[Legally Blind Egghead]

I'm sorry but I don't quite understand what you meant by:

 

"With Avira you will have to manually download virus definition files unlike Eset's NOD 32 Security Suite which will download them automatically."

 

I know I scheduled Avira to scan for viruses daly and to check for updates daily.

 

Could anyone explain how to manually download virus definitions with Avira Free?

 

I do love the ease of a paid Security Suite such as ESET's NOD 32 but just hate spending the $ so I can manually do whatever I have to do.

 

BTW, the kids mainly use i tunes, runescape and Wizards 101 but I still have to be careful to monitor their sites.

 

A few years back I USED to use Peer to peer file sharing sites for music (Limewire) but haven't for years nor will I ever again.

 

Last question for my Outpost Firewall , do I have to do anything special for it and does it update automatically or do I simply update manually?

 

 

It seems as everyone here has a great sense of humor and even us blind people, and hopefully blondes, get the humor too

[RandyL]

Just let your firewall sit there and do its job. Rarely will they come out with a new version. It'll be fine as it is. If you want you can go to the Otpost site and check for a new version someday.

[Guest Wolfeymole]

I must apologise Egghead as I was mistaken.

 

I recently got Avira after my license for NOD expired, (lack of money to renew it) and I hadn't configured it correctly.

 

Consider this image.