a bit confusing

[hssstevens]

Hi,

Hope you don't mind but I'm a bit confused hope you can help:

a. Read about a free software called: System safety monitor, what does it have the same function as as Winpatrol (i have installed this), is it compatible with it? Would it help if I installed it.

b. What is a host file? Read an article that I should protect my host file, by downloading a list and using it as host. They say it will prevent spammers and advertisers etc., already I have spywareblaster and spywareguard installed, should I do it?

Thanks again for your help.

[jholland1964]

Read about a free software called: System safety monitor, what does it have the same function as as Winpatrol (i have installed this), is it compatible with it? Would it help if I installed it.

My feeling is you have enough security programs as it is...too many can also cause problems. My advice is no, use what you have.

already I have spywareblaster and spywareguard installed, should I do it?

I would say no you don't need to just be sure to make use of the Restricted Sites portion of SpywareBlaster and you should be fine...unless you are into p2p file sharing or lots of gaming or downloading.

[TurcoLoco]

As Jholland stated, you have enough security programs and you really do not want to have too much of it, especially having multiple programs locking/ protecting the Hosts file can create more problems than do good.

SpywareBlaster helps you create encrypted backups of the Hosts file (under "Tools" section). Spybot can modify the Hosts file my adding its own list of known baddies to be blocked. It can also make a copy of it and also make the file 'Read-Only' for additional protection.

Some of the protection offered by the security programs are either not needed or ineffective against malware, such a setting is checking an option within the program to disable access to the IE Home Page tab and other settings for the browser. This could prevent other users from messing around with the related settings but will not prevent most malicious software from modfying since they access those settings in an entirely different way...

Arovax Shield provides a fairly good level of preventative-type protection for extra cautious people (I believe I had already mentioned this in another thread of yours?). This freebie is worth checking out! But if you already have the paid, full version of WinPatrol, it might be an overkill for you.

~TL

[hssstevens]

Thanks guys, for your advice, really appreciate it!

Installed in my computer:
Anti virus - AVG free
Firewall - Zone Alarm free (got older version 6.5, don't know if I should update to the new one as the size seem so large, pls. advise)
Preventive- Spyware blaster & Spyware guard
Scanner- AVG Antispyware & Spybot

I only have the free version of Winpatrol, should I install Avorax shield?

Sometimes reading the websites of the security programs makes me confused & a bit “paranoid”, your advice really helps, thanks so much. Have a nice weekend

p.s. curious if Comodo BOClean do okay?

[TurcoLoco]

Those 2 you mentioned are OK programs but again, do not bloat your system with too many security programs. If they are real-time type scanners, they could hinder each others functionality or even cause more serious, odd problems with the system or your net connection.

I generally suggest having an Anti-Virus scanner and an 'On-Demand' Spyware scanner backed by SpywareBlaster type process-less protection.

For those who are extra cautious or suspecting something might be wrong, Arovax Shield type real-time monitoring program could be handy as well as having a 'Real-Time' malware scanner as well. Using a third party to backup the Host file is smart and protecting it by having it set 'Read-Only' or encrypting may be smart as well.
For those with shady surfing and download habits, creating regular registry backups at logical intervals using a program such as Erunt is a must-do!

As far as having your AV Scanner on 'Real-Time' or 'On-Demand' depends on your PC/Windows Knowledge and overall confidence in your computing habits.

IMHO, the following is a 'must-have' (at this day and age) for someone who would be losing critical data in the event of a Hard Disk crash or system becoming unbootable or even worse data integrity getting comprimised:

~ Create at least one image of your entire system and save it to an external drive or a CD/DVD media, to be used in the even the Hard Drive bytes the dust or system becoming unrecoverably or inaccessibly corrupted by any means.

or

~ Run a backup utility to transfer the newly created or updated critical data to an external media.

The above 2 methods are for the worst case scenario of course.

Because once the Hard Drive crashes no AV/Malware scanner or registry backup utility will help and data recovery using a professional service will cost you a bundle almost to a point where I would recommend becoming a hacker who is wanted by the FBI, then let them deliberately catch you so you can give them your busted HD and have them recover your clean data for free!

OK, bad joke, I need to go take my medication now...

Cheers,
~TL

[hssstevens]

Thanks again for the info.