On Thu, 28 Aug 2008 05:23:31 -0700 (PDT), tapyeno wrote:

> I have recently upgraded to full AVG Internet Security.

Ready made Security Suites are not necessarily a good idea.
Avira AntiVirŽ Personal - FREE Antivirus is a better AV apps
http://www.free-av.com/
(The free version won't scan your emails.)
Why You Don't Need Your Anti-Virus Program to Scan Your E-Mail
http://thundercloud.net/infoave/tuto...ning/index.htm
You may wish to consider removing the 'AntiVir Nagscreen'
http://www.elitekiller.com/files/dis...ntivir_nag.htm

> I also have Spyware Doctor

Remove from your system

> and Max Registry Cleaner.

AUMHA Discussion: Should I Use a Registry Cleaner?
http://aumha.net/viewtopic.php?t=28099
Note the comments from Mark Russinovich and the reference concerning ERUNT.

Why I don˙t use registry cleaners!
http://www.edbott.com/weblog/archives/000643.html

The effectiveness of an individual A-S scanners can be wide-ranging and
oftentimes a collection of scanners is best. There isn't one software that
cleans and immunizes you against everything. That's why you need multiple
products to do the job i.e. overlap their coverage - one may catch what
another may miss, (grab'em all).

Windows Defender - Free (build-in in Vista)
http://www.microsoft.com/athome/secu...e/default.mspx
WD monitors the start-registry and hooks registers/files to prevent spyware
and worms to install to the OS.
Interesting reading:
http://www.pcworld.com/article/id,136195/article.html
"...Windows Defender did excel in behavior-based protection, which detects
changes to key areas of the system without having to know anything about
the actual threat."
--and--
SuperAntispyware - Free
http://www.superantispyware.com/supe...freevspro.html
--and--
Ad-Aware 2007 - Free
http://www.lavasoftusa.com/products/ad_aware_free.php
http://www.download.com/3000-2144-10045910.html
--and-
Spybot Search & Destroy - Free
http://www.safer-networking.org/en/download/index.html

For the average homeuser, the Windows Firewall in XP does a fantastic job
at its core mission and is really all you need if you have an 'real-time'
anti-virus program, [another firewall on your router or] other edge
protection like SeconfigXP and practise Safe-Hex.
The windows firewall deals with inbound protection and therefore does not
give you a false sense of security. Best of all, it doesn't implement lots
of nonsense like pretending that outbound traffic needs to be monitored.

Activate and utilize the Win XP built-in Firewall; Uncheck *all* Programs
and Services under the Exception tab.

Windows XP: How to turn on your firewall.
http://www.microsoft.com/protect/com...rewall/xp.mspx

Understanding Windows Firewall.
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/u...2_wfintro.mspx

In conjunction with WinXP SP2 Firewall use:
Seconfig XP 1.0

Routinely practice Safe-Hex.
http://www.claymania.com/safe-hex.html