Anti-Virus/Spyware

[RadRacer]

What do you guys use to keep your pc clean? I'm currently using Spybot:S&D, AVG, Avast, and Ad-Aware, but it seems extremely slow for some reason. So, what FREE programs are you guys using to keep your pc's in tip-top shape?

[dashboardrunner]

Re: Anti-Virus/Spyware

im usin AVG myself right now but somehow got a pesky virus that it detects but wont fix.... not sure what thats all about... haha

[TheGr8Schlotzky]

Re: Anti-Virus/Spyware

Fact of life, completely reformatting your computer once every few years will keep it running as quickly as it can. Those are the programs I use, paired with disc cleanups and defragging keeps it running well for at least a while.

One thing that can really slow down your computer is unnecessary programs running in the background. Lots of programs you install have little tray icons and processes running underneath which when combined over several years worth of installing programs can slow you down considerably. Go thru your startup registry (type msconfig in the run box[startup tab]) and take off what you don't need.

[stevethepirate]

Re: Anti-Virus/Spyware

when i had a PC, i used spybot S&D, and ad aware. worked fairly well!
other thing that really helps are the "stock" features you have. disk cleanup and then the other one, forget what its called, work well.
just go to system tools or whatever its called. i havent been on a pc in over a year, so i forget (drunk too, and that doesnt help)

[pace2006]

Re: Anti-Virus/Spyware

Currently use Ad-Aware 2007, Windows Defender (probably will be deleted due to lack of use), and PC-Cillin (not free). AVG worked on my other computer for a couple months, but all the automatic updates slowed it down and caused problems. Deleting Temporary Files and using the Disc Cleanup along with Defragmenting every once in a while help. I guess your PC's firewall can help too, but using more than one also causes problems.

An interesting site that has some good info and tips (name sounds bad, but it's a clean site):

http://lifehacker.com/

[stevethepirate]

Re: Anti-Virus/Spyware

defragmenting is what i was talking about. i just got back on my computer and remembered what it was, but pace got to it first.

[RadRacer]

Re: Anti-Virus/Spyware

I use CCleaner instead of disc clean up. Alot faster and cleaner. I defrag about once a month. It's not that old either (~15 months). And I've gone through msconfig and changed most of the start up and applications tab. AVG has recently "not been able to connect to source" when trying to get an update. Spybot keeps coming back with "Congratulaionts, you have no new spyware" which is complete BS; I know I have some cookies that should be detected by it. aVast did find one thing last scan, and it deleted it.

[Bonemaro]

Re: Anti-Virus/Spyware

AVG & Zone Alarm

[huggercamaro99]

Re: Anti-Virus/Spyware

I got a virus not too long ago that was call Maleware Bell. I ended up getting spyhunter to get rid of it. Its a pretty good program. I also have VirusScan and McAfee Securitycenter.