PC cleaners,virus protection, spyware

[tommy]

How many different programs do you guys use to keep your PC running well.

I have many registry cleaners, Mcafee, 2 spyware programs, and a adware program.
Is this too much, are they really helping?

[SirPoonga]

I have AVG, Antivir for virus.
Pest Control is always running
Otherwise I run spybot and adaware once a week.

I use mozilla and webmail.  No email client on my home pc.

[screaming]

I use Norton AV and Firefox and I'm golden!

[Brad]

Norton AV Corp Ed
Firefox
Thunderbird
AdAware - Weekly
Spybot S&E Weekly.

Nary a problem.

Brad

[cdbrown]

Running all the time:
AVG
Spybot with Teatimer which blocks registry changes
Micro$oft Spyware

Mozilla Firefox with adblock

Run fortnight
Spybot
Ad-aware

[SOAPboy]

Warning for you AVG users..

It missing ALOT of virii..

That is all.

[Joystick Jerk]

Warning for you AVG users..

It missing ALOT of virii..

That is all.

Is this just on your computer? AVG is consistently rated one of the best virus scanners around, and it's never failed to find even the deepest trojan on the computers at my job(which the managers insist stay completely open to the web - no firewalls, no ad-blockers, nada... go figure)

[Daniel270]

I've currently got...

Ad Aware
Antivir
Spyware Blaster
ZoneAlarm

and occasionally use..

Yahoo Anti-Spy
Trend Micro Online AV Scanner

Not to mention using plain ol' Disk Cleanup and Defrag regularly.....

*EDIT*--- almost forgot... I do use a popup blocker too, makes one HUGE difference

[HaRuMaN]

I use MailWasher Pro to bounce all my spam...  plus it allows you to preview the text and source of the message without actually downloading any pictures or attachments.  Has great filters and learns what spam is...  good stuff.  It has reduced the number of spam mails I get I would say about 75%.

[jelwell]

I use the firewall built into my router. That's it.

I hear Microsoft's anti spyware is pretty good. I used to use Search and Destroy, but all it ever found were cookies that I didn't really care about.

My Rule of thumb: Don't download anything and you'll be fine.

I always download/visit obscure websites on my Mac using Safari. So i don't end up with any trojans on my PC. And there's no spyware on the Mac. Although I do use "Little Snitch" on my Mac which notifies me if any applications try to use the internet.

My mother, on the other hand, loves to download little applications (shareware) so Search and Destroy and Norton Antivirus are *required* but even then - she suffers. I say "Fix the USER, not the COMPUTER" . :-P
Joseph Elwell.

[JoyMonkey]

I used Norton Internet Security for years, but last year I realized that it is an incredible resource hog, so I switched to Trend Micro PC-Cillin for virus protection and firewall and I've noticed a huge difference in general performance.

Oh, I also use *gasp* Microsoft Anti-Spyware (used to use SpySweeper) and AShampoo Winoptimizer Suite (used to use Norton SystemWorks).