Reply #14: About my setup ...... [View All]

[BattyDem]

The four programs I currently use are the ones I like best ... and I've tried a lot of different programs and combination of programs, including many that aren't on the list in my previous post.

Both Ad-Aware and SpyBot S&D will find/eliminate spyware and adware. Both include "undo" features, so if you remove something and a program doesn't work, you can put the files back if you want. Sometimes one program won't catch something, but the other will, so that's why I use both - it's sort of a safety net. :) Also, SpyBot finds files that aren't connected to any programs (files leftover after something is deleted), it'll clear document history files (lists of recent documents you've opened), and other bits of tracking information that's stuck in your computer.

PestPatrol also finds spyware and adware, as well as keylogging programs, system memory and cookies. What's good about PestPatrol is that it constantly runs in the background, so it actually prevents a lot of spyware/adware from being installed in the first place - it's great for those times when you visit a website that tries to install something without your knowledge.

ZoneAlarm Pro - is a great firewall! It's very easy to configure and use, but it also has a lot of customizable features for advanced users. It prevents programs from "phoning home" and/or connecting to the internet for any reason without your consent. It automatically quarantines email attachments so they can't do any harm. You can scan them for viruses before you open them. It prevents popups and cookies; it alerts you to all inbound and outbound internet traffic, and you can trace the source of that traffic. Every program on your computer can be individually configured, so for example, if you want Netscape to be able to send email, but you don't want Outlook to be able to send email, you can do that. If you have a home network, you can have different security settings for the home network than you do for the internet. It can also clean internet cache files, the recycle bin, temp files, etc. Lots of great features!

I use McAfee VirusScan as my virus protection. It is updated at least once a week.

This setup has kept me "clean" for two years. It's great! :D