Windows Vista virus protection and other needed software

I am helping a friend out with her Windows Vista computer, and need to know what the best software is to put on it so it stays working well.

Linux.

that's not an option.

Vista suffers from the usual Microsoft decay problem - the longer you run a machine without reinstalling the OS, the slower, weirder, and dumber it gets.

Did I mention the registry? (to this day none of the core problems with it have been fixed. Some worked around, but not fixed.)

Yeah, I've heard of that.

:thumbsup:


Almost a third (the open box model at 48% off) but I see no practical purpose for it and don't want to get overextended in amortization payments (credit).


Not much I can say about Vista - it's so bloaty in the first place, adding to it won't help. Kaspersky Internet Security is the lightest antivirus suite out there (and is also top rated for what it actually DOES)...

she is fond of her new computer and is unwilling to shell out even more money for another one...

I need you here.

Is Spybot S&D not working anymore?

Ad-Aware Anniversary Edition generally seems to work, except for its refusal to update. People speak well of Malwarebytes Anti-Malware. I have it, but it never seems to catch anything. That may be because I'm using Firefox and Spyware Blaster; maybe all the stuff MBAM would catch is already blocked by them, I dunno.

Let's see. Murder User Account Control, murder Windows Firewall, murder Windows Defender (Spyware Blaster is better). For firewall, I'm using free Zone Alarm, which I'm not incredibly satisfied with; people say Comodo's better, but I've never gotten around to making the switch. I'm using free avast! antivirus. As far as I know I'm satisfied; in other words, I'm pretty sure there aren't any viruses on the computer, but then, how would I know? Before that I used NOD32 for a year; worked fine, but didn't catch anything either. Money being a problem now, I just went for the free option.

I'm no expert, and the furthest thing from a Windows lover. But I'm deeply paranoid so I read a lot of reviews and pestered a lot of help desks.

PS: Process Explorer http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/sysinternals/bb896653.aspx can be very helpful, especially during bootup when your desktop is right in front of you but you still can't do anything for five or ten minutes. Shows you what's using up all that CPUage.

I appreciate it.

Haven't had any false positives. I'd rather get false positives than have it missing any nasties. I use Spybot S&D, Malwarebytes, AVG and Advanced Windows/System Care. I also turn off any nonessential Microshaft features like IM, Remote Access, etc. Running XP X64 with no problems.

Avast AV + ZoneAlarm firewall, or Comodo firewall without Defense+. You can add Ad-aware, Malwarebytes, and/or A-squared free for backup.

It can go along side an AV, and is a behavior analyzer. Does not pop-up prompts like a Host Intrusion Protection System does. The cleanup version is pay only.

http://www.prevx.com/freescan.asp

McAfee and I've never had any virus or trojan problems with any of my computers.

I also use Spybot Search & Destroy for adware. I clean my computer periodically with Windows Washer. You can clean out the free space that may have file fragments and it just keeps my computer running smoother.

Roadrunner (Time Warner Cable), and Optimum Online (Cablevision) provides its customers with the CA Security Suite for free - seems decent enough for me as I use it. Comcast and Cox provide McAfee - not bad and also for free.

Verizon don't provide this, nor do AT&T for free.

AVG and Avast are free. You can down load them at MajorGeeks.com

Sluggish responce and lock-ups.

"Registry Mechanic" helped.
http://www.pctools.com/registry-mechanic/?ref=afl_nenextech

Don't bother w/ the freeware, it only tells you there are problems but won't fix them.

A 'bait and switch' IMO, but the purchased software ($30) works very well.

EDIT: my next machine will certainly be a Mac.

arg!