The right selection/quality of programs.

[Frenchman96]

Mylanta

I think it was you who suggested that we can/do have too many progs at times and possibly this can do more harm than good.

I'm sure if I ask what are the best to have, I will get a lot of varied opinions.

You made a point, and a good one, why would anyone give progs away free/ I dont know the answer to that, will guess its to do with advertising/sponsorships etc.

At present, this is my set up.

antivirus----avg
firewall------zone alarm
e-mail filter---mailwasher

And in my "locker" downloaded but not installed since my recent troubles>>

adaware
spybot
ewido
ms removal tool
regseeker
spywareblaster

So I open this thread by requesting points of view as what is the best, and I do accept & expect that we will all agree to a point that there is no "definite" answer, just like asking who was the best boxer.

As I only want to have a smooth running machine that allows me to do what I bought it for, I will listen carefully to what you say.

[dbarrow]

While your inventory of "utilities" is growing, I note a lack of backup solutions.....

There are a ton of function specific "tool" programs out there that are handy to have in your inventory... when you need them.
These are often seldom used and easily forgotten... until that time comes when you need one for a specific diagnostic purpose.

Depending on your ISP and connection type, various networking tools can be a handy thing to have for those days when you need to know if it's them or you.
For Comcrap issues, Ping Plotter and several other network monitoring tools can be essential to quickly determine if the problem is on your end or somewhere in their network.

System information tools ... like Everest and SiSoft Sandra are always handy
Xteq System Setup is useful.
Beware of so called "tweaker" programs that can change settings without user input or approval.

It's hard to assemble a list of "must have" programs without knowing the specific need.
If you have the need, we can suggest a program to cover it.

[Frenchman96]

DB

First my need, very simple, very limited.I do the usual mundane things that a pc is used for.

word for lettrs/docs/copy-paste etc.
Excel for domestic spreadsheets for kids and I.
I take "some" digital pics, days out, hols etc.
I use Irfanview a lot for pics to resize/batch conversion.
Once I get back a burning prog(had Nero before)I do back ups for daughter.
I put all saved pics on multisession cd-r
if I want music for mp3,I copy a cd to HDD, then burn to mp3 or copy for car
I use e-mail for contact
I buy the usual online/ink/air tickets/memory cards/books

When I started with pc 8 yrs ago, I had 3 gb hdd and used 1GB
I now have 80gb and have used 4GB

So, I store what I can on cd/floppy/dont download music so I dont use up any gb.Until I was told I have too many progs, I used to clean mostly daily but certainly weekly. I used SB/Adaware/Stinger/Ewido/A2/Regseeker but have not used any since format and I still delete temp files/cookies.

Hope this helps

[dbarrow]

So.. you are setup for basic internet access and some other common tasks.
You have plenty of room on the HD for loads of other programs.

As always ... I suggest some type of backup solution (Like Acronis) to prevent disaster and enable recovery of your system and data.

The multitude of "utility" programs out there are for specific needs and functions. Many of us keep a "toolbox" of them for diagnostic purposes. They are not necessary unless you have a specific problem or are into more advanced computer skills.

"Cleaning" isn't necessary if you have plenty of HD space.
Monthly cleanup of uncessecary temp files is about all you really need and XP "Cleanup" program will accomplish that.

If you need any specific program, we will be happy to suggest something to meet your needs.

[dale@fcg]

One strategy to use if you want to keep installations and background programs to a minimum is to use online scans like ewido, bitdefender, etc, on a biweekly/monthly basis. Of course this method means removing spyware, etc, after it's in as opposed to keeping it out with an app like spyware blaster running all the time.

What good are monitoring apps if you never view them or don't know what to do about the results? If you install them, it only makes sense to take the time to learn how to use them to your advantage.

[Frenchman96]

I think I understand the principal, stop stuff coming in if you can but have something there to deal with it if/when they sneak through.

I will once again lay out my pc routine, which is to have ZoneAlarm and AVG as my firewall and antivirus and to have them in my start up menu.

I also have Mailwasher Free in my SUM so I believe that AVG scans my mail in/out, all my OE mail is filtered through MW and for anything other than friends (even kicken Hardware) I use Hotmail.

I do/have not had any problems with the above mentioned but I do know, and respect some people do not rate AVG.

I would like if possible to hear comments on my above set up before going onto removal/cleansing progs.

[dbarrow]

There is a need here to make a distinction between having programs and 'running' programs....

While you may have the hd space to store a ton of utility programs, when all of them start fighting for system resources as 'running' background processes, even a high power machine can get bogged down.

Everything these days wants to be an active part of the system and do auto updates. More and more legitimate programs, like Adobe, Sun Java and Flash, want to add a process or service running in the background. All of them suck up resources and slow down your web connections when they call home every time you boot up.

To keep your startup list lean and mean, you do need to check the list with:
MSCONFIG
Mike Lin Startup Monitor
Autoruns
Process Explorer

Mike Lin Startup Monitor and Autoruns offer a convenient way to switch these on and off by using a check box, without having to remove them entirely.

While I don't mind a monthly check for updates from Sun Java and Adobe, I don't want them sucking up bandwidth and system resources every time I boot or use the related program. Using the utilities to "uncheck" them keeps them from loading in startup and remaining resident in the 'running processes list'.

There is a certain level of importance in taming all these programs from constantly running in the background as far as overall system performance is concerned. Even legitimate software can pile up as 'running processes' over time as you add more and more programs.

Most of these do not offer any choice or option to control this and just automatically add themselves to startup upon install. The only way to shut off the auto update features is to use one of the utilities to prune your startup and services lists to manually control them.

[mylanta]

OK go here for antivirus discussion...
http://www.kickenhardware.net/forum/showthread.php?p=5686#post5686
I suggest Avg to only my enemies...for all others Kaspersky, Nod32 or Bit Defender are world class...
Spywareblaster and Spybot are all I use in that arena and I never have any spyware
I enjoy Win patrol to keep startup and browser and services "lean and mean",
jv16 Power Tools to uninstall stuff, Sensorsview1.2 to monitor temps, Crap Cleaner to remove crap, and of course Nod32 for antivirus...those are my only weapons...I use no antispamware as I have found all they do is irritate me, no popup stoppers as I never see any with Firefox and IE's in use and I use Diskeeper because I hate to defrag and that does it for me and that's all I use.

[Frenchman96]

DBarrow

So.. you are setup for basic internet access and some other common tasks.If you mean normal Broadband, and I just use it for "hobby" usage, yes.


I suggest some type of backup solution (Like Acronis) to prevent disaster and enable recovery of your system and data.Does that mean when a problem occurs like my last one, a format is not needed?

Monthly cleanup of uncessecary temp files is about all you really need and XP "Cleanup" program will accomplish that.On my last configuration, I had those"cleaning" progs in a folder on D/T apply named Clean and open it and used the progs regular. Can I s/cut XP Cleanup into my folder

To keep your startup list lean and mean, you do need to check the list with:
MSCONFIG
Mike Lin Startup Monitor
Autoruns
Process Explorer
I know and use MSCONFIG but I have the min ticked,see attachment, dont know anything about the others.

Dale
online scans like ewido, bitdefender, etc, on a biweekly/monthly basis. As I mentioned above, thats what I used to do, whether I used the right progs is why I have started this prog.


Of course this method means removing spyware, etc, after it's in as opposed to keeping it out with an app like spyware blaster running all the time.
I agree, like Mylanta said, better to keep them out. I have Spyware blaster running, we just leave it running all the time and watch for updates?


Mylanta
So you are definately saying NOD32 as the antivirus, I have Googled reviews and it is highly rated, the link you sent above includes a guy saying the interface(window?) is crap, any comment there. So if we agree on NOD32, how about my faithfull ZoneAlarm?, you also seem to like SB and Adaware which I use for scanning.
I will have a look at the others later, I have FF as my default browser, if/when my Windows update is fixed, can I get W.Updates using FF(ha Ha) just remembered, if FF is my default, could that be why I cant update????I must check.

[dbarrow]

An IMAGE restore does not require re-formatting the drive.
*See the multitude of posts in the forums about BACKUPs where we have discussed the subject at length. The importance of some type of "backup solution" can't be understated!

Cleanup:
You can create a BATCH file ie: clean.bat in Notepad:
cleanmgr.exe /sagerun:1 /sagerun:2
Set clean.bat to run in Scheduler at whatever interval you desire. I have it run daily.

Startups:
Autoruns and Process Explorer will show items that DO NOT list in Msconfig.
I like the Grisoft Autoruns as it has check boxes to turn on/off items.
Mike Lin Startup monitor is another "utility" not to be without as it is much easier to use than Msconfig.
Process Explorer is for looking deeper into running processes such as SVCHOST, of which you will find several instances in your Task Manager, that can contain many items running under this service which would otherwise not be visible to trace what they belong to (also a common place to find trojans, keyloggers and other backdoor malware).

Online scanning, after the infection, is a whole different ballgame from keeping crap from invading in the first place. You will find quite a few posts here relating to that.
I swear by AdAware SE Plus paid version, not for the AdAware scans (seldom used and find nothing to take out)
but for the AdWatch registry lock which prevents any modifications to the registry without permission. AdWatch is a fortress most difficult to penetrate.
Spyware blaster is also good to have running all the time.
IF it can't get in ... no worries about how to get it out!

Nod32, best there is!

Zone Alarm, there are those of us who swear by it and those who rant against it. I am a long term ZA user and swear by it. A two way firewall is important and while XP firewall is quite an improvement, it is still inbound only protection. A firewall is an absolute must these days!

Keep your IE but make FF default. You can always open IE to do a MANUAL Windows Update, which is what we recommend anyway (as most of like to wait a while for any fallout from fubar XP updates which have caused numerous problems).

[mylanta]

Mylanta
So you are definately saying NOD32 as the antivirus, I have Googled reviews and it is highly rated, the link you sent above includes a guy saying the interface(window?) is crap, any comment there. So if we agree on NOD32, how about my faithfull ZoneAlarm?, you also seem to like SB and Adaware which I use for scanning.
I will have a look at the others later, I have FF as my default browser, if/when my Windows update is fixed, can I get W.Updates using FF(ha Ha) just remembered, if FF is my default, could that be why I cant update????I must check



There are those who hate the interface of Nod32, so be it. It's the best and as I said no reason to even look at interface. Install it as default settings and forget what a virus is.
I would suggest either Spywareblaster which needs weekly updates to keep spyware out with Spybot to scan or Adwatch by Adaware which means buying the program to get that feature, that runs in background to keep spyware out.

[Frenchman96]

Why, when I open SpywareBlaster from D/t do I see xyz disabled and I have to enable, does it not stay protected.

See p/s showing disabled, then I enable protection?

[mylanta]

Why, when I open SpywareBlaster from D/t do I see xyz disabled and I have to enable, does it not stay protected.

See p/s showing disabled, then I enable protection?

It is a totally manual program so you update it and then hit enable it...reason:
It does not run in the background. What is does is disable the possibility of new issues from being accepted for entrance by your browsers. So it needs updating and enabling at least weekly to help you. But the nice thing about that is there is no system "drag" either. Spybot's Immunize is more of the same where you have to go to immunize and actually seleect immunize after updates to enable additional immuniztions. With Spyware blaster you can add auto update for $10, but I seem to remember it screwed with system badly and I disabled it.

[Frenchman96]

What is BEST link for NOD32 please

[Frenchman96]

Hi Guys

I now have NOD32 installed and running.

Not sure about set up yet but I have updated it and icon is in ST

[Frenchman96]

Dbarrow

Thanks for info, my plan at the moment is to do it all in stages.

I have installed NOD32 after having and being happy with AVG for years but have bowed to superior knowledge as something has certainly given me problems.

I also have my 2 favorites Spybot/Adaware suggested by my IDF50 forum and some of the members here and SpywareBlaster.

So I now have NOD32 as my AV, ZA as my firewall and the 3 above .

I just need some help with configuring NOD32 as there are so many settings.

If Mylanta or anyone familar with the prog could send me some Printscreens of settings, I would be grateful.

And BTW, I did my first scan with NOD and the results are attached

[mylanta]

Dbarrow

Thanks for info, my plan at the moment is to do it all in stages.

I have installed NOD32 after having and being happy with AVG for years but have bowed to superior knowledge as something has certainly given me problems.

I also have my 2 favorites Spybot/Adaware suggested by my IDF50 forum and some of the members here and SpywareBlaster.

So I now have NOD32 as my AV, ZA as my firewall and the 3 above .

I just need some help with configuring NOD32 as there are so many settings.

If Mylanta or anyone familar with the prog could send me some Printscreens of settings, I would be grateful.

And BTW, I did my first scan with NOD and the results are attached

Gudda,
Have you ever heard of the "KISS" principle over there? Well I have been using Nod32 for 5 + years , never seen a virus, and have no clue what you are asking me, as here is how I configure Nod32 to work best.
1) Pick version for XP
2) Download and install it which requires entering password and username
3) Double click icon in tray and click update...then click update now to make sure it has updated
4) Go surf and worry about important things
Keep It Simple Stupid or KISS

[Frenchman96]

Mylanta

Well thats what I have done, the reason I ask is because most progs that are installed, need some tweaking one way or another.

[mylanta]

Mylanta

Well thats what I have done, the reason I ask is because most progs that are installed, need some tweaking one way or another.

This one does not. It performs right out of the box. I mean you can set the heuristics higher, the scans deeper but all that does it take more time, and produces no real effect. The one thing worth doing is going into Nod32 System Tools, setup and setup and checking to not flash the nod32 screen at startup...that's the one tweak I suggest, for the rest, enjoy.

[Frenchman96]

Mylanta

I hear what you say and am pleased I can just leave it working away and look forward to some trouble free pc time, see I did take notice in the end after doing some"behind the curtains" check up :)

Before closing and putting"Bessie" to bed for the weekend (my pc) I must tell you that I have solved (I hope) my problem about not being able to do download of windows updates.

I cannot take credit mind you, I have advised to download Autopatcher which I did and it seems to have worked but I notice that the failed ones are still there in Windows Update History.

Thank ALL OF YOU again for your help in tweaking.

BTW, I went into setup in NOD32 and that box is unticked so wont appear.