Computer Tech Question: If I have Norton Anti-virus, do I also need SpySweeper?

Self | November 23, 2007 | PJ-Comix

[PJ-Comix]

Okay, a question for you techies out there. I just renewed my Norton Anti-virus system and the renewal for my SpySweeper is coming up as well. Is it necessary to have SpySweeper also? If Norton Anti-Virus is sufficient then it doesn't make sense to renew SpySweeper. Some have said they might even be interfering with each other.

So to renew or not to renew SpySweeper? That is the question.

[matthew fuller]

I wasn't really paying attention, was in a dentist waiting room, but it was November, a major mag. Just found this in PCmag about Spysweeper:

This version beefs up antivirus protection. It's more effective at removing spyware than at preventing new installations, but the bottom line is it?ll stop most spies. The competition (Spyware Doctor 5.0) is tough, but for the moment Spy Sweeper 5.5 with AV is the best all-around antispyware app.

[Petronski]

You would have been better to set aside NAV for NOD32. That said, you would want to have an anti-virus AND an anti-spyware, as they do different things, attack different enemies.

[PJ-Comix]

By the way, you can run a free virus scan from Trend

So I would be able to replace SpySweeper with Trend?

[blam]

I've got AVG and this one

[AlexW]

“So I would be able to replace SpySweeper with Trend?”

No, the Trend is just a secondary virus scan.
You still need something like SpyBot to get rid of spyware.
I often set SpyBot or Trend to run when I go to bed, as they take some time to scan everything.

In your case, you need extra strength protection from the DUmmies. I think you need some Trojan extra strength condoms for your computer, but I don’t think they make them large enough :)

[Cagey]

I’ll have to get AVG next year since I just renewed Norton

I had 172 days left on my Norton subscription when I dumped it in favor of AVG. A tech from Comcast told me about AVG and the only thing I lost when I dumped Norton was about 10,000 pounds of lead that was slowing my computer down.

[PJ-Comix]

My SpySweeper renewal is coming up in a few days. So I can use the free SpyBot instead of SpySweeper?

[MotleyGirl70]

A tech from Comcast told me about AVG and the only thing I lost when I dumped Norton was about 10,000 pounds of lead that was slowing my computer down.

I had a new hard drive put in my computer a couple years ago and the tech guys told me do not download Norton again. They suggested I use AVG which I now use and I haven't had any problems.

[JRios1968]

All that time you spend at the DUmp is liable to mess up your computer...

[goldstategop]

An anti-trojan program like AVG Spyware will detect spyware and trojans your anti-virus might miss. Threatfire is a good HIPS that keeps unwanted malware off the computer. That's all you need alongside a good firewall. Spyware Blaster will prevent malware from installing in your browsers. For the ultimate in security, Zone Alarm's new Force Field virtual browser will create a dummy double that will anything from infecting your browser - it acts like a kind of sandbox for the browser. All are Windows Vista compatible and all are free to download.

"Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached." - Manuel II Palelologus

[Quix]

Thanks.

The hard drives are new—less than 8 months old. C drives—raid backup mode.

I have another HD or two that are reasonably new.

And most of my files I store on flash drives 4 Gig (3 flash drives) and a 2 gig and a 1 gig flash drive. The only thing on the C drive is the software and the webshots photos for my screen saver and wall paper.

Conceivable but IIRC, the problem was erratically present before I replaced my HD’s . . . and since.

What dual boot software do you recommend—in temrs of the DUAL BOOT package to manage the dual boot?

[Quix]

Oh, I defrag my HD every 3-4 days to weekly.

I use SYS MECH TO RECLAIM MEMORY FROM XP’S HORRID MEMORY LEAK 1-2 TIMES EVERY 24 HOURS. Whenever my system has been on several hours—it needs memory reclaimed.

THAT CAN HELP the keying problem. Seemingly not 100% of always, though.

[Quix]

DOES XP-P 64 BIT have the memory leak problem?

[Quix]

Wellll , maybe I should use it more often.

I do have it.

Thanks

[ThePythonicCow]

replace my 5 year old ASUS dual CPU AMD motherboard.

I'll wager you'll end up replacing more than that before you're done.

The 12 volt power requirements of more recent processors have gone way up, requiring new power connectors on the motherboards and new power supplies with higher amperage on the 12 volt rail(s), going to these new motherboard connectors. To the best of my knowledge there is not a single power supply made five years ago that I would put on a new motherboard today.

The memory interfaces have changed, requiring new DIMMs.

The hard drives have mostly gone from IDE (PATA - the wide cumbersome ribbon cables) to SATA (the narrow cables.) You can still work with the older IDE drives, but your old drives will be slower and smaller. Any future disk drives you purchase should be SATA.

If you really like the old case, you can keep that. But that's the lowest cost part of an upgrade. Cooling is likely to be a problem with an older case. The number one way to keep equipment running long and stable is keeping it cool.

The main keys to performance:

• Enough main memory (RAM) so that you aren't swapping much.
• Multiple disks, so that you aren't seeking much. Putting several partitions on one humongous disk absolutely kills performance as soon as any disk intensive application runs, as the disk arm is tens of thousands times slower than main memory, and a million times slower than the processor.

[darkwing104]

DOES XP-P 64 BIT have the memory leak problem?

Mine seems to behave itself. I've been using it regularly sine June 2006 no problem.

[darkwing104]

What dual boot software do you recommend—in temrs of the DUAL BOOT package to manage the dual boot?

I use Grub which is packaged with Fedora Core 8. I use this because I am familiar with it and can write the commands for booting up OSs.

[darkwing104]

Whenever my system has been on several hours—it needs memory reclaimed.

You may have some software issues compounded by hardware degradation. If you had malware issues Panda anti-virus would of picked up on it. Memory has been known to go bad also but my hunch is the motherboard.

[Quix]

You sound pretty convincing.

I think I got the largest/ heftiest/ most durable power supply available in Taiwan 5 years ago.

The case is about 23” X 23” X 8” with lots of extra fans—though I keep one side off and a 9” personal fan blowing on the mother board.

I never partition my HD’s and have several.

If I have to get a new power supply and HD’s so be it. Though I wonder at what point it makes more sense to go to SAMS and get an HP or as someone suggested, order a Dell.

But I like being able to swap things in and out myself without as much trouble as an HP or DELL would entail.

Sounds like there’s no cheap way to upgrade to a fairly hefty machine.

I use my machine mostly for word processing; surfing/posting net—primarily FR and ATS as well as Xcel for my grade sheet for my college classes.

I store a lot of pics on it. Starting to store music and a minor amount of short videos. The videos could grow. The pics grow steadily. Will probably dedicate a couple of HD’s for pics and videos when I upgrade—primary and backup.

Am a little curious . . .

there are 8 gig flash drives . . . would XP-64 BIT reside and run from those? I’m all for minimizing movement in hardware.

darkwing—Red Hat Fedora Core 8. X64 is better than UBUNTU in that ???

Isn’t UBUNTU more user friendly now? Have been dragging my feet for diving into Linux given learning curve and Microslops supposed sabotaging of such . . . But what do I know.

Sadly about a year ago, I had the Geeks at Best Buy check everything out, wipe everything and reinstall everything. Sigh. $500 down the drain.

Sure appreciate the kind responses of both of you.

Blessings,

[Quix]

Yeah, I think it’s the mother board, too.

AS I noted—has been buggy from the beginning. Never would accept a 2nd 1 Gig of memory.

Also, has given sound card and ATI card stuff fits at times, it seems.

Was a $3,000 machine in Taipei I took delivery on 24 hours before I left. Wheeee.

They did the cables all nice and tidy! LOL.