What a Real Web Guy Uses for Spyware Protection and Virus Control

Spyware and virus control are probably the two biggest topics for questions that I get as an internet developer.  There are spyware, malware and computer virus classifications, but none of them are good!  People always want to know what I use myself…In this article, I’ll share some of the spyware and virus protection that I use…I’ve been round and about with many that don’t work or slow your system to a complete halt…there really is no need for this…and all of the programs can be had for free, which is great…

The basic programs that I like and use are Zone Alarm, Microsoft Defender, AVG, Symantec Norton Antivirus, Spybot Seek and Destroy and AdAware by Lavasoft.  I also utilize Panda Softwares free scan.  All of these are free (Except Norton) and I’ll go into detail below about some of the benefits.

Zone Alarm - This is a must for anyone with an always on internet connection.  The main benefit of this program is that it seals the open ports on your computer connection and takes away the display of your user information such as your name that is affixed to your computer.  This alone is huge.  The program also allows for control of programs that access the internet.  You can see the programs that you use that either send or receive information to the internet and control this process so that they either have automatic access or the program can prompt you each time for approval or rejection.  It will also prompt you for any new program that is trying to access the net.  You don’t realize how many programs are asking for net access, and they gain it automatically without some sort of intermediary software such as this.  See the Link for the Zone Alarm Free Download.  Seal Those Open Ports and Operate in Stealth Mode!

Microsoft Windows Defender is available for free and autoupdates directly from Microsoft and runs automated spyware and virus scans.  It also protects from pop-ups.  I have had no problems with this running along side of the other programs I use.  This is a program that is offered for free directly by Microsoft.  I’ve been using it since it began in its beta version…and a couple name changes later, its still going strong (and still free!).  Microsoft Windows Defender is Free!

AVG Anti Virus - What AVG does is similar to Norton.  I have had AVG discover potential threats on webpages that Norton has not, and vice versa, so I suggest both of these.  AVG Has a Free Version and Some Pay Upgrades.

Norton Antivirus from Symantec - Most people use either Norton or McAfee for their main virus protection.  I have tried both, but find McAfee tends to slow my system down too much, so I side with Norton Antivirus.  You need to have one of the big programs, and this is the one that I suggest as it does not have the effect on computer speed that I have found with McAfee.   This is the only program that does not have a fully free version on this list.  Symantec’s Norton Antivirus is Good, What Can I Say, You Gotta Pay for this One 

  Spybot Seek and Destroy is a must.  They keep an updated library of defenitions from known malicious sites which you can just update into the software each time before you scan.  It works really well.  I have found this particularly helpful after using MySpace as there are a handful of ad networks that place tracking items on your machine…and Spybot takes them out…the performance speed of internet explorer is effected by these, and I always notice an increase in speed after running the scan.  It also takes out many other problems that you have been hosting that you didn’t know you had.  Spybot free Software is a Must Have.

AdAware Free Edition by Lavasoft - This is the classic that many people use and theres a reason…it works…they also keep a great update library and this will find and remove many items.  It will also delete your MRU or most recently used logs which show which programs and items that you have used recently.  Since this is a footprint of what you do on the net, removing this greatly enhances your security.  Also check download .com as they provide a free download for the free AdAware.  Get AdAware, its free and powerful.

Panda Software Free Scan - I’ve found this to be about the most thorough of the free spyware scans.  It finds alot of things that the others don’t.  The downside is that without the pay package, you can just see what spyware you have and have to figure out how to remove it…I usually take the information and then search on the net for the removal process…but the alternative would be to buy the software from them…which I have not done, but assume works well as their scanning does.  Panda Free Spyware Scan is Done Through the Web Rather Than a Software Download.  They also have spyware software as an upgrade.

There is no one software that will remove all spyware or viruses.  This is the most important concept to understand.  Using a variety of programs can utilize each programs individual strenghts.

Spyware reinstalls itself - This is a common occourance and one that I have experienced myself.  You remove the spyware and when you reboot the computer, its right back there again.  I suggest running your scan with AdAware or Spybot, whichever says it is taking the spyware out…then after the scan, go to my computer and right click…scroll down to properties and turn off your system restore (go to system restore tab and disable and turn off and apply or hit ok) and reboot the computer.  Immediately turn the sytem restore back on upon rebooting, otherwise you will forget.  Run the scan again and see if it has been removed.  This little trick works on alot of the malware programs that reinstall themselves.

Pop Up Blockers - Its no secret that popups can install the bad stuff.  I use both the Google toolbar and Yahoo toolbar together with popup blockers enabled and very rarely, if ever, get pop ups.  It also tells you if there is one and you can allow it.  I suggest both of these…They also have some great features aside from the popup block.  Some antivirus software will include pop up blockers.