Question...

So, I'm thinking about what securities I should place on my new laptop, and I have two specific questions:

1) Would Windows firewall, Avira Antivir, and SuperAntiSpyware be a good combination? Would they not interfere with each other?

AND

2) If they are a good combo, which of them would be providing me with internet/phishing security?

Thank you.

 

1. That's the combination I use, along with Firefox 3. Absolutely no conflicts.

2. Your internet browser should provide you with phishing security. Even IE7 has that feature.

 

That would be a real decent combo.
You could add ThreatFire, for real-time anti-malware protection, as an extra layer.
It's a very decent program and uses only 8 MB.
Also, take a look at SpywareBlaster. Both are free programs.

Like Arki already mentioned, your browser is your "first line of defense" against fishing. (And more importantly, browsing habits of course, check url's of important sites like your banks url carefully).
Give Firefox a try, it's an excellent browser with very nice add-ons like 'AdBlockplus' and 'NoScript'.

Congrats on your new laptop. Happy day!
Cheers.

 

Thanks for the advice Arkit3kt and Baserk. =)

I went ahead and installed both Avira and SUPER. I have two questions/concerns though.

1. Would it be all right for me to turn off/disable Windows Defender? It seems that it has no useful job now. Or would it be better to leave it enabled?

2. When installing SUPER, I downloaded/saved it to a folder on my desktop named "Super." After the program was successfully installed, I am trying to delete the folder, but Windows tells me:

"The action cannot be carried out because the folder is open in another program."


Any ideas on how I can get rid of this message and the folder? Thank you.

 

1. Having WD enabled doesn't conflict or hurt anything. It's a fairly decent layer of anti-malware real-time protection.

2. You can try logging off and back on and then deleting it. If that doesn't work, you may have to delete it in safe mode.

 

I think you should use an actual firewall like Comodo or Online Armor. In my opinion, Windows Firewall does not qualify as a firewall. I wrote up something a little while ago on the subject if you want a more detailed explanation.

Ugh...that sounds too much like a plug.

 

Yup, logging off worked, thanks.

jin07: I'll definetaly take a look at your article later.

EDIT: Actually, would you mind linking me to it? =P

 

http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=243906

 

It depends on which Windows firewall you are talking about.

The one included with Vista Business is the Windows Firewall with Advanced Security which is infinitely configurable for all outbound and inbound connections.

The best firewall configuration is a software firewall plus a hardware firewall in the router.

 

NOD32 + SuperAntiSpyware Free + Windows Firewall.;

Never had a problem.

And if it was for a free antivirus, Avira would definately be replacing my NOD32 FTW

 

symantec antivirus + spybot + comodo for me.

 

I used all of them(Avira Free and SAS Free - On demand scanner) + ThreadFire - real time protection. Never have a problem

 

I noticed that Avira's website offer many free "tools" that accompany Avira Antivir. Are any of them worth downloading?

 

The Avira AntiVir Rescue System is pretty thorough.
The virus definitions file is updated daily, so it's pretty up-to-date.
It only comes in handy if you want to thoroughly scan your HD if you suspect it being infected.