Helping people with computers... one answer at a time.
While there are no "best" pop-up blockers or other anti-virus/spyware software, having something reputable in place is better than nothing at all.
What's the best Pop-Up Blocker? Anti-Virus Software? Anti-Spyware Software?
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As Ask Leo! has grown, and I've seen the types of problems that people are facing every day, one thing has become very clear: viruses, spyware, popups and other kinds of internet vermin (for lack of a more polite term) are serious problems. And they're problems that aren't going away any time soon.
Many of my recommendations boil down to this: run a current spyware checker or run updated anti-virus software. Regularly. And make sure they're up to date. Regularly.
But what's the best package to run?
You won't like my answer.
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One of the other things that had become excruciatingly clear, especially in the Anti-Virus arena and in the Anti-Spyware arena is that there is no clear winner. There is not one software package I can point you at - or for that matter use myself - that will catch everything.
I see this situation all the time: a person who's running a name-brand respected anti-whatever package is infected. Simply running another, different name-brand anti-whatever package catches the infection and corrects it. Or not, and a third one does. Or the infection is reported, but not fixed - but is fixed by another tool or package.
It's unfortunate, and confusing for the average user. And most certainly frustrating.
So what's a poor user to do? What package should you use?
I'm now of the opinion that, within reason, it doesn't matter. All of the major brands are about the same; they all probably catch 99% of what you'll ever care about. Popups. Spyware. Viruses. Use the one that came with your machine, or the one that you can afford, or the one that was rated highly by a magazine, or the one that your techie friend uses and can help you with.
But when it comes to spyware and viruses, use something. Just about anything is better than nothing at all.
And for the 1% that you choice doesn't catch - have a plan. Have a second or even a third product that you know you'll run to if you suspect a problem wasn't caught.
And for the 0.1% that the double scan doesn't catch? Have a plan. Have a resource to turn to - an online forum or a Q&A site like Ask Leo! or a tech friend you can turn to. You may never need them, but if you do you'll be glad you were prepared.
Article C2099 - July 5, 2004 « »
Leo A. Notenboom has been playing with computers since he
was required to take a programming class in 1976. An 18 year career as a programmer at Microsoft soon followed.
After "retiring" in 2001, Leo started Ask Leo! in 2003 as a place for answers
to common computer and technical questions. More about Leo.
February 24, 2010 10:03 AM
I used Norton 360 and got numerous viruses but i've never got a virus with this FREE combination of software that i use.
#Zone Alarm Firewall
#Avast Anti-virus
#Spybot Search & Destroy
#Spyware Blaster
#Windows Defender
#Super Anti Spyware (only for scanning purposes)
#A-Squared (again only for Scanning purposes)
#Firefox Browser
May 26, 2010 10:22 PM
Best popup ad blocker is Admuncher www.admuncher.com/ not elese even clomes close it blocks about 98% of popups ads most other popup blockers only block 15% to 20%
June 6, 2010 1:50 PM
Ok so their is no 100% security in these programs. So i suggest that you do what I have done. I have joined Bleeping Computer .com forums.
To be prepared I have Familiarized myself with navigating and setting up my profile going over their tutorials ect., so that in case an infection does get through I won't be in a panic because the nice people who are volunteers at bleeping computer will be glad to help me in assisting me with the finding and removing of the problem.
The forum also helps you deal with which start up programs and processes are wasting your ram.
It does take a little bit of study time and you will only get out of it what time your willing to give it. Don't wait until you have a problem because it does take some time to familiarize yourself to be able to get the most out of this website.
I am not affiliated with them I am a newbie 5 months experience. Bleeping computer.com gives me a piece of mind plus I hate unneccessay running start ups and processes and they have tought me how to know what is and what isn't important.
June 13, 2010 5:30 PM
i use a company called invisus for my security
they use vipre for spyware and viruses and comodo for the firewall. plus malware bytes for a backup.
their customer service is the best i have dealt with.
I never had a virus make it thru to my computer yet.
If i do, i just make a call and they dig it out and repair what ever it damaged.
the price is around 100 a yr, my motto is you get what you pay for.
one more note i do like the freeware programs as well but for a backup they dont have the resources or time to take calls and spend hours linking up with your computer to test and fix any problems you have with software or bugs etc..
final note i must thank hank and alfred from the pcradioshow for telling me about this site.
June 29, 2011 11:22 AM
Could someone tell me about the free Microsoft Security Essentials? I have it, and when it scans, qiuck or full, I never get any responce, or see any results. I have Windows 7, (required for free scan). How do You turn off MSE, to run a spyware scan? Or do I have to uninstall it?
29-Jun-2011