Help with PC security

[pseudonym]

Please, won't somebody help me? I don't know much about computers. I have a PC with Windows XP and I am on dial-up (I know!), and I want to put on it AVG Free, SpyBot, COMODO and Ad-Aware. As I understand, I can have one firewall (COMODO) and one anti-virus (AVG) on my computer, but more than one anti-spy or anti-malware program (I want to use free programs, by the way).

My first question is, Are these 4 programs compatible, or will they overload my old computer? and, are all 4 together a necessary or a good idea?

My second question is, Does not COMODO have an anti-virus component, and does this mean I will have a conflict with the other anti-virus program (AVG)?

Thanks for your help.

[RecT]

Hi

On dial-up, a firewall is not as big an issue as you're not on a permanent high speed connection. I would recommend removing COMODO and just using the firewall built in with XP - just make sure you have all the latest updates installed. AVG and Ad-Aware are both fantastic programmes, and as long as you let AVG run automatically and run Ad-Aware once a month you shouldn't have any problems.

Again, SpyBot is just like Ad-Aware. You only really need one of these installed. They will only slow your computer down.

RecT

[pseudonym]

Hi RecT

Thanks for your help.

I heard that the Windows XP Firewall was rubbish (it only blocks things one-way, or something). Is it certain that I can rely on this if I have dial-up? Would it be a problem if I did install COMODO instead (e.g. slow the PC down)? It also seems to take forever to update Windows on dial-up; in fact, I have not done it yet. Would COMODO need updating (I know nothing!).


If I have a firewall, AVG Free (anti-virus) and Ad-Aware, will I need anyother security programs (other than these three)? Will these 3 cover all me security problems on my XP computer (including, firewall, anti-spy and anti-virus, etc.)?

So, to confirm, it would be useless and detrimental to have SpyBot as well as Ad-Aware - I was under the impression that they did different things? And, someone said that a computer can have many anti-spyware programs.

Thanks again.

[RecT]

It will not be detrimental to have spy-bot and ad-aware running at the same time - it was just REALLY slow down your computer. They do identical jobs.

XP firewall is good after you install service pack 2 (SP2). But if you want that extra assurance, then just use COMODO. It entirely depends on how fast your computer runs. If you notice it beign really slow, then go for Windows Firewall. Otherwise go for COMODO.

Again, on a dialup connection, your computer wont be under sustained attack if you disconnect when you're not using the internet.

[ronjoo]

its on the firewall try to fix it...

[nacai]

i can not agree more

[shipra]

XP firewallis great one.


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