Need Antivirus/Antitrojan/Antispyware Recommendations
I just had a horrible experience with trojans/viruses, most likely because one slipped past my fully updated Avast 4.7 Home Edition (free version) scanner (I manually scanned the file that was the most likely source of contamination with it). Then, I completely broke my Windows XP installation by installing too many different incompatible anti- virus/spyware/trojan programs at once. This was on my old computer. I was in the middle of backing up my files in preparation for migration to my new computer when this happened. I am not even sure the files I've already backed up are secure anymore. I still have a bunch of files on my old computer I need to transfer to my new computer, but I won't transfer them without being absolutely certain they are clean.
So, I need recommendations for good antivirus/antitrojan/antispyware programs that won't screw up my computer and which are mutually compatible. I know that I'm not supposed to install more than one antivirus on my computer at a time, but I have no choice. Any single AV program will have too many holes, like Avast did. Also, while cleaning my system of viruses/trojans, it seemed like every other program found something all the others didn't (a bit of an exaggeration but not by much). So, I need an arsenal of many different programs by necessity.
The one thing that could make this possible - I will be disabling all the TSR components of all the antivirus/antitrojan/antispyware programs. This is something I usually do anyway - it's just that when I was installing my cornucopia of antivirii when cleaning my old computer, I didn't disable them right away because I was uninstalling them soon anyway. I will be relying on my firewall for resident protection.
There is no way I'm using Norton or McAfee. They are worse than viruses. I'm wary of BitDefender too because that's what broke my computer. Kaspersky is also a bit dodgy. I had problems removing it, and it's only a 30 day trial anyway. I suspect SpySweeper is what installed some of the Trojans on my computer in the first place, so that's out. Panda conflicts with AVG so that's out of the question. I'm a bit wary of Stopzilla because I just don't like it very much. I like Moosoft Cleaner but I want to save the free trial for an emergency - when I really need it, so that's out. NOD32 was worthless and detected nothing while other programs found stuff, not using that.
This is everything I am considering trying: Avast, AVG, Spyware Doctor, Stopzilla (wary), Sunbelt Counterspy, Avira AntiVir, and eTrust EZArmor Security Suite (I get this free from my ISP).
Oh yes, and my budget for this: $0.00 I spent all my money on my new comp. So, I could use any recommendations for AV/Antispyware/Antitrojan that I can get.
So, I need recommendations for good antivirus/antitrojan/antispyware programs that won't screw up my computer and which are mutually compatible. I know that I'm not supposed to install more than one antivirus on my computer at a time, but I have no choice. Any single AV program will have too many holes, like Avast did. Also, while cleaning my system of viruses/trojans, it seemed like every other program found something all the others didn't (a bit of an exaggeration but not by much). So, I need an arsenal of many different programs by necessity.
The one thing that could make this possible - I will be disabling all the TSR components of all the antivirus/antitrojan/antispyware programs. This is something I usually do anyway - it's just that when I was installing my cornucopia of antivirii when cleaning my old computer, I didn't disable them right away because I was uninstalling them soon anyway. I will be relying on my firewall for resident protection.
There is no way I'm using Norton or McAfee. They are worse than viruses. I'm wary of BitDefender too because that's what broke my computer. Kaspersky is also a bit dodgy. I had problems removing it, and it's only a 30 day trial anyway. I suspect SpySweeper is what installed some of the Trojans on my computer in the first place, so that's out. Panda conflicts with AVG so that's out of the question. I'm a bit wary of Stopzilla because I just don't like it very much. I like Moosoft Cleaner but I want to save the free trial for an emergency - when I really need it, so that's out. NOD32 was worthless and detected nothing while other programs found stuff, not using that.
This is everything I am considering trying: Avast, AVG, Spyware Doctor, Stopzilla (wary), Sunbelt Counterspy, Avira AntiVir, and eTrust EZArmor Security Suite (I get this free from my ISP).
Oh yes, and my budget for this: $0.00 I spent all my money on my new comp. So, I could use any recommendations for AV/Antispyware/Antitrojan that I can get.
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