And Clint is right and Hugh is right. So a third person asks, "How can they
both be right?" ... and that third person is also right. And now, thanks to
Hugh, I have an additional malware cleaner installed: "Windows Defender"
http://www.microsoft.com/athome/security/spyware/software/default.mspx ---
Harold
From: Clint>
You'll just have to look in the options of each of them and see if any of
them have any features to remove or set to default things such as
toolbars. I covered the icon issue in my post, but I don't see it
below. - -Clint
I know, Clint, and thanks. We'll continue with the icon problem in its own
subject later (don't want to confuse the archives).
From: Hugh Vandervoort
I've occasionally wondered if you don't overdo the "squeaky clean" aspect.
On the other hand, you're trying out all these programs for the rest of
us, and it's much appreciated. Still, I suspect you spend more time on
cleaning than computing:maybe we should get back to CSS lessons, or a
Photoshop tutorial.
And as usual, you are 100% on target. I should become more proficient in CSS
coding, in Photoshop, in 1st Page (remember?), in all the many aspects of
computer life. As the nun says in the story, Lilies of the Field, "so much
to do, so much to do." And wisdom dictates that one's time has to be
allocated very carefully, especially with the magnetic attraction that the
computer has for many of us. It won't be long when we'll hear of a 12 step
program called "Computer Anonymous" along with all the other anonymouses.
I'm sure the Launch Bar will survive; fortunately it only happens when I do
a complete reboot (which is seldom; only when the computer slows down). One
question was not answered. With all the cleanup programs available, how does
one know which are doing what they should be doing and which are just going
along for the ride (bars moving, files scrambling by, and nothing being
accomplished). In other words, how do we test which ones are important?
And a second question ... when it comes to the malware cleaners, I keep both
the AVG Control Center and ZoneAlarm open in the System Tray. Thinking that
a computer works best when not overloading the SysTray, all others I apply
only when I think its time for them. Is that the appropriate way of handling
these cleaners? How do we know which "cleaners" should be kept open all the
time? --- Harold
From: Clint
> Not visiting "as many murky places" helps. However, yes, you do need
> more than one anti-malware program....as many as possible. I've been
> saying this a long time. Not a single one of them will catch
> everything. I see it all the time. What SpyBot will miss, AdAware may
> find, and vice-versa, and the same with all the rest of them;
> SpySweeper, SpywareTerminator, etc., etc. Just one of them will catch
> something all the others will miss. - -Clint
I second that ... DOWN with murky places !!! (three exclamation marks) ---
Harold
From: Hugh Vandervoort
You've got a point, Clint, but I live in a world where people don't have
the time or the savvy to use all these programs. The problems I see most
often are caused by kids indiscriminately downloading, and adults visiting
porn or gaming sites. In these cases I have found Spybot's immunization
feature to be a big help, along with a little education about the danger
of these habits. In most cases, Windows Defender is all that's necessary.
The big advantage is that it runs and updates automatically, and it's
free. I should add that my experiment with Windows One Care is over. I
initially favored this suite for its all-in-one features (Firewall, >
Spyware, AV, Backup and Tune-up) at a fair price ($50.00/yr) but there
have been too many problems, and I'm dumping it and recommending the same
to all my friends. The biggest problems are failure of the auto-backup
program, and updates that break the whole suite.
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