do i need anything else other than spy sweeper?

Question

i have spy sweeper 2003 and im wondering if i need anything else?
does syp sweeper 2003 protect against viruses?
what else should i get that is free?

Answer 1

It depends on how whether you've been using it since 2003. If you have, your subscription would have expired some time ago. That version of Spy Sweeper does not have an antivirus component, although newer ones do. If it has expired, you should consider these choices from available freeware:

firewall: (listed in order of preference)
Comodo (http://www.comodo.com ), or
PC Tools (http://www.pctools.com/firewall )
Comodo recently released version 3.0 of its firewall, which adds an intrusion prevention component that's very effective, though it does take time for it to learn your system, and requires some ongoing attention by the user to make sure programs don't get improperly blocked. Comodo is one of the strongest firewalls available, freeware or commercial, according to the independent testing site matousec.com.

antivirus: (listed in order of preference)
Avira (http://www.free-av.com )
AVAST! Home (http://www.avast.com )
AVG (http://free.grisoft.com )
all provide realtime protection and automatic updates; all have ICSA and VB100 certification, but Avira has been among the highest rated in tests by several respected US and UK computer publications.

antispyware: (listed in order of preference)
Spyware Terminator (http://www.SpywareTerminator.com ) or
Spyware Doctor (http://pack.google.com )
either one will give you good, realtime protection, along with
Ad-Aware Free (http://www.lavasoftusa.com ) and
Spybot S&D (http://www.safer-networking.org ) for additional removal ability.

Answer 2

Spy sweeper is only good for spyware, not viruses or other malware that anti-viruses fight against.

If you can't afford a good full security suite, then download one of the free anti-virus programs such as AVG, and use the Windows Firewall at the least. I actually reccomend a third party firewall, instead of the Windows Firewall. The Windows firewall in XP only goes one way, and while the Vista version is suppose to be a two way firewall I have heard it doesn't work as well as Microsoft said it would.

I think the free firewalls in Windows don't work well because Microsoft is also selling an Internet Security Suite with all the features, and is promoting its sale. So, as they have one which costs money, they put their efforts into that one more than their free items.

The same goes for third party security vendors. Some have free versions and versions which cost money. The ones which cost money are always going to be better than free ones.

However, if you are not always downloading files, or opening a lot of attachments, sending files through IM programs such as Yahoo! Messneger, or Windows Live Messenger, or going to riskly sites, you should be fine with the free programs.

Here is a link for the free AVG:

http://www.grisoft.com/doc/free/_/_/_

As you can see in the diagram, the free version does not have the same amount of features as does a paid version. It has the basics however, and will be a good start.

You also need to be aware that this type of software is difficult at best to remove from systems. This is due to how it must deeply embed into the OS to do its job of securing the PC. Because of this often special removal tools must be used to fully and completely remove these products, so be sure you know which one you want before installing it.

Spyware programs do not require special programs to remove them, only firewalls and anti-virus programs.

The risk of not fully removing this type of software if three fold. First and least amount of trouble is system instability due to the incompatibility of multiple programs running at the same time on one machine. The second is lack of proper security as two competing products will stop each other from carrying out their functions, and finally, the worst, are system crashes which can be difficult to recover from and may require you to reinstall your OS.

One of my pet peeves is how the security Vendor's do not tell consumers of these risks, yet two well known Vendor's place their products on prebuilt machines as "trials". The first thing I do when I buy a prebuilt machine is go to the McAfee or Noton website, and download the removal tool. II then use Add/Remove (XP) or the equilivent in Vista, to remove the program, then run the removal tool to clean up what was left behind.

So, to sum it up, you need a good two way firewall, an anti-virus application, and at least one spyware program, which you already have.

Good luck and much success with your computer. Have a nice afternoon.

Answer 3

I have spysweeper 2007,it does not protect against viruses unless you download the add on. Go to Download.com and download windows defender or the 2003 version of Trend Micro,I bought both 2007 Trend Micro and Spy Sweeper.

Answer 4

Virus protection spyware adaware only works if it is up to date although you will find plenty of people say you need this and that and blah blah blah if you get to many of the same type of thing they will clash with each other slow your pc down and you will hate using it i use antivir as virus protection its free for personal use and adaware for spyware components i have ran these for many years and never had a problem remember though it only works if its up to date a good rule of thumb is to update each before you start surfing the web.

Answer 5

Of course. people are saying that kaspersky is the best. You can get free antiviruses from download.com, but think buiyng a good antivirus is better that using the free ones.

Answer 6

http://help.com/post/118423-ive-spy-sweeper-n-cle

Answer 7

no one knows.... or do they?