I wonder if you can advice me. I realise the importance of having antispyware tools and I also know the more you have running the slower ones online work becomes. I have spybot S&D, spywareblaster, Adaware se (free version), Spyware Doctor, AOL spyware tool, Ewido security centre, Zone alarm security centre.
All this works fine but it takes a while to log on. I was wondering if I am just duplicating filters and maybe do not need all of these tools. I am also wondering about using the new Microsoft antispyware beta. The tools I am thinking of removing would be spybot, spywareblaster, and the AOL antispyware tool. Would this be a wise move.
Thanks for your help,
Pete..

Well SpywareBlaster does not have to be always running and consumes no system resources. Its also very good at stopping bad downloads and the likes, so it would be a bad move removing that.

AOL Antispyware I don't highly rate so yes, get rid of that.

I'd recommend keeping Spybot its a good program. You don't need the TeaTimer running in the background though if you have Spyware Doctor/MS Antispyware running. It then takes up no system resources and is useful for scanning.

Zone Alarm is one piece of software I don't recommend, this is probably one of the causes of a slow system. I've dealt with countless issues involving Zone Alarms "bloated"ness (if such a word exists). If you would like to try removing it and using a free alternative, then please post back and I'll give you full instructions for safe removal.

Hi Owen,

The Zone security centre is not the free version. It has my antivirus, firewall, and also antispyware programmes. I like the control the programme gives me. I have had problems with Norton, and other firewalls in the past and I would prefer not to remove this programme. The AOL one will however go. Will keep spybot and spywareblaster as per your advice.

Thanks,
Pete..

Hi again Owen,
I looked at the MS spyware programme. It slows down my computer too much. Got rid of it. Will stick with Ewido, Spyware doctor, and spybot +spywareblaster. The ms scan found nothing anyway. so I assume these programmes were doing their job. Aol spyware programme is now gone.
Thanks for your help.
Pete..

Its does have an awful lot of features packed into it, so your likely to experience some problems. You have one problem though, you don't have any constantly running spyware protection. Do you have the Spybot TeaTimer enabled?

Hi Owen,
I think I do have realtime protection. I have the zone alarm security centre (this is not just the firewall) which has a privacy guard, also Ewido security centre, spyware doctor, spybot, spywareblaster, win patrol which all have realtime protection. Indeed Ewido has over 102,500 signitures which is more than any other tool I am aware of. I also check and update at least daily.
The Microsoft antispyware tool found nothing on my computer but with everything else it did slow it down. I therefore decided to relie on the paid versions of spyware doctor and Ewido as my main security guards. I have only deleted the Microsoft tool. Everything else is still running.
I was not happy that Microsoft antispyware tool is becoming a target for hackers (namely because it is from Microsoft) and it is still a beta version. I know it was owned by Giant before but it was not being used so widely then.
I am therefore suspicious until it proves itself more. Am I wrong here?
Thanks Pete..