- what malware scanners, and real-time malware programs, can i use that will not conflict with avast!
AVG AntispywareSUPERantispywareSpyware Terminatora-squaredSpywareBlasterWindows Advanced Care- if a needed scanner, or other antimalware, conflicts with avast, will disabling avast stop the conflict?
avast will conflict with other antivirus only.
if not, then how can i run these scanners, or oa av's (temporarily), without enduring the uninstall-reinstall of avast?[/li][/list]
Yes you can run all of them...
- how do i disable - not uninstall - avast! so as to allow the installation of software?
No need for that... Do you still want to disable avast? Why?
if i inadvertently install a piece of malware, what methods can be used to remove it, in order of preference? (i did this recently by installing RealPlayer. the sob reconfigured my firewall and opened ports. i uninstalled it the next day but it left Rhapsody Player, which i want removed. using vista's uninstall facility to remove Rhapsody requires apparently that Rhapsody have access to my computer - i don't understand why, and i don't trust it on these grounds alone!)
General cleaning procedures:
1) Disable System Restore on
Windows ME or
Windows XP. System Restore cannot be disabled on Windows 9x and it's not available in Windows 2k. After boot you can enable System Restore again after step 3).
2) Clean your temporary files. You can use
CleanUp or the
Windows Advanced Care features for that.
3) Schedule a boot time scanning with avast. Start avast! > Right click the skin > Schedule a boot-time scanning. Select for scanning archives. Boot. Other option is scanning in
SafeMode (repeatedly press F8 while booting).
4) It will be good if you download, install, update and run the above mentioned antimalware tools.
5) Use the immunization of
SpywareBlaster or, which is better, the
Windows Advanced Care features of spyware/adware cleaning and removal.
what firewall do you recommend?
Comodo firewall.
Personal Firewall Tests & Results. Firewall rating:
http://www.matousec.com/projects/windows-personal-firewall-analysis/leak-tests-results.php#firewalls-ratingsFreeware firewalls:
http://www.firewallleaktester.com/tests_overview.phphttp://www.thefreecountry.com/security/firewalls.shtmlReviews:
XP:
http://forum.avast.com/index.php?topic=27646.0Vista:
http://forum.avast.com/index.php?topic=27647.0
