Windows Defender

[Abber]

Hi,

I'm running Windows Vista with Windows Defender as well. A friend of mine who's been using Avast for many years said to me that I don't need to run Windows Defender anymore since I'm now using Avast Home 4 having switched from AVG. Is this true?

Thanks In Advance
Abb N 

[sunrisecc]

I run both in Vista. Windows defender has nothing to do with Avast and does not compete or interfere.

[DavidR]

There is nothing to stop your continued use of windows defender, though I don't believe it is as good as some other anti-spyware applications, though it does have resident protection.

1. SUPERantispyware On-Demand only in free version.
2. MalwareBytes Anti-Malware, On-Demand only in free version http://download.bleepingcomputer.com/malwarebytes/mbam-setup.exe, right click on the link and select Save As or Save File (As depending on your browser), save it to a location where you can find it easily later.

[YoKenny]

Windows Defender has real-time monitoring of the HOSTS file that malware is now going after to block anti virus or anti malware sites. 

I use hpHosts and MVPS HOSTS files:
http://www.mvps.org/winhelp2002/hosts.htm <== has a good description of the HOSTS file and its use

I manage them with HostsMan and I use its HostsServer proxy to speed up browsing:
http://www.abelhadigital.com

[YLAP]

You can use both for sure, also I use Spybot S&D TeaTimer plugin for additional realtime protection (like startup items).