New to Avast and computer security in general (please review my security plan)

[mpepper]

Greetings.  I recently had to reformat my computer following some kind of infection.  Fortunately, I was able to recover my data, but I want to prevent this from happening again.  I have been reading this forum for the past few days, trying to learn as much as possible.

I run XP.  Just installed Avast Home ed. 

Here is the rest of my security plan. 

Firefox Browser
Avast Home
Comodo FW
Malwarebyte
SuperAntiSpyware
Spyware Blaster
NoScript
ABP
Firekeeper
Dr. Web add-on
Finjin add-on
WOT
CCleaner
Secunia


Is this sufficient?  Anything need to be added or removed?  Computer is only used for internet and photos.  Basic stuff.

Thanks.  I have learned a lot already.

MP

[Lisandro]

I think the package is enough

[mpepper]

Thanks Tech. 

I was more worried about it being overkill. 

[Omid Farhang]

it's a perfect set

my favorite set is my signature, but, your is excellent too

[onlysomeone]

ABP

May i ask what this is? it somehow doesn't cross my mind... 

[mpepper]

ABP is Ad Block. 

I read about it on this forum.

[Omid Farhang]

ABP

May i ask what this is? it somehow doesn't cross my mind... 

it's Ad-Blocker PLUS

you may complete it with "Element Blocker" too, it's additional part of Ad-Blocker PLUS

[mpepper]

Thanks.  I want to be fully protected, but I don't want to bog my system down.

[Omid Farhang]

Thanks.  I want to be fully protected, but I don't want to bog my system down.

the computer security is my favorite too, it's many years that I play with different software, I spend my time on that.
Element Blocker would not help you to improve your security, it just help you to block more ads

feel free to contact to me, also here is one of the my blogs: http://getrideofit.spaces.live.com/

[mpepper]

Thanks Omar.  Since I switched to FireFox two years ago, I rarely get ads.

But my desktop crashed last weekend.  Malware, perhaps.  All I had at the time was Ad Aware and Spy Bot. 

I am taking security more seriously this time, starting with Avast.

[polonus]

Hi Omid Farhang and mpepper,

ABP is a great extension and you can subscribe to Filter Subscription Malware domains etc.
Webbugs can be blocked with NoScript. I think the combination of Fx + NoScript + ABP are essential for in-browser security and a bit of privacy. I also like Firekeeper-0.3.1. add-on to block suspicious sites,

polonus

[mpepper]

Thanks Polonus.  I have learned a great deal from reading your posts in the archives.

Is Fx a seperate add-on, or is it an abbreviation for FireFox?

[DavidR]

ABP

May i ask what this is? it somehow doesn't cross my mind... 

it's Ad-Blocker PLUS

Its just plain old Adblock Plus, check the add-ons list, see image.
http://adblockplus.org/en/