You should use only one anti-virus program. Since you have already paid for Norton, use it untill it is about to expire, then just before it does get this free a/v =
http://www.avast.com
or
http://www.my-etrust.com/microsoft = "Microsoft Windows Security Center Antivirus Partners = Free 12-month software subscription to CA's eTrust EZ Antivirus ."
Then ubinstall Norton.
You should also use only one firewall. If you have WinXP, you can use the XP Internet Connection Firewall = http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/using/networking/learnmore/icf.mspx
To turn Win XP firewall on/off = start/control panel/double-click on network connections/right click on the icon for the connection you are using/properties/advanced/ check or uncheck box next to "internet connection firewall"
Or get the Free Kerio Firewall = It will give you "full version" access for 14 days, then will revert back to free version(which works just fine).= http://www.sunbelt-software.com/Kerio.cfm = "Kerio firewall - free personal version."
Even if you have only one pc, you should also use a router = http://www.officedepot.com/txtSearchDD.do;jsessionid=0000KO5D2MM40RW0ZOPS02TFC2A:uhas9l19?uniqueSearchFlag=true&searchTxt=router&x=6&y=7
What is your operating system? If XP, have you upgraded to Windows XP Service Pack 2 = http://www.komando.com/tips_wxpsp2.asp ? If not, I suggest you do so, for amoung other security reasons it stops unwanted popups by disableing Windows Messenger Service and Alerter by default. = =SP2 = support.microsoft.com = http://support.microsoft.com/windowsxpsp2
This is a good popup blocker:
EMS Free Surfer mk II = http://www.kolumbus.fi/eero.muhonen/FS/fs.htm =
EMS Free Surfer mk II is multilanguage supported freeware popup stopper, cache cleaner and surfing companion.
Is the trend micro you refered to their full security program, or is it their free housecall scanner?If it is the full paid program, only use it after Norton expires(oe visa-versa).
It is good to see that you have spybot. That shows you are thinking in the right direction. However, no one anti-spyware program gets everything. You should have several.
Download, install, update and run =
SpyCatcher Express - free spyware removal software =
http://www.tenebril.com/consumer/spyware/spycatcher-express.php
Spybot-S&D = safer-networking.org = http://www.safer-networking.org = Be sure to use the immunize feature, and as with everything else, keep it updated.
and Ad-aware = http://www.majorgeeks.com/download.php?det=506 +
ewido security suite = http://www.ewido.net/en/?section=download = = " free 14-day test version."
IE SPYAD = http://www.spywarewarrior.com/uiuc/resource.htm
+ Microsoft Windows AntiSpyware (Follow the links)= http://www.microsoft.com/technet/security/advisory/912840.mspx
SpywareBlaster/SpywareGuard - Freeware = http://www.javacoolsoftware.com/spywareblaster.html
+
AnalogX Script Defender = http://www.analogx.com/contents/download/system/sdefend.htm
and
http://www.winpatrol.com
To make sure you are not getting a spoofed webpage, Right-click desktop/properties/display properties/appeareance/color scheme/olive green/apply/ok/ok
+ Siteadvisor.com = http://www.siteadvisor.com
http://www.virgin.net/technology
6StarReviews.com reviews the top Adware and Spyware Removal software = http://adware-spyware-removal.6starreviews.com
Blocking Unwanted Parasites with a Hosts File = http://mvps.org/winhelp2002/hosts.htm
http://www.komando.com/tips_show.asp?showID=8510
For desktop pc better performance, I suggest you set your desktop background/wallpaper and screensaver to "none", then go to control panel, system, advanced, performance, settings, check 'adjust for best performance'. and right click on desktop, click properties, click 'appearance', choose ' windows classic style'.
Then Start/Control Panel/Display/display properties/screensaver/monitor power/power schemes/settings/turn off monitor after 10 minutes, and set the next 2 drop down boxes ( 1. Turn off Hard Disks, and 2. System Standby) to "never"/apply/ok/ok.
Then Start/Control Panel/system/advanced tab/performance/settings/'adjust for best performance/apply/ok/ok
Then Start/Control Panel/Display/display properties/screensaver/monitor power/hibernate/take check mark out of "Enable hibernation"/apply/ok/ok.
If I'm going to be away from the pc for more than an hour, then after shutting it down properly, I unplug it.
For security/safety purposes, to make sure you are not getting a spoofed webpage, right-click desktop/properties/display properties/appeareance/color scheme/olive green/apply/ok/ok , or go to Start/Control Panel/Display/display properties/appearence/color scheme/ eggplant or wheat/apply/ok/ok.
Then if you click onto a webpage, and it comes up in the MS default blue, then you will know you are on a fake/spoofed page, and you should close out immediatly, and run a scan for infections. Right-click desktop/properties/display properties/appeareance/color scheme/eggplant or wheat/apply/ok/ok
The most important thing to keep in mind, regardless of which anti-virus, anti-malware, anti-spyware and firewall you use is to keep it UPDATED, just as it is important to make sure you have all windows critical and security updates + =http://update.microsoft.com/windowsupdate/v6/default.aspx?ln=en-us
Note: The way I have mine set is to only notify me that updates are availiable, but to not download them automaticaly. Then I can check to be sure I get just the ones I want. I then click on "custom", and after the updates have been downloaded I look them over to see which ones I want, then disconnect from the net, disable firewall and anti-virus program, and then install the updates, and then re-enable the firewall and anti-virus programs before reconnecting to the net.
http://update.microsoft.com/windowsupdate/v6/default.aspx?ln=en-us
http://www.dailyrotation.com
http://komando.com
Calendar Of Updates= http://www.dozleng.com/updates/index.php?act=calendar
http://www.vnunet.com