Hello
dbrodsky,
1) I do not recommend that you have
more than one anti virus product installed and running on your computer at a time. The reason for this is that if both products have their automatic (Real-Time) protection switched on, then those products which do not encrypt the virus strings within them can cause other anti virus products to cause "
false alarms". It can also lead to a clash as both products fight for access to files which are opened again this is the resident/automatic protection. In general terms, the two programs may conflict and cause:
1)
False Alarms: When the anti virus software tells you that your PC has a virus when it actually doesn't.
2)
System Performance Problems: Your system may lock up due to both products attempting to access the same file at the same time.
Therefore saying, wait until your Norton subscription it done with, then look for a free alternative.
This also goes with firewalls.2)CCleaner is a freeware system optimization and privacy tool. It removes unused files from your system - allowing Windows to run faster and freeing up valuable hard disk space. It also cleans traces of your online activities such as your Internet history. But the best part is that it's fast (normally taking less than a second to run).
3)As far as Anti-Spyware goes, you can have as many AS programs as you may like, as long as there is only one running with a real time protection.
Below is also part of my malware prevention speech for once I have cleaned a PC of malware. Feel free to ask any questions.
I highly recommend downloading the following programs, to keep malware of your computer to begin with.
The following is a list of tools and utilities that I like to suggest to people. This list is full of great tools and utilities to help you understand how you got infected and how to keep from getting infected again.
Spybot Search & Destroy - Very powerful tool which can search and annhilate malware that make it onto your system. Now with an Immunize section that will help prevent future infections.
**Tutorial on installing & using this product can be found
HERE**
Ad-Aware 2007 Free - Another very powerful tool which searches and kills malware that infect your system. AdAware and Spybot Search & Destroy compliment each other very well.
**Tutorial on installing & using this product can be found
HERE**
SpywareBlaster - Great prevention tool to keep malware from installing on your system.
**Tutorial on installing & using this product can be found
HERE**
IE-SpyAd - Puts over 5000 sites in your restricted zone so you'll be protected when you visit innocent-looking sites that aren't actually innocent at all.
**Tutorial on installing & using this product can be found
HERE**
ATF Cleaner - Cleans temporary files from IE and Windows, empties the recycle bin and more. Great tool to help speed up your computer and knock out malware that like to reside in the temp folders.