Expert: James Filmer - 10/11/2011

Question
QUESTION: Hi James,

I have AVG free that I've set to scan my system every morning, SuperAntiSpyware Professional, that I paid for, scans every few days and Immunet Protect, whose icon just appeared in my systems tray one day a couple of months ago, and I'm not sure what it does. When I right click on it, a screen comes up saying there's been no scan since April.

My system seems slow and has a hard time running videos, so I'm wondering if I've got too much protection. I have premium home Vista on a Toshiba Satellite 215 laptop.

Please advise if I need to delete one of those security programs or do something else.

Also, I downloaded CCleaner, but I have NOT run it, because when I told it to run the analysis, in the list that it said needed to be removed was Microsoft Office. I'm afraid to run it to clean up, because I don't know for sure what it's going to delete.

HELP!

Thank you James--you're a nice person to do this volunteer work.

Best,
B.J.

ANSWER: B.J.
Don't use the AVG scan every am. Not needed. As long as the icon in the Taskbar (lower right) is bright color active and updated automatically, unless you think you might have visited a site that was possibly dangerous, or clicked the wrong link, not needed. Don't need use that SuperAntispyware scan either, maybe once a week (but make sure it's updated first).

Won't lose much if you disable real time blocking, but you can experiment with that.  Vista's a bit slower than 7 or XP but hopefully doing these things will speed things up.

About CCleaner: Uncheck Microsoft Office and anything else you're concerned about, then run it. Then, read all about it http://www.piriform.com/docs/ccleaner. Temp files from 3 days ago are removed, nothing else (accept the advanced stuff) Also, let how to use the registry cleaner too.
Reboot after doing various things and make sure you have all critical security updates for Windows before doing any of this. You didn't mention any other security apps. so that's mean there's none? Figure you're using Windows Firewall, too.

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: James,

Thank you so much for your response and your help. I have just a couple of additional questions:

What should I do about Immunet Protect?

Should I spend the $24.95 for CCleaner Home or just use the free one without support?

Yes, I forgot about Windows Firewall, which is also running. That's 4 security systems I'm using: Immunet, Windows, AVG and SuperAntiSpyware!

Thank you so much for advising me.

B.J.

ANSWER: Are you using another anti-virus application? Only one should be used. You say you don't know how Immunet got on your system, so that concerns me.

Are you using the free version? Are you sure it's protecting your system at all times and updates automatically.  What other icons do you have in your Taskbar?

I'd be surprised if you didn't have another anti-virus app on your system (PCs usually come with one) though it may not be in use. AVG, Norton, Trend Micro or another might be in All Programs. Let me know.

About CCleaner, you don't need to purchase it. You can get additional support from forums (CC has one) or from Enrgy21.com (me) if you want.

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: I have Immunet Protect, AVG and SuperAntiSpyware. Aren't they all anti-virus? I also have Windows Firewall. Should I delete one of them? SuperAntiSpyware is the only one I paid for.

I have attached the screen I get when I right click on Immunet in my taskbar. It is the free version, but I don't know how I got it. I have not set any scan schedule and don't know how often to set it.

I welcome any advice you are willing to give me.

Many thanks,
B.J.

Answer
Remove one asap. Add/Remove programs. Reboot. Make sure you activate the one remaining before going online (if you can). Either way, make sure the one anti-virus app. is fully operational and up to date.


(Just removed this section. It was a bit confusing for you and perhaps others).

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AVG and Immunet are anti-virus. Anti-spyware is anti-spyware. Contact Enrgy21.com for more info.