problem updating all security software.

I seem to have a problem with all of my security software in so far as none of the applications used will update succesfully. Malware bytes, Add aware, Spyware doctor and Windows Defender will not update at all. Spyware doctor just freezes once I have pressed the update button on the small pop up that appears and will not even start from there and Windows defender will not start or will stop operation once I have gone through the process of starting the real time service requiring a restart. It all seems a bit suspicious to me but then again, I don't know much about these things other than it seems odd that all of my protectino programs are now not working affectively.

I use Windows firewall and MSE is working ok and up to date. I am running Win7 home premium 64bit with all updates installed as I keep on top of that. Incidently, the Wind Defender and Spyware doctor seem to have been downloaded from a WinUpdate recently..

Ok, I have read a few threads and have completey changed my protection programs so disregard this thread maybe. I am now using Windows security essentials, Comodo firewall, super antispy ware free edition and spyware blaster and all are updated and running as they should. Maybe I had too many and some conflicting programs. (??) Thanks for the great site and sorry for wasting web space with this! :)

Hi dAnnybOy66,

It certainly looked like you were running too many security programs. For instance, if you run two realtime security programs, then the conflicts are guaranteed. Many people think that running two realtime security programs will double the protective barriers of their computers, but the opposite is true. They will simply interfere with each other and prevent each other from running properly - making your computer more vulnerable to attacks.
To judge from your current constellation, you are running a firewall and two anti-spyware programs. However, anti-spyware programs are no substitute for an antivirus program. It is recommended that you have: one realtime firewall, one anti-spyware program (without a realtime component) and one realtime antivirus program.

Many (probably most) people prefer having their antivirus software and firewall combined in one suite, for example Norton Internet Security, or Kaspersky Internet Security etc (you have to pay for these, of course, but it's worth it ;-) ). Popular supplementary programs are Malwarebytes (free version, since it does not contain a realtime component; very popular with the users), or SuperAntiSpyware.

So an ideal security software combination could appear like this (just an example):
-Norton Internet Security
-Malwarebytes free version

It is recommended that you keep Windows Defender (it also allows you to manage startup programs and is shipped as part of the Windows operating system). Its realtime component should be automatically turned off by a full-fledged antivirus program (during installation).

Finally, I think you will find this post on antivirus programs quite helpful:
What's the Best Anti-virus?