Which security utilities in W 7

Thanks for the quick reply Corinne, very kind :)

You're welcome, manhunter2826. If you decide to give WinPatrol a try, let us know what you think. (BTW, keep a watch at Bill's blog, Bits from Bill . Periodically, he has a discount for the Plus version of WinPatrol.

I use windows firewall on default settings with Microsoft Security Essentials and malwarebytes for trojan\malware stuff on demand or every couple of weeks , happy camper stable fast system

Corrine MVP said:

You're welcome, manhunter2826. If you decide to give WinPatrol a try, let us know what you think. (BTW, keep a watch at Bill's blog, Bits from Bill . Periodically, he has a discount for the Plus version of WinPatrol.

I will do and I will probably be a cheapskate and go for the limited free version . Currently my anti-virus/firewall/malware setup consists of Avast, Windows Defender, SpywareBlaster, Spybot, Firefox with the NoScript and Adblock Plus add-ons. Any thoughts, suggestions. I am using XP. I have absolutely no problems with my laptop but always open to suggestions.

Hoping to purchase a new Windows 7 laptop when funds permit

Thanks all.

Obviously, manhunter2826, you are taking good care of your laptop since you have absolutely no problems with it. Congratulations!

I think you will appreciate the added value that WinPatrol can provide. The other suggestion I would make is to ensure that the other software (i.e., Adobe Reader, Flash, SunJava, etc.) on your computer is up to date. The easiest way to do this is with Secunia Software Inspector. You can do an online scan at Scan Now - Online (OSI) - Vulnerability Scanning - Secunia.com or download Secunia Personal Software Inspector from Download - Personal (PSI) - Vulnerability Scanning - Secunia.com .

Another step you can take is to protect your privacy by removing the "Flash Cookies" and changing the Adobe Flash settings (Information about Flash Cookies is available in Bill Mullins article, LSO (Flash Cookies) – A Serious Attack on Your Privacy):

Note: If you use Quicken, do NOT use this program at this time as Quicken stores information in Flash cookies.

Download Flush Flash Cookies by Bobbi Flekman.
Select the Windows version and save flushflash.exe to your Desktop.
Double-click flushflash.exe to run it.
Select Everything.
Click Make it so!.
When the "Killed off all Flash cookies" window opens, click OK.
Close Flush Flash Cookies.

Next, go to the Adobe - Flash Player : Settings Manager and make the following settings:

-- Select the Second Tab from the left (Global Storage Settings)
-- Set the Storage Settings slider to None
-- Uncheck “Allow Third Party Flash Content to store data on your computer

Since you use Firefox, you may want to consider the add-on https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/6623

When you are ready to purchase that Windows 7 laptop, be sure to check the Tutorials here at Seven Forums.

Corrine MVP said:

Obviously, manhunter2826, you are taking good care of your laptop since you have absolutely no problems with it. Congratulations!

I think you will appreciate the added value that WinPatrol can provide. The other suggestion I would make is to ensure that the other software (i.e., Adobe Reader, Flash, SunJava, etc.) on your computer is up to date. The easiest way to do this is with Secunia Software Inspector. You can do an online scan at Scan Now - Online (OSI) - Vulnerability Scanning - Secunia.com or download Secunia Personal Software Inspector from Download - Personal (PSI) - Vulnerability Scanning - Secunia.com .

Another step you can take is to protect your privacy by removing the "Flash Cookies" and changing the Adobe Flash settings (Information about Flash Cookies is available in Bill Mullins article, LSO (Flash Cookies) – A Serious Attack on Your Privacy):

Note: If you use Quicken, do NOT use this program at this time as Quicken stores information in Flash cookies.

Download Flush Flash Cookies by Bobbi Flekman.
Select the Windows version and save flushflash.exe to your Desktop.
Double-click flushflash.exe to run it.
Select Everything.
Click Make it so!.
When the "Killed off all Flash cookies" window opens, click OK.
Close Flush Flash Cookies.

Next, go to the Adobe - Flash Player : Settings Manager and make the following settings:

-- Select the Second Tab from the left (Global Storage Settings)
-- Set the Storage Settings slider to None
-- Uncheck “Allow Third Party Flash Content to store data on your computer

Since you use Firefox, you may want to consider the add-on https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/6623

When you are ready to purchase that Windows 7 laptop, be sure to check the Tutorials here at Seven Forums.

Thanks Corinne for such a detailed response (I love your posts). Yes, that FF add-on looks a treat; Adobe I choose not to use (I use the excellent and light-weight Foxit Reader instead); thanks for the other suggestions - will check them out asap. I also use the very useful ccleaner. Yes, I am already preempting the move to Windows 7 by reading (and where possible responding) the threads in this most excellent forum.

(Like most, I dislike Flash: shame sites such as YouTube have to rely on it. Thought: why does Flash not have any competition whereas most other software apps do. )

Thanks again Corinne for your wise words.

manhunter2826 said:

(Like most, I dislike Flash: shame sites such as YouTube have to rely on it. Thought: why does Flash not have any competition whereas most other software apps do. )

Actually it has competition.
Sliverlight: Home : The Official Microsoft Silverlight Site by Microsoft
Quick Time: Apple - QuickTime - Download by Apple

But I personally dislike them more then Adobe Flash.
Especially when both Microsoft and Apple tries to make us you their own players on their sites.

EDIT: And now most online video sites use Divx instead of Flash.

manhunter2826 said:

(I love your posts)

Awe, thank you. That means a lot to me.

I also dislike Flash and QuickTime even more. The reason I like Silverlight is because of the amazing things I have seen developers do with the program.

hi !

manhunter2826: ".....Adobe I choose not to use (I use the excellent and light-weight Foxit Reader instead)..."

i think you misunderstood Corinne, she is talking about Adobe Flash Player, not PDF-reader.

hi !

Corinne: what about the rest of the Adobe Flash Player settings fx. Global Security Settings Panel,
any recommendations ?