Iam curious how the two spyware protection applications compare as far as protecting your PC from an attack ? I really like the interface of Windows Defender ,however I've been told that Spybot gives you a higher quality of protection ? Both freeware apps ,Iam wondering if I should uninstall the Windows Defender application and replace it with spybot search an destroy .Now I also have Norton Security Suite ver2006 installed and virus definition updating for another year ,so I kind of have a double layer of protection in place ? I appreciate and respect all opinions offered and appreciate the time you take to reply !
Thank You ,Nick
FYI > I.E. ver7.0

I have never had any spyware/malware,antivirus progs etc installed at all.

All you really need is a firewall and common sense.

Better still is a router with a hardware firewall.

Tt Lanfire
MSI K8N Diamond
X2 4600+@225x12=2.7ghz 1:1
1GB PC3200/4400
OCZ Powerstream 520w
7900GTO
WDCaviar 160gb sata x2

Hi,
I am going to select my words very carefully as I don't want to start a unfriendly discussion here.

Just my opinions.

Even the worst anti virus,malware,adware program that is running is better than the best that's off or disabled.

Either of the two you mentioned will work and work for you if they are running. I use both
depending on where I am going on the net.

I have no idea why a person will turn their program off when on-line.

I have no idea why people will open a downloaded file before scanning it.

I have no idea why there is a rash of malware trojans,virus and other junk being reported if the programs are running.

I do know there is little or no mention as to the site where they got the infection from.

Well I better get of my soapbox before I fall off...LOL

I am happy to see there are people here that know what programs people need to clean up
their systems.

"All you really need is a firewall and common sense."

Granted we all know how "common" common sense is. It sure is reckless to suggest or imply the above passively, as an adequate plan of defense, especially not to the folks that found themselves coming here for help with the malicious pickle they've gotten themselves into.

Not only is it careless these days to adopt that approach on a system hooked up to the internet -- it is also a false sense of security in that, you'll never be real positive your machine is clean & by the time you realize that it's not -- it would be a little too late.

I actually have firewall thru not only WinXP ,which comes with one ,my Norton Internet Suite has one also .Everytime I turn on the Windows firewall I recieve a notice that Norton has a firewall and it recomends that I turn off the Windows firewall and use the Norton firewall instead (recomended) ,so thats exactly what I do ! Just this morn Norton Security Suite caught a file ,a low level malware that it felt was security threat, it removed this file from my system ! I still have not recieved an answer from anyone as to what they think of Windows Defender ? Even though I do not rely on this freeware app as my first line of defense against an attack ,I like some of the other tools included in the app, and I also believe as time moves forward this application will recieve upgrades and improvements ? For now I can't see how leaving it on my system can cause any harm !
Take Care Nick

I still have not recieved an answer from anyone as to what they think of Windows Defender ?

In the following CNet Review Sunday Smackdown (2006) roughly half of those who voted think Windows Defender is better while the other half prefer Spybot S&D. The bottom line is that no two software are alike. Each software uses different algorithms to find and flag something.

http://reviews.cnet.com/4520-3000_7...

i_Xp/VistaUser

Let's see here, once upon a time there was the solid Giant AntiSpyware which became M$ AntiSpyware to many's disappointment & later morphed in Windows Defender. IMHO, there isn't any disadvantage to having both simultaneously -- I've always had this system setup that way & I've yet to experience any repercussion as a result of that. I also have SpywareBlaster & AdAware & they are all running at the same time on the XP machine.

On this Vista machine, I have SpywareTerminator holding forth there as the primary scumware utility & it does a pretty good job keeping the baddies at bay.

Lastly, if you insist on having only one of the two then go with Spybot S&D.

Does that answer your question?

Thank you Sabertooth ,yes you have given me a direct answer to my ? an its greatly appreciated ! I also had seen the poll on CNET a excellent web site on reviewing hardware and software ! I was surprised how the ones who work for CNET gave Windows Defender a higher rating then the actual users did ,I myself have had Spybot Search and Destroy on my old system and now have Windows Defender on my new PC and I prefer Windows Defender much more then spybot .Between my Norton Security Suite and Windows Defender ,which both have spywar and mailwar protection ,I believe that should cover me .I also take steps of my own ,for instance I always view my emails on my server and only download the ones Iam fimilar with to my PC via Outlook Express !
Take Care Gumba