ZoneAlarm Security Suite Upgrade

[JDJD]

Hello,

Today I went ahead and upgraded my Zone Alarm firewall from the free version to the Zone Alarm Suite version. During the installation it recommended that I remove any other anti-virus software. I went ahead and removed Avast which I had been previously using to scan my pc.

However, I also have been scanning my pc with:

- Adaware AE 8.0

- Spybot S&D


My question is do you recommend that I remove these programs as well in order for there not to be any synergistic problems with the new Zone Alarm upgrade?

Or should I continue using these programs as well?


I also experienced a problem when I ran my first virus and spyware scan with Zone Alarm Suite. The virus scan worked but when it started the spyware scan it just stood idle on a file forever and the spyware scan never progressed from there. I then went ahead and cancelled the spyware scan with no results from either scan being posted. I was wondering if this had anything to do with me having Adaware and Spybot S&D still on my pc.

Any help with this and tips on the new upgrade would be well appreciated.

Thanks

 

[B00kWyrm]

I think most here like to recommend stand alone products for each function
rather than the various security suites...
The idea is, "pick one thing and do it really really well."

So, generally, it is recommended to stay with Avira or Avast for AV.
Anti Spy etc also separate.
My own experience with ZA is that it is a resource hog.
It uised to be really clean and effective.
I now have tried Comodo, and like it... Others prefer other programs.

Also... in most cases you can get the protection you need for free,
rather than having to pay for it,
least of all pay for something you do not want or need.

 

[JDJD]

I think most here like to recommend stand alone products for each function
rather than the various security suites...
The idea is, "pick one thing and do it really really well."

So, generally, it is recommended to stay with Avira or Avast for AV.
Anti Spy etc also separate.
My own experience with ZA is that it is a resource hog.
It uised to be really clean and effective.
I now have tried Comodo, and like it... Others prefer other programs.

Also... in most cases you can get the protection you need for free,
rather than having to pay for it,
least of all pay for something you do not want or need.

Thanks a lot for your input Book.

I've been using the ZA free firewall for a year know and I've grown used to it so I'm going to stick with it for at least the next year now.

So are you saying that I will be better off still using Adaware, Spybot and Avast for scanning purposes while using ZA Suite strictly for firewall purposes?

My main concern is that if i installed Avast again that it would conflict with ZA like it said it would when I installed ZA. The same for Adaware and Spybot.

So I can go ahead and re-install Avast with no problems correct?

Is Avast a better virus scanner than ZA in your opinion?

 

[B00kWyrm]

Two AV software packages on the same machine will likely fight with each other.
I do not know if ZA Security Suite can peacefully coexist with another AV
as long as only the other is used. No Experience with trying that configuration.

I do not have a personal opinion about ZA for AV.
I stopped using ZA when their firewall started using too much overhead.

As for other questions...
NO point it my copying and pasting answers...
Check other threads for very informed opinions on various packages.
Just do a TechSpot search.

My initial answer was to address the issue of Suite vs individual packages.
My comments re: quality of AV are based on third party tests of multiple packages,
as well as reports by others... See for example...
https://www.techspot.com/vb/topic116898.html
http://www.techsupportalert.com/best-free-anti-virus-software.htm
http://www.consumersearch.com/antivirus-software

Others will weigh in with their opinions too.
Good Luck.