Spyware, viruses, & security forum: Ad-Aware, SpyBot and AVG Free

Chippybaby..

You first mentioned AAW wouldn't open. You never mentioned which version you have installed. Were you aware of the fact that Ad-Aware SE Updates were discontinued? You asked, "do I really need either of them since my XP has malware protection and the AVG seems to pick up on cookies and the like?" In order to determine if you really need them, it might help to know which other "anti-malware" protection you presently have installed.

Carol

What is the name of the "malware program in Windows Security" you mentioned? Unless I'm over-looking the obvious.

I really don't know what to tell you, without knowing what else is installed on your system, or running in real-time. Some A/S applications co-exist without a problem, while other's may cause a conflict. Most stand-alone scanners shouldn't cause a problem.

Despite the fact, Javacool's SpywareBlaster isn't an anti-malware scanner per se, I find it useful. It's a "prevention software that protects against ActiveX based Malware installation. It also protects against known tracking cookies being installed in Internet Explorer, Mozilla Firefox and adds thousands of known Malware installing sites to the Restricted sites zone of Internet Explorer". This tutorial isn't current, but current enough where it will be of help.

Again only my opinion, but I would replace Ad-Aware with either Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware or SUPERAntiSpyware FREE Edition.

Hopefully, you'll get some additional opinions and input...
Carol