Hi guys . I have been reading up a bit about creating a multi layered defense for extra security using just 100% free software. I hear you can have equal detection rates using just free software combined with each other, other than paying loads for the commercial alternatives. I already own Mcafee suite 2006, but I am not going to install it just yet, instead out of pure curiosity I want to give the free alternatives a go to see how it performs. Can anyone make any recommendations to what I should download? So far I am using these with each other.........

Outpost Firewall
AVG Free Anti Virus
Ewido Anti-Spyware

Could anyone show me a better way to create a multi layered defense? I feel I could have much better protection using the free software available on the net..I suppose i need a firewall, Anti Virus, Anti Spyware and Trojan scanner, and whatever else you think....Look forward to your replys.

This is what I have been using for a few years now and it works just great.

1) Spywareblaster the first line of defense...the program stops things before it gets loaded into your system
SpywareBlaster

2) spybot S&D this is one of 4 intermediate layers

The home of Spybot-S&D!

3) adawareSE What spybot doesn't catch this one will.
Lavasoft

4) Ccleaner This one will help the other two out plus has a registry cleaner
CCleaner.com

5) winpatrol Scotty the watchdog will tell you when there is something trying to get into your registry and will also act as a start folder cleaner to stop those unwanted programs from starting up plus a few other goodies
BillP Studios: WinPatrol
6) my latest ptogram to be used within my system is ewido which is now AVG antispyware.
ewido - anti-spyware and anti-malware solutions

These all work extremely well with each other and are clean with no add-ons or the likes (ccleaner has yahoo toolbar which can be unchecked)

Also have a look at Comodo and ZoneAlarm's free firewall's:

http://www.pchelpforum.com/firewall-...e-edition.html
http://www.pchelpforum.com/firewall-...-firewall.html

And I would also recommend to use a modified Hosts file:

http://www.pchelpforum.com/tutorials...addresses.html


BTW, Ewido is now AVG Anti Spyware:

http://www.pchelpforum.com/anti-spyw...tml#post148235