Re What's the optimum security software for a Windows PC?, won't using Secunia's Personal Software Inspector or PC Pitstop's tests – both useful – result in what you describe as "unnecessary background programs" being put in the startup sequence? Also, the installation of AnVir Task Manager Free will set the default search engine to Yahoo and install the Dealio toolbar unless you uncheck the boxes! It seems that we need to be vigilant especially when we are being vigilant.
Colin Heydon
Yes, we do. However, you can run Secunia PSI "on demand": you don't have to run it in the background. If you find it in the startup sequence, You can use AnVir to disable it, though it doesn't consume much in the way of resources. Running the PC Pitstop tests doesn't add any background process that I can find – it runs once in the browser.
However, you do have to avoid clicking on any of the things PC Pitstop wants to sell you, and as you say, you should avoid Dealio and any other unwanted side-effects from installing AnVir Task Manager Free. I'd rather companies didn't take this sort of approach, but it's the usual result of trying to make a profit by providing free software and services.
