Difference and Importance of Anti Spyware, Firewalls and Security & Anti Virus?

Hi I thought the above were pretty much all the same, my pc running slow so thought Id look at filehippo.com and they have three Sub titles “Anti Spyware”, “Firewalls and Security” & “Anti Virus Downloads”..

Can somebody please give me a simple meaning of those terms and importance level- out of the three (which one is more important or order of importancy?)

That would help me a great deal, thanks guys
Im using vista too :(
Thanks for the help guys, I just found the firewall, two quick questions
1-It says in Domain Profile & Private Profile – firewall off
but Public profile active? is that ok or should I change it?
2- When I click Firewall Properties it says pretty much the same should I turn them all on?

ALL OF THEM ARE IMPORTANT. To keep your computer running well just follow these simple steps I’ve prepared for clients.

Basic Computer Maintenance Tips

1- Right off the top, protect your computer from those nasty things floating out there in the internet. I rarely have computer issues and when I do they’re minor. You can do the same, to accomplish this follow these simple tips:

A- Having a firewall (windows has its’ own version installed and ready to use or there are others, I just use windows).

B- Microsoft updates (Your operating software updates are basically designed to update it from security flaws they’ve discovered from others having problems, keep Microsoft updates frequent). If you do this once a month or as problems arise, you’ll be fine.

C- anti-virus (There is a slew of them out there. I’ve used AVG in all my computers for years, it’s free and like I said . . . I don’t have issues!). If you’re constantly downloading stuff, check every item as you download it and run a full scan weekly. If you’re a moderate user on the internet then twice a month full computer scans will do.

D- YOU NEED A GOOD ANTI-MALWARE/SPYWARE PROGRAM (Too often this is ignored and more than anything it’s what most people experience, it’s not the viruses as much as it is that Adware stuff.) I’ve used Spybot Search and Destroy. Again it’s free annnnnnd, I don’t have computer issues. If you run this once a week/every other week or as problems arise, you’ll be fine.

2. The above is protection and prevention, now you still want your computer to run as fluid as possible. The following is maintenance designed to keep your computer running smooth and fast.

Microsoft designs their system to load up unnecessary software, merely for the convenience of having it running just-in-case-you-might-want-to-use-it. It’s useless and takes up memory which slows your computer down. These are the things you do to rid those programs from starting up:

A- In the start menu under “All Programs” there will be a “Startup” folder. That should remain empty. Very rarely is that needed at all.

B- Also, the programs around the clock (better known as the tray), rid that area as much as possible. Right click or click each program there to open up the options menu for each program and select the option that keeps it from loading onto the tray. Do this every six months (twice a year) and you’ll be fine.

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