Spyware, viruses, & security : Microsoft Anti-Spy Beta
ms antispyware
by rodgarnett - 6/10/05 1:57 PM In reply to: Microsoft Anti-Spy Beta by funkid7I HAVE USED THIS PROGRAM ALONG WITH SPYWARE BLASTER, ALSO A FREE PROGRAM.I DID MAKE A CONTRIBUTION TO SPYWARE BLASTER. SINCE I STARTED WITH THESE TWO I HAVE NEVER HAD A PROBLEM AGAIN. MS HAS DONE THEMSELVES WELL WITH THIS NEW PRODUCT. NOW DON'T DISSAPOINT US AND START CHARGING.
MASB <yawn>
by trekker75 - 6/10/05 10:11 PM In reply to: Microsoft Anti-Spy Beta by funkid7I have used and UNinstalled MASB. It never found malware which Spybot AND AdAware detected plus my machine slowed considerably with it installed. When I used the tracks eraser utility included in MASB, it did not erase anything. I can assume the entire program works just as well as the eraser. It is also irritating that my mouse scroll wheel does not work within MASB's lists, logs, etc.
MS Anti-Spyware + Ad Aware Se
by netman42 - 6/11/05 3:57 AM In reply to: Microsoft Anti-Spy Beta by funkid7MS Anti-Spyware is a very effective tool - Microsoft bought the product end of 2004 from GIANT Software. Make sure you check out the advanced features under Tools, Advanced Tools.
I would also recommend using Ad Aware SE (1.6) together. They each find some things that the other misses. Sounds like you may also need a FIREWALL enabled, if you are using XP SP2, turn it on, if not try ZONEALARM.
It's pretty good, but...
by superman227 - 6/11/05 4:11 AM In reply to: Microsoft Anti-Spy Beta by funkid7I used it a few months ago on my own system, then noticed it's sending data about my personal files to Microsoft. I didn't like that. 2 weeks ago I had to spend over 5 hours on a client's system who got wrecked by trojans and spyware. Norton couldn't stop it at all, but the free AVG did. The trojans are still on the system, but they get stopped by AVG. The spyware is still on this guy's system, but it gets stopped by MASB before it activates. This guy has over 7K songs on his system. DVD and/ or CD backup is useless for this guy. He needs an external hard drive. All of us are going to need that soon.
Cont. of MASB ok but...
by superman227 - 6/11/05 4:16 AM In reply to: Microsoft Anti-Spy Beta by funkid7I tried everything on that guy's system. Norton, Spybot, and Ad-Aware (Full System Scan) - all in safe mode with system restore off - all unsuccessful. They got about 300 pieces combined, but not all the pieces.
Microsoft Antispyware
by timr999 - 6/11/05 4:17 AM In reply to: Microsoft Anti-Spy Beta by funkid7I am getting good results with the Spyware function, but I find that when I select to Erase Tracks.....it will NOT erase the internet History file. It is supposed to, but I find my internet History file left untouched.
NOT google
by ChazzMatt - 6/11/05 5:40 AM In reply to: Microsoft Anti-Spy Beta by funkid7The REAL google toolbar would never attempt to install itself without permission. So, you are WRONG there. It's probably a malware company that had created a counterfeift Google toolbar. I've seen them! They use Google's good name, but put all sorts of their own funtions on this bogus toolbar as well as creating popup ads. Whereas the real Google toolbard stops pop up ads!
Zero results - is that good or bad?
by Galley - 6/11/05 6:31 AM In reply to: Microsoft Anti-Spy Beta by funkid7I've been using MS Anti-Spyware for several months, and do weekly scans. I have ever found a single instance of spyware on my system. That may be due to the fact that I do not use Internet Explorer at all, but rather Opera 8. Other anti-spyware would find Opera tracking cookies, but I don't think Microsoft's offering even bothers to check for cookies from other browsers.
Browser probs.
by superman227 - 6/11/05 6:44 AM In reply to: Zero results - is that good or bad? by GalleyI've noticed a few anti spyware on the market tend to scan only IE cookies. Opera isn't high on the totem pole like Mozilla or IE, so many esp. Microsoft's own program, will ignore it. An Adaware full system scan may get the tracking cookies out of Opera.
A good program
by mikebliv - 6/11/05 12:20 PM In reply to: Microsoft Anti-Spy Beta by funkid7MS Antispyware works very well for me. I used to use Spybot and Ad-Aware but all they find are cookies. And when I switched to Firefox, even those disappeared. BTW, I consider cookies as really low-risk "spyware".
I lost confidence on Spybot and Ad-Aware when I had to clean up a friend's computer full of spyware (more than 50 found) and Spybot and Ad-Aware couldn't even detect them. MS Antispyware did but had a problem removing half of them because they kept coming back. Ran MS Antispyware again but with Windows in safe mode and it was successful. So it didn't really surprise me when I read this article (http://windowssecrets.com/comp/050127/) about how Giant Antispyware actually caught more spyware than Spybot and Ad-Aware combined. My friend hasn't been calling me week after week so I think MS Antispyware is still running well.
For those concerned about the program contacting microsoft, you should have cleared the checkbox "Send to SpyNet" which compiles responses on what programs people allow or block so that they can make the program work better.
I think that knowing Windows the way they do, they were able to judge which superior antispyware to buy. But you can also say that knowing Windows the way they do, they should have been able to make a similar program without needing to buy another company. Anyway, last I heard, this is going to be a freebie after the beta period, but will also possibly be bundled with an anti-virus solution and have a subscription model.
Try CounterSpy
by nemo007 - 6/11/05 3:54 PM In reply to: Microsoft Anti-Spy Beta by funkid7I am happy for you that MS AntiSpyware is working so well for you. I have installed MS AntiSpyware as soon as it come out. Then I gave a try to CounterSpy s/w which is of the same company design as is MS AntiSpyware. The difference was enourmous. CounterSpy detected so much stuff which was left behind by MS AntiSpyware. It was amazing. After a month of free tryout I decided to shell out $30.00 foe two licences. In combination with the latest Lavasoft AdAware SE Plus my sistem is much cleaner. The only problem is I have to clean muy computer several times a day, that fast all the garbage is coming to me no matter what I do.
Good interface. But Spyware comes right back.
by nanjowood - 6/12/05 12:05 AM In reply to: Microsoft Anti-Spy Beta by funkid7I installed the MASB about 3 weeks ago, AFTER my laptop was infected by Aurora and neither Ad-Aware or Spybot could stop it.
I like MASB's interface. It pops up to prevent new spyware from installing, and it does so in a much clearer and friendlier way than Spybot. Each time it suggests a full system scan. Fortunately it does it in the background so you can work on other things.
But MASB has NOT been able to actually get rid of AURORA and the other spyware that came along with it. MASB stops it, then ''removes'' it, but it comes right back (then MASB stops it, ''removes'' it, and it comes right back) again and again. AURORA is the nastiest spyware I've ever encountered and so far nothing can defeat it.
I guess I should install MASB on my desktop which has little or no spyware -- (before Aurora attacks). That will be a better test.
Go to safe mode
by mikebliv - 6/12/05 4:23 AM In reply to: Good interface. But Spyware comes right back. by nanjowoodSome of the spyware I've seen uses 3 or so programs that all run together and try to run each other if one of them gets closed down. First identify which these programs are and where they are located (MS Antispyware can show you this in Advanced Tools > Running Processes menu). You may need to check the net to confirm that the files you want to delete are spyware and not some critical part of your own system. Then go into safe mode so that none of the spyware are running and delete them manually.
Amended Review
by jgordon - 6/13/05 2:25 PM In reply to: Microsoft Anti-Spy Beta by funkid7OK, I have to amend my previous, glowing review of Microsoft Anti-Spy Beta. Over the weekend I worked on a friend's omputer that had a couple of porn dialers he couldn't get off. I eagerly tackled them with Microsoft Anti-Spy Beta, and while it said that it found and removed them, it didn't. After several attempts, I gave up on Microsoft Anti-Spy Beta and tried the following: Spybot, Adaware SE, Spyware Doctor 3.2, Bazooka, and CWShredder 2.1. All to no avail. In fairness, I was using the trial versions, and some did report they could remove the dialers upon purchase. I didn't want my friend to buy something that might not work, so I finally tried Spy Sweeper 4.0 because of it's high rating on PC mag. Too my amazement and relief, the trial version both FOUND and REMOVED the dialers. And they have not returned. I was also surprised by the sheer blazing speed of Spy Sweeper 4.0. So, I'm afaid Microsoft Anti-Spy Beta's reign was rather short lived as far as I'm concerned.
It's a very useful aid but does not find all parasites.
by johnpage - 6/13/05 3:15 PM In reply to: Microsoft Anti-Spy Beta by funkid7By using a combination of yahoo antispy, spybot, noadware and ad aware I have managed to keep my system clean of spyware (as far as i know). The problem has been in getting rid of the About: Blank parasite. As some may know this ratbag of a program hijacks the computer's browser and whatever you do the home page will not stay as you intend. At least Microsoft Anti-Spy beta helps to prevent the change. unless you have children who will click on anything to get the system moving again.
Nothing it seems will remove this nasty piece of software. the only way I have found to get rid of it has been to completely reinstall windows and format my hard drive.
The people who wrote and distributed this nasty piece of work should be jailed.
John
| Forum legend: | |
 |
Locked thread |
 |
Moderator |
 |
CNET staff |
 |
Samsung staff |
 |
Norton Authorized Support team |
 |
AVG staff |
 |
Windows Outreach team |
 |
Dell staff |
 |
Intel staff |
