Computer newbies: Spyware searcher what is better
Hitman Pro
by tha_rami - 12/9/05 6:36 AM In reply to: Spyware searcher what is better by x_caliber94I use Hitman Pro 2.3.1, it's a bundle of freeware/shareware programs. If you leave out Spyware Sweeper it's a great one, and free too!
Beware with HMP
by btalman - 12/20/05 4:16 AM In reply to: Hitman Pro by tha_ramiApaprently HMP is on its way down and fast checkt his out http://www.surfing-safe.com/spyware/hitmanpro.php
You need a small aresenal
by wc-sd45 - 12/9/05 8:21 AM In reply to: Spyware searcher what is better by x_caliber94Unlike antivirus programs, antispyware programs do not go after all spyware. You need several programs. Unlike multiple antivirus programs, antispyware programs do not trip over each other and make attempts to disable the competition.
What I use:
Lavasoft Ad-Aware
Spybot Search & Destroy
Spyware Blaster
Firefox and Thunderbird
OK. Now what is the deal with Firefox? After all, it is not a spyware removal program. Here is the deal. Using Internet Explorer is the Internet equivalent of painting a big target on your computer. You are asking for it. Spyware and malware authors target IE. Firefox lacks the key components that are required for most spyware to arrive on your computer.
Back in the bad old days when I was using IE, I would get about 200 pieces of spyware a week. Now that I stopped and switched to Firefox, the number has dropped to about one or two a month. It is always better to practice DELTA (Don't Even Let Them Aboard).
If you don't like Firefox, no problem. There are other worthy options. Mozilla Suite, Opera, Netscape, or any non-IE based browser would be considered to be an improvement over Internet Explorer. Techies refer to it as Internet Exploder for good reason.
Now on to Thunderbird. Pretty much everything that applies to Firefox in terms of spyware on web pages also applies to Thunderbird for spyware arriving by email. Quite a bit of spam could contain spyware. Outlook Express and Outlook are worthless for filtering spam. To add insult both will run Javascript, which is something spam could be looking for. Tbird does not do this. Again, practice DELTA. Again, the techies refer to Outlook as LookOut and Outlook Express as Outhouse Express for good reason.
If you don't like Tbird, no problem. Again, there are other alternatives. Opera, Mozilla Suite, Netscape, Eudora, Pegasus, and others.
You have choices. Make the right one and lose IE and OE.
in reply to spyware searcher
by robb douglas - 12/9/05 8:43 AM In reply to: Spyware searcher what is better by x_caliber94no ONE solution to spyware is sufficient to protect a
computer system...i use a variety of solutions myself
the reason why you use more than one is simple...what one misses the others may be able to catch...i recommend downloading spyware blaster which is a prgram from java cool that will creat host files to prevent certain bad actors from installing in the first place...its companion piece is known as spyware guard which is a live solution monitoring for spyware trying to install itself in real time sessions...they can both be obtained from javacoolsoftware.com...also use spybot search and destroy as well as ad-aware...and a great antivirus software known as avast will have you well on your way to securing your system..,their are a host of other goodies that i use as well...all of these are free downloads ans usuage programs...if you would like more info or names of other programs as well ...most found here on cnet...just drop me a line i would help...
knightstmplr1@msn.com
Layers Keep you Secure.
by Weidner - 12/9/05 10:41 AM In reply to: Spyware searcher what is better by x_caliber94No one program removes all spyware. Think layers of protection to keep your computer in working order. Microsoft AntiSpyware Beta is free and works great. Spy Bot and Ad-aware both have free versions. SpyBlaster is another good program. I have all these programs installed and my machine and they all work without any conflict. You do have to manually keep them updated. Cookie Wall is another fine free program that sits in your tray and helps keeps those pesky cookies at bay. My personal firewall is Sygate, and my Virus program is Avast. Both are also free.
short story
by gauthier484 - 12/9/05 10:46 AM In reply to: Spyware searcher what is better by x_caliber94I have had this computer for about nine months. I don't surf very ''safely'' and get lots of crap on my computer. I've had spybot and ad-aware on the computer since I got it. Here's the kicker, none of the anti-spyware, anti-virus, software really is a 100% thorough, you'll get it no matter what you do and no purchase will prevent that, however, after going from anti-spyware sofware companies websites and using their free scanning to make a determination about what is best, Spyware Doctor seemed to do the most good. When I used the free scan It found 86 pieces of spyware on my computer, the rest found only single digits worth of stuff. It also watches your registry and deletes cookies automatically, It has a good number of other features as well. While this has not prevented my computer from slowing down from various infections and malware, It has significantly slowed down the process, and the other features are actually great, I was reluctant to buy anything, but I feel this was a great purchase, between spybot and Spyware Doctor the large majority of spyware seem to be dealt with.
Best Spyware Searcher
by kurfess - 12/9/05 10:50 AM In reply to: Spyware searcher what is better by x_caliber94We use Spybot Search and Destroy with Adaware and Pop Up Stopper thrown in. But I hear there is a free suite, from the Netherlands called Hitman Pro 2 that combines many of the leading Spyware Killers. We downloaded it and are testing. It seemes to be rather good but takes a long time to run. You may want to give it a try at http://www.hitmanpro.nl/ When you install it be sure to pick english, unless you read Dutch.
My Golden Triangle
by Koppie - 12/9/05 11:14 AM In reply to: Spyware searcher what is better by x_caliber94Spybot, Ad-Aware (both of which are available at Download.com), and Norton Systemworks. Note, that's not just antivirus, that's an entire package of things that delve into your system to make everything is well-oiled. I can't imagine using a computer without Systemworks. The good news is you only have to pay for one piece of software.
I run each of these things once a month, that seems to be enough to keep my computer clean. Also, I'm careful about what I download. I download a lot of software, but most of it is from Download.com. I've used them for many years, they're trustworthy, and they promise no spyware/adware/viruses.
Products PLUS Maintenance is Key to protection
by miranda_d - 12/9/05 11:39 AM In reply to: My Golden Triangle by KoppieCurrently I am using Norton Internet Security plus Norton System Works, as well as Spybot and Ad Aware (free versions).
I have been hit with viruses in the past, and have found that regular screening with an anti-virus (I just happen to use Norton) plus spyware screening with at least two products, as well as regularly cleaning your computer will keep your computer running fairly smoothly.
I also use the msconfig utility to make sure that only the absolutely necessary files are running - Norton DOES add a lot of crap to your startup that may not be necessary and will slow down your computer. The main reason I use Norton is that I like their anti-virus and they had some parental control features that I needed for my son.
Anti-spyware programs may all be running slightly different definition libraries which is why you should always run more than one. I run these scans every month or more often if I've been downloading a lot of things.
You can't simply install programs and assume that having them installed will protect your system, being proactive and regularly scanning and cleaning your system will prevent many problems in the future.
Spyware Scanners
by Rocker452 - 12/9/05 11:22 AM In reply to: Spyware searcher what is better by x_caliber94I use Sunbelts Counterspy, AdAware SE, Yahoos Antispy, and ZoneAlarm Pro which has antispyware built into it and EZ Antivirus. All this seems to keep me free of spyware and adware most scans only turnup tracking cookies which I don't really count as important. I also have SpywareBlaster which is supposed to keep spyware from getting on in the first place but Counterspy has this also so it's just a redundunt check.
spyware remover
by Chat Bleu - 12/9/05 2:23 PM In reply to: Spyware searcher what is better by x_caliber94Spybot and Spyware Blaster (both free) and PAY for
E Trust Pest Patrol & Ewido and you are covered!
You can throw in Ad Aware for good luck!
What I do
by btljooz - 12/9/05 5:45 PM In reply to: Spyware searcher what is better by x_caliber94First, FYI, I run Windows XP Pro and I DO use Internet Explorer. Use a two firewalls (including the one in XP), two anti-virus programs and three anti-spyware programs.
The anti-spyware programs I use are: Anti-Spy on my Yahoo Toolbar, Spybot Search & Destroy, and Adaware SE Personal. I use them all because they are free, easy to use and, MOST IMPORTANTLY, what one misses the others pick up. I update them all DAILY before I do ANYTHING else on my computer! This way I make SURE they are CURRENT.
That being said, to rely totally on these programs without some simple manual maintenance of your computer is just asking for unwanted and time consumming troubles. First you MUST make absolutely SURE that you have ALL your 'armour' programs Configured CORRECTLY or they won't do you any good. Mine are configured to do what I want the way I want.
I ALWAYS clean my cookies and history EVERY DAY...sometimes several times a day depending upon where I have been on the net. To do this I simply go to "Tools" up in the MAIN Toolbar, Choose "Internet Options" at the bottom of the list, Use the "General" Tab and click on "Cookies", "Delete Files" (check the box that comes up and click "OK"), and then click "Clear History".
AT the END of my day on my computer first I run Anti-spy. Then I take the few seconds to do what I described in the preceding paragraph. I then update and run my two anti-virus programs if they haven't already done it themselves. I use AVG Free and one that my ISP provides for me. I run them separately because they conflict a bit and run veeeerrrryyy s.l..o...w....l.....y if I run them together.
NOTE:
IF you are proficient enough NOT to damage your system you can make your 'hidden' files Visable. IF you know HOW to do that you just MIGHT know enough that you can 'get by' with doing it...but BEEEEE CAREFUL not to delete ANYTHING that you are not absolutely SURE that you know what it is!!! If you delete a 'hidden folder' OR wrong 'hidden file' you WILL wind up having to REFORMAT your hard drive!!!!!
I have my hidden folders visible so I can go to "My Computer", "Local disk C:", "Documents and Settings" folder, " 'your name' " folder, "Local Settings" folder (which is the 'hidden' folder) and manually clean out everything thing INSIDE the "Temp" folder and "Temporary Internet Files" folder (These folders are INSIDE of the "Local Settings" folder).
Another word of warning about this procedure: If you find something in there that won't delete easily you'll have to shut off the program using it to be able to delete it. It shouldn't hurt anything because these are TEMPORARY files, anyway. Also, INSIDE the "Local Settings" folder is a "History" folder. It IS safe to open that folder and delete the "History" FILE there.
After doing that(It usually takes me only a minute or two) I run Spybot and then Adaware IN THAT ORDER!!!...to find what, if anything, that has been missed.
By doing those simple steps I rarely find any types of spyware ...or anything else... on my machine. 
Spybot, Spywareblaster, Ad-aware... unstoppable
by Selwyn - 12/9/05 6:10 PM In reply to: Spyware searcher what is better by x_caliber94If you just use spybot, spywareblaster and ad-aware and update them frequently, everything will work out okay, has for me for over a year and several computers.
I agree
by duckyguy - 12/10/05 12:41 PM In reply to: Spybot, Spywareblaster, Ad-aware... unstoppable by SelwynThe computer I am currently on was totally trashed by spyware, adware, trojans, etc. Poor norton was helpless, and my mom was going to throw the computer out, but instead she gave it to me. I downloaded, in my opinion, the best antispyware things out there. My advice is to download spyware doctor, even though he only scans, it will give you an idea of what you have, you can save the log file and hunt down some things yourself. I personally uninstalled the doc cause of the space he took up. But I still have the other programs that helped save my computer, and I got most if not all on download.com. I have Ad-Aware SE Personal, Spybot S&D, Registry Defender, Spyware Blaster, and of course good ol' Norton. And like Selwyn said, keep them updated, and everything will work out okay. Good Luck
Spyware Doctor
by rseyd - 12/11/05 4:31 PM In reply to: Spyware searcher what is better by x_caliber94I have been using spyware scanners for at least a year. I THOUGHT I was eliminating the spyware & adware from my PC by running both Ad-Aware and Spybot. For some reason I decided to try ''Spyware Doctor''. I ran Spyware Doctor immediately after running Ad-Aware and Spybot. I was surprised at the large amount of spyware found by Spyware Doctor and, obviously, not found by either Spybot or Ad-Aware. And yes, I do run the the updater on Spybot and Ad-Aware just before running them.
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