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Community Newsletter: Q&A: 11/19/04 How many spyware utilities do I really need?
- 11/18/04 1:53 PM
He's right
by karsmth - 1/22/07 6:40 AM In reply to: Re: 11/19/04 How many spyware utilities do I really need? by v61s6t0gHi,
I had a problem when I used to run multiple software one after the other. You mentioned it - one software deletes backups made from the other.
Therefore I believe knowledge is king. One such article I recently read that underlines this security threat is called: "Fastest method to infect your PC with spyware and adware" at:
http://www.deletespyware-adware.com/blog/2006/12/fastest-method-to-infect-your-pc-with.html
Most often it is us that place danger on our PC by visiting certain type of sites.
Mike
Re: 11/19/04 How many spyware utilities do I really need?
by bikerbaz - 11/19/04 1:19 AM In reply to: 11/19/04 How many spyware utilities do I really need? by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
Michael, Many thanks,I would like to move to Firefox but worry that IE6 is at the heart of my computer, which is currently running OK.
Do I install Firefox on top of IE6 then uninstall IE6?
Do I also then remove all reference to IE in the registry?(both 4 & 6 are listed) & what should I do if the computer then crashes?
I use Outlook 2000 as my emailer and run Win 98SE
Re: 11/19/04 How many spyware utilities do I really need?
by rstones12 - 11/19/04 9:35 AM In reply to: Re: 11/19/04 How many spyware utilities do I really need? by bikerbazFirefox is a totally seperate browser, you download and install.
Re: 11/19/04 How many spyware utilities do I really need?
by roddy32 - 11/19/04 4:09 PM
In reply to: Re: 11/19/04 How many spyware utilities do I really need? by bikerbaz
As Rstones already posted, Firefox is a stand alone browser but also do NOT attempt to uninstall IE because you will still need it for Windows Updates.
Re: 11/19/04 How many spyware utilities do I really need?
by pkallberg21 - 11/19/04 1:59 AM In reply to: 11/19/04 How many spyware utilities do I really need? by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
Hello, I have Internet Explorer currently on my computer, and am trying to uninstall it and replace it with Firefox, as I hear that Firefox is more secure. My Internet Explorer is pre-installed in the computer and it is not in the Add/Remove Programs menu. How can I remove it? Thanks.
Re: 11/19/04 How many spyware utilities do I really need?
by willum08 - 11/19/04 2:32 AM In reply to: Re: 11/19/04 How many spyware utilities do I really need? by pkallberg21It is not really possible to remove IE from the windows installation, since it is so tightly integrated with Windows. Just leave it on your hard disc - you will need it anyway, since you can only download Windows updates using IE. Firefox is installed just like any other program and does not install over the top, or replace IE on your system. During the installation process, you can 'pull-in' some of the data from IE such as your Favorites - they become Bookmarks in Firefox. Installation is very straightforward and you can choose to make Firefox your default browser or just start it from a desktop or quick launch area Icon.
There is also an additional 'Plug-In' available, which allows you to switch to IE, whilst using Firefox, by just right clicking on an 'empty' area on Firefox screen.
Re: 11/19/04 replacing IE with Firefox
by nazcalito - 11/19/04 8:46 AM In reply to: Re: 11/19/04 How many spyware utilities do I really need? by willum08A plugin to switch to IE? That is good to know, since Firefox won't display some sites correctly. Does this plugin solve the problem of Firefox not displaying .chm files correctly?
Re: 11/19/04 [Uninstalling IE.. bad idea]
by thecat - 11/19/04 2:45 AM In reply to: Re: 11/19/04 How many spyware utilities do I really need? by pkallberg21Hi all.
I don't think uninstalling IE is a very good idea.
Keep it in your system, path it whenever possible and simply don't use it for normal browsing.
Don't use Outlook/Outlook Express if possible (they both use IE to render html e-mails in message preview...).
To tell the truth, I still use OE because previous version of Thunderbird made some mess with my mails, but I was trying to use multiple accounts on the same local folder... I'll try with last version of Thunderbird as soon as possible.
Note that:
- some site can be visualized properly only in IE
- Microsoft WindowsUpdate site functions properly only
if IE is installed (because IE uses "system" user
when browsing; Microsoft uses this thing to remotely
scan your pc, when looking if you need some patch)
About spyware software, I think that using more than one is better. I personally use SpyBot Search&Destroy and SpyHunter (both have a TSR "protector" for IE) and Spyware Nuker 2004 (that as a very powerfull scanner for Windows registry but
you have to know what to delete and what not to delete from the registry; last time I accidentally "broken" WinSock things and I was unable to use network connection on my LAN... some bad minutes followed...). Sometimes, I also run HijackThis 1.98
Re: 11/19/04 How many spyware utilities do I really need?
by Arjan - 11/19/04 2:35 AM In reply to: 11/19/04 How many spyware utilities do I really need? by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
The Ad-aware aware is a very good product but last week a found two dialer which was not possible to removed by Ad-aware.
I use GiantAntiSpyware by GiantCompant ( http://www.giantcompany.com) and then where removed.
Re: 11/19/04 How many spyware utilities do I really need?
by TimRoy - 11/19/04 3:03 AM In reply to: 11/19/04 How many spyware utilities do I really need? by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
I currently use Spybot Search & Destroy. It seems to to the least damage of the 2 you mention.
After running Ad-aware for the first time I was unable to login to my network. I had to do an Ad-aware restore and uninstall to get back on.
Spybot locks up my com1 port so my CAD software can't find the license dongle. I have to run an alternate CAD program which will clear the lock so I can use the other.
Tim
Re: 11/19/04 How many spyware utilities do I really need?
by actingmark - 11/19/04 3:21 AM In reply to: 11/19/04 How many spyware utilities do I really need? by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
While I agree with Micheal that one can obviously spend so much time attempting to make their computer safe that they have little time left to enjoy their computer, I do think one has to be a bit more proactive that to rely simply on their antvirus software along with Spybot and Ad-Aware.
I use both Spybot and Ad-Aware and they are excellent but they do not do a good job of detecting or deleting trojans, keyloggers, or dialers so I do not rely on them exclusively. In addition to these two applications I also use Spyware Blaster (Free)which automatically places restricted sites on your Internet Explorer browser, and SpySweeper. I also have a small application which deletes the Aureate dll that oftens gets downloaded unknowingly. One other added bit of advice, you do need a good registry cleaner as many "bugs" also lodge themselves in your registry and most anti-spyware applications do not get these. I have gone over three years without having any major attacks or slowdowns on my computer.
As far as multiple anti-spyware applications detecting each other's quarantine files, I have never had that occurr. Possibly because I delete the quarantined files or vaults. So I can honestly say that various software applications do indeed detect spyware that others miss.
All told I spend about thirty minutes per week running my anti-spyware applications, updating, and generally cleaning up my computer be deleting temp files, histories, MRUs, prefetch, etc. It seesm to me a small price to pay to protect, in my case, over $5,000.00 in equipment.
Re: 11/19/04 How many spyware utilities do I really need?
by MichaelF - 11/20/04 4:32 AM In reply to: Re: 11/19/04 How many spyware utilities do I really need? by actingmarkHello
I would reiterate to install firefox, and only use IE if absolutely necessary. Personally if a site won't operate in firefox then it has been created with non web standard extensions and should be avoided.
Last time I ran adaware and spybot was after a month since the last time I ran them, and all I found were 4 cookies. I would point out that I have broadband, am on 24/7 and do a lot of research on the net. I believe the cause of most of these programs being able to install without your permission is due to vulnerabilities within IE, as well as indiscrimnately downloading and installing freeware. This accords with my experience of problem free use since using Firefox.
Regards
Michaelf
Re: 11/19/04 How many spyware utilities do I really need?
by Barronl - 11/19/04 3:27 AM In reply to: 11/19/04 How many spyware utilities do I really need? by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
Great answer to the question! Protection is certainly necessary, but we can forget why we are using the internet in the first place.
Re: 11/19/04 How many spyware utilities do I really need?
by bill flinn - 11/19/04 3:34 AM In reply to: 11/19/04 How many spyware utilities do I really need? by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
I think you are right in your choice of adaware and spybot but I began to experience major problems with spybot to an extent where I had to delete it . I knoe that there were some problems which I had noticed on the forums but I will try again . I also have tried Mozilla Firefox and think it is brilliant ,but I have had to ditch this also as I think it maybe is incompatible with Evidence Eliminator which I also run . I am running ME which is probably enough said but can anyone help .I am back to Explorer has caused an error in Kernell32 so I think I am approaching the inevitable time to full restore once again or maybe take the cost hit and go to XP .Advice would be appreciated.
Re: 11/19/04 How many spyware utilities do I really need?
by MichaelF - 11/20/04 4:42 AM In reply to: Re: 11/19/04 How many spyware utilities do I really need? by bill flinnHi Bill
I would say it sounds like its time for a full restore 
If you can afford it go to XP as ME was always a bit problematic and XP is a lot more stable. Not sure what evidence eliminator is but if you can do without it and use firefox right from the start, you could keep your system much cleaner. These things build up and even when deleted can cause problems, much better to prevent most of the nasties in the first place by using my advice above. Most stuff never make it to my computer with the use of firefox and mailwasher.
So my advice, back up your files, completely wipe (reformat if you know how or get someone to help) and start from scratch with good practices. You will never look back.
Michael F
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