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Best Antispyware Program


Best Antispyware Program  

399 members have voted

  1. 1. Best Antispyware Program

    • Microsoft Antispyware
      59
    • Spybot Search and Destroy
      44
    • Adaware
      58
    • Hitman Pro
      3
    • SpywareBlaster
      5
    • CWShredder
      2
    • Pest Patrol
      3
    • Spyware Doctor
      10


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I personally use Spyware Doctor from www.pctools.com which I tried because I love their Registry Mechanic tool.

In addition, I also use Spyware Blaster from Javacoolsoftware.com, Spybot S&D (I get it from Download.com) and Adaware from lavasoft.de

I have found that Spyware doctor gets pretty much EVERYTHING... I believe it has the best real-time protection, and I have tried alot.

As for the M$ stuff. There is proof that M$ is not targeting the spyware it installs on your system. They claim it is tools that help them make their software better by recording the way you use your computer to help them develop better software in the future. You automatically opt-in when using their software unless you activly opt-out. The one that comes with Office 2003 is the most noticable (and easiest to opt out of).

Also, many places have reported that M$ has added many programs to their whitelist, and I have had 2 occurances where M$ said I had some spyware on my PC but the directory that it reported to me as infected did not exist (I checked before doing the clean operation). Either it was a bug with the reporting of hte desination or it never existed... I don't know which one it is.

But that was my 2 cents, try the free download of Spyware Doctor if you want to try something a little different (And better)!

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personally i dont even use antispyware programs i know what im installing and that it is clean of all spyware/viruses . i also never use IE and use opera and clean the cache on it everytime it closes so that i wont be left with any tracking cookies. the only antispyware products i have found to actually have been anygood out of them all are Adaware and Spysweeper.

Edited by ScubaSteve
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Well, for one...it's been proven that the largest number of websites and/or downloads that will infest a system with spyware are sites used by software pirates and free porn sites. Steer clear of those and other so-called "whatever you want for free" sites and you usually won't have any spyware problems at all.

As far as protection goes, i'm a big advocate of freeware and open-source software offerings...the only downside to the idea of an open-source spyware/adware program is that with the source being there for all to see, anyone who makes malicious spyware or adware will know exactly how to get around the defenses that particular program is trying to offer.

You should also pay attention to dates on definitions lists. Spyware Blaster used to be good, but the latest definitions file for it is months old....much like an anti-virus, if your protections aren't current, you may as well not being using one. Spybot S&D has been proven to be quite dated as well in both its definitions and its capacity to detect and remove spywares.

AntiSpyware is one type of software that I honestly feel people should pay for, especially since it takes a HUGE effort on the part of any reliable company to stay on top of the ablility to protect and clean spyware as dozens of new varients appear each day. Out of personal experience I find Spy Sweeper and Spyware Doctor to be 2 of the absolute best around for both protection and system cleaning.

If you want free, as far as what is out there today, my best suggestion would be the latest Ad-Aware SE + Spyware Guard. Spyware guard is made by the same company as Spyware Blaster, but instead of using a very outdated list of spyware definitions to "immunize" you from infection, it gives quality real-time protection from new ones getting onto your system.

Keep in mind that Microsoft, as a company, has made many enemies over the years in one way or another. Just by getting on the Internet using a Microsoft OS, Like Windows XP, your going around with a neon flashing bullseye on you. Yes there is spyware that can infect Linux, and yes there are viruses that can as well. However, you don't see Linux plagued with them, because it isn't seen as "the enemy" by large groups of malicious computer users, like Microsoft is.

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Well, for one...it's been proven that the largest number of websites and/or downloads that will infest a system with spyware are sites used by software pirates and free porn sites. Steer clear of those and other so-called "whatever you want for free" sites and you usually won't have any spyware problems at all.

As far as protection goes, i'm a big advocate of freeware and open-source software offerings...the only downside to the idea of an open-source spyware/adware program is that with the source being there for all to see, anyone who makes malicious spyware or adware will know exactly how to get around the defenses that particular program is trying to offer.

You should also pay attention to dates on definitions lists. Spyware Blaster used to be good, but the latest definitions file for it is months old....much like an anti-virus, if your protections aren't current, you may as well not being using one. Spybot S&D has been proven to be quite dated as well in both its definitions and its capacity to detect and remove spywares.

AntiSpyware is one type of software that I honestly feel people should pay for, especially since it takes a HUGE effort on the part of any reliable company to stay on top of the ablility to protect and clean spyware as dozens of new varients appear each day. Out of personal experience I find Spy Sweeper and Spyware Doctor to be 2 of the absolute best around for both protection and system cleaning.

If you want free, as far as what is out there today, my best suggestion would be the latest Ad-Aware SE + Spyware Guard. Spyware guard is made by the same company as Spyware Blaster, but instead of using a very outdated list of spyware definitions to "immunize" you from infection, it gives quality real-time protection from new ones getting onto your system.

Keep in mind that Microsoft, as a company, has made many enemies over the years in one way or another. Just by getting on the Internet using a Microsoft OS, Like Windows XP, your going around with a neon flashing bullseye on you. Yes there is spyware that can infect Linux, and yes there are viruses that can as well. However, you don't see Linux plagued with them, because it isn't seen as "the enemy" by large groups of malicious computer users, like Microsoft is.

What? The spywareblaster database I have loaded is dated 8/4/05. And the detections I have for spybot S&D are dated 8/5/05. These are both great programs and are updated quite frequently. Months old? Me thinks you don't know what you are talking about.

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Although Webroot Spyware is highly rated for detection, it did not pick up a bundled spyware called "NewDotNet :"NewDotNet is a Browser Plugin. NewDotNet is bundled with other software. When it is installed, it adds the subdomains of new.net to your name resolution system, resulting in what appear to be extra top-level domains (such as .shop) being resolvable. NewDotNet can also download updates for itself without further input from you. NewDotNet/B also redirects address bar searches to their own search engine"

Caution folks!

This was picked up by Zone Alarm anti-spyware. :o

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Greetings,

There are a number of good and bad utilities for securing your system against malware of all sorts.

The simplest solution is to use the free ones first as they're not out to take your money - as are a number of dodgy ones! A lot of these use pop-ups to frighten the naive surfer into thinking they're infected and that they need to download the "recommended anti-malware application" - for a fee!! :rolleyes:

For a list of good and bad utilities, check out:

Trustworthy Anti-Spyware Products :thumbup

Rogue/Suspect Anti-Spyware Sites :thumbdown

The first link also makes it quite clear which ones to use to protect your system.

Apart from the free ones, you can also try out the trial downloads of the "Trustworthy" ones from the first link and, if satisfied with their performance, buy the product.

ALWAYS check the "Rogue" list first BEFORE DOWNLOADING "Recommended" anti-malware applications!

If you suspect your system is infected, this short article recommends the minimum needed to clean it:

If Your PC is Infested w/ Spyware...

Kindest regards,

Dragan Glas

(Castlecops.com)

Edited by Dragan Glas
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i would go with spysweeper everytime. out of all the ones ive tested its by far the best for catching things.

As far as MS Antispyware is concerned its pretty much a joke, only microsoft could create something that tells you IE 7 is spyware, also if you looked on the msfn main page a while back and read the story how MS are buying that known spyware company and will be filtering it out of there antispyware (what a surprise)

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Greetings,

i would go with spysweeper everytime. out of all the ones ive tested its by far the best for catching things.

As far as MS Antispyware is concerned its pretty much a joke, only microsoft could create something that tells you IE 7 is spyware, also if you looked on the msfn main page a while back and read the story how MS are buying that known spyware company and will be filtering it out of there antispyware (what a surprise)

It appears that , perhaps due to public reaction, the talks have broken down - MS are not going ahead with buying Claria.

Kindest regards,

Dragan Glas

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