Spyware Removers

[andius]

My computer is getting pretty bad, and my trials are all running out. I was wondering if anyone here has expeirnces with a program that works well and it's trial version isn't limited to only finding the malware and also one where the trail won't run out. Thanks in advance.

 

[trooper]

LavaSofts Adaware

http://www.download.com/Ad-Aware-SE-Person...ubj=dl&tag=top5

Spybot search & destroy

http://www.safer-networking.org/en/download/index.html

Possibly the best at what they do.

Trooper

 

[Blah]

I use this free stuff:

Adaware (removes spyware)

Spybot (removes spyware, prevents spyware)

Spywareblaster (Prevents spyware in your web browser)

Avg Antivirus (removes spyware, removes & prevents viruses)

They work good together. And they're all 100% freeware, not just a trail.

 

[yaustar]

Second trooper's and Blah's post (since I use the software myeslf)

Firewall
Sygate
or
Kerio

 

[tekt5]

I use spybot

 

[Enslaved]

What about Virus protection? My norton is expiring next month.

 

[Vimacs]

antivir (free for windows)
http://www.free-av.de/
or fprot (free for linux)
http://ww.f-prot.com

 

[toxibunny]

panda also do a good free virus check/destroy.

and for those you just can't shift, try Hijackthis. - but beware, it's largely manual, and you can wreck your system pretty easily. it's powerful, though.

 

[LHC]

http://www.microsoft.com/athome/security/s...re/default.mspx

Microsoft anti spyware is probably better than Adaware and Spybot S&D currently.

 

[White Demon]

I wouldn't trust anything written by Microsoft relating to security.

I use adaware myself, but I'v heard spybot is suppposed to be good too.

The only firewall program worth mentioning is Zone Alarm. They offer a free version of their software with the option to trial the pro version as well (after which time it reverts to standard). I've got the free version of Zone Alarm and no-one has ever got into my computer. Zone Alarm rejects many attempts that other Firewall programs let through.

Go to this site to check your firewall's ability

As for virus checkers, I wouldn't trust any of the free ones at all. I've heard (and even seen) tales of other people running AVG and still having their computers full of viruses. If you want a good anti-virus program, you're gonna have to pay for it. Norton is what most people would recommend (only because they know no better) but the only Virus Program I trust is Vet/Inoculate. You get what you pay for, really.

 

[LHC]

I wouldn't trust anything written by Microsoft relating to security.

​

It isn't even written by Microsoft; it's just "Giant" rebranded.

 

[yaustar]

Zone Alarm has a lot of incompatabilities with other programs (mainly P2P though). Using that same sit to check the firewall status, I had a few ports open (although this was a year ago so they may have improved it). Sygate is the only one that I have tried that stealths all the ports and also allows full control on which program has which ports open doing what function..

For antivirus this might be interesting:
http://www.virusbtn.com/vb100/archives/tests.xml

 

[EvilDragon]

I wouldn't trust anything written by Microsoft relating to security.

​

It isn't even written by Microsoft; it's just "Giant" rebranded.

​

ZoneAlarm even reports it as GIANT-something when it tries to connect to the internet

 

[bringoutthegimp]

avg is unsafe, youve been warned. panda antiviurs/firewall is where its at. also spybot

 

[toxibunny]

I wouldn't trust anything written by Microsoft relating to security.

...
<snip>
...

Go to this site to check your firewall's ability

...
<snip>
...

​

that site reports that my computer is exceptionally secure.

I'm using winXP built-in firewall...

so who do I trust?

 

[generalnmx]

avg is unsafe, youve been warned. panda antiviurs/firewall is where its at. also spybot

​

I've heard the opposite, myself.

 

[raven]

Go to this site to check your firewall's ability

​

that site reports that my computer is exceptionally secure.

I'm using winXP built-in firewall...

so who do I trust?

​

It reports I am vulnerable, unfortunately it doesn't understand it's communicating with my router and doesn't get to my computer at all

There is nothing wrong with free virusscanners BTW. I have been using different versions for years (InnoculateIT until they started charging, I am now using avast!) and am very happy about them. So far the few virii I did get in my mailbox have all been caught. Just get a reasonable scanner and keep it updated and you'll be fine. I know tons of people with Norton that haven't updated once since they installed it.

 

[Goity]

There are mixed views on the subject. Some people say that Avg and Norton are the way to go, whereas others say they are terrible. I don't know who to trust but I've never had problems with either one.

 

[yaustar]

Hmm I guess it is personal preference.. I stick by AVG and Norton's Live Update seems to hate me..

 

[toxibunny]

I heard that virus programmers know that norton is by far the most popular antivirus software... and that they deliberately write viruses that norton can't detect...


anyway... back on topic. SPYWARE - what's the best? I'm also infected with spyware, and a combination of adaware, spybot search and destroy, and spywareguard doesn't get rid of it. I've moved to mozilla firefox browser, which removes the symptoms, but the malware is still on my system. microsoft antispyware beta, someone says? ok, i'll try it.


(it's the annoying about:blank homepage hijack that has me, btw... I caught it from a porn site )

PLUS: is it likely that i'm being keylogged? I'd hate to think that someone has my yahoomail password...






Plus Plus: mozilla firefox browser is kinda a bit crappier than internet explorer, but is much safer in terms of spyware safety, which more than makes up for it. it's a spyware preventer in itself...