Blocking Spyware

[Lyte]

I use Webroot's "Spy Sweeper" and found it's pretty swift in catching adware, spyware and the like. It's only $29.95 which seem pretty cheap to me.

Any other recommendations???

ED

[Dave]

I recommend the following:

• Spybot Search & Destroy Great freeware, but please donate if you like it. This is a great tool.
• Lavasoft's AdAware Another great tool with free and pro versions.
• Ewido Suite A great tool that has a month free usage.

[RedXO]

I like Spyware Doctor.

http://www.pctools.com/spyware-doctor/

RedXO

[NicoMoon]

Ok, another "am I a dope?" moment. I use Microsoft's free Anti-Spyware software.

All was well until I allowed it to upgrade itself, at which point my brand new loaded laptop slowed to a crawl. I'm not sure that was the problem, however, because I had to do a LOT of housework to get things running again, including uninstalling and reinstalling Anti-Spyware.

All systems seem operational at the moment!

Any thoughts on the Microsoft Anti-Spyware, though? Could I be doing better?

I do think I've tried most of them, Microsoft seems the be the most hassle-free to me so far though. Not counting the possible problems the upgrade caused!:rolleyes:

[Snowbird]

I like using AVAST! It works great and will update a few times a day automatically, if needed. I use spybot and Hijacker. I also have spy blocker on my yahoo browser, and that works pretty good

[bytewiz]

i was happy to nstall the symantec blast away all intruders package, but my speeds are crummy now. also, i see in my processes batch file running miltple explorer at 45,K bytes and then the symantec running at like 212,000 bytes? i had no idea i was trading in that much performance.

man.

[dgridley]

I've used both Adaware and Spy Sweeper with good results.. the problem is most of these apps will flag things they shouldn't or miss things the others pick up. Best to use a couple different to catch everything you can.

[Momo]

I use SpyBot Search and Destroy. It works well for me and notifies me whenever there will be changes to the registry so I can allow or disallow it. And best of all, it's free!

[joey]

Spybot Search & Destroy works great for MOST spyware.
Hijackthis works great if you're having a browser hijack problem.

But the best way to prevent spyware and such is to just do a few simple things.

#1) Keep a firewall on and configured. I suggest zonealarm, but for some people I could see it being a bit confusing.

#2) Keep windows up to date.

#3) Turn off install on demand on demand

Internet Explorer > Tools > Internet Options > Advanced Tab

Uncheck "Enable Install on demand," both variations.

and that's all I do. I haven't run a virusscan on my computer since June. No problems at all.

[Lyte]

Originally Posted by joey

I haven't run a virusscan on my computer since June. No problems at all.

Hey Joey,

Do you not run virus scan automatically?? My Spysweeper runs every night at about 2am and my virus at least once a week.

Am I being too cautious??

Lyte

[joey]

Well, I suppose with computers there's no such thing as being "too cautious," but if you're not using the computer every night at 2am, then why not? Couldn't hurt anything. I just feel that I don't need to, and if I did, I'm almost 100% positive it would come up with nothing.

[RedXO]

I started using AVG for virus protection. Both Norton and McAfee blow as virus and spyware protection.

RedXO

[dr911]

Hey All,

I was installing "Zone Alarm's" free fire wall for a client, when I notice that there is a "virus software" included. Now I'm using the earliest version of Zone Alarm (version:2.1.44). Has anyone seen or used this "virus software" before ? It's well hidden !!

[amenzia]

The hosts file is one of the best free tools you have for beating spyware, if you look search on google you can find a list of the most common perpetrators and block them all in your hosts file. Its as easy as 1-2-3