What is the best spyware program?
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I haven't yet found one that catches everything. I have to run several to get a good clean up. I've been using CA Pestpatrol lately. It's very fast and seems to catch many that others (Spybot and Spysweeper) seem to miss.
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for a very clean system, use a combination of three tools. spywareblaster to actually prevent downloading and installing the spyware in the firstplace. then use something like ad-aware to scan and fix if infected. then i use something like registry mechanic to clean and wipe unnecessary stuffs away from the registry. i wont say one spyware removal program would be enough.
anyway if given a chance to choose only one then i would say ad-aware would be good enough for general use.
later,
sky -
Adaware is a lost cause nowadays
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I voted Microsoft Defender because among the freeware versions it is the only one (that I know of) that is continuosly running.
I don't think that it is enough on its onw since it does not catch cookies: I use also spybot -
The programs you listed are free with the exception of Spyware Doctor. These might not offer comprehensive and complete protection from other programs that you pay for.
My recommendation: Webroot's Spy Sweeper. -
Aren't all those programs anti-spyware programs, not spyware programs? ;P
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It's a pretty bad idea to limit yourself to just one of those. I use Adaware, Spybot, and Spyware Blaster.
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I use adaware, spybot and the one that comes in the McAfee Internet Security Suite. They all seem to find and fix something different.
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Webroot Spy Sweeper has the best overall ratings, and is what I use
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I've had great success with microsoft's its been keeping the junk off of my Pc's I use it on. I also use mcafee internet security which covers spyware and it does a great job keeping me clean in the first place also.
Defender is free for now so its the way to defend. As for removal spybot and ad aware are great! As others have said use several programs -
I also have had a really good experience with Webroot Spy Sweeper. It is worth every penny you pay for it...saved me from reformatting my computer when my brother put a bunch of spyware on it.
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has anyone used this, ccleaner before? its very, very good. it cleans everything from your registry, temp folder, ie, and firefox. it even cleans all the commands that you've entered within 'run' dialog box. its really a perfect complement to any spyware removal program like ad-aware. check this out:
http://www.ccleaner.com/
later,
sky -
It's been proven in multiple tests that no single anti-spyware program catches everything.
On machines that I need to clean, I use a combo of Spybot, Adaware, and HijackThis. Then load the MS one for realtime protection.
On my own PC, I use my brain. -
The crazy thing about antispyware programs is that not one catches everything and I like many others who have responded use at least 2.
I use Spybot Search and Destroy with their TSR version that keeps an eye on programs trying to change the registry. In addition, I also use a free antispyware program through Comcast which is essentially Spy Sweeper.
I also use the Privacy Service through McAffee, No Scripts in Conjunction with Firefox, and I look at every cookie before I reject or approve it.
I check my registry weekly to look for any changes.
So far, I have been clean.
Occassionally, I still get cookies from hitbox and others which I repeatedly reject but somehow break through when my wife uses IE 6. -
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i have been using adaware se for 2 years now i think. Ever since installing it ive only had 2-3 spywares actually get on my cpu. It has ad Ad Watch freature, pretty much like having norton auto protection. It has saved me from many things trying to change my registry and add programs.
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Metamorphical Good computer user
I use a combo of Spybot: search and distory, ad-aware, the MS one for realtime, and a side of Bazooka. AOhell's anti-spyware progam also runs when I do sign on. I might as well count it as well.
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I just use Ad-Aware...seems to work well.
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I only use ad-aware in conjection with avg/zonealarm.
Is that enough? I scan with ad-aware every couple of days and never find anything. What is Defender like? Is it a resource a hog?
Which would be the best program to add to my aresnal? -
Microsoft Antispyware works pretty well when you make sure it doesnt get too deep within your computer. Also if you tell it not to send anything to Spynet, it wont constantly pop up with random side windows. Overall good product for being free and it works pretty well.
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i'm using zone alarm pro and spyware doctor.. works well. don't get too paranoid about spyware.
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ad aware, spybot search and destroy, spyware blaster, avg and ccleaner. you can't expect one program to be able to catch it all.
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I use Spybot, Ad-aware, and Microsoft Anti Spyware. I think you need at least 2 spyware programs, so you can be sure to catch as much spyware as possible. Ad-aware usually catches the most then Spybot then Micrsoft. But they all help keep my computers clean. And then I also have Avast antivirus and that gets rid of some spyware also. So I use 4
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My combo now is...
Anti virus : AVG
Firewall : Zonealarm
Spyware :Ad-Aware, Spybot S&D, Spyware Blaster, Windows Defender -
will spybot search and destroy work with adaware?
I read some place a long time ago and some files conflict with each other, like they get scanned wrong or something... -
nathanhuth Notebook Evangelist NBR Reviewer
Anti-virus: AVG Free
Firewall: Sygate, Windows
Anti-spyware: Ad-Aware SE, Spybot S&D, SpywareBlaster, Windows Defender (For Real-time Protection)
Internet Settings:
First-party Cookies: Prompt
Third-party Cookies: Block
Hosts File: Locked
No more tracking cookies! -
My McAfee virus scan would detect Ad-Aware as a virus. I thought it was nice, though, because it always ended up as the only detection.
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Yes, Spy Sweeper by far the champ.
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Lefty Supremacist Notebook Enthusiast
I suggest you guys try out ewido anti-malware, well, just the stand-alone scanner, not the real-time. It catches stuff even Ad-aware misses.
Anyway, I use:
Anti-virus: Avast! Home
Firewall: ZoneAlarm
Anti-spyware: Spybot, Syware Blaster, Ad-aware, ewido, and windows defender for real-time -
Spybot resident seems to be the best thing that I personally installed. It is constantly watching the registry. If I am installing software it notifies me of any 'changes'.
Does Windows defender tend to slow down the computer? Not that anything slows my PC, yet; except for trying a game. -
So far I'm using a tool called "Hitman Pro".
It's a kind of meta cleaner. It download, controls and updates other spyware cleaners such as ad-aware, spybot, spyware blaster etc. etc.
Check it out, the site is in Dutch but the program is english;
Direct download link
Dutch website -
nathanhuth Notebook Evangelist NBR Reviewer
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I use avast for my anti-virus program, ccleaner, spybot search & destroy, ad-aware se pro, spyware blaster, spyware docter, webroot spy sweeper. Out of all of 'em i'd recommed ad-aware, spybot search & destroy, and spyware blaster, ccleaner, and avast. Spyware docter is alright but you can get something that scans more thoroughly for free. I hate webroot spy sweeper the most, that thing is a system hog plus it takes forever to scan and the dectection rate is not that great.
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I use adaware spybot, and a trial of Trend Micro anti-virus. I like the trend micro one, but unfortunately it's only free to try. I also have AVG and Avast for antivirus. I use Mozilla Firefox and Opera. I'm not sure If too many viruses have a chance on my PC, but there is always the possibility.
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i use adaware, spybot, spywareblaster, and zonealarm. it seems that they're so good nowdays that i rarely get any spyware. Oh btw, i usually use adaware for daily scanning. the spwareblaster, spybot i use for imunisation, and zonealarm for active prevention.
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Does anyone use Ad-aware plus? It's the pay version. Apparently is provides active prevention. Is it worth it?
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Okay thanks!
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I personally have found MS Defender to work very well. One trojan that I tried to remove from a friend comp. could not be removed with any program but MS Defender.
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McAfee antivirus catches a fair amount of spyware/malware even before Windows Defender does. Pretty good in my books.
Anti-virus: McAfee
Firewall: Outpost
Anti-spyware: Ad-Aware, Spybot, Windows Defender and Spywareblaster.
I'm thinking of trying out ewido as a on-demand scanner, but can't seem to find a way of installing it so that I only get the scanner without the shield and the trial portion of the software. The new Spyware Terminator seems to be getting good reviews too. -
im using :
1.Jetico Personal Firewall.
2.Spyware Blaster.
3.CCleaner.
4.Nod32.
5.a-squared.
6.Windows cleanUp.
7.Spybot Search n Destroy.
8.RemoveIT Pro XT.
9.ewido Anti-spyware.
10.HijackThis
Ù‹Want more ? -
ever since i have installed spywareblaster i have never have had any spyware since!
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I use spybot S&D, adaware, hijackthis, and ewido for my spyware problems
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Out of all the programs, Spyware Doctor seems to detect all the spyware which the others have missed like spyware sweeper.
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Micorsoft defender beta. Works like a charm, once installed and configured never have to touch it again...until the newer version comes out. Never had issues or infection with this at the helm of my spyware protection. and as stated one of the only if not only freeware that has auto protect constantly running. I have been using since the the first MS spyware came out last year.
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does the windows defender have to be loaded for it to have the real time protection?
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I can't tell the difference - I have used them all at some point in the past. Is there an objective way to asses these programs?
Vista has Defender on it preloaded, so just stick with that. -
Window's Defender is supposed to be one of the worst anti-spyware products on the market. Once I get my new notebook I'm getting Spy Sweeper and then downloading either Ad-aware or Spy Bot: Search and Destroy.
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Do you guys have the programs always on or turn it on as needed?
Best spyware program
Discussion in 'Security and Anti-Virus Software' started by titaniummd, Apr 12, 2006.