Forum Opinions on Spyware

[shawnc]

I just read with interest the thread on cookies and spyware and it got me thinking about how protected our home PC's are. We have Norton Utilities installed on both machines and I'm dissapointed to find out that this package does not include spyware protection. As a non-techie, that is the primary reason why I purchased the software. Or, maybe it does include this protection. At this point, I'm really not certain.

A quick Google on spyware revealed that their highest rated spyware package is software named Spyware Eliminator. I am currently running the free spyware identifier that this package provides and it has been scanning my machine for about 30 minutes. So far it has come up with 6 hits (just finished, 6 hits). The 1st 3 appear to be related to Mozilla, which I didn't even know I had. The last 3 are temporary Internet files.

In the thread mentioned above, Jason mentions that these companies have a financial interest in using a liberal definition of what constitutes spyware. I agree. My question to all of you is simply whether you think I need to purchase protection over and above what I already have, and if so, which package (free or not) do you recommend?

As always, thanx in advance for any suggestions/opinions.

UPDATE - Just to clarify, I'm NOT concerned about cookies. My concern are the more malicious programs that can monitor keystrokes and things of that nature. Also, ANYTHING that results in significant degradation of system performance.

[OSUKid7]

When I notice spyware/adware, I use a combination of Ad-Aware (http://www.download.com/3000-2144-10045910.html?part=69274&subj=dlpage&tag=button) (free edition) and Spybot - Search & Destroy (http://www.download.com/Spybot-Search-Destroy/3000-8022-10122137.html?part=dl-spybot&subj=dl&tag=but) (free).

[shawnc]

OSUKid7,

Thanx for the quick and relevant response. I'm usually leery of freebies, but my concerns were minimized by both products high CNET rating. I am curious though, how do these companies make money if they give their products away? Is there a "gotcha' that I'm missing?

[Darius Wey]

The packages mentioned by OSUKid7 are fine. They're both free and deliver the goods.

However, despite the results these programs show, you should be aware of what constitutes spyware/adware and what doesn't. A lot of these programs go in depth and can dig out "essential' data which it believes is spyware/adware, yet it may be an integral part of the way your system functions.

Here's an example. Set your IE home page to "about:blank" (without the quotation marks). Now give your system a scan. I'm pretty sure that your scanning utility will identify this as some sort of malignant-ware (call it what you will), yet in fact, it is something you implemented into your system settings to make your computer work the way you wanted it to.

In short, be wary of what is scanned and what the program thinks is spyware/adware. Don't feel the urge to go straight in there and delete everything because the program tells you to. The principle applies to cookies. Cookies are good. Cookies are bad. You just have to know which one constitutes which category.

[Darius Wey]

OSUKid7,

Thanx for the quick and relevant response. I'm usually leery of freebies, but my concerns were minimized by both products high CNET rating. I am curious though, how do these companies make money if they give their products away? Is there a "gotcha' that I'm missing?

Remember that not everyone out there does things to make money. Lavasoft (the creators of Ad-aware SE) still have products which are sold (the Professional version of Ad-aware SE) so a source of revenue flows in through that avenue. Also, some companies are sponsored by other companies. Some people just make programs for interest-sake and love to share their creations to the rest of the world. :D

[frankenbike]

I use Spyware Blaster (freeware, though donations are accepted) to prevent spyware from installing itself.

http://www.javacoolsoftware.com/spywareblaster.html

I use Spybot S&D to check for it periodically, but it hasn't found any since I installed SB (also free/donationware)

http://www.javacoolsoftware.com/spywareblaster.html

Spybot S&D is also handy for preventing programs from modifying your registry without you knowing about it (TeaTimer), and to easily modify your system startup programs (also handy for finding stuff starting up that you didn't know about).

http://www.spybot.info/en/index.html

Lots of system tweaks available in that program: shows and can remove Active X programs, IE Tweaks and other useful utilities.

I found that AdAware was next to useless. Definitely not worth the money I didn't pay for it.

[dean_shan]

When I notice spyware/adware, I use a combination of Ad-Aware (http://www.download.com/3000-2144-10045910.html?part=69274&subj=dlpage&tag=button) (free edition) and Spybot - Search & Destroy (http://www.download.com/Spybot-Search-Destroy/3000-8022-10122137.html?part=dl-spybot&subj=dl&tag=but) (free).

Same here this is your best option when it comes to spyware removal. Be sure to use both because both programs miss things that the other picks-up.

[TheOrange]

When I notice spyware/adware, I use a combination of Ad-Aware (http://www.download.com/3000-2144-10045910.html?part=69274&subj=dlpage&tag=button) (free edition) and Spybot - Search & Destroy (http://www.download.com/Spybot-Search-Destroy/3000-8022-10122137.html?part=dl-spybot&subj=dl&tag=but) (free).

Same here this is your best option when it comes to spyware removal. Be sure to use both because both programs miss things that the other picks-up.

I do the same, but now and then I mix it up with a little Bazooka (http://www.kephyr.com/spywarescanner/index.html?source=appvisit)

[shawnc]

Guys,

As always, thanx for the help. I love this site :multi: !