At Least FIVE Anti-Spyware Programs

[Ken Blake, MVP]

I would ask would two or more self updating pay for antispyware
programs be adequate. Many AVs have spyware sniffers built-in, does
this count? Some have ZA Pro with its own antispyware, would this
count as one? If not, why?

I think you're asking the wrong questions. Whether they are free or for pay,
and whether or not they are self-updating, the issue isn't literally how
*many* you have, or what "counts."

The problem is that there is so much new spyware constantly coming out thatn
one of the makers of these programs have been able to do a consistly
good-enough job of keeping up with them. Eric Howes, on
http://spywarewarrior.com/asw-test-guide.htm, states "No single anti-spyware
scanner removes everything. Even the best-performing anti-spyware scanner
in these tests missed fully one quarter of the 'critical' files and Registry
entries." and "It is better to use two or more anti-spyware scanners in
combination, as one will often detect and remove things that others do not."

So you need to decide how careful you want to be, and to what lengths you
are willing to go to protect yourself. One decent product will provide some
protection, two will provide more protection, three will provide more
protection than two, and so on. It's clearly more trouble to use multiple
programs, and only you can decide whether the extra protection is worth it
to you., and where you should stop.

My personal view is better safe than sorry, so I use all of the following:

Spybot Search and Destroy
Adaware
Spyware Blaster
Spyware Guard
Microsoft Anti-Spyware beta.

 

[Fuzzy Logic]

I used to have fire insurance on my house, but I never had a fire, so I
removed it.

You left out half of my reply:

Madness...I only use Ad-Aware and it never even finds a bad cookie. I used
to use Spybot as well but it never found anything either so I removed it.

If you practice safe surfing and properly configure your browser you won't
get malware.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------

I still run Ad-Aware on a regular basis, just in case, but have NEVER found
a single piece of malware on both of the computers I use.

If you don't practice safe surfing and/or can't be bothered to properly
configure your browser by all means have some insurance.

 

[DrJoel]

Jonny wrote:

Spybot Search and Destroy
Adaware
Spyware Blaster
Spyware Guard
Microsoft Anti-Spyware beta.

I run:
Spybot Search and Destroy
Adaware SE
Spyware Blaster
Trend Micro
Microsoft Anti-Spyware Beta.

Is Spyware Guard worth installing, and does it use a lot of memory when
running?

 

[Gerry Cornell]

Frank

So will any measures targeted at malware. So will malware!

--

Hope this helps.

Gerry
~~~~
FCA
Stourport, England

Enquire, plan and execute
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

[Shenan Stanley]

Spybot Search and Destroy
Adaware
Spyware Blaster
Spyware Guard
Microsoft Anti-Spyware beta.

I run:
Spybot Search and Destroy
Adaware SE
Spyware Blaster
Trend Micro
Microsoft Anti-Spyware Beta.

Is Spyware Guard worth installing, and does it use a lot of memory
when running?

I used to use SpywareGuard - but after a while - I stopped using it.

I do use "IE GuardWall" on a couple of systems. The company went out of
business - and they released a working key to the public before doing so..
It works surprisingly well and is easy to understand - but I have not added
it to my list of recommended applications - simply because it is never going
to be updated. Likely I will stop using it someday soon as well.

 

[Ken Blake, MVP]

You left out half of my reply:

Madness...I only use Ad-Aware and it never even finds a bad cookie. I
used to use Spybot as well but it never found anything either so I
removed it.

If you practice safe surfing and properly configure your browser you
won't get malware.

True, but none of us is perfect, and we are all capable of making a mistake.
After a bad day at the office, a fight with one's spouse, too much to
drink, or many other things, it's easy to get distracted and make a mistake
we wouldn't normally make. Using care is great--I'm all for it. But
*relying* on care is not so great, and can be very dangerous. For that
reason I supplement the care that I use with software protection and
recommend that others do the same.

Not to mention that *most* people don't have anywhere near the skill
necessary to protect themsleves without software.



Nor have I, and I run many more products than that..

If you don't practice safe surfing and/or can't be bothered to
properly configure your browser by all means have some insurance.

Insurance is *always* good, regardless of what you do. Especially in this
case when most of the products are free, hardly affect performance at all,
and are very easy to use.

 

[Ken Blake, MVP]

Ken Blake, MVP wrote:

I run:
Spybot Search and Destroy
Adaware SE
Spyware Blaster
Trend Micro
Microsoft Anti-Spyware Beta.

Is Spyware Guard worth installing,

Well, since I use it, obviously I think so.

and does it use a lot of memory
when running?

9432KB at the moment here. I have been unable to notice any degradation of
performance even with all the products I use.

 

[Fuzzy Logic]

True, but none of us is perfect, and we are all capable of making a
mistake. After a bad day at the office, a fight with one's spouse, too
much to drink, or many other things, it's easy to get distracted and
make a mistake we wouldn't normally make. Using care is great--I'm all
for it. But *relying* on care is not so great, and can be very
dangerous. For that reason I supplement the care that I use with
software protection and recommend that others do the same.

Not to mention that *most* people don't have anywhere near the skill
necessary to protect themsleves without software.
http://www.securityfocus.com/columnists/193



Nor have I, and I run many more products than that..




Insurance is *always* good, regardless of what you do. Especially in
this case when most of the products are free, hardly affect performance
at all, and are very easy to use.

My only problem is that some of these Spyware programs have poorly tested
detection rules that mess with your registry and may make cripple or make
your machine unusable.

 

[Ken Blake, MVP]

My only problem is that some of these Spyware programs have poorly
tested detection rules that mess with your registry and may make
cripple or make your machine unusable.

True. Some are even worse than that, and are dangerous by design. See
http://www.spywarewarrior.com/rogue_anti-spyware.htm You can get poor
quality, and even dangerous-to-use products in almost any software category.
I recommend using only the good ones and not the poor ones. <g> Eric Howes
site, which I reference above, is a good source of information on which are
good and which aren't.

 

[Gerry Cornell]

Ken

I have refrained from commenting previously because I also think
relying on spyware detection programmes to protect your machine
is the wrong way to protect your machine. I refrained because the
main protagonist against your point of view is obviously right but
not for the reason he gives. I also do not wish to lend my support
to someone who expresses his views in the way he does.

Relying on spyware detection programmes is synominous with
shutting the gate after the horse has bolted.

I rely on keeping spyware out and not finding out about it after it
has arrived. I run a Hosts file, Microsoft Anti-Spyware and have
a Hardware and the Windows Firewall. My ISP operates
Spamguard. I have Outlook Express messages rules to sort
any spam that manages to bypass Spamguard.

I use the internet extensively relying on a medium security Internet
Explorer security setting. I invariably decline all unwanted offers of
whatever. I use three search engines Google, MSN and Vivisimo
extensively. I have not gone for extra Toolbars.

With what result? Negligible malware and, if I run Adaware it finds
only a few unimportant cookies but nothing of any consequence.
I have Spybot and HijackThis on the machine but only use the first
rarely and the latter if something unexplained arises. I keep a
watchful eye on Event Viewer reports.

I undertake regular housekeeping. If there was an unexplained fall
off in performance I think I would notice.

--

Regards.

Gerry
~~~~
FCA
Stourport, England

Enquire, plan and execute
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

[Ken Blake, MVP]

Ken

I have refrained from commenting previously because I also think
relying on spyware detection programmes to protect your machine
is the wrong way to protect your machine. I refrained because the
main protagonist against your point of view is obviously right but
not for the reason he gives. I also do not wish to lend my support
to someone who expresses his views in the way he does.

Relying on spyware detection programmes is synominous with
shutting the gate after the horse has bolted.

There are two types of anti-spyware programs. One type, as you say, finds
the spyware *after* it's already been installed. The other type prevents
installation (and some programs do both).

I'm in complete agreement that the second type is much better than the
first. However, I also see value in ruinning the first type. Yes it's better
to shut the gate before the horse bolts, but just in case the lock on the
gate fails, it's also good to have a means of getting the horse back.

I rely on keeping spyware out and not finding out about it after it
has arrived. I run a Hosts file, Microsoft Anti-Spyware and have
a Hardware and the Windows Firewall. My ISP operates
Spamguard. I have Outlook Express messages rules to sort
any spam that manages to bypass Spamguard.

I do almost all the same things you do, Gerry.I don't think we have any real
disgreement at all, except that I run a few more products than you do, just
in case.

I use the internet extensively relying on a medium security Internet
Explorer security setting. I invariably decline all unwanted offers of
whatever. I use three search engines Google, MSN and Vivisimo
extensively. I have not gone for extra Toolbars.

With what result? Negligible malware and, if I run Adaware it finds
only a few unimportant cookies but nothing of any consequence.

Same here.

I have Spybot and HijackThis on the machine but only use the first
rarely and the latter if something unexplained arises. I keep a
watchful eye on Event Viewer reports.

I undertake regular housekeeping. If there was an unexplained fall
off in performance I think I would notice.

Same here.

 

[Fuzzy Logic]

True. Some are even worse than that, and are dangerous by design. See
http://www.spywarewarrior.com/rogue_anti-spyware.htm You can get poor
quality, and even dangerous-to-use products in almost any software
category. I recommend using only the good ones and not the poor ones.
<g> Eric Howes site, which I reference above, is a good source of
information on which are good and which aren't.

So insurance isn't *always* good unless it's the *right* insurance.
Unfortunately it's not always easy to know that beforehand.

Here is a brief summary of Eric's conclusion on Spyware detection and
removal:

It is better to use two or more anti-spyware scanners in combination, as one
will often detect and remove things that others do not.

Prevention is always preferable to scanning and removal, and users should
securely configure their PCs and install anti-malware protection to prevent
the installation of spyware and adware in the first place.

Moreover, users should learn to practice safe computing habits, which
include avoiding web sites and programs of unknown or dubious provenance and
carefully reading End User License Agreements and Privacy Policies.

Source <http://spywarewarrior.com/asw-test-guide.htm>

PS I forgot to mention the Spybot Search & Destroy consistently crashes my
Win98SE box if run as a scheduled task with an autoupdate check. It works
fine if run manually (aside from consumming vast amounts of system
resources).

 

[D. Spencer Hines]

Bingo!

So installing FIVE or SIX of them may only compound your problems.

DSH

 

[D. Spencer Hines]

Which are these Dangerous Websites To Avoid you folks are concerned about?

DSH

 

[R. McCarty]

It varies, the recent Wmf exposure required no action, other than visiting
an infected Server. Even with the best of tools, everyone using the Web is
subject to a "Zero-Day" threat. Maybe folks with something like Panda's
"True Prevent" might avoid infection, but that technology isn't perfected.

 

[D. Spencer Hines]

Thanks...

But are there some specific sites that are known to be polluted -- or a
class of sites?

DSH

 

[R. McCarty]

Here's a site that tracks/documents "Bad Web Pages":
http://www.websensesecuritylabs.com/

 

[Fuzzy Logic]

Which are these Dangerous Websites To Avoid you folks are concerned about?

Much like real life it's probably best to stay away from the 'seedy' part of
the net. This would be warez, porn & gambling sites (as well as any link you
get in spam mail). I would also discourage clicking on links that use
tinyurl and it's kin as they are a great way to hide potentially harmful
sites.

 

[Ken Blake, MVP]

I would also discourage clicking
on links that use tinyurl and it's kin as they are a great way to
hide potentially harmful sites.

I think that's good advice, if you don't know the person who sent you the
link.

I often provide tinyurl links myself, but whenever I do, I try to remember
to post the real URL as well. That gives the reader the choice of whether or
not to trust me.

 

[Alan]

This is not a dietary newsgroup. Please don't post off topic.

Try teaching Grandmother to suck eggs next time.

DSH

It doesn't really matter what others do, what matters is that *you*
protect *your* machine to a level that *you* feel is adequate. If you
feel one program is sufficient that is fine.

And if someone else thinks they need five that is fine too. Even with ten
pieces of software it won't affect your machine.

Make *your* own choice. What I have on my machine (and what others have
on their machines) doesn't affect your machine.

Do you honestly expect folks to install at least FIVE different
Anti-Spyware programs, keep them updated, monitor them and constantly
tweak each one as required?

DSH


[...]

There is no one software that cleans and immunizes you against
everything. Antivirus software - you only needed one. Firewall, you
only needed one. AntiSpyware - you will need several. I have a list
and
I recommend you use at least the first five.

First - make sure you have NOT installed "Rogue AntiSpyware". There
are
people out there who created AntiSpyware products that actually
install
spyware of their own! You need to avoid these:

Rogue/Suspect Anti-Spyware Products & Web Sites
http://www.spywarewarrior.com/rogue_anti-spyware.htm

Also, you can always visit this site..
http://mvps.org/winhelp2002/unwanted.htm
For more updated information.

Install the first five of these: (Install, Run, Update, Scan with..)
(If you already have one or more - uninstall them and download the
LATEST version from the page given!)

Lavasoft AdAware (Free and up)
http://www.lavasoft.de/support/download/
(How-to: http://snipurl.com/atdn )

Spybot Search and Destroy (Free!)
http://www.safer-networking.net/en/download/index.html
(How-to: http://snipurl.com/atdk )

Bazooka Adware and Spyware Scanner (Free!)
http://www.kephyr.com/spywarescanner/
(How-to: http://snipurl.com/ate3 )

SpywareBlaster (Free!)
http://www.javacoolsoftware.com/sbdownload.html
(How-to: http://snipurl.com/ate6 )

IE-SPYAD2 (Free!)
https://netfiles.uiuc.edu/ehowes/www/resource.htm
(How-to: http://snipurl.com/ate7 )

CWShredder Stand-Alone (Free!)
http://www.intermute.com/spysubtract/cwshredder_download.html

Hijack This! (Free!)
http://www.spywareinfo.com/~merijn/downloads.html
(Log Analyzer: http://hjt.iamnotageek.com/ )

ToolbarCop (Free!)
http://windowsxp.mvps.org/toolbarcop.htm

Ccleaner (Free!)
http://www.ccleaner.com/

Microsoft AntiSpyware BETA (in testing stages - Free!)
http://www.microsoft.com/athome/security/spyware/software/
(How-to: http://snipurl.com/fqur )

Browser Security Tests (Free Tester)
http://www.jasons-toolbox.com/BrowserSecurity/

Popup Tester (Free Tester)
http://www.popuptest.com/

The Cleaner (~$49.95 and up)
http://www.moosoft.com/