Antispyware vs. antivirus

[Richard Fangnail]

There was a time when users had an antivirus and an antispyware. Do
you think antivirus programs TODAY cover both things?

I used to have Spybot and then Lavasoft (Ad-Aware). They were okay
although they never found anything. When I upgraded my Kaspersky this
April, it FORCED me to remove these two spywares and all their
remnants.

If it's helpful to have an "antispyware" program, what do you
recommend?

 

[1PW]

There was a time when users had an antivirus and an antispyware. Do
you think antivirus programs TODAY cover both things?

Of course not! Spyware isn't virus. Virus isn't spyware. However,
they both are malware.

Many unfortunates are throwing good money at antimalware suites.
Pity. One can hope you will see through this as an unwise escape.

I used to have Spybot and then Lavasoft (Ad-Aware). They were okay
although they never found anything. When I upgraded my Kaspersky this
April, it FORCED me to remove these two antispywares and all their
remnants.

That's most unfortunate. The very best antimalware comes in the form
of different applications.

If it's helpful to have an "antispyware" program, what do you
recommend?

Lurk the malware newsgroups and you will soon find the answer.
However, I have a liking for MBAM & SAS. Other excellent products are
available.

Regards,

Pete

 

[Randem]

You need basically three app to protect you.

Spyware is not Viruses and both can are Malware. You can have Malware that
is not classified and Spyware or a Virus

Ref: http://www.randem.com/virusscams.html
http://www.randem.com/virusproblems.html
http://www.randem.com/ieattacks.html


--
Randem Systems
Your Installation Specialist
The Top Inno Setup Script Generator
http://www.randem.com/innoscript.html
Find Out What Your VB Program is Really Doing
http://www.randem.com/rstools.html

 

[Richard Fangnail]

I stopped using Spybot a few years ago because somebody ran tests on
it and it hardly found the spywares.
Ad-Aware seemed okay but I hated the interface.

Apparently Windows Defender is hard to download as it requires a
license and other things.

Do you have an opinion on Microsoft's Malicious Software thing that is
released every month?

 

[John A]

Kaspersky with find both types but I suggest you also select "Other Malware"
in Kapersky's Threats & Exclusions / Threats settings to extend coverage.

But, as others suggest, it is a good idea to have a couple of antispyware
apps. Superantispyware and Malware Bytes, are both excellent and will run
without problems with Kaspersky.

 

[John A]

Correction - Kaspersky WILL find ....

Kaspersky with find both types but I suggest you also select "Other Malware"
in Kapersky's Threats & Exclusions / Threats settings to extend coverage.

But, as others suggest, it is a good idea to have a couple of antispyware
apps. Superantispyware and Malware Bytes, are both excellent and will run
without problems with Kaspersky.

 

[Ken Blake, MVP]

There was a time when users had an antivirus and an antispyware. Do
you think antivirus programs TODAY cover both things?

No they don't.

I used to have Spybot and then Lavasoft (Ad-Aware). They were okay
although they never found anything. When I upgraded my Kaspersky this
April, it FORCED me to remove these two spywares and all their
remnants.

If it's helpful to have an "antispyware" program, what do you
recommend?

It's more than helpful; it's practically required.

Two points:

1. The best free anti-spyware program, and it's excellent, is
Anti-Malware, by MalwareBytes. Get it at
http://www.malwarebytes.org/mbam.php

2. In my view, no anti-spyware program is perfect, so no single
anti-spyware program is sufficient for protection. You should run at
least two. The second best is SuperAntiSpyware. Get it at
http://www.superantispyware.com/

 

[Martin C]

On Tue, 7 Jul 2009 17:55:27 -0700 (PDT), Richard Fangnail

1. The best free anti-spyware program, and it's excellent, is
Anti-Malware, by MalwareBytes. Get it at
http://www.malwarebytes.org/mbam.php

Be careful if you google for MalwareBytes, as the top entry that is returned
is for another supposedly rogue spyware application called MalwareRemover
Pro (or something like that). I am at work now and that site is blocked, so
I cannot confirm the name.

Make sure that you download the one from the site Ken has listed above.
There are 2 versions: a free one and a more comprehensive paid one. Select
the one you want.

Martin

 

[Nate Grossman]

Be careful if you google for MalwareBytes, as the top entry that is returned
is for another supposedly rogue spyware application called MalwareRemover
Pro (or something like that). I am at work now and that site is blocked, so
I cannot confirm the name.

You are smoking something illegal. The top entry in either Google or
Bing is the correct site.

In Google, at least the top 10 are correct.

 

[1PW]

I stopped using Spybot a few years ago because somebody ran tests on
it and it hardly found the spywares.
Ad-Aware seemed okay but I hated the interface.

Things change.

Spybot-S&D is still well regarded by many. I'm afraid it's Ad-Aware
that's losing its followers right now.

Apparently Windows Defender is hard to download as it requires a
license and other things.

I'm afraid your information is erroneous. It won't give a spec of
trouble if you have a clean and legal system. Windows Defender
/itself/ requires no special licensing other than the usual agreements
we all agree to as we install applications.

Do you have an opinion on Microsoft's Malicious Software thing that is
released every month?

MRT.exe /is/ very limited in scope. However, what it does do, it does
well enough for many. However, MBAM & SAS, and good reputation
antivirus applications, overshadow MRT by a long shot.

You would do well to lurk the malware newsgroups for a while and get
updated. Much may have changed since you last looked at malware.

Warm regards,

Pete

 

[1PW]

Both products look interesting. Is there any significant performance hit
to pay for the constant scanning or monitoring by using these
concurrently?

Hello Ed:

Your question forces a complicated answer. If the freeware versions
only are used, their footprint can be quite small even on a resource
starved system.

When you upgrade to the paid versions, realtime protection comes with
a small price to pay in resources. On a newer system with good
resources, the load will probably not even be noticed. Of course your
safety and spyware protection has then increased by many fold.

Coupled with timely OS & application updates, a good up to date
antivirus application, a NAT router, and safe internet practices,
your system stands a much better chance of keeping safe.

HTH

Pete

 

[SC Tom]

You are smoking something illegal. The top entry in either Google or
Bing is the correct site.

In Google, at least the top 10 are correct.

I agree with Martin- by Googling "malwarebytes", the first link of the
5,840,000 hits is to malwaree.org/anti-malware (NOT the one you want). The
rest of the page appears to be valid links.

SC Tom

 

[Roy Smith]

I stopped using Spybot a few years ago because somebody ran tests on
it and it hardly found the spywares.
Ad-Aware seemed okay but I hated the interface.

Apparently Windows Defender is hard to download as it requires a
license and other things.

Downloading Windows defender is no more difficult to download than any
other program that's available on the internet. The only difference is
that before the download starts, it runs an activex applet to ensure
that you have a legitimate installation of Windows. So unless you're
using a pirated copy of Windows, you won't have any problems.

 

[Alias]

Downloading Windows defender is no more difficult to download than any
other program that's available on the internet. The only difference is
that before the download starts, it runs an activex applet to ensure
that you have a legitimate installation of Windows. So unless you're
using a pirated copy of Windows, you won't have any problems.

And WGA has never had a false positive?

Alias

 

[Ken Blake, MVP]

Both products look interesting. Is there any significant performance hit
to pay for the constant scanning or monitoring by using these
concurrently?

You should never run two such programs concurrently. Not only can
there be a performance hit, but you can have programs with them
interfering with each other. Run periodic scans with them, but not at
the same time.

 

[Twayne]

I stopped using Spybot a few years ago because somebody ran tests on
it and it hardly found the spywares.

I ran tests on it, and it always found spywares. Now would you use it?
Seriously, those tests are often biased by what they offer the
spyware to be found. There are so many of them that there is not yet a
turn-key program that can catch all of them. My experience with Spybot
is good and I also use Adaware. One thing I like about Spybot is that it
makes HOSTS file entries so you won't even be able to visit those dirty
sites should you get redirected to one.
Adaware and Spybot find the most things on my machine. It's best to
have about three different spyware detectors on hand is still a good
rule of thumb.

Ad-Aware seemed okay but I hated the interface.

But it does a decent job and has its strengths.

Apparently Windows Defender is hard to download as it requires a
license and other things.

EVERY program you use has a license! It's also easy to download and
install. OTOH, it's a program I've never personally seen catch
anything. But, that's because I don't do things to get the things it
would find. Or, I haven't yet, anyway. I only run it when I know I have
something wrong; else I never bother with it.

Do you have an opinion on Microsoft's Malicious Software thing that is
released every month?

IMO it's a good thing and works well. The one time it fixes something
others don't will make it worthwhile to have.

Whatever made you think you don't need anything but antivirus was wrong!
That's why it's called anti-VIRUS. Other things they try to do they
never do very well.

Another little problem of mine is applications that refuse to let you
run this program or that program; those are totally unacceptable but
becoming more a fact of life every day. Symantec does that too, but in
reality it only means you have to uninstall it for the Norton
Installation. After the install, I put my apps back and all has been
fine since. Not even any falise hits and no interactions whatsoever. So
sometimes you have to check into WHY they say those things.

HTH,

Twayne`

 

[db]

funny, you should
ask.

free anti virus programs
are hybrid spywares.

they track everything
they scan in payment
for using them.

just have to break out
the magnifying glass
and read their term and
conditions and privacy
statements.

--

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DatabaseBen, Retired Professional
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