Hogging processing time

[Guest]

Why does Microsoft AntiSpyware hog all the processing time? While it is
running I may be trying to read email and the email client runs so very slow.
Other processes run slow also. When MAS finishes the speed goes back to
normal.

Also, is there a way to tell MAS what folders and files to scan? I have a
lot of archived files and folders that never change yet MAS scans them every
time.

Also, why doesn't MAS scan cookies for known Spyware? I logged onto
NASCAR.com and registered so I could use the discussion forums (just as I had
to here). Suddenly I was bombarded with NASCAR advertising from a lot of
different places. While looking at these advertising messages one day I
discovered the messages were TO all of my four different email addresses.
How did NASCAR.com get all four of my addresses? Someone told me it might
have been a cookie that sent them to NASCAR.

I ran SpyBot and that program came up with 57 cookies it says are spyware.
Why does MAS not find them?

Thanks for your time and hopefully some answers.

 

[Guest]

First off, cookies ARE NOT spyware! They are data files. For something to
be spyware they must be a program, hence the "ware" in the name. Cookies
can't send information such as email addresses to anyone.

I'm willing to bet that what you were receiving were pop-ups. A few things
can cause this. First, nascar.com does use pop-ups that are part of the
source code for the web site. This code causes pop-up (slave) windows to
appear. These types of pop-ups ar the most common, and least likely to be a
problem, unless the site is linked to spyware/malware. Since nascar.com
isn't linked to spyware/malware, then what your seeing is likely advertising
from the advertisers who have paid NASCAR to advertise on the site. The
other type of possible source is from Windows' Messenger service (not to be
confussed with Windows Messenger). If this service is enabled and running,
then you can get "pop-up" dialog boxes. But since what your seeing happens
only when you view nascar.com, then these are HTML-coded pop-up windows.
HTML-coded pop-ups have absolutely nothing to do with cookies, nor the
transmission of any information between your system and the server. They are
simply slave windows that the source code opens up and uses based upon the
HTML tags contained within the source code.

If you are running XP, make certain that you have SP2 installed. This
service pack disables the Messenger service by default, and includes a pop-up
blocker.

If you aren't running XP, then install a good firewall that contains a
pop-up blocker and disable the Messenger serivce (see
http://www.microsoft.com/windows2000/techinfo/administration/communications/msgrspam.asp
for Win 2000 or
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;148991 for Win NT).
I don't think that Win ME or before use the Messenger service.

Even if you are running XP, it's a good idea to get a better firewall than
the simple Windows Firewall. Some good options are from Norton
(http://www.symantec.com), ZoneAlarm (either free or Pro, Pro is better)
(http://www.zonelabs.com) or McAfee (http://www.mcafee.com). There are many
others put there as well.

Another reason to use a firewall is the better control cookies.

Alan

 

[Guest]

Forgot to mention in last reply how to fix 100% CPU usage bug.

From Engel
------
Try the following steps:

1) Open up a command prompt (start -> run -> type in -> command)
2) Type in the following "regsvr32 msvbvm60.dll" (without the quotes).
3) Close and re-open Windows AntiSpyware
-------

You can also try installing the latest VB runtime
(http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/...61-7a9c-43e7-9117-f673077ffb3c&DisplayLang=en)
if the above steps fail (from Bill Sanderson).

Alan

 

[Guest]

First off, cookies ARE NOT spyware! They are data files. For something to
be spyware they must be a program, hence the "ware" in the name. Cookies
can't send information such as email addresses to anyone.

Why does some anti-spyware classify some cookies as adware and spyware and
say they are dangerous and can send personal information?

I'm willing to bet that what you were receiving were pop-ups. A few things
can cause this. First, nascar.com does use pop-ups that are part of the
source code for the web site.

I block all popups.

This code causes pop-up (slave) windows to
appear. These types of pop-ups ar the most common, and least likely to be a
problem, unless the site is linked to spyware/malware. Since nascar.com
isn't linked to spyware/malware, then what your seeing is likely advertising
from the advertisers who have paid NASCAR to advertise on the site.

If I had written my message more clearly (and to share the blame) and if you
had read it more clearly you would see that I was not talking about popup
advertising. I was talking about NASCAR somehow obtaining ALL my email
addresses somehow and NASCAR advertisers sending me advertising email to all
of my email addresses. The only email address I gave to NASCAR was the one I
used to log in with. How did they manage to get all my other email addresses
and then sell them to their advertisers?

The other type of possible source is from Windows' Messenger service (not to be
confussed with Windows Messenger).

Windows Messenger service is turned off.

If you are running XP, make certain that you have SP2 installed.

Yes, it is installed.

Even if you are running XP, it's a good idea to get a better firewall than
the simple Windows Firewall.

I use Norton Securtiy. Is that a good one?

Another reason to use a firewall is the better control cookies.

I am not sure of what you mean.

Is there an answer to the above question?

I want to thank you Alan for taking the time to respond to my message. I do
appreciate your assistance.

 

[Guest]

Thank you Alan. I will give those a try --- one at a time.

George

 

[Guest]

That did the trick Alan. Thank you.

 

[Guest]

Microsoft Antispyware does not selectively scan for or remove cookies. The
tracks eraser feature will remove all cookies if you wish, but you probably
won't be happy with the result of that operation.

Go ahead and use other free antispyware applications to remove the cookies
that they tag as spyware.

This is a philosophica/political issue--and some folks here defend Microsoft
and others feel they've given in to commercial interests, including their
own, in not dealing with cookies.

Officially, whether cookies will be scanned for in any selective way in the
final product is still undecided, at least publically. I don't have high
hopes, at the moment, though. You might want to read through what the
antispyware.org organization has published very recently to see what they
have to say about cookies--that organizations statements will probably inform
what Microsoft does in this area.

If you are getting popups, you probably have spyware in place that isn't yet
detected by Microsoft Antispyware. This is quite possible--commercial
spyware is a fast moving area of technology, and the mice are at times ahead
of the cat.

 

[Guest]

How many profiles did you create for nascar.com?

Each time you create a profile, you MUST submit your email address for that
profile.
I'm betting that's how they got your email addresses.

Alan