info. on Spyware Catcher

[KHaled]

I did a GoOgle search, and following a link from CastleCops got
to the following:
http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,14863451

Don't know about that..

--
KHaled

e-mail: khaledihREMOVEUPPERCASELETTERS at gmail dot com
(correcting antispam crap..)
please start your subject line with the string "==NG=="

 

[Aaron]

I did a GoOgle search, and following a link from CastleCops got
to the following:
http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,14863451

Don't know about that..

Already posted here

http://groups.google.com.sg/group/alt.comp.freeware/browse_thread/thread/
ae51c67e19689398/73bc57aab9845078#73bc57aab9845078

For what's its worth, it seems this action isn't malicious, just a bit
unorthodorx.

These days, the bad programs are trying to detect good programs so they
can shut them down, or interfere with them, and so some of the good guys
are trying to hide too from the bad guys in an interesting role reversal.

You can see a basic example of that for example in sysinternals rootkit
revealer which launches a randomly named exe to thwart rootkits that
detect the launching of it, and 'decloak' so they won't be detected.

Highly advanced Malware these days comes with anti-detection
signatures/routines to detect and counter security software, and experts
are talking about the day where, malware update themselves just like
antiviruses to deal with improvements in scanner technology.

So on one hand you have security programs updating themselves to deal
with new threats, on the other hand you have malware updating themselves
to deal with new security program updates.

 

[KHaled]

Already posted here

http://groups.google.com.sg/group/alt.comp.freeware/browse_t
hread/thread/
ae51c67e19689398/73bc57aab9845078#73bc57aab9845078

For what's its worth, it seems this action isn't malicious,
just a bit unorthodorx.

I get your point, but the question is, would one trust such
software. It probably comes down to the author reputation,
and a deep observation and analysis by those who know how.

--
KHaled

e-mail: khaledihREMOVEUPPERCASELETTERS at gmail dot com
(correcting antispam crap..)
please start your subject line with the string "==NG=="

 

[Aaron]

I get your point, but the question is, would one trust such
software. It probably comes down to the author reputation,
and a deep observation and analysis by those who know how.

Well given that I'm much closer to the side of those who don't know how,
I think it's very very promising that Spyware catcher is listed as a
recommended and trustworthy scanner along side spybot,ad-aware etc by
renowned spyware expert Eric L Howes.

Among list of his accomplishments.

1)He's a MVP honoured for work in fighting spyware, alias eburger on
forums like broadband dsl forums

2) The guy who maintains the rogue antispyware list (that everyone
routinely quotes)

http://www.spywarewarrior.com/rogue_anti-spyware.htm

3) Exposed numerous dubious download grading of threats by ad-aware,MSAS
Remember when Whenu was downgraded by Ad-aware and the rest?, Eric was
the one who noticed it and spread the news. Remember Claria and MSAS?
Again same guy. And I'm pretty sure there are other cases before this in
2004 and earlier.

4) author and maintainer of IE spyad, and Enough is enough.
https://netfiles.uiuc.edu/ehowes/www/resource.htm

5) Tester of at the time most comprehensive antispyware test that showed
even best case scenario of using one AS is not sufficient coverage.

If you can't trust this guy, you can't trust anyone.


Remember he's not just saying Spycatcher's not a rogue (there are many
that fit this category as listed on page), but he's listing it as a
Trustworthy one together with ad-aware, spybot etc. In other words he is
giving a POSITIVE recommendation among a small group.

http://www.spywarewarrior.com/rogue_anti-spyware.htm#trustworthy

I'm not sure when he added spycatcher express to the list of reputable
spyware scanner, but surely it must be fairly recently.


*Also has declared association with Sunbelt Counterspy as a consultant.

 

[Aaron]

Well given that I'm much closer to the side of those who don't know how,
I think it's very very promising that Spyware catcher

I just noticed the original poster talked about "Spyware Catcher" in both
subject and post, but the link he gave is about Spy Catcher (Express).

Spy Catcher Express is what the original link (about rootkit
technologies) refers to and it is also what Eric Howes recommends.

I'm making this specific point clear because I think Spyware Catcher is a
completely different product and is NOT recommended.

The direct link to download Spy Catcher from it's homepage is here
http://www.tenebril.com/consumer/spyware/spycatcher-express-download.php

 

[Saxman]

I'm making this specific point clear because I think Spyware Catcher is a
completely different product and is NOT recommended.

Product registration puts me off for starters.

 

[Helen]

Re: spyware catcher program. I've only seen one comment re the Pro version and it was
negative. The individual was so unhappy they wanted their money back. If this is true, then
I wouldn't expect a freeware version (if any??) to be worthwhile.

--
It has always been the policy of the
advocates of error, when unable to
sustain themselves by sophistry, specious
reasoning and false logic, to stigmatize
the advocates of truth.

 

[Aaron]

Product registration puts me off for starters.

Hence well you must admit, product registration is getting darn common for
freeware stuff.

And to forstall the inevitable query, it doesn't work on Win98 either.

 

[Aaron]

Re: spyware catcher program.

Do you mean Spycatcher?

I've only seen one comment re the Pro

version and it was negative. The individual was so unhappy they
wanted their money back. If this is true, then I wouldn't expect a
freeware version (if any??) to be worthwhile.

Well download.com has five good comments (four of them 5 stars, one of them
4 stars) and one bad (1 star comment). What does that tell you?

Absolutely nothing