Spybot vs Ad-aware

[Paul Trimble]

I have both of these programs installed on my pc but prefer the interface
and features of Spybot. Why do most people here recommend to install both
programs, what does Ad-aware remove that Spybot dosen't?

PT

 

[Vince]

Could be anything.
When I had a spy on my machine I tried cleaning with one then the other but
the spy just kept coming back. They both found different parts.

Then I decided to run one of the programs and not reboot after, I then ran
the second program to get what the first did not find and there were about 5
parts of the spy left.

Then when I reboted was clean and has not come back in 3 weeks.

 

[Wesley Vogel]

Occasionally one program will find something that the other will not.

Ad-Aware is a more user friendly deal for newer Windows users.
Spybot S&D (not to be confused with a spybot or tracking software) is more
for advanced users.

 

[Steve N.]

I have both of these programs installed on my pc but prefer the interface
and features of Spybot. Why do most people here recommend to install both
programs, what does Ad-aware remove that Spybot dosen't?

PT

They both can catch things the other doesn't.

Steve

 

[Steve Nielsen]

:



As the names suggest they are different to carry out different tasks.
Spyware is a form of malware that can carry out tasks such as keylogging and
report back every keystroke you make on your computer - yes including
passwords, credit card numbers, expiry dates - the lot. Adware is slightly
less benign but no less desireable.

Spybot Search and Destroy version 1.3 deals with spyware and needs updating
frequently for new definitions which, like viruses, are being discovered all
the time. I updated last night - 22:00 British time - and Spybot now scans
for 16,800 definitions.

AdAware version 6.0 personal - free for personal users, has just been
superceded by AdAware SE which is faster and more thorough.

I would also recommend a resident spysweeping program to work in the
background all the time. I use SpyBlaster version 3.1 for that and since
installing it a month or so ago, the other two programs have found fewer
problems.

All this in addition, of course, to a virus scanner and a good firewall -
don't forget to update all of the afore-mentioned - don't go to any dubious
websites and don't open mail from anyone you don't know without scanning it
first.

Might I add - even mail attachments from those you DO know should be
scanned before opening. Who's to say someone you know has not been infected?

Steve

 

[Rock]

I have both of these programs installed on my pc but prefer the interface
and features of Spybot. Why do most people here recommend to install both
programs, what does Ad-aware remove that Spybot dosen't?

PT

You cannot rely on one single program to combat either malware or
viruses. You should scan regularly with a variety of these, including
several different virus scanners, in safe mode, and update them before
you run them.

 

[MarcusMD]

Run them both, you'll see different results. That pretty
much supports installing both I'd say.

 

[Ken Blake]

In

I have both of these programs installed on my pc but prefer the
interface and features of Spybot. Why do most people here
recommend
to install both programs, what does Ad-aware remove that Spybot
dosen't?

Each can find things the other doesn't. I recommend using both,
and also Spyware Blaster

 

[Ron Martell]

I have both of these programs installed on my pc but prefer the interface
and features of Spybot. Why do most people here recommend to install both
programs, what does Ad-aware remove that Spybot dosen't?

PT

As others have said, the two programs approach the problem differently
and therefore sometimes it happens that one will find things that the
other one missed.

Additionally, AdAware tends to be a bit more conservative in what it
identifies whereas Spybot is more agressive and quite often will flag
items that should not be deleted.

My preferred approach is to use both programs when I am cleaning up a
machine for a customer. I run AdAware first, always remove everything
that it flags as a problem or potential problem. It has never let me
down, except for Kazaa which has to be reinstalled after running
AdAware because Kazaa refused to run if its spyware components are not
present.

Once AdAware has gotten rid of the vast majority of the spyware crud I
then run Spybot to clean up anything additional that it might find. I
always look over the list of items from Spybot quite carefully, and
sometimes deselect some of the items it finds because they are not
actually spyware.


Ron Martell Duncan B.C. Canada
--
Microsoft MVP
On-Line Help Computer Service
http://onlinehelp.bc.ca

"The reason computer chips are so small is computers don't eat much."

 

[Guest]

I've had the opposite experience. Haven't got any updates in Spybot for
months - even though I check often. Interface seems straight forward. Haven't
been able to figure out how to run Adaware yet.

 

[Steve Nielsen]

I've had the opposite experience. Haven't got any updates in Spybot for
months - even though I check often. Interface seems straight forward.

That's because you are using version 1.2 and it no longer updates.
Download ver 1.3 and updated it.

Haven't
been able to figure out how to run Adaware yet.

Get the latest version of Ad-aware also. Run in Safe Mode if necessary.
You have got spyware blocking it from running.

Steve

 

[Alex Nichol]

I have both of these programs installed on my pc but prefer the interface
and features of Spybot. Why do most people here recommend to install both
programs, what does Ad-aware remove that Spybot dosen't?

Neither is perfect and it is desirable to use one fairly frequently with
the other as second string should you still be suspicious. And of
course always start by getting the latest updates

We tend to be cautious about recommending Spybot to novices. It is
rather easy to overdo things with it, and its Immunise feature can have
side effects they would not expect

 

[Alias]

We tend to be cautious about recommending Spybot to novices. It is
rather easy to overdo things with it, and its Immunise feature can have
side effects they would not expect

Like what?

Alias

 

[Alex Nichol]

Like what?

See for example Jim Eshelman's comments at www.aumha.org/a/parasite.htm

 

[Steve N.]

Like what?

Alias

One example; my wife has an Excite account she likes to use due to the
ease of dealing with HTML graphics in emails (smileys, cutsie animated
gif's, etc.). After installing Spybot S&D 1.3, updating and using the
Immunize feture none of the graphics features in her Excite account
worked and her Excite email notifier stopped working as well. Was simple
enough to undo the immunization in Spybot S&D, but she was dissappointed
in the meantime. I've not seen Spybot S&D nor Ad-aware find anything
truly malicious related to Excite, just a few so-called "tracking
cookies". I agree that Spybot S&D can be a bit too agressive, but it is
definitely configurable if one takes the time to learn the workings of
the program.

Steve

 

[Alex Nichol]

I agree that Spybot S&D can be a bit too agressive, but it is
definitely configurable if one takes the time to learn the workings of
the program.

That's why the caution about recommending it to 'the novice' or 'the
naive' who will use everything regardless