Robert,
Sorry about that. When I click that link using Netscape 7.2, it opens in
my browser. It shows the a.p.s post, even though I am not able to follow
the thread, of course, but I can use it to find the thread in my
newsreader if I want. I have never had much luck with NG links.
I will repost the info here in a.c.a-v. Note that the more evolved
amoung us, such as Heather, probably don't need any of this stuff.
When combating spyware, the multi-layered approach appears to be most
popular. Note that this is not true with respect to AV applications or
Personal Firewalls, one of each will do just fine. Here are a few
links that I have put together.
Some popular anti-spyware apps:
MSAS Beta - real time protection, nightly scan
(
http://www.microsoft.com/athome/security/spyware/software/default.mspx)
Spyware Blaster - site blocking
(
http://www.javacoolsoftware.com/spywareblaster.html)
Spyware Guard - real time protection
(
http://www.javacoolsoftware.com/spywareguard.html)
Ad-Aware - on demand scanning, frequent updates
(
http://www.lavasoftusa.com/software/adaware/)
a2 (a-squared free) - on demand scanning, frequent updates
(
http://www.emsisoft.com/en/software/free/)
Ewido Security Suite - on demand scanning, frequent updates
(
http://www.ewido.net/en/download/)
Spybot S&D - on demand scanning, frequent updates
(
http://www.safer-networking.org/en/spybotsd/)
All of the above are freeware apps, and most can be upgraded to a
professional version for a fee. Most payware anti-spyware apps are
about $30 USD, which includes a one or two year subscription. Among
the more popular pay applications are:
Spyware Doctor from PC Tools:
(
http://www.pctools.com/spyware-doctor/)
Spy Sweeper from Webroot:
(
http://www.webroot.com/consumer/products/spysweeper)
PestPatrol from CA (eTrust):
(
http://www.ca.com/products/pestpatrol/)
Use a HOSTS file for blocking malware sites. Many people in the
Security/Paranoia NGs use MVPs and/or hpGuru's HOSTS files together
with a HOSTS file utility like HostsMan or Hostess. Some general HOSTS
File Information:
Creating/Modifying HOSTS Files:
HOSTS File - BT Shagnasty
(
http://k75s.home.att.net/hostsfile.txt)
HOSTS File - Dan Pollock
(
http://someonewhocares.org/hosts/)
HOSTS File - Gorilla
(
http://www.accs-net.com/hosts/)
HOSTS File - hpGuru
(
http://www.hosts-file.net/downloads.html)
HOSTS File - Mike
(
http://www.everythingisnt.com/hosts.html)
HOSTS File - MVPs
(
http://www.mvps.org/winhelp2002/hosts.htm)
HOSTS File - Peter Lowe
(
http://pgl.yoyo.org/adservers/)
HOSTS File - Shorty
(
http://hostsfile.mine.nu/)
Each of the above sites provides a HOSTS file in addition to providing
a wealth of information about the use of a HOSTS file, DNS servers,
the DNS client, etc.
Managing the HOSTS File:
HOSTS File Utilities - CIP HOSTS file manager by Radsoft
(
http://www.snapfiles.com/get/cipfree.html)
HOSTS File Utilities - HiJackThis by Merijn
(
http://www.merijn.org/index.html)
HOSTS File Utilities - Hoster by Funkytoad
(
http://www.funkytoad.com/hoster.htm)
HOSTS File Utilities - Hostess by Ray Marron
(
http://www.raymarron.com/hostess/)
HOSTS File Utilities - HOSTS File Manager by MVPs
(
http://www.mvps.org/PracticallyNerded/SoftMain.htm)
HOSTS File Utilities - HOSTS Manager by Aldo Vargas
(
http://www.aldostools.com/hosts.html)
HOSTS File Utilities - HostsMan by abelhadigital
(
http://hostsman.abelhadigital.com/)
HOSTS File Utilities - Hosts Toggle by Mike Meyer
(
http://www.snapfiles.com/get/hoststoggle.html)
In addition to a HOSTS file, specific to MS IE:
Eric Howes' IESPYAD:
(
https://netfiles.uiuc.edu/ehowes/www/resource.htm#IESPYAD)
Eric Howes' Enough is Enough!:
(
https://netfiles.uiuc.edu/ehowes/www/resource6.htm)
A few caveats about using anti-spyware apps:
1) All anti-spyware apps (software and definitions files/databases)
MUST be kept current. Sources of update information (thanks FL) include:
Newsgroup - alt.privacy.spyware
Newsgroup - grc.news.latestversions
(
http://www.dozleng.com/updates/index.php?act=calendar)
(
http://www.filehippo.com/)
(
http://www.versiontracker.com/windows/)
(
http://cws.internet.com/updates/1-d.htm)
2) Keep your MS OS updated:
(
http://update.microsoft.com/microsoftupdate/v6/default.aspx?ln=en-us)
3) NEVER, EVER download any software from ANY site not authorized by
the software developer.
4) Some general anti-malware info:
The best defense against crapware is Safe Hex:
(
http://www.claymania.com/safe-hex.html)
Fighting malware:
(
http://shplink.com/misc/FAQ.htm)
Eric Howes' site, the definitive word on spyware:
(
http://www.spywarewarrior.com/rogue_anti-spyware.htm)
Always check Eric's site before downloading/installing ANY anti-spyware
tools/applications.
Ron
