Spyware prog in resident memory

  • Thread starter Thread starter wfromoz
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wfromoz

I'm looking for a resource friendly stable resident prog to scan for
spyware, adware, malware, etc. There are so many spyware programs that
there's no way to try/evaluate them all so seeking advice. I'm running
Windows XP Home.
 
wfromoz said:
I'm looking for a resource friendly stable resident prog to scan for
spyware, adware, malware, etc. There are so many spyware programs that
there's no way to try/evaluate them all so seeking advice. I'm running
Windows XP Home.
Click to expand...

You're gonna get /so much/ advice... :O)

Here's what I do/use. Running W2Ksp4 with 1.67Mhz/512Mb; similar config
on antique W98se laptop and old, slow backup box running XPproSP2.Take
it for what it's worth -- I've been virus/malware free for years.

- Run behind a NAT router
- Firewall (I use ZAF)
- Spywareblaster
- HOSTS file (I use MVPS)
- Resident protection such as that found in Spybot's Teatimer or the
Giant/M$ Anti-Spyware (I'm using Spybot/Teatimer at the moment)
- Anti-spyware app (I regularly scan with Spybot, Ad-Aware, and the new
Giant/M$ AS prog)
- Anti-Trojan (I use a2/a-squared)
- Resident anti-virus (I use AVG Free)

Lots and lots of other apps in my toolbox that I keep on hand and
updated for use in the field.

If all you're concerned about at the moment is a single
anti-spyware/adware/malware app, the new Giant/M$ app seems to be the
most highly regarded. But, IMO, "putting all your eggs in one basket" is
a bad practice -- a multi-layered approach is nearly universally
recommended.
 
If you want exactly one spyware monitor, MS AntiSpyware may be the best
general purpose and most up to date free one at the moment. Last time
I looked closely, Spybot S & D Teatimer was a bit more complete than
WinPatrol but more resource intensive and less friendly. Other choices
require more knowledge and interaction.

Also inoculate with SpywareBlaster and periodically scan with Ad-aware
and Spybot S & D and PestScan (very quick). (If you already use the
Yahoo toolbar, use their AntiSpyware tool instead of PestScan.)

Note that each scanner is -- very roughly -- only 50% effective.
Using Ms AntiSpyware, Ad-aware, and Spybot together may boost that up
to 85-90%.
 
I'm looking for a resource friendly stable resident prog to scan for
spyware, adware, malware, etc. There are so many spyware programs that
there's no way to try/evaluate them all so seeking advice. I'm running
Windows XP Home.
Click to expand...

I'll go for the following running memory resident (in order of preference)

MS antispyware
Spybot's Tea-timer
Spywareguard

In addition, immunize with spywareblaster.

On demand scans with Ad-aware, Spybot, Xcleaner free and MSAS and perhaps
Pest Patrol scans (various ways to get a free scan)
 
http://www.javacoolsoftware.com/downloads.html - download and install :
SpywareBlaster and SpywareGuard FREE

http://www.safer-networking.org/index.php?page=download - Download and
install Spybot - Search & Destroy FREE

http://www.spywareinfo.com/~merijn/downloads.html - Download Hijackthis. Put
it in a new folder named "Hijackthis". Put the folder on c drive. This is
important for proper logging of info when you get hijacked. Do not use this
program unless you completely know what you are doing. FREE

http://www.intermute.com/products/cwshredder.html - CWShredder . Download
the standalone version. FREE

http://www.lavasoftusa.com/support/download/ - Download the free version of
Adaware and install. Or pay for the advanced version if you want. FREE

http://www.microsoft.com/athome/security/spyware/software/default.mspx -
Windows AntiSpyware (Beta) FREE

http://www.grisoft.com/us/us_dwnl_free.php - If you don't have an antivirus
program and don't want to pay for one then get AVG . It is free and good.
FREE

http://www.free-av.com/ - another antivirus FREE

http://www.ccleaner.com/ - Crap Cleaner. Windows system cleaner like Window
Washer FREE

If you dont have an antivirus you can do free scans at
Trend Micro - Free online virus Scan
http://housecall.trendmicro.com/
http://housecall.antivirus.com

McAfee Security - FreeScan
http://www.mcafee.com/myapps/mfs/default.asp

Panda ActiveScan - Free online scanner
http://www.pandasoftware.com/activescan/com/activescan_principal.htm

Computer Associates:
http://www3.ca.com/securityadvisor/virusinfo/scan.aspx

DialogueScience:
http://www.antivir.ru/english/www_av/

F-Secure:
http://support.f-secure.com/enu/home/ols.shtml

BitDefender
http://www.bitdefender.com/scan/license.php

Freedom Online scanner
http://www.freedom.net/viruscenter/index.html




All the downloaded programs need updating regularly.

If you have a problem,you can get help at
http://help.lockergnome.com/index.php?showforum=50 and click on the
"HIJACKTHIS LOGS" forums. Register and post your problem. An expert will get
to you within a few days to guide you to a clean machine :)


Lew/+Silat
 
Aaron said:
MS antispyware
Spybot's Tea-timer
Spywareguard

In addition, immunize with spywareblaster.

On demand scans with Ad-aware, Spybot, Xcleaner free and MSAS and perhaps
Pest Patrol scans (various ways to get a free scan)
Click to expand...

It is a good custom here to provide url's (homepages) of software
recommended..

Querulantus
 
wfromoz said:
I'm looking for a resource friendly stable resident prog to scan for
spyware, adware, malware, etc. There are so many spyware programs that
there's no way to try/evaluate them all so seeking advice. I'm running
Windows XP Home.
Click to expand...

I've recently installed Process Guard and Prevx and am impressed with both.

Prevx http://www.prevx.com/prevxhome.asp#howfree
Process Guard http://www.diamondcs.com.au/processguard/

For XP I also suggest you look at Microsoft Antispy:
http://www.microsoft.com/athome/security/spyware/software/default.mspx

===

Frank Bohan
¶ A condom is a lifeguard at the gene pool.
 
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