Will Various AntiSpyware Programs Play Together???

[Dan Jensen]

According to studies being done, no antispyware program is very effective
alone. Brian Livingston's Windows Secrets Newsletter showed that alone,
most are not even 50% effective. The recommendation is to use more than
one. Currently I have Spybot, Ad-Ware SE (free), Microsoft AntiSpware and
Spy Sweeper. Most of these applications offer features that monitor
settings and watch for suspicious behavior, such as TeaTimer, Real-time
Protection and Active Shields.

Though scanning with all the software is probably fine, which active
monitoring features should or shouldn't be used and why? Since some monitor
the same thing, will some not play together or is it possible to have them
all active? Other thoughts?

Thanks for input and direction!

 

[NoMoreMrNiceGuy]

According to studies being done, no antispyware program is very effective
alone. Brian Livingston's Windows Secrets Newsletter showed that alone,
most are not even 50% effective. The recommendation is to use more than
one. Currently I have Spybot, Ad-Ware SE (free), Microsoft AntiSpware and
Spy Sweeper. Most of these applications offer features that monitor
settings and watch for suspicious behavior, such as TeaTimer, Real-time
Protection and Active Shields.

Though scanning with all the software is probably fine, which active
monitoring features should or shouldn't be used and why? Since some monitor
the same thing, will some not play together or is it possible to have them
all active? Other thoughts?

Thanks for input and direction!

I use Spywareblaster, Spybot S&D, AdAware, Startup Monitor and
RegistryProt (all freeware). They don't seem to interact at all and I
seldom remove anything with S&D or AdAware. Knock on wood

Norm

 

[Michael J. Pelletier]

According to studies being done, no antispyware program is very effective
alone. Brian Livingston's Windows Secrets Newsletter showed that alone,
most are not even 50% effective. The recommendation is to use more than
one. Currently I have Spybot, Ad-Ware SE (free), Microsoft AntiSpware
and
Spy Sweeper. Most of these applications offer features that monitor
settings and watch for suspicious behavior, such as TeaTimer, Real-time
Protection and Active Shields.

Though scanning with all the software is probably fine, which active
monitoring features should or shouldn't be used and why? Since some
monitor the same thing, will some not play together or is it possible to
have them
all active? Other thoughts?

Thanks for input and direction!

I have had problems with Spybot Search and Destroy with MS Ant-spyware. I
have found the Spybot S & D NEEDS to be installed first. then everything
works well...

Michael

 

[AvianFlux]

Those are all good malware removers with some blocking/immunization
features.

I recommend passive/blocking/immunization, where malware is blocked
from installing, over active scan and remove measures.

Combining SpywareBlaster, IE-SPYAD, and hpguru HOSTS file
w/eDexter+JavaDog - in addition to the blocking/immunization lists
provided by the active scanners - will keep +99% of
spyware/adware/malware from even gaining a foothold on a computer.

 

[optikl]

Currently I have Spybot, Ad-Ware SE (free), Microsoft AntiSpware and
Spy Sweeper. Most of these applications offer features that monitor
settings and watch for suspicious behavior, such as TeaTimer, Real-time
Protection and Active Shields.

I have these products installed on various machines (not all on one
machine). If it were me, I'd run M/S AntiSpyware resident (as a
real-time monitor) and leave the other apps for occassional scanning, if
you get an alert, or if you suspect something is not right with your
system. Spy Sweeper is prone to FP, IMO, a bit too much. I think both
AdAware and SpyBot are next tier products, although I do like AdAware.