Spybot search and destroy

  • Thread starter Thread starter MoiInAust
  • Start date Start date
M

MoiInAust

I heard good things about this facility for detecting spyware, and I am
using it. Will it also detect viruses? What are people's other
recommendations and prices (if not free)?

Cheers
 
I heard good things about this facility for detecting spyware, and I am
using it. Will it also detect viruses? What are people's other
recommendations and prices (if not free)?
Click to expand...

Use one (1) only real-time Anti-Virus (AV) application.
I use Avira AntiVir® Personal - FREE Antivirus
http://www.free-av.com/

Use one (1) only real-time Anti-Spy (A-S) application.
I use Windows Defender - Free (build-in in Vista)
http://www.microsoft.com/athome/security/spyware/software/default.mspx

You can, if you wish, use several on-demand AV and A-S applications.
On-demand AV applications:
(add them to your arsenal and use them as a "second opinion" av scanner).
David H. Lipman's MULTI_AV Tool
http://www.pctipp.ch/ds/28400/28470/Multi_AV.exe
http://www.pctipp.ch/downloads/dl/35905.asp
English:
http://www.raymond.cc/blog/archives/2008/01/09/scan-your-computer-with-multiple-anti-virus-for-free/
Additional Instructions:
http://pcdid.com/Multi_AV.htm (is currently unavailable)
--and/or--
Malwarebytes© Corporation - Anti-Malware
http://www.download.com/Malwarebytes-Anti-Malware/3000-8022_4-10804572.html?tag=mncol
--or--
http://majorgeeks.com/Malwarebytes_Anti-Malware_d5756.html
--direct--
http://www.malwarebytes.org/mbam/program/mbam-setup.exe
--and/or--
Kaspersky® Virus Removal Tool
http://www.kaspersky.com/support/viruses/avptool?level=2
http://downloads5.kaspersky-labs.com/devbuilds/AVPTool/
http://devbuilds.kaspersky-labs.com/devbuilds/AVPTool/
http://ftp.kaspersky.com/devbuilds/AVPTool/
--and/or--
Dr.Web CureIt!® Utility - FREE
http://www.freedrweb.com/cureit/
--and/or--
a-squared (a²) Free or a-squared (a²) Command Line Scanner
http://www.emsisoft.com/en/software/download/
--and/or--
BitDefender10 Free Edition (*NOT FOR VISTA*)
http://www.bitdefender.com/site/Downloads/browseEvaluationVersion/1/42/

NOTE:
Kaspersky® Virus Removal Tool, Dr.Web CureIt!®' the free version of
Malwarebytes© [and SuperAntispyware] are not capable for real-time
protection of your computer.
Kaspersky® Virus Removal Tool, Dr.Web CureIt!® have no update feature (so
they don't turn into full blown scanners). As soon as your computer is
cleaned you are supposed to remove these tools from your operating system
and revert back to your (updated) resident (real-time) AV application.
Re: Kaspersky® Virus Removal Tool; To uninstall/move this program 'enable
self-defense' must be unchecked!

On-demand A-S scanners:
SuperAntispyware - Free
http://www.superantispyware.com/downloadfile.html?productid=SUPERANTISPYWAREFREE
http://www.superantispyware.com/superantispywarefreevspro.html
--and--
Spybot S&D
http://www.safer-networking.org/en/spybotsd/index.html

Good luck :)
 
MoiInAust said:
I heard good things about this facility for detecting spyware, and I am
using it. Will it also detect viruses? What are people's other
recommendations and prices (if not free)?
Click to expand...

I've used it and there's nothing wrong with it however most of what it
detects are tracking cookies which aren't really a major problem. I suggest
you use CCleaner (Crap Cleaner) regularly, like at least once a day or even
after every browsing session, to remove any cookies and temp files your
system doesn't need. Be sure to set it to save any cookies you do want which
store preferences for sites you regularly use. You do this in the Options -
Cookies section. Before finding CCleaner it was always a major pain going
through hundreds of cookies to delete the ones I didn't want or simply
deleting all of them and then having to set up the ones I did want again
when I revisited the sites. CCleaner automates this into a painless breeze
which runs in only a few seconds each time I use it.

Then I suggest MBAM every now and then to make sure there isn't anything
really nasty lurking around.

Finally I suggest you look at my recent post on using the XP Recovery
Console (if you have XP of course) because you'll amost certainly need it if
you do get anything nasty which has integrated itself into the system such
that it can't be deleted in either normal or safe mode or by the usual
utilities.

Having used various things in the past like Adaware and SpybotSD I now
mainly just rely on the two above.

Oh, I also recommend Registrar Registry Manager 6.01 which recently helped
me shift a few registry entries that MBAM found and didn't like but couldn't
delete.
 
I suggest
you use CCleaner (Crap Cleaner) regularly, like at least once a day or even
after every browsing session, to remove any cookies and temp files your
system doesn't need.
Click to expand...

Madness!

CCleaner is massive overkill for cookies, and is capable of removing far
more than you've bargained for. Use of a decent browser, e.g. Firefox or
Opera, will enable you to have full control over which cookies you accept
or reject without the neccessity of any such 'cleaner'.

I looked at CCleaner in the past, ran it, but didn't let it do anything to
my PC, before I rapidly uninstalled it. It allows insufficiently fine
control over what it does or doesn't do for my liking. I know it has many
fans, but even some of them will admit it has bitten them from time to
time. By chance I read this only this morning*, "I like CCleaner, I really
do. I have a copy on my PCs, but I rarely use the program because it has
caused problems like this for me, too." the writer is referring to
customisations of Windows being completely removed without warning. And -
"CCleaner has left my systems in the lurch too many times for me to want to
use the program for routine PC maintenance. If you're still interested,
you'll find more information about the product on the CCleaner site."

To read the whole of that, very interesting, article you'll have to get
the current paid for version of Windows Secrets. Widows secrets is well
worth the donation, of how ever much you choose to donate, or for
cheapskates the free version runs it close.

*Article by Fred Langa.

Cheers,

Roy
 
Slarty said:
Madness!

CCleaner is massive overkill for cookies, and is capable of removing far
more than you've bargained for. Use of a decent browser, e.g. Firefox or
Opera, will enable you to have full control over which cookies you accept
or reject without the neccessity of any such 'cleaner'.

I looked at CCleaner in the past, ran it, but didn't let it do anything to
my PC, before I rapidly uninstalled it. It allows insufficiently fine
control over what it does or doesn't do for my liking. I know it has many
fans, but even some of them will admit it has bitten them from time to
time. By chance I read this only this morning*, "I like CCleaner, I really
do. I have a copy on my PCs, but I rarely use the program because it has
caused problems like this for me, too." the writer is referring to
customisations of Windows being completely removed without warning. And -
"CCleaner has left my systems in the lurch too many times for me to want
to
use the program for routine PC maintenance. If you're still interested,
you'll find more information about the product on the CCleaner site."

To read the whole of that, very interesting, article you'll have to get
the current paid for version of Windows Secrets. Widows secrets is well
worth the donation, of how ever much you choose to donate, or for
cheapskates the free version runs it close.

*Article by Fred Langa.
Click to expand...

Ccleaner has had over 275 million downloads according to Wiki yet if you
search for "Ccleaner problems" in Google you find an absolute minimal number
of people reporting any and most of those appear to be related to something
else they'd installed and forgotten about. If it really didn't work there'd
be a damn sight more people complaining about it.

I've used it for over 2 years multiple times a day without a single issue as
have many people I know and it's one of the best little apps I've ever come
across. I wouldn't dream of trying to manage without it now. It lets you
customise every possible option but in any case the defaults are completely
safe. Anyone who pays for access to so called "Windows Secrets" which there
are thousands of free sites covering every topic imaginable must be nuts but
don't let that stop you from touting for more business.

To the OP, like any topic on Usenet you'll tend to find the good advice
drowned out by the scammers and the noise but no one can help you decide
which is good advice and which not. It's all worth at least exactly as much
as you're paying for it :) When you spot someone with what appears to be a
vested interest you can generally safely ignore them though.
 
What's in a Name? said:
you're a real jokester aren't you?
--
Click to expand...
Is that the depth of wisdom on this group? As a newbie I asked a serious
question and expected a sensible reply. If by that stupid post you meant NO
then why not say it?
 
Dave Baker said:
I've used it and there's nothing wrong with it however most of what it
detects are tracking cookies which aren't really a major problem. I
suggest you use CCleaner (Crap Cleaner) regularly, like at least once a
day or even after every browsing session, to remove any cookies and temp
files your system doesn't need. Be sure to set it to save any cookies you
do want which store preferences for sites you regularly use. You do this
in the Options - Cookies section. Before finding CCleaner it was always a
major pain going through hundreds of cookies to delete the ones I didn't
want or simply deleting all of them and then having to set up the ones I
did want again when I revisited the sites. CCleaner automates this into a
painless breeze which runs in only a few seconds each time I use it.

Then I suggest MBAM every now and then to make sure there isn't anything
really nasty lurking around.

Finally I suggest you look at my recent post on using the XP Recovery
Console (if you have XP of course) because you'll amost certainly need it
if you do get anything nasty which has integrated itself into the system
such that it can't be deleted in either normal or safe mode or by the
usual utilities.

Having used various things in the past like Adaware and SpybotSD I now
mainly just rely on the two above.

Oh, I also recommend Registrar Registry Manager 6.01 which recently helped
me shift a few registry entries that MBAM found and didn't like but
couldn't delete.
Click to expand...
Thanks Dave for this helpful info.
 
Is that the depth of wisdom on this group? As a newbie I asked a serious
question and expected a sensible reply. If by that stupid post you meant NO
then why not say it?
Click to expand...


As "What's in a Name" was reacting to a message with very clear
disinformation, I suppose you are replying to the wrong poster.

NO, Spybot Search & Destroy does not, repeat not, scan for viruses.
(it never did and never claimed to do so.)
Spybot Search & Destroy is against spyware/adware:
http://www.safer-networking.org/en/

Spybot was once very good, but not anymore.
I used to use the combination of Spybot and AdAware.

But long time ago I switched to SuperAntiSpyware (SAS) and Malwarebytes'
Anti-Malware (MBAM).

Please reread the message of Kayman for a complete and very good advice.
 
Is that the depth of wisdom on this group? As a newbie I asked a
serious question and expected a sensible reply. If by that stupid
post you meant NO then why not say it?
Click to expand...

I was responding to the post by the nut guy. You want my opinion- well
here goes....

***************begin canned response*******************

What I use to clean and maintain Windows -

Windows Update (free to use)
http://www.update.microsoft.com/windowsupdate/v6/default.aspx?ln=en-us

Secunia Online Software Inspector (free to use)
http://secunia.com/vulnerability_scanning/online/

Avira AntiVir® Personal - FREE Antivirus
http://www.free-av.com/
(The free version won't scan your emails.)

Why You Don't Need Your Anti-Virus Program to Scan Your E-Mail
http://thundercloud.net/infoave/tutorials/email-scanning/index.htm

Ensure your e-mail program is configured to display e-mail messages in
'Plain Text' only.

Thunderbird for e-mail (free), set to “default” e-mail
http://www.mozilla.com/en-US/thunderbird/

You may wish to consider removing the 'AntiVir Nagscreen'
http://www.elitekiller.com/files/disable_antivir_nag.htm

ThreatFire (free version)
http://www.threatfire.com/download/

Windows Defender (free)
http://www.microsoft.com/windows/products/winfamily/defender/default.mspx
for w2k users, see instructions here:
http://www.compatdb.org/support/topics/175747_windows_defender_windows_2000.html

SUPERAntiSpyware (free version-no Real-Time scanning)
http://www.superantispyware.com/download.html
If you can’t download def. files you can get them here:
http://www.superantispyware.com/definitions.html

Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware (trial version is free version-no Real-Time
scanning)
http://www.malwarebytes.org/index.php
If you can’t download def. files, you can get them here:
http://www.malwarebytes.org/mbam.php

SpywareBlaster (free)
http://www.javacoolsoftware.com/spywareblaster.html

Windows Firewall (free)- w2k users can get sygate (old free version)
http://www.oldversion.com/program.php?n=sygate

Firefox with AdBlock/NoScript/WOT/LE installed (free), set to “default”
browser

http://en-us.www.mozilla.com/en-US/firefox/

AdBlock https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/1865

NoScript https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/722

W-O-T https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/search?q=WOT&cat=all

LinkExtend https://addons.mozilla.org/firefox/addon/10777

MVPS Hosts file (free)
http://www.mvps.org/winhelp2002/hosts.htm

Manange your hosts file http://www.funkytoad.com/
Hostsxpert http://www.funkytoad.com/download/HostsXpert.zip
Homer http://www.funkytoad.com/download/Homer.zip

Turn off un-needed Windows Services
http://www.jasonn.com/turning_off_unnecessary_services_on_windows_xp

Update Java (delete old versions before update)
http://www.java.com/en/download/index.jsp

Decrapify your PC
http://pcdecrapifier.com/download

Remove Adobe Acrobat Reader and use PDF-XChange Viewer
http://www.docu-track.com/downloads/users/

CrapCleaner
http://www.ccleaner.com/

JKDefrag
http://www.kessels.com/Jkdefrag/

Routinely practice Safe-Hex.
http://www.claymania.com/safe-hex.html

Hundreds Click on 'Click Here to Get Infected' Ad
http://www.eweek.com/article2/0,1895,2132447,00.asp

Buy a router w/built-in firewall (under $50)

***************end canned response********************

max
 
In <[email protected]> FredW aka
(e-mail address removed) thought it would be fun to share this little
dity with the class:
As "What's in a Name" was reacting to a message with very clear
disinformation, I suppose you are replying to the wrong poster.

NO, Spybot Search & Destroy does not, repeat not, scan for viruses.
(it never did and never claimed to do so.)
Spybot Search & Destroy is against spyware/adware:
http://www.safer-networking.org/en/

Spybot was once very good, but not anymore.
I used to use the combination of Spybot and AdAware.

But long time ago I switched to SuperAntiSpyware (SAS) and
Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware (MBAM).

Please reread the message of Kayman for a complete and very good
advice.
Click to expand...

thanks Fred

max
 
Is that the depth of wisdom on this group? As a newbie I asked a serious
question and expected a sensible reply. If by that stupid post you meant NO
then why not say it?
Click to expand...

Get a newsreader with strong filtering. Usenet these days is filled with
malicious fools who wish to destroy it.
 
Get a newsreader with strong filtering. Usenet these days is filled
with malicious fools who wish to destroy it.
Click to expand...

and you think that your self-censorship is going to stop it??
 
Ccleaner has had over 275 million downloads according to Wiki yet if you
search for "Ccleaner problems" in Google you find an absolute minimal number
of people reporting any and most of those appear to be related to something
else they'd installed and forgotten about. If it really didn't work there'd
be a damn sight more people complaining about it.

I've used it for over 2 years multiple times a day without a single issue as
have many people I know and it's one of the best little apps I've ever come
across. I wouldn't dream of trying to manage without it now. It lets you
customise every possible option but in any case the defaults are completely
safe. Anyone who pays for access to so called "Windows Secrets" which there
are thousands of free sites covering every topic imaginable must be nuts but
don't let that stop you from touting for more business.

To the OP, like any topic on Usenet you'll tend to find the good advice
drowned out by the scammers and the noise but no one can help you decide
which is good advice and which not. It's all worth at least exactly as much
as you're paying for it :) When you spot someone with what appears to be a
vested interest you can generally safely ignore them though.
Click to expand...


CCleaner is excellent. It does, contrary to a previous post, give
complete control over what it does,
 
and you think that your self-censorship is going to stop it??
Click to expand...

If you refuse to insulate yourself from these fools and their insults,
then shut up and quit whining when you become the butt of their jokes.
 
If you refuse to insulate yourself from these fools and their insults,
then shut up and quit whining when you become the butt of their jokes.
Click to expand...

The only one who seems to be whining is you.
 
Get a newsreader with strong filtering. Usenet these days is filled
with
malicious fools who wish to destroy it.
Click to expand...

Worse than that is all of the web to usenet gateways.
 
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