NationStates Jolt Archive

Which spyware program is better; Mircosoft antispyware or Spybot Search and Destroy and why? Thanks for the help.

Both. But Windows Defender can get out stuff as well as pay programs.

i've always used spybot search and destroy... has always worked fine for me :)

furthermore, windows defender is still at beta stage? hope this helps.

Don't forget to delete your cookies too. I've found that most of the spyware I get comes from the cookies.

I use a combination of Spyware Search&Destroy, Ad-Aware, and Spywareblaster.

We use CounterSpy!

It's tough and one thing I liked about the company is that they amassed a pile of money to fight lawsuits.

The one thing to be aware about commerical products is that the lawyers are involved with defining spyware and malware.

If the EULA says it's going to install spyware because you are going to use that nice freeware, the lawyers say it is no longer spyware and thus will not be reported as such.

I asked 5 major vendors as the last RSA conference and each one paused looked around and say "yes"

Spybot is good I have used it.

I will not use the defender product simply because I don't trust Microsoft especially after the recent "oops we didn't know it was doing that" spyware "fix" that took a snapshots.....

I tried installing Spybot S&D and it said it couldn't connect to the server or something similar to that. Does anyone know why that is or how I can fix it?

A combination of Ad-aware, Spybot S&D, Pest Patrol and a good firewall is your best bet, IMO.

I tried installing Spybot S&D and it said it couldn't connect to the server or something similar to that. Does anyone know why that is or how I can fix it?
Check the simple things first; are you connected when you run S&D? Is your firewall blocking S&D?

I don't get spyware in the first place.

I don’t get spyware in the first place.
Nobody should, unless they’re not using decent software, or like downloading small files for no reason.

The best anti-spyware program is the user behind the computer. Read up on spyware, how it gets installed, and the steps you can take to reduce your risk. Learn to use your computer responsibly and follow through.

Most of the time, you can keep yourself from getting hit from spyware. Run in a limited user mode, don't visit the kind of websites that contain spyware (warez, pr0n - Yahoo has enough 'adult' groups to get your smut at!), be careful about 'free' programs; there is dang good advise out there written for all levels of computer users.

If you are hit by spyware, then the best strategy is to use a variety of programs. Scan, if possible, in Safe Mode as less things are started up and it's easier to remove spyware. Spybot S&D, Adaware, Microsoft: they all have their strong and weak points, and by using several programs in succession you'll have the best chances of getting rid of them all. Just watch out since there are plenty of anti-spyware programs out there that install spyware. Check out computer magazines for the names of good programs.

But the best way to avoid spyware is good computing.

I use Spybot, Spyware Blaster, Ad-Aware, and Windows Defender (formerly Microsoft/GIANT Antispyware). The people who make AVG have released their own anti-spyware that I also have - AVG Anti-spyware (formerly Ewido antispyware). I've had my computer pretty much cleaned so I don't know how good the AVG one is, but it can't hurt to have another, I already use their antivirus. The real best way to stop spyware is get programs that can block spyware from getting on your computer specifically like Spybot's integration and Spyware Blaster. No matter how careful you think you are, the only other way to prevent spyware from getting on your computer is to surf the web under such protection that it is no longer fun. Most spyware comes in tracking cookies which come from far more harmless sites than porn and warez.

I've tried Spy Sweeper and Pest Patrol, didn't like either money grubber. Windows Defender did what they did but for free.

I use Spybot, Spyware Blaster, Ad-Aware, and Windows Defender (formerly Microsoft/GIANT Antispyware). The people who make AVG have released their own anti-spyware that I also have - AVG Anti-spyware (formerly Ewido antispyware). I've had my computer pretty much cleaned so I don't know how good the AVG one is, but it can't hurt to have another, I already use their antivirus. The real best way to stop spyware is get programs that can block spyware from getting on your computer specifically like Spybot's integration and Spyware Blaster. No matter how careful you think you are, the only other way to prevent spyware from getting on your computer is to surf the web under such protection that it is no longer fun. Most spyware comes in tracking cookies which come from far more harmless sites than porn and warez.

I've tried Spy Sweeper and Pest Patrol, didn't like either money grubber. Windows Defender did what they did but for free.
Wow, that is bunk. Why do you put up with such a hassle?

A combination of Ad-aware, Spybot S&D, Pest Patrol and a good firewall is your best bet, IMO.


What he said

Wow, that is bunk. Why do you put up with such a hassle?

From the person who can't make a contribution to the thread, why don't you go away.

These days Spybot s&d really isnt what it used to be.

I find nowadays that Ad-Aware finds, detects, and isolates more nasty spyware and such crap than Spybot.

Ad-aware, and AVG, and maybe a blaster program, and a decent firewall.

All you need.