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Q: A recommended tool for detecting spyware and trojans? ( Answered 5 out of 5 stars,   5 Comments )
Question  
Subject: A recommended tool for detecting spyware and trojans?
Category: Computers > Security
Asked by: 6ra3-ga
List Price: $25.00
Posted: 01 Aug 2004 01:52 PDT
Expires: 31 Aug 2004 01:52 PDT
Question ID: 381928
Hi,

I would like to make a good choice with a tool that is designed to be
updated by its service, such as Spyware X-Terminator for example, and
is effective with the majority of risks out there.

I have Norton Anti-Virus, but it doesn't cover the whole spectrum of
issues I should be considering.

Also, I'm having difficulty deleting some files.

Any recommendations will be helpful.

-Mao
Answer  
Subject: Re: A recommended tool for detecting spyware and trojans?
Answered By: rhansenne-ga on 01 Aug 2004 03:13 PDT
Rated:5 out of 5 stars
 
Hi 6ra3-ga,

Flexbeta recently performed an extensive comparison test of
adware/spyware/trojan scanner & removal programs. These included both
freeware and commercial scanners. You can find the complete article
here:

http://www.flexbeta.net/main/articles.php?action=show&id=66&perpage=1&pagenum=1

The tester conludes with:

"The results not only show that SpySweeper was able to detect more
objects than the rest of the pack, it also shows how users should be
careful what they pay for. SpyRemover looks extremely similar to
SpyBot S&D, yet it was not able to detect more than the freely
available SpyBot S&D. In addition, SpyBot goes beyond SpyRemover by
creating a backup of the registry and a system restore point. I would
rather install SpyBot S&D and contribute to the cause by donating to
the authors, than to pay for a rip-off.

Though the apparent winner is SpySweeper, the best tactic for removing
spyware/adware is to run more than one application. Saying this, it is
recommended to run SpySweeper, AdAware and SpyBot S&D to ensure that
your system be as clean as possible. As for the other two
applications, I would not recommend them, being that both applications
charge a fee to remove half the objects another application can remove
for free."

In short, according to the test, the best commercial
adware/trojan/spyware removal program is SpySweeper and the best
freeware program is Adaware. Personally I'm using a combo of the
freeware programs Adaware and Spybot. Both can be easily updated by
(automatically) downloading the latest reference file. Spybot has an
always-resident scanner which intercepts and blocks spyware/trojans
while surfing.

Ad-aware:
http://www.lavasoftusa.com/software/adaware/

Spybot:
http://www.safer-networking.org/en/download/index.html

Spysweeper (commercial):
http://www.webroot.com/wb/products/spysweeper/index.php

Some alternative programs with always-resident features:

SpywareBlaster:
http://www.wilderssecurity.net/spywareblaster.html

This nifty program prevents spyware ActiveX controls from being
installed on your computer by setting your system so that these
controls are prevented from being installed or run. It also blocks
cookies from certain websites or companies that are known to use these
cookies to track a user's surfing habits.

SpywareGuard:
http://www.wilderssecurity.net/spywareguard.html

SpywareGuard runs behind the scenes to block spyware from being
downloaded or run on your computer. It also has the ability to prevent
browser hijacking (whether it is your start page or your ability to
search using a search engine or otherwise).

An extensive list of freeware addware/spyware/trojan/hijacker removing
software can be found here:

http://www.thefreecountry.com/security/spywareremoval.shtml

Remember that these programs target adware/spyware/trojans and not
viruses. Inversely, virus scanners are usually don't do a good job
when it comes to tracking down adware/spyware. It's a good idea to run
both a virus scanner as well as one or two adware scanners to cover
the whole spectrum.

Finally, you might want to consider trying a different web browser.
Internet Explorer is very susceptible to these type of take-over
attempts, as it allows the execution of Active-X components of
webpages (unless if you explicitly disable them). This way, you may
download and execute malicious programs without knowing it. Browsers
such as Mozilla Firefox are usually more resiliant to such attacks
(and often provide several other interesting features, such as
automatic pop-up blocking):

http://www.mozilla.org/products/firefox

Search terms used:  adware, spyware, trojans, comparison, test

Sincerely,

rhansenne-ga
6ra3-ga rated this answer:5 out of 5 stars
Thanks, that sure takes care of my worries! :-)

-Mao

Comments  
Subject: Re: A recommended tool for detecting spyware and trojans?
From: bellboy-ga on 01 Aug 2004 04:37 PDT
 
I am a very happy and satisified Webroot Spyweeper user. I love it and
score it 10/10 Never had a problem since I installed it!  Cheers from:
Bellboy
Subject: Re: A recommended tool for detecting spyware and trojans?
From: livioflores-ga on 01 Aug 2004 07:04 PDT
 
I strongly recommend to use Pest Patrol, it is a paid software but it
is an excellent tool for prevention:
http://www.pestpatrol.com/Products/PestPatrolHE/

It costs $39.95.
Subject: Re: A recommended tool for detecting spyware and trojans?
From: 23r0-ga on 08 Aug 2004 02:58 PDT
 
I recommend to try the site http://www.2-spyware.com.
there are manual removal instructions and explanations of various
spyware, adware, worms, trojans and other parasites.
And they recommend to use various spyware removal programs depending on parasite.
There are quite a lot of freedom to choose how to remove parasites and
with which program.
Subject: Re: A recommended tool for detecting spyware and trojans?
From: crypt0-ga on 15 Aug 2004 20:05 PDT
 
TDS-3 is also an excellent Trojan detection system, I use Adaware and
AVG anti-virus, so I have good security at no cost!
Subject: Re: A recommended tool for detecting spyware and trojans?
From: monsterr-ga on 09 Sep 2004 02:55 PDT
 
http://www.safer-networking.org/en/download/index.html

Download "Spybot" from here for free.  It is excellent.  You will not
need to install anything else.

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