Spyware Blaster - worth having?

[Simon6776]

Hi Guys,

I have used Spyware Blaster for several years, and have always opted to pay for the auto updates, as I knew I would never remember to do it manually. The yearly subscription renewal is now due, but I am not sure if SB has much effect any more, or whether there is a similar, better, and preferably free alternative, with auto updates? Does Windows Defender do the same job?

I currently have FSIS 2007 installed, and AVGAS (free) as an on demand scanner. My FSIS is also up for renewal soon, and unless I decide to, once again, scout round trying other suites, of which I don't think any have been significantly updated since my last round of testing, I will be sticking with FSIS, so any Spyware Blaster alternatives will have to be compatible.

[cheater87]

Yes it blocks over 7000 malware and cookies from installing and the number is growing. I don't feel safe unless I have Spyware Blaster.

[JCorliss]

If you don't use IE, there's really no use unless you need it for cookies.

[Simon6776]

Well, there's two conflicting opinions, both of which are respected and appreciated.

-{ Quote: "If you don't use IE, there's really no use unless you need it for cookies." }-
It works for Firefox and Mozilla as well, doesn't it? :-\ I have been using Mozilla (Sea Monkey) for years, and hardly touch IE any more.

[WSFuser]

if you dont (want to) handle cookies yourself, SpywareBlaster may be useful.

[JCorliss]

-{ Quote: "
It works for Firefox and Mozilla as well, doesn't it? :-\ I have been using Mozilla (Sea Monkey) for years, and hardly touch IE any more." }-
I don't believe there's much it can do in Firefox/Mozilla other than cookies. (no Active x allowed anyway)

[JerryM]

I used it for years, and few cookies, etc. I have not used it a very long time, and few cookies. I am convinced it just takes up room with no real benefits.

Jerry

[lodore]

-{ Quote: "Hi Guys,

I have used Spyware Blaster for several years, and have always opted to pay for the auto updates, as I knew I would never remember to do it manually. The yearly subscription renewal is now due, but I am not sure if SB has much effect any more, or whether there is a similar, better, and preferably free alternative, with auto updates? Does Windows Defender do the same job?

I currently have FSIS 2007 installed, and AVGAS (free) as an on demand scanner. My FSIS is also up for renewal soon, and unless I decide to, once again, scout round trying other suites, of which I don't think any have been significantly updated since my last round of testing, I will be sticking with FSIS, so any Spyware Blaster alternatives will have to be compatible." }-

has F-Secure fixed the FP with avgas being detected as malware during install? and uninstall?
i wouldnt bother with spyware blaster.
if you already got avgas and f-secure you dont really need it.
if you want an extra layer of defence i surgest the mvps hosts file.
and with regards to f-secure subscription ending soon well it depends if it works well on your pc and your happy with it or not.
but you might as well test the other suites anyway.
lodore

[ThunderZ]

-{ Quote: "I am convinced it just takes up room with no real benefits." }-


At only 3.13 MB, space is hardly a concern I would think. As far resources, how can you beat 0 memory and CPU usage. Other then remembering to check for updates once in a while what does it hurt? I only wish other "more modern" security apps. could work in\be as efficient as Spyware Blaster.

Not a big fan of host files. IMO, they are just someones idea of where you should`t go. For the times I do venture on the Dark Side :lurking: I will count on other methods to protect me. Although for the noob\novice\parents wishing to protect kids they are not a bad way to go.

[Simon6776]

-{ Quote: "has F-Secure fixed the FP with avgas being detected as malware during install? and uninstall?
i wouldnt bother with spyware blaster.
if you already got avgas and f-secure you dont really need it.
if you want an extra layer of defence i surgest the mvps hosts file.
and with regards to f-secure subscription ending soon well it depends if it works well on your pc and your happy with it or not.
but you might as well test the other suites anyway.
lodore" }-
I have installed / uninstalled AVGAS with FSIS up and running, and received no conflict warnings. This is the free version of AVG, not the real time edition.

As for trying other suites, I have tried most of them before, and unless any have significantly changed in the last few months, I don't see much point in going though the exercise all over again, besides, the more you install / uninstall these suites, the more chance there is of something not being removed properly, and causing subsequent problems, like screwing up the Security Center. I would have liked to see what the NOD32 suite is like, but it doesn't look like it will be out in time.

[lodore]

ok you might as well stay with f-secure then.
i just got a virus alert from f-secure when i installed avgas.
this was when i was using f-secure like 4 months ago.
and f-secure also popped up with a virus alert when i uninstalled it as well.
i was using the trial version that sinks to the free version after 30 days.
i was just wondering if the False possitive with f-secure popping up with avgas being a virus and asking what action to choose
lodore

[Simon6776]

Not being funny, but did you download AVGAS from the official site, or another reputable source? I'm just wondering if you were unlucky and got a dodgy download of it?

[lodore]

it was from grisoft.com
I browsed to avg antispyware and found the trial downloads.
i downloaded the avgas and installed
i rememeber emailing f-secure about the FP but they never replyed
lodore

[Simon6776]

Well, it's OK now. Must have been a dodgy FS signatures update. http://www.avfu59.dsl.pipex.com/smileys/dunno.gif

[Mele20]

I use Fx 90% of the time but I still would not dream of getting rid of Spyware Blaster. Recall that IE is an EMBEDDED PART OF THE OS AND THAT EXPLORER IS IE BASICALLY. I think Spyware Blaster is needed IMO. It doesn't run, uses no CPU yet it offers invaluable protection by setting the killbit on a variety of nasty programs that use ActiveX. Microsoft fixes some security holes by issuing a patch that sets the killbit on something. They did that recently. Besides setting the killbit on many nasty programs that use ActiveX so they cannot install and run, Spyware Blaster does other useful things such as offers you the ability to set the killbit on Flash Player and then you can lift it if you really want to see something that requires Flash Player. You can make a snapshot of your hosts file in case it ever gets deleted or causes a problem. I like that I can add my own killbits to control ActiveX programs. Thereare a variety of things Spyware Blaster can do besides block the installation of malicious ActiveX programs for IE/Maxthon and kill bad cookies in Firefox.

[the Tester]

IMO Mele20 is correct.
I will definitely keep SWB installed here.

[JerryM]

-{ Quote: "At only 3.13 MB, space is hardly a concern I would think. As far resources, how can you beat 0 memory and CPU usage. Other then remembering to check for updates once in a while what does it hurt? I only wish other "more modern" security apps. could work in\be as efficient as Spyware Blaster.

Not a big fan of host files. IMO, they are just someones idea of where you should`t go. For the times I do venture on the Dark Side :lurking: I will count on other methods to protect me. Although for the noob\novice\parents wishing to protect kids they are not a bad way to go." }-

I understand. My point was that I consider it useless for me.

Regards,
Jerry

[ErikAlbert]

-{ Quote: "Yes it blocks over 7000 malware and cookies from installing and the number is growing. I don't feel safe unless I have Spyware Blaster." }-
7000+ malware and cookies seems to me like a drop in the ocean, but it helps, because it's a drop.

[Espresso]

I set IE to block all cookies except for sites that I specify.

[flinchlock]

I use the 4d-s.xml file from http://www.spywarewarrior.com/uiuc/resource5.htm#files by Eric L. Howes.

It is part of his XML-MENU.ZIP package-{ Quote: "This package contains a full menu of custom Import XML files that can be used to manipulate IE6's handling of cookies in the Internet and Trusted zones (the Privacy tab controls only the Internet zone). These XML files do work with Windows XP Service Pack 2." }-
Here is how I handle IE 6 cookies
---- ----------------------------------------|----------------------------------------|
XML ** Internet Zone ** | ** Trusted Zone ** |
File 1-noPolicy 1-noRule 3-noPolicy 3-noRule | 1-noPolicy 1-noRule 3-noPolicy 3-noRule|
---- ---------- -------- ---------- -------- | ---------- -------- ---------- --------|
4d-s Session Session reject reject First First reject reject
Mike

[Franklin]

Doesn't SpyB add those 7000 blocked entries to the registry?

Not really sure on this but if it does would you consider it as bloatware?

[ErikAlbert]

SpywareBlaster doesn't fit in my security setup and 7000+ malware + cookies indicates a blacklist, which I try to avoid as much as possible. :)

[Rasheed187]

I never really understood what all the fuzz is about, I mean if you run your browser in non-admin mode, ActiveX controls can´t install anyways. Also, Maxthon (my main browser) has had an ActiveX blocker for quite some time.