Any AV programs good at removing spyware?

[tawd1992]

I spend alot of time cleaning computers & I'm trying to streamline the process some. Instead of scanning for spyware with Adaware or Microsoft anti-spyware & then doing a separate scan with my favorite av scanner (Escan 4.4.7) I'm wondering if the new Nod32 2.5 beta or Kav 6 prototype would be on par with Adaware for removing spyware. Also, is there a way to run Kav 5 or 6 on a usb flash drive?

[muf]

There's currently no AV that can compete at spyware detection with any of the top dedicated antispyware products such as SpySweeper, Counterspy, MS Antispyware, Ad-Aware. The best one is probably Kaspersky while using the extended database. The jury is out on NOD32 2.5. I read that Trendmicro who provide PCCillin have acquired Intermute(Spysubract Pro), so maybe they are planning on integrating Spysubtract Pro into PCCillin.

muf

[Firecat]

eTrust purchased PestPatrol, so its likely eTrust has good spyware detection (not sure)......

[chaos16]

i woulden't rely on antivirus only for removing spyware...

[VikingStorm]

{QUOTE-> I spend alot of time cleaning computers & I'm trying to streamline the process some. Instead of scanning for spyware with Adaware or Microsoft anti-spyware & then doing a separate scan with my favorite av scanner (Escan 4.4.7) I'm wondering if the new Nod32 2.5 beta or Kav 6 prototype would be on par with Adaware for removing spyware. Also, is there a way to run Kav 5 or 6 on a usb flash drive? <-QUOTE}
Not on par at all, most of the spyware detections from AV are just that, detections. It won't effectively remove anything like a real AS program.

[tawd1992]

I was afraid of that. Guess I'll have to keep using Microsoft anti-spyware & Adaware. The only thing I don't like about Microsoft anti-spyware is that you can't install it in safe mode. Sometimes the pc is so bad, it's unusable in normal mode. I had one the other day that was so bad, task manager wouldn't even open up. Thank goodness Adaware installs in safe mode.

[q1aqza]

Have you tried Spybot Search and Destroy for the PCs that won't boot normally?? I haven't tried it myself in safe mode but it might be worth a try.

[trickyricky]

I recently sorted out a PC with multiple spyware infestation which had the latest Norton Antivirus installed. NAV was completely up to date and had detected several spyware programs including Gator, Lop, Gain, MyWebSearch and was advising deletion of all detected items. However, when I accepted its advice, it couldn't cope with any of the spyware, giving a "deletion failed" message for each. That behaviour had paniced the PC owner and caused her to call me telling me that her PC was infected with "loads of viruses".

There are a couple of important messages here. The first is that if a program is purchased as an antivirus solution, anything which it detects is labelled as a virus by the unenlightened. Obvious really, but bound to cause much unnecessary confusion and panic. The second is that an antivirus program which is very good at dealing with virus infection is nowhere near capable to deal with spyware which seems much more tenacious than the worst viruses.

On said PC, MS Antispyware dealt with much of the infestation and HijackThis and an educated eye sorted out the rest. It's really "horses for courses" at the moment, and I'd advise everyone to get the best protection for each type of threat rather than trying their luck with suites and multi-purpose apps which never seem quite up to the job when you're really up against it.

That's my 2 cents/4 pence worth...

[Infinity]

Nicely spoken Ricky, my thoughts exactly ;)...detection is 1, removal is 2 and not all removal of malware is done by the book...and can cause corruption and sluggishness :)

I hate those suites actually ;)

[tawd1992]

{QUOTE-> Have you tried Spybot Search and Destroy for the PCs that won't boot normally?? I haven't tried it myself in safe mode but it might be worth a try. <-QUOTE}

Yes, Adaware & Spybot S & D will install in safe mode. I've been using these 2 programs for a few years now.

[hadi]

{QUOTE-> Yes, Adaware & Spybot S & D will install in safe mode. I've been using these 2 programs for a few years now. <-QUOTE}

They even work without installation . For ex. you can copy their folder from (Program files)to a USB flash or CD and use them to clean another computer.

[g525432]

NOD32 will not clean registry keys, it just remove main infected file...

[rdsu]

{QUOTE-> NOD32 will not clean registry keys, it just remove main infected file... <-QUOTE}
False!

NOD32 removes the registry keys created by the infected files...

[Firecat]

{QUOTE-> NOD32 will not clean registry keys, it just remove main infected file... <-QUOTE}
As Vampiric Crow said - This statement of yours is not true.

I have a PM from Happy Bytes in which he told me about this. NOD32 does clean the registry keys, startup entries etc. created by the infected files.

[I who know nothing]

My KAV 5 personal detected and removed serpo/hotoffers adware/browser hijacker which no other antispyware could.

[Firecat]

{QUOTE-> My KAV 5 personal detected and removed serpo/hotoffers adware/browser hijacker which no other antispyware could. <-QUOTE}
Remove? You mean files as well as reg entries?

Because in my experience, KAV either does a good removal or a bad one (more good than bad though ;))