SpywareGuard 2.1 has been released

[javacool]

SpywareGuard 2.1 has been released.

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

This release fixes a few bugs and improves some of the components.

If you have installed SpywareGuard 2.0, simply shut down the main interface (double-click the red "SG" icon in the system tray and File>Exit) and then run the SpywareGuard 2.1 installer (you shouldn't have to uninstall SpywareGuard 2.0 for the install to work). You may be asked to reboot your computer.

If you have SpywareGuard 1.1 installed, please follow the instructions posted in the thread about SpywareGuard 2.0: http://www.wilderssecurity.com/showthread.php?t=9315

Best regards,

-Javacool

[nameless]

SpywareGuard 2.1 looks nice--very professional and well done. I am impressed. Nice new functionality as well.

Have you ever thought of combining SpywareBlaster and SpywareGuard into a single application? (It seems to me that it would be easier to add SpywareBlaster to SpywareGuard than vice-versa.) In any event, I think that would be slick (I like simplicity--not that having them separate is particularly complicated).

Thanks for reading.

[LonnyRJones]

"SpywareGuard 2.1 looks nice--very professional and well done. I am impressed. Nice new functionality as well."

Ill have to second and third that, thankyou.
Only one drawback ,it eats about 10% resources,
No problem though :)

Could someone post some links so we can test for unwanted downloads.

Lonny
win me w/SpyBot1.2 Adaware, SpywareBlaster, and now
SpywareGuard 2.1

[Pieter_Arntz]

Hi Lonny,

Welcome at Wilders. :)
It's against our TOS to post links to malware, but I'm sure you will bump into something when you Google for browser enhancers.
A relatively harmless example would be Hotbar. ;)

Regards,

Pieter

[LonnyRJones]

Hi

Guess I should have worded it differantly,
Is'nt there some safe links to malware(look alikes) for testing
purposes,,, made by us good people :)
will check the google suggestion.

I see this forums still having trouble with email notifacations
Didnt get one for this post for example..No big deal.

Thanks
Lonny

[samms7]

I downloaded SpywareGuard 2.1 but i keep getting an error:
"Runtime error `13` type mismatch". Please can you help me fix this one? Thx!

[Pieter_Arntz]

Hi samms7,

No solution, but keep an eye on this thread: http://www.wilderssecurity.com/showthread.php?t=9494
where people posted with the same error you're experiencing.
I'm sure Javacool is working on it and the solution will emerge in that thread.

Regards,

Pieter

[Leonard]

I get a ( run-time error. '429': ) ActiveX component can't creat
e object.

[LowWaterMark]

{QUOTE-> quoting: Leonard link=board=34;threadid=9347;start=0#msg62587 date=1053691739]I get a ( run-time error. '429': ) ActiveX component can't create object. <-QUOTE}

Hi Leonard,

That error is also being discussed in the thread (http://www.wilderssecurity.com/showthread.php?t=9494) Pieter linked above. (See replies #6 & 7, so far, and I'm sure more to come when Javacool posts more on that one.)

[Q Section]

Hello Leonard

We posted the same problem. What running software do we have in common? For starters please see below for some.

[jsalpha2]

Is there any way to turn off or hide the red "SG" icon in the system tray? I know I'm anal, but I don't want anything over there except for the clock. I let the program autostart and I can access it from the start menu shortcut, so is the tray icon necessary?

[javacool]

If you want the Browser Hijacking Protection to work, I would highly recommend keeping the SG icon in the system tray.

Currently there is no way to hide the red "SG" icon in the system tray, but that is a good suggestion for a future version. :)

Best regards,

-Javacool

[nameless]

{QUOTE-> quoting: jsalpha2 link=board=34;threadid=9347;start=0#msg63193 date=1053982997]
Is there any way to turn off or hide the red "SG" icon in the system tray? I know I'm anal, but I don't want anything over there except for the clock. I let the program autostart and I can access it from the start menu shortcut, so is the tray icon necessary?
<-QUOTE}
There are several applications, some freeware, which let you hide tray icons. I happen to use Xdesksoftware's SysTrayX, but there are others as well. I find SysTrayX ideal because it lets me hide icons from the tray, yet access them easily via the SysTrayX tray icon (which can also, optionally, be hidden), or via a hotkey.

http://www.xdesksoftware.com/
http://www.colorpilot.com/hidetray.html

[kinmundy77]

{QUOTE-> quoting: javacool link=board=34;threadid=9347;start=0#msg63196 date=1053983188]
If you want the Browser Hijacking Protection to work, I would highly recommend keeping the SG icon in the system tray. <-QUOTE}

What would be the best way to enable SG on a Win98se system with 4 individual user profiles? Do I just need to go into each profile and add SG to Start/Programs/Startup folder?

[Phoenix22]

I like the app.......but I don't like being asked if I really want to close this application......IMHO

[nameless]

{QUOTE-> quoting: Phoenix22 link=board=34;threadid=9347;start=0#msg67466 date=1055861244]
I like the app.......but I don't like being asked if I really want to close this application......IMHO
<-QUOTE}I hate it, too--especially when there is no way to disable the behavior. But here's a "workaround" of sorts:

http://www.tlhouse.co.uk/PTFB.shtml

[Phoenix22]

u r 2 kind.......thanks ...preciate it ::) ::) ::) ::)

[DeeCee0622]

I downloaded the setup file, and installed the application. Tried to launch, and received an error message: A .dll file is missing. A required file MSVBVM60.dll is required. ???

[nameless]

{QUOTE-> quoting: DeeCee0622 link=board=34;threadid=9347;start=15#msg67738 date=1055906553]
I downloaded the setup file, and installed the application. Tried to launch, and received an error message: A .dll file is missing. A required file MSVBVM60.dll is required. ???
<-QUOTE}Right on the SpywareGuard home page (http://www.wilderssecurity.net/spywareguard.html):
{QUOTE-> Common User Issues/Missing Files:
Does SpywareGuard not run, and report that a file named "msvbvm60.dll" is missing?
If so, downloading the following MS run-time installer will install the missing file and
allow you to use SpywareGuard without any problems:
http://download.microsoft.com/download/vb60pro/Redist/sp5/WIN98Me/EN-US/vbrun60sp5.exe <-QUOTE}

[DeeCee0622]

Thanks Nameless for the information. Actually I found the file on the web, but then ran into another problem. A missing ocx file, which I search for, found, and now the app is running just fine. 8)

[dingdongding]

good prog- just a suggestion y'all know more about this than i do but i would consider testing spyguard against a mess like the newest imesh from www.imesh.com coz it's got a mess of registry entries- to be more specific spyguard did catch around 50 or so traces and didn't catch 30 - total traces found were around 90 for imesh w/o using any precention mechanism (on the other hand ad-watch blows- it logs what is spyware but doesn't remove it)

later,
ddd

[vukodlak75]

May I ask, is it normal for spywareguard to leave temp files in the C:\Windows\Temp? I noticed everytime I reboot the pc the old temp files are not deleted and new ones are created. So at the end of the week I have 20 or 30 of these ~DF*.TMP files. Does anyone else see this happening? I am running Win98se so for other operating systems the default temp directory would be different. Thanks for any input.

[Reverend Ike]

SpywareGuard keeps two Temp files while it's running on my Win98se machine. I routinely reboot each morning, and I delete all other Temp files before rebooting. After rebooting, I still have only two SG-related Temp files - I am not seeing two Temp files added after each reboot and so I am not accumulating Temp files as you seem to be ...

[vukodlak75]

Strange.
I had to go and double check.
I shutdown spywareguard, deleted all temp files in C:\Windows\Temp and rebooted.
I now have 2 temp files created by spywareguard. I then rebooted and now have 4 temp files. Rebooted again and now 6 (and so on). I will wait a few days and see if anyone else experiences this. BTW, this happens on all machines that I have installed SpywareGuard.

[Reverend Ike]

Oops. Either I lied, or now you've got my computer imitating yours. :) Here is a pic of my SpywareGuard Temp files prior to a reboot.

[Reverend Ike]

And here is a pic of my SpywareGuard Temp files after the reboot. If I "clean" my Temp folder, the first two files (3KB each) will be deleted ...

[vukodlak75]

That is exactly what I was trying to explain. It adds up after a while.

[Amerk_5]

I noticed them on my computer awhile ago too but I never bothered to figure out what was creating them because I've got a batch file that I can run at startup & clean my temp folder.

The thing I like about this batch file is you can choose to run it or not run it. This way, when you install a program that aks you to reboot you're not deleting files that were needed to complete the installation.

Just open your autoexec.bat with a text editor & add the following code.
@echo off
echo "This will eliminate everything from the Temp folder."
echo "If you have just installed a program and rebooted,"
echo "press Ctrl-C to cancel this step."
pause
c:
cd windows
deltree /y temp
md temp

At startup, to run it press any key. To cancel it hit Ctrl+C then type y then type win & then hit enter to continue booting up.

[tazman]

Being new to this forum, it appears to me that SpywareBlaster and SpywareGuard do basically the same thing. What is the difference, and why would I REALLY install both of these?

Thanks,

[Pieter_Arntz]

Hi tazman,

Regarding SpywareBlaster and SpywareGuard - if you have both you should be covered against a very high percentage of spyware out there (just because the different methods they use are very successful).

Regarding these techniques:

SpywareBlaster sets kill-bits (http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=http://support.microsoft.com:80/support/kb/articles/q240/7/97.asp&NoWebContent=1) for all the ActiveX elements in its database.

An anti-virus program scans files before you open them and prevents execution if a virus is detected - SpywareGuard does the same thing, but for spyware.

Hope this helps,

Pieter

[tazman]

Okay, so that explains what spywareblaster does. Just what exactly does SpywareGuard do? Is it more for real time protection?

If SpywareBlaster sets kill bits, then I assume that something like Norton running interactively will "kill" the spyware before it gets to my system? If this is so, how does that differ from SpywareGuard (if my assumption above about Guard is right)?

Thanks for all the help

[Reverend Ike]

It is my understanding that SpywareGuard was designed as a companion program to SpywareBlaster. SG provides real-time (resident) protection from certain types of spyware. It uses heuristics to detect and stop new variants that may not yet be catalogued into SB's database. There are some types of spyware that generate new random CLSIDs constantly - SG can detect those, whereas it would be almost impossible to update SB fast enough to keep up.

(That's my non-tech understanding - I'm sure someone can correct any points I may have mis-stated.)

I kinda smile when I see people ask in various forums whether SpywareGuard is truly necessary. I'm pretty sure Javacool would not have created SG if there wasn't a need for it. Given his reputation around security forums, I have no problem installing his software without question if he says it's a good idea ... :)

[javacool]

{QUOTE-> quoting: Reverend Ike link=board=34;threadid=9347;start=30#msg69940 date=1056732766]
It is my understanding that SpywareGuard was designed as a companion program to SpywareBlaster. SG provides real-time (resident) protection from certain types of spyware. It uses heuristics to detect and stop new variants that may not yet be catalogued into SB's database. There are some types of spyware that generate new random CLSIDs constantly - SG can detect those, whereas it would be almost impossible to update SB fast enough to keep up.
<-QUOTE}

You pretty much hit the nail on the head. :)

Both programs provide different methods of protection. Together, they can prevent a high percentage of spyware from installing, running, hijacking your browser, etc.

SpywareBlaster is a non-resident program - it does not have to run in the background to provide protection. Kill bits can only affect ActiveX-based spyware - and there is other spyware out there, although ActiveX "drive-by-downloads" in webpages are one of the most common methods of distributing spyware. SpywareGuard, on the other hand, can catch most of the rest, and is resident (in addition to real-time scanning of EXE and CAB files, it also provides Browser Hijacking Protection, and Download Protection).

Best regards,

-Javacool

[nameless]

SpywareGuard also watches for the installation of any browser helper object (BHO), or for certain browser settings to be changed.

SpywareBlaster and SpywareGuard have almost nothing in common, actually.

[tazman]

Thanks to all. You have been very helpful.

[greyfox]

{QUOTE-> quoting: Leonard link=board=34;threadid=9347;start=0#msg62587 date=1053691739]
I get a ( run-time error. '429': ) ActiveX component can't creat
e object.
<-QUOTE}

I downloaded the new 2.1 Spywareguard and am getting ???the same error message. I even tried uninstalling and downloading again, but it didn't help.

[compdrug]

I just recently had to update my vb runtime files to version 6 sp5 from Microsoft due to another app giving run time errors and that solved it. I am going to see if that helps with Spywareguard.

[longrun]

:( I just downloaded the Spyguard 2.1, but when I try to install it I get the following message:

"unable to register the DLL/OCX: LoadLibrary failed; 1157

One of the libraries needed to run this application cannot be found."

What can I do to fix this?

[MOUNTIANMAN]

429 runtime error the msvb run60 microsoft download will fix that where are the new downloads?

[javacool]

{QUOTE-> quoting: MOUNTIANMAN link=board=34;threadid=9347;start=30#msg77358 date=1059892770]
429 runtime error the msvb run60 microsoft download will fix that where are the new downloads?
<-QUOTE}

Please see the following new thread for information on the fix:

http://www.wilderssecurity.com/showthread.php?t=12089

Best regards,

-Javacool