Which anti-spyware programs should I install?

How many anti-spyware programs should I install in my PC? 2 to 3?

And, which should I install?

I've researched and these are my findings. Are there other better programs out there?

1. Spyware Terminater (has Real-Time Protection)
2. SpywareBlaster
3. Ad-Aware SE Personal
4. Spybot – Search & Destroy
5. SUPERAntiSpyware Free Edition
6. Advanced Spyware Remover
7. A-Squared Free
8. Windows Defender (has real-time protection)
9. Hitman Pro
10. CyberHawk (has real-time malware detection)

For the above programs, I'm referring to the freeware version.

Also, is it necessary to have Windows Defender? Can I uninstall it after I install other anti-spyware programs?

 

Hi spider_darth:

Since I switched my browser to K-meleon, I have not had one (known) instance of spyware. Hence, I only use on demand scanners once in a blue moon. I also found that the real-time progs I used in the past put a hurting on my comps performance, especially cyberhawk. Probably has more to do with my piece of crap computer than the programs. Now use just a-squared and SAS (free versions) on demand. Although I rarely use IE, I still have Spywareblaster installed. Runs in the background and uses no system resources, so I think there is no reason not to have it.

 

This is just my humble opinion. I personally use and would recommend: On-Demand:SUPERAntiSpyware Free Edition and A-Squared Free. Realtime:Spyware Terminator, SpywareBlaster. I am sure that you are going to get lot answers. I would also say that try and see if the program is for you or not!

Kristian

 

Is Windows Defender needed?

Is it safe to uninstall it?

 

BOClean,SAS,AVG AS or A Sqared.All of these are very good.I personaly would stay away from 1,3,4,6,8 + 9 in your list.

 

Hi,

Yes! You can uninstall 'Windows Defender.'

Take Care
Rico

 

In your list, I would go with SAS too, it's efficiency is proven. Didn't test A-Squared for a long time.

Since SpywareBlaster works differently, it could be an useful complement, too.

nicM

 

Can u explain why u decided against 1, 3, 4, 9?

1. Spyware Terminater (has Real-Time Protection)
3. Ad-Aware SE Personal
4. Spybot – Search & Destroy
9. Hitman Pro

Thanks.

 

Well (1) has had a shady past as well as this warning from linkscanner pro
As for (3+4) I used to use both but believe they are outdated and of not much use(there are better app's out there)
I have read not so good things about (9),that it installs what it wants not what you want.

 

Which browser do you most often use? IE6/7, Firefox, Opera, other? Also, which other security programs do you have running- firewall and anti-virus?

 

A free and light firewall,
a free and light anti-spyware/virus
and a software like PowerShadow.

 

Any mention of PowerShadow should be in the PowerShadow thread. It's up to something like #750 and I'd like to see it break the 800 mark.

 

Hi spider_darth,

How risky are you when you compute? Also passive defense will, help keep you safe: SpywareBlaster, IE-SpyAd etc. Have you looked into SandBoxie? Not free but very good Prevx1.

Take Care
Rico

 

I don't know if this would be a consideration for you, but I recently installed Kaspersky Internet Security Suite 6.0 on a box. I have another box with an excellent anti-virus program, plus fine firewall and anti-spy.

This is the lightest suite program I have ever used. Plus, I don't have to mess with updating three different programs. It updates every hour throughout the day, (or you set the update time in hours, etc.) and their support is excellent. Best money I've spent.

No computer slowdowns, no browser slowdowns. You should try the trial at their site. Plus you get free upgrades as long as you are paid up. They are in beta 7 now. BTW, nothing at all against my other programs. They are all great. But I've gone from about 70-80 total megs of memory to around 15, at least on my machine.

 

Freeware, ok
Real time-- Ur Antivirus( whatever it is) plus BOClean free
On-demand-- AVG AS free and/ or SAS free

Nothing else( real time or on-demand). Don,t fill ur PC with a pile of scanners.
I ditched Spyware blaster, spyware guard, Windows Defender, Spybot and Adaware a long ago.
CyberHawk is not an AS, it is a behavioral blocker. U can add it for real time protection if u like( better than a real time antispyware in my opinion but was a bit resource hog on my machine but can be different on others).

I assume u don,t install every thing from here and there and don,t peep into every dark corner of web. If u do, then no AS can protect u.

 

Regarding Hitman Pro : I thought that Hitman Pro was a collection of existing anti-malware applications, but Hitman Pro itself, isn't a security software.
It's goal was to run a bunch of popular scanners in one hit to save time.

 

Not to worry, Power Shadow is spreading around the internet waves like wildfire. Newcomers quickly discover how beneficial it is but most of all safe plus stable, and what more could you ask from it? (Exit shadow-mode also without reboot) .....which it's developers already have hinted at is in the workings.

FirstDefense + Power Shadow + System Safety Monitor + Snoopfree + Keri0 2.15 Firewall is what i've trimmed down to for now. FD firmly woke me up from security app overkill.

 

I got different readings in here:

http://img237.imageshack.us/img237/7206/68309933zd4.png
http://img177.imageshack.us/img177/3693/20505646jm9.png
http://img237.imageshack.us/img237/2716/37249719fe0.png

I publicly criticized this product here at Wilders and over at BBR security forum because of the questionable EULA. I decided to check the EULA again recently and found out that the developing company, Crawler, (maybe someone of that company came across those threads) has got rid of those negative points. Therefore, I decided to install the program for a spin. I can say that it looks very reliable and indeed offers a lot for free, so I will keep it and recommend it from now on.

I wouldn't install either Windows Defender or Spybot S & D.

SpywareBlaster is another one to keep.

Regards.

 

Did hell freeze over?

I thought you were using/running all that stuff in your signature!

So, your signature is programs you recommend?

I would find your signature more helpful if you listed the stuff you actually use.

Mike

 

You will be well protected with one of the "brand" name free AV's, the Windows FW (or Comodo), Spybot S&D, Ad-Aware SE, and Spywareblaster. There is absolutely nothing wrong with Windows Defender (it's just MS bashing). You can run one (or both) of the Spyware programs daily if you wish as they are quite fast. With a setup like that you should be able to surf where you feel like without problems.

 

Using Firefox as my main browser. And, IE7 for installing Windows Update, ActiveX Control and viewing Java apps. Cuz my Firefox can't seem to view Java though I tried installing it many times.

AV: AVAST! free
FW: Comodo Firewall Pro

A few qns to ask..

Sandboxie

1. Can i use it to download and install trial softwares to test them? So, even if the software has spyware in it, i can just delete away the sandboxie session.. and the software along with its installer and spyware will be all gone?

2. What can Sandboxie be used for other than trialing softwares?

3. Is sandboxie a sandbox? If it is, what's the difference between Sandboxie and GeSWall Freeware?

 

Very happily using SpywareTerminator and Boclean realtime, Spywareblaster and mvps hosts file for immunising, and a handfull of scanners for demand, including SAS, Asquared, and AVG AS. No conflictions/slowdowns/issues.
If space isn't an issue, you can install all you want, just don't configure more than you need to run at startup. But 2 or 3 should be more than enough.
I also have AVG antirootkit, and rootkit revealer.
Space isn't an issue for me, so I'd rather be prepared for a bad day. This is quite likely unnecessary, the only times I was dumb enough to get something bad (pre SpywareTerminator days...nothing since!) the stuff I had couldn't remove it anyway.
I'm sure my Avast AV has something to do with staying clean, too.

 

Hello,
spider, why do you want to install an anti-spyware program?
Do you think you need to have one?
Mrk

 

for protection

cuz i frequently install software just to test them out.

and the funny thing is that SAS says that my PC is free of spywares. but, when i scan it later with ad-aware and spybot s&d i detected tracking cookies and spywares.

well... why do people install anti-spyware programs then?

or, do they install other security programs which i've no idea about and should install?

please advise.

thanks.

 

Hello,

Testing software should never done on a work / production machine.
You should use dedicated machine / with shadow / imaging software.
You should use virtualization.

Your questions make me think you need to reevaluate your entire perspective on the matter. First thing, a lot of reading to get to know how things work, regarding software, installations and security.

Anti-spywares apps are just tools.

Mrk