I have spywareblaster installed, and I love it. However, I recently tried to download Side Step - a discount airfare search engine. I was unable to because Java of ActiveX was disabled. I uninstalled Spywareblaster and removed all ActiveX blocks - still no success. Is this due to spywareblaster? Does anyone have any solutions? Thanks
Hi bhong, Sidestep was long targeted because it got bundled with other programs: http://www.doxdesk.com/parasite/SideStep.html SpywareBlaster has two entries blocking Sidestep. I will move your question to the Javacool forums. Could you please tell us if you removed SpywareBlasters protection before you uninstalled it? Regards, Pieter
No. I just went to "Programs">Spywareblaster>auninstall Thanks for the reply. I hadn't known that it was a parasitic website (it seemed that it provided a useful function)
By just uninstalling SpywareBlaster, you did not remove the protecting killbits. Just thought I'd let you know, Pieter
Thanks. I also contacted Side Step and they feel that the problem is with Spybot. Here is their reply: Solution : The program called Spybot makes changes to your registry which will disable SideStep from being run on your computer. The problem lies in the fact that even if uninstall Spybot it does not make the changes to allow SideStep to function and leaves your computer in a state that will prevent it from working forever. I am sorry to say that we do not have a fix at this time for computers that have been altered by Spybot. I suggest contacting Spybot, explaining how you wish to use SideStep, and asking for directions on getting your computer back to where it was before their software was installed.I dug around on the Spybot website and found this page which you can use to contact them regarding your issue with their software. http://www.safer-networking.org/index.php?page=contact&type=bugs For spyware detection we prefer to use AdAware and you can download it for free at www.lavasoftusa.com. While AdAware, like most spyware detection software, labels anything like SideStep that uses ActiveX as spyware in error it is easy to set AdAware to ignore SideStep while still allowing the removal of harmful programs. Spyware detection software is worthwhile but it always tags anything that uses ActiveX technology as "spyware". By definition spyware is: *loaded onto your computer without your permission. *sends data that you have not agreed to back to central servers for the sale to other companies as marketing tools regarding your internet habits. SideStep can only be downloaded with your permission. We also only send data back to our servers in order for us to process your search and for us to maintain our referral system with the websites that we search on your behalf. SideStep have NEVER sold or given away a single email address of our users and we have NEVER revealed any personal information about any of our users to a third party for marketing purposes. We hate spam and privacy invasions as much as you do. Hope this helps. And this from Spybot: Hello, In former times the software was not really secure but they are okay now. We are working on a license agreement. Please uninstall Spybot S&D according to the following link: http://www.safer-networking.org/index.php?page=faq&detail=27&lang=en (Notice: The application data folder is hidden. Run Windows Explorer, in the menu bar select "Tools" --> "Folder Options". Switch to the second tab, and there select "show hidden files and folders". Then hit OK. Now the application data folder will be visible.) It is important to use the "very small fix". Now, the registry is cleared from Spybot. Please make a new installation of Spybot in advanced mode. Please try to install side step again and please tell Spybot to ignore Sidestep activex. (When installing sidestep stop to immunize and after installation everything should work correctly and you can immunize again. Sidestep should work again.) Best regards, Your Team Spybot Success! Now all I have to do is re-install Spybot. Thanks for your helpful replies Bruce