Free Real-Time Protection

I'm looking for a free anti-spyware program with real-time shields. What are the best ones available as of right now?

 

Spyware Terminator.

 

I kinda figured I would get that answer but would you say that it's just as good as spy sweepers or spyware doctor's real-time protection?

 

I think Spyware Terminator's realtime shield is very good, especially for a free program. It probably does not rise to the level of SS but I don't know of many that do. But with ST I am speaking in terms of browser hijacks, etc.

If you are interested in a realtime shield there is/was a 4 month free "trial" license of A-squared here-

http://www.majorgeeks.com/page.php?id=22

A2 is supposed to have an elite realtime guard. I did not get to trial it as the program conflicted with my Ad Muncher program.

 

As far as I know the only free real-time Anti-spywares/malwares are..

Windows Defender (if your a safe surfer it's fine, just have other on-demand scanners as a backup)
Spyware Terminator(never tried it, I'm still a little leary. It was once on the rogue list. I spook easy though. )
Comodo BOClean (the newer version will be out soon, I would wait for it)

I used Defender for a while and I was fine. I have many on-demand scanners that I check with. If you don't already have spyware blaster, get it. It's not a real-time scanner, but it blocks certain malwares in the background. Especially if you use Internet Explorer. For Firefox, it only blocks bad cookies. They have a forum right here at Wilders.

If you decide to try BOClean, make sure to read the manual. When it finds a nasty, it cleans other areas of your computer as a precaution. Your hosts file, winsock connections etc. These are all options that can be changed if you deem necessary.

You can also install a hosts file to help block bad sites and malware. MVPS hosts file has a good explanation and tutorial. http://www.mvps.org/winhelp2002/hosts.htm
I currently use their hosts file and hostsxpert to manage it. So easy, A caveman can do it. I hope this helps.

edit: I'm currently using the a-squared trial that acr mentioned. The date expired May 4th, but if you can still get it, it's worth a try. I really like it, and the newer version will use about 50% less memory.

 

Use HIPS. No more spyware/ adware.

 

You can use Spyware Terminator and Comodo Boclean. Thats what I'm doing.

 

Do you guys really trust Spyware Terminator now? It's been on spyware warrior's rogue list b4 and I dunno that just doesn't sound good to me.

 

Hello,
I would not use it.
Mrk

 

A real-time shield is the best part of a scanner, because it is supposed to prevent the installation of spyware, but the real-time shield is only as good/bad as the scanner itself and how many scanners/real-time shields are you going to use. What is enough 1, 2, 3, ... ? I call that gambling with security. That's why I stopped using them.

 

but then again your Strategy works for you.
but its not practical for everyone.
anyway back on topic,
i dont think realtime antispyware protection is needed.
its wastes resources.
i hardly ever run any scans no more.
ive just got kis6.0 running a full scan once a week when no one is in.
i got tired of spysweeper saying gratz no malware.
or sometimes it would say you got this malware.
no wait its an FP again.
I understand where you coming from Erik.
i make sure i know what is running on my pc so only need to run scanners sometimes just for fun.
i check whats running just incase someone else using the pc picked something up by mistake
lodore

 

i wouldnt trust it.
i second the advice of aigle.
use a HIPS.
also use a alternate browser to help avoid malware.
opera or firefox is my reccomendation.
your brain is the most important part of avoiding malware.
e.g. if someone in the street gave you an opened can of coke would you drink it? the answer is no because you dont know what drugs someone could of put in it.
its the same sort of thing online.
if it sounds to good to be true probaly is.
just remember norton 2007 really is good
happy surfing
lodore

 

If you must have realtime AS then either BOClean or SpywareTerminator would be good choices.

Like lodore though, I do think using an alternate browser like Firefox or Opera can help in avoiding malware.

 

I hope so. A2 used 50-60MB on my system.

And KIS6 cruises at 10MB.

 

What about the free Spyware Doctor Starter Edition in the Google Pack?

http://pack.google.com/intl/en/product_info.html?sd

 

A2 uses 60MB here too. It will be nice to see a decrease.

http://forum.emsisoft.com/Default.aspx?g=posts&t=2003

 

Is this available on the PC Tools website too? I just hate using that Google downloader.

Thanks

 

Yeah it would be nice not having to deal with the google downloader and just download directly from the site. Anyone know if you can Also I would like to mention that the starter pack is a heck of a deal considering that it scans and actually REMOVES spyware and comes with the file guard and immunizer. All those other guards are crap anyway I'll just continue to use spy sweepers free shields to make up for it.