freeware spyware scanners etc

I have been looking round on download.com for another program to help remove spyware or prevent its installation. There does not seem to be many programs on there that are freeware and seem trust worthy. At present I run; Spybot, adaware Se Personal, ewido security suite free version, and aol spyware potection (rarely use). I also run spyware guard but i am thinking of diabling this and installing tea timmer to try that out. Can any one suggest software, I was taking a look at the prevx home software that does not seem to bad. Anyone suggest free software as i am at a loss to what else. does the freeware version of spyware doctor remove spyware or is it just a scanner on freeware, because there are conflicting comments about it on download.com like saying its not afreeware its actualy a 14day trial.

This is just a stop gap untill i have money to actualy buy software.

 

If you're gonna look for spyware scanners on download.com, you definitely need the rogue antispyware list.

http://www.spywarewarrior.com/rogue_anti-spyware.htm

I don't have any opinions on other freeware scanners since I pretty much run the same programs as you. (except the AOL one)

 

Hi Michael,
I run spyware guard and spybot S+D with teatimer activated together, without problems [I have XP] . What about spyware blaster? its free and prevents installation of spyware.
Cheers Gordon

 

adaware and ewido (run free undemand after the trial)

 

Michael - Looking around for the programs on download.com is okay - any programs you decide to get, I'd get them directly from the manufacturers website, though:
http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,12475809~mode=flat

If IE is your primary browser, you'd benefit greatly from running IE_SPYAD from Eric Howes:
http://www.spywarewarrior.com/uiuc/resource.htm
as well as checking into using at least one free host file from someone such as hpguru: http://www.dozleng.com/hpguru/ and/or MVPS hosts: http://www.mvps.org/winhelp2002/hosts.zip (these would be for the "prevention" part of the equation). (And learn how to manage your hosts files (combine and remove duplicates) with Hostess: http://accs-net.com/hostess/ .

Why disable SG at all - just run that and TeaTimer both (unless you're just horribly short of resources). I run them both here with no problem.

I notice you didn't mention SpywareBlaster at all - you definitely need that, IMO: http://www.javacoolsoftware.com/spywareblaster.html for the "prevention' aspect.

As far as "resident" anti-scumware protection goes, I pretty much rely on SpyBlocker (in addition to everything else mentioned, of course) for real-time protection (when you get ready to buy): http://www.spyblocker-software.com/spyblocker/index.shtm - make sure you buy the lifetime license for that, though, if you get it - saves a lot of hassles in the long run.

Just a few stray thoughts while passing by. Good luck. Pete

 

I promised myself long time ago not to talk about sb on this board but since you brought it up....: Spyblocker is my favourite app

 

I used Spyblocker for months until I discovered Admuncher which is a far more professional example of that kind of software. In my opinion.

 

yes, admuncher is a very nice program!!!!!!

 

I recommend patching Windows, using XP Pro, Mozilla, NOD32, a good firewall, tightening software/security policies, running a hosts file, never using Outlook Express, and only using IE for sites that require it. If you do those things, you won't have much need for a scanner. NOD32 in my opinion can't be beat in terms of preventing infection, the resident protection is excellent.

I run several scanners but it is mostly for peace of mind. I never seem to get infected anymore. I use an old version of Pest Patrol as a scanner, it still updates perfectly. I also use Spybot Search and Destroy, Adaware and Giant/MS Anti-spy. I am very much anti-Microsoft, but Giant's product is still very good even though it is now owned by MS. Hopefully MS can resist the temptation to f-it up. Trojan Hunter is very good although loading is slow. I am not an Ewido fan, it is promising, but it crashes and gives false positives.

(A great site for hosts file info is http://www.mvps.org/winhelp2002/hosts.htm. Hostsman is good, as is HOSTS Manager 1.4. I merged an adblocking hosts file with a spyware blocking hosts file and then deleted the duplicates.)

 

How about MS Anti-spyware? It has real time scanning features to help block spyware and it's free till at least July 2005, then there MAY be a charge for it, but you can use it for free till then. http://www.microsoft.com

What about WinPatrol? Another trusted free app that will block all kinds of spyware and other junk. One of my personal favorites. http://winpatrol.com

Another is X-Cleaner. A good free anti-spyware scanner program that is very useful to have in my opinion. Can also be run off a floppy disk, nice for portability. http://www.xblock.com/download-freeware.shtml

Bazooka spyware scanner is another good freebie, but it won't remove spyware, it will just show you that you have it, with info on how to manually remove it yourself. Still nice to have for another opinion though. http://www.kephyr.com/spywarescanner

I would definitely consider using Prevx as you said yourself. I am using it and think it is very helpful.

SpywareGuard is supposed to help block spyware too. I don't use it because I feel it is somewhat outdated now, but you still may find it helpful.

Hth.

 

I forgot to mention i run spyware blaster already as well as zonealarm free and ca e trust anti virus 7. something.

Il look into the software that you mentined. I dont really want ones that require me to get under the hood because 'm not really confident with all that.

Thanks for the help though any other suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Michael.

ps. does any one know how to join this forum. I registered but i never recieved my email confirming that i want to join.

 

Hey Michael,

I have IM'd someone about your problem.

 

ok thanks very much il check it as soon as possible

 

You may want to look at the spyware section of Majorgeeks.

http://www.majorgeeks.com/downloads31.html

Jimbob

 

There were three pieces of software that were mentioned that seme interested I was wondering could you explain them to me a little more about them e.g. do they require me to mess around in the registry, the types of things they protect against or remove;

winpatrol
X-Cleaner
Spyblocker

bazooka is a little to advanced. Because i know it gives you instruction that soem time require you to messa around in your registry. And i really dont know what im doing. Iv had browse in there out of curriosity but iv never touched anything in it.

Just one more question, what is a host file. Iv heard it refered to but I dotn know what it is. Could someone hgive me a brief description please.

Ps. thanks for the info about my account on here I have it sorted. I didnt realise that hotmail would put the email into the trash bin.

Michael

 

Hi Michael,

the hostfile:

spyblocker:

blocks malware on websites filtering through port 80 (or through a pacfile , you can choose between the two)

 

WinPatrol is about one of the easiest programs I have ever used. It is very newbie oriented. It will warn you if your browser home page changes, or is hijacked. It will warn if a new start up program is added or changed. It also monitors certain areas of the registry that are known to be effected by malware, and will warn you if any changes are made, so you can accept or reject them. It will allow you to check many different things, like what programs will run at system start up. Which programs are now running, and you can stop any of the programs you don't want running. It does a lot more too. And no, you don't have to mess around with the registry. I would recommend it. You can ask any questions you have about the program here http://castlecops.com/forum105.html

X-Cleaner (free version) a nice program that is basically another spyware scanner/remover. It has a few other features that will work in the free version too. Just click on the 'Cleaning tab' and you'll see a bunch of different options available. I usually just check off 'Quickly scan for malware programs' and 'Protect IE start page', but you can do other things also. It seems to do a pretty good job (not stellar, but still good) at finding keyloggers too, so I find it useful for that. Many anti-spyware scanners are weak in this area, so X-Cleaner will help you better cover this area that the other scanners may miss.

And both of these programs being free, I don't see why anyone wouldn't want them, unless they just don't really care that much about malware infesting their system.

 

That looks like the Program Im using Spystopper from Info Works.

adaware SE is doing nothing for me and no updates.

I use Pestpatrol, Spybot, spysweeper, adaware se and spystopper, Spyware blaster and Spywareguard. Im real clean with all that.

 

SpyStopper and SpyBlocker are coded by the same person Paul Kurland : however Spystopper is better for professional environments like companies.

SpyBlocker does have a few other features Spystopper doesn't have...

I hope sincerelly you enjoy it, it is a nice piece of software.

But let get one thing straight: SpyBlocker nor Spystopper is freeware and wouldn't be suited for the answering the primary question regarding free spyware scanners...they are not scanners at all anyway.

Inf.

 

Just a kind reminder to all posters. The OP is asking about FREE programs, not payware.

 

Thanks for all the help. I havent been up on spyware and everything till just before christmas when i got a keylogger somehow. since then I hav been really interssted in it readin up on it trying to protect my computer to the best of my abilities. You guys have helped me a lot thanks.

Michael

 

Oh one more thing could anyone suggest any freeware products that will help protect again diallers or that will remove them.

Michael

 

http://www.ewido.net/en/ & http://www.a-2.org/en/ . Both have free versions, Ewido's is a full version the first two weeks.