Hello. I recently bought a new PC and I want to purchase some Adware/Spyware removal tools, registry cleaners, .. you know.. the over all system maintenance tools. I'm running Windows XP Media Center Editon 2005 with SP2 and Panda Internet Securities 2005, on an AMD64 Athtlon dual 3700 w/ 2gb RAM and I am on a home network. Anything that you can recommend is appreciated.
Also, I'm going to be dual booting SUSE 10 64bit in a few days (100gigs for windows/100 gigs for linux)
if you check the tutorials it will giv you dozens of recomendations as far as what people use.
Personally I think one of the best registry cleaners is regedit. you know what is being deleted then.
as far as adware goes, i like adaware by lava soft. also spysweeper by webroot is becoming increasingly popular. but there are dozens of software brands that claim to be the best. download some trials and see which you like the best.
...try M$'s AntiSpyware program. It's pretty good actually. Refrain from using Internet Explorer, Outlook and Outlook Express.
as broken crow said, don't use internet explorer (unless you need to use it for IE viewable sites only) try using firefox instead. here are a few good adware/spyware removal programs:
-Spybot Search & Destroy(good, completely free scanner with a decent process guarder/watcher with several handy tools)
-Microsoft Antispyware(compeltely free [if you have a real windows product key ;) that comes with a good scanner and good realtime protection)
-Ad-aware SE (pro is paid and comes with some protection features, personal is free, but has less features)
-a-squared (good for trojan removal as well, also has an interesting real-time scanner [paid version])
-e-wido (new program that is quite popular. misses some key features in free version, but the paid one is great)
-webroot spysweeper(your standard buyable antispyware program that has been getting good reviews.has good realtime protection as well as scanning.)
-winpatrol(good inbound protection software against anything malicious going on in your computer [like if you're already infected])
-sunbelt counterspy (a lot like ms antispyware so i'd rather just get that instead since it's free)
-spyblaster (good, free and extremely low resource consuming realtime protection against spyware)
-SpyDefense[from everestlabs](an interesting, new, free antispyware with good realtime protection and scanning.)
-ULTIMATE TOOL(in my opinion) = HiJackThis [HJT] but it requires you to have knowledge about your system as you are required to manually remove things you find are malicious. it also produces detailed logs that help experts find out whats wrong with your system (if it is infected).this is also free as well.
if i can remember/find anymore i'll edit this post. by the way, there are quite a few lists located on this site that you can find which can help you. here's one of the threads that can help which even shows the people's opinion on a few programs. it's located right here
P.S remember, it is best to operate only a few antispyware programs at the same time (this usually goes for real-time protection, although multiple ones scanning and running at the same time can be dangerous). some may be compatible with others, but others may cause quite a few conflicts, so be careful on what you choose.
Quote:
Originally posted here by brokencrow
...try M$'s AntiSpyware program. It's pretty good actually. Refrain from using Internet Explorer, Outlook and Outlook Express.
actually it isnt all that great considering it no longer finds gator due to the business deals they have with them.
There are some useful tools on this site:
http://www.diamondcs.com.au/index.php?page=products
In particular I like RegistryProt ;)
Also: http://www.winpatrol.com
Some general comments: Spyware Blaster integrates with Spybot S & D. It is particularly aimed at activeX threats. It actually runs when required, so does not take up continuous resource, and avoids conflict.
http://javacoolsoftware.com/spywareblaster.html
EWIDO has a 14 day trial of the full product. After that you can update and run it as an on demand scanner. The difference is the interactive scanning. It has a very large malware base.
:)
I also want to add that I use firefox. Anything you guys can recommend for doing more general system maintenace (sort of like what windoc did on norton 2003 internet securities)?
Im guessing you want free ones unlike Norton or any of those so ill just add to the list. Your basicly covered.
Search&Destroy
Takes care of spyware, adware, malware, trojans, keyloggers, spybots, adbots and trackware.
Ad-Aware SE
Scans fixed and removable drives, memory and Windows registry.
Alright so S&D picks up what AdAware dosn't. Your good there now for free AV.
ClamWin
Open Source Virus Scanner and Spyware Detector.
AntiVirXP
Well suited for Windows XP, 2000, NT, 98, ME. It detects over 250000 viruses. Includes a resident monitor and a desktop program.
well other people aready helped and its going to add on so your mostly set here good luck and have fun with your new PC.
My general approach would be to:
1. Set history to 0 days
2. Set browser cache to 0 size
3. Clear cookies (unless you need them)
4. Don't save forms data
5. Don't save passwords
6. Clear out/disable Java cache
Where you have to use IE, the MS antispyware will remove trace data and junk.
CrapCleaner is another useful tool
Use WinPatrol or Spybot (in "advanced mode") to control cookies, BHOs etc.
;)
...don't forget Ccleaner. It's a cache and temp file cleaner, more thorough than most. Rogue programs and droppers will often settle in temp folders.
Hi
Everyone has given you some very valuable advice allready, I would just add that you read or bookmark this site when looking for "freeware/shareware apps as it will let you know if it is legit or not.
Rogue Applications
Also for steps on protecting your PC How to limit the damage
Lastly get Firefox you wont regret it. ;)
yeah, a useful link that dalek posted! i'd definately reccomend you go there if you want to further look for anymore since you must also be precautious. i must also add in that on that list it shows another program called SpyDefense as a rogue antispyware, but that is actually different then the one i posted (Created by everestlabs). so if you google spydefense make sure you go to everest lab's site instead of any other ones or else you could be in for a nasty surprise :eek:
Here's one more Adware Spy
http://adwarespy.com/
Hi cdkjQuote:
That one is on the list of Rogue Spyware/Adware apps:
AdwareSpy adwarespy.com
spywarespy.com false positives work as goad to purchase (1); same app as AdDriller, 2004 Adware/Spyware Remover & Blocker, ADS Adware Remover, AdWare SpyWare Blocker & Removal, AdwareX Eliminator, Ad-Where 2005, ETD Security Scanner, Privacy Tools 2004, SpyBeware, Spy-Kill, & The Web Shield; Ad-aware knockoff [A: 6-29-04 / U: 7-7-04]
Will report false positives like these: Log of Adwarespy
Rogue Applications