Originally posted by expressiveoutburstYou can start with Spybot Search and destroy, its free but they ask for a voluntary donation. Also Ad Aware has a free version. They will get you out of trouble. Also remember, those "free" scans have been known to add false positives to make you buy the product out of fear of a real attack, so you put out your 30 bucks or whatever and sure enough, now you have no more of the nasties which were never there in the first place.
Are there any spyware software programs that find it and get rid of it for free or do you have to pay for all of them? I found one on download.com but that was just a free scan, it said I have 129 problems, so obviously I need them fixed.
Originally posted by Dr StrangeloveSpy Sweeper was put head to head in several tests by PC mag and others and it killed the most number of bad guys. The new one from MS is supposed to give it a run for the money but its a beta so far.
I don't think so.
Spy Sweeper has a new beta version which I downloaded and it worked ok for a few weeks but a couple of days ago it froze the comp so bad it would not release with control alt delete. Had to go back to the regular version but for my trouble they gave me a 2 year subscription for free.
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Originally posted by sonhouseI've used Spysweeper often, it's always performed well for me and I liked it - BUT,
Spy Sweeper was put head to head in several tests by PC mag and others and it killed the most number of bad guys. The new one from MS is supposed to give it a run for the money but its a beta so far.
Spy Sweeper has a new beta version which I downloaded and it worked ok for a few weeks but a couple of days ago it froze the comp so bad it would not release ...[text shortened]... o go back to the regular version but for my trouble they gave me a 2 year subscription for free.
1. It costs money
2. Other programs do as well or better for free.
edit;
I don't think it beats the combined efforts of the 3 [or 4] I mentioned.
In fact, I'm certain it doesn't. May be better against a single one of them but that's all.
Originally posted by Dr StrangeloveNot according to the head to head tests, spy sweep came out better, that is to say, killed more spyware than the others. It has a huge signature list, over 140,000 now.
I've used Spysweeper often, it's always performed well for me - BUT,
1. It costs money
2. Other programs do as well or better for free.
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Originally posted by Dr StrangeloveHere is one such, its only against a couple others but its a clear winner.
Head to head maybe not - see my edit.
http://esj.com/Security/article.aspx?EditorialsID=1687
What we mean is head to head one on one but of course no suite gets rid of it all so what one misses another one may catch which is exaclty why I don't depend totally on Spy sweeper, I use trojan hunter, Spybot, ad aware and the MS beta. I check out the system with freeware from Sysinternals.com, check them out they are nerd heaven. Also Hijack this allows you to see whats going on in the background and kill the immediate problem but it doesn't kill registry entries so if you don't eradicate all the hideouts the stuff can come right back.
Originally posted by sonhouseVery wise.
What we mean is head to head one on one but of course no suite gets rid of it all so what one misses another one may catch which is exaclty why I don't depend totally on Spy sweeper, I use trojan hunter, Spybot, ad aware and the MS beta. I check out the system with freeware from Sysinternals.com, check them out they are nerd heaven. Also Hijack this allow ...[text shortened]... ll registry entries so if you don't eradicate all the hideouts the stuff can come right back.
Originally posted by sonhouseNo, you buy it online. But I see Dr. Strangelove recommended one that is free.
Registry Mechanic is one of those you can get at Best Buy or Staples?
I imagine like you said, there must be a lot of junk in the registry by now, when I did spy sweeper it reported on 89,000 entries! I was wondering how that number can be so high. If I do regedit it doesn't look anywhere near that large. What am I missing when I do regedit? Are there entries hidden from regular searches?
>Dr. Strangelove
http://www.ccleaner.com/features.aspx
CrapCleaner free and fast.
Originally posted by coentjeHow do you make the judgement of best? Have you experience with other ones? Do you know of head to head tests of registry cleaners?
I always found one of the best to be Hitman Pro
http://www.techspot.com/downloads/1278-hitman-pro.html
Also, do you have any idea exactly what or how it does what it does?
I assume it finds non-linked registry entries like stuff from deleted programs and such but does that mean it has to take a registry entry and go through every program to make sure they are linked?
Originally posted by coentjeApparently there are concerns over Hitman which is a bundle of several applications including Spybot and AdAware.
I always found one of the best to be Hitman Pro
http://www.techspot.com/downloads/1278-hitman-pro.html
Read here...
http://www.spywarewarrior.com/viewtopic.php?t=19825
Originally posted by sonhouseSpy Sweeper came second.
Spy Sweeper was put head to head in several tests by PC mag and others and it killed the most number of bad guys. The new one from MS is supposed to give it a run for the money but its a beta so far.
GIANT Antispyware was top. So Micro$oft bought it. Enough said.
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Originally posted by Dr StrangeloveIt costs money only if you pay for it.
I've used Spysweeper often, it's always performed well for me and I liked it - BUT,
1. It costs money
2. Other programs do as well or better for free.
edit;
I don't think it beats the combined efforts of the 3 [or 4] I mentioned.
In fact, I'm certain it doesn't. May be better against a single one of them but that's all.
Other programs are typically not as good, no matter how many of them you install.