Broadband Tech > Security > Security > SpyBot Heads UP

SpyBot Heads UP

Since when? I haven't noticed any changes to my Hosts file.

BTW how do you that Spybot made the changes? If there's a comment in the file that doesn't mean Spybot did it.
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Don't feed trolls--it only makes them grow!

As of 5 minutes ago. Maybe longer. It is a half a gig, not a half a meg as I stated in the OP. I am very careful NOT to immunize so as to prevent this from happening. I was clued in by a new messsage from it's un-installer in add/remove programs.

The last Spybot definitions update I see was on 10/2/2012. What version are you running? I'm still on 1.6.2 (i.e. non-beta).
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Don't feed trolls--it only makes them grow!

Sorry, I was about to edit agian to add that info. V 1.62, Windows XP SP3, current definitions.

Well looking at Help it says

quote:

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Spybot-S&D can add a prepared list of web sites known for bad behaviour (installing spyware or tracking users, for example) to your hosts file. If you want to do this, we recommend you also read the FAQ about cures for possible slow-downs on Windows NT based systems (Windows NT, 2000, XP and Vista). And if you should notice you cannot visit a site that worked before, you should check the Hosts file section to see if that site is on the block list.

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Hold on. I'll install it on my own rig to confirm.

reply to SipSizzurp
I don't use the Hosts file function in SpyBot, but thanks for the heads up.
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Better to have it and not need it, then need it and not have it.

reply to StuartMW

Spybot has been around for one hell of a long time.
I remember using it in conjunction with Ad-Aware SE years back.
I'll be curious to see how successful the NEXT version is... it does look like a well deserved face lift!

reply to Juggernaut

reply to Dustyn
Ad-Aware SE. Man, that brings back some memories!

reply to StuartMW
Sorry for the somewhat mis-information. It happened because I did a manual update of the signatures. If you forget to un-check the "Immunization Database" on the list of items to update then Spybot will tell you to be sure and re-apply immunization ( even though it is a fresh install that was never immunized ). Clicking "OK" on that message immediately immunizes the host file.

That must be what happened on the machine I'm fixing. I remember being surprised that it downloaded the immunizations even though I thought I had un-checked that download. And, it is just a half a meg, not a half a gig ( 433 KB ). Sorry, I need another cup of coffee.

reply to Juggernaut
Yeah... too bad it's not as goon now as it was back then.

reply to SipSizzurp

I have my own method of restoring stuff.

FYI hitting "Immunize" installed the SDWinSecService. Using

sc delete SDWinSecService
 

reply to SipSizzurp
That lower size is more like it for Spybot hosts thingie..

MVP's Hosts file is around 587 kb

»winhelp2002.mvps.org/hosts.htm
HP Host file is around 5.38MB
»hosts-file.net/?s=Download

I use MVP's Hosts File and download it etc. with HostXpert because it does enough for my needs.

If your Spybot is the main thing you use to keep your PC "clean" they have a good system to keep the hosts file up to date..even taking some false positives out. .if you use hosts for blocking. I think it is all optional..it might be on by default..but you can turn it off.
»forums.Spybot.info/showthread.php?t=34553

Old post on where does the Spybot hosts file come from.

»Hosts file in Spybot

But don't use more than one program to play around in the Hosts File...and when you are done..not a bad idea to make it read only ( although that is not a %100 guarantee Bob won't ring your bell)
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Gladiator Security Forum
»www.gladiator-antivirus.com/

Yup..and now even that in plain sight stuff...security by obscurity