eburger68
Premium,MVM
join:2001-04-28
| Anti-Spyware Tests (Round 1)
Hi All:
This weekend I completed the first of several rounds of tests with anti-spyware scanners. In this first round I tested 10 of the better known anti-spyware scanners. Before jumping to the results, please look over the "Test Guide" page here:
»spywarewarrior.com/asw-test-guide.htm
In particular, please pay attention to the several important disclaimers on that page. You can find a link to the test results for Round 1 on that "guide" page.
I hope to have the second round of tests with 10 other anti-spyware scanners done in the next few days. Round 2 results will be reported on a new page, and a link provided when that page is available.
Questions, comments, and corrections are, of course, always welcome.
Best regards,
Eric L. Howes |
|
Bubba
GIT-R-DONE
Premium,MVM
join:2002-08-19
Around, Us
 ·Comcast
| Hello Eric,
As usual....Thanks for your continuing dedication to make the user aware.
Suggestion:
Concerning your opening Overview section.
While there are numerous definitins floating around concerning Adware\Spyware....would you mind sharing a link....a link I have possibly forgotten about....of what you consider the definition of Adware\Spyware to be.
In particular....what about adding a hyperlinks to your first sentence of the Overview section.
"Overview
As the the threat of "spyware" and "adware" has escalated over the past few years, the number of "anti-spyware" scanners available on the Net has grown equally fast."
Thanks again,
Bubba |
|
eburger68
Premium,MVM
join:2001-04-28
| reply to eburger68
Bubba:
Thanks for the suggestions. The key terms now link to this page from my web site:
»https://netfiles.uiuc.edu/ehowes/www/junkware.htm
Best,
Eric L. Howes |
|
bkgam
Virtus In Ardus
Premium
join:2004-08-04
USA | reply to eburger68
This is a much needed topic. Your effort is appreciated. |
|
novaflare
The Dragon Was Here
Premium
join:2002-01-24
Barberton, OH
1 edit | reply to eburger68
very nice
Its intresting how close in number of detections ad aware se and pest patrol were yet missed totaly diffrent spyware apps. Guess this just goers to show why its best to have multiple scanners on board.
Looking forward to the next part of your tests
--
new 3d chat comunity at »planetvirtuel.com
my site »spellbound.valshea.com/news.php |
|
mers2
Premium,MVM
join:2004-03-20
USA
clubs: | reply to eburger68
Eric, Thanks once again for all of your hard work. These tests are invaluable for users making informed choices.
--
Kerry/Edwards 2004 |
|
Hutch
My Throne is the Dunny
Premium
join:2000-10-14
Out House | reply to eburger68
Thanks for information Eric. Once again your efforts are outstanding.  |
|
mozar
join:2002-03-23 | reply to eburger68
Hello , Eric
Congratulations one more time .
Regards ,
mozar |
|
hayc59
VoodooChild
Premium
join:2001-02-26
David R.I.P.
| reply to eburger68
Eric,Nice research:)
may I ask what this is 'Giant AS' and where do I
locate this program?
Did a google on it and nothing
thanks again
--
9/11/01 Never Forget |
|
MapleLeaf
Premium
join:2001-09-04
Burnaby, BC | Scroll down the end of the test results page - every tested program has a link to developer's site.
Thanks, Eric!
--
Remember, I'm pulling for you - we are all in this together... |
|
hayc59
VoodooChild
Premium
join:2001-02-26
David R.I.P.
| said by MapleLeaf  :
Scroll down the end of the test results page - every tested program has a link to developer's site.
Thanks, Eric!
thank you!!
--
9/11/01 Never Forget |
|
eburger68
Premium,MVM
join:2001-04-28
| reply to eburger68
hayc59:
GIANT AntiSpyware can be found here:
»www.giantcompany.com/p_antispyware.aspx
Information about the other programs can be found at the bottom of the test results page.
Best,
Eric L. Howes |
|
hayc59
VoodooChild
Premium
join:2001-02-26
David R.I.P. | reply to eburger68
Thanks Eric!!
May Have to check that program out
looks promising |
|
WFO
Premium
join:2001-08-27
San Ramon, CA
| reply to eburger68
Thanks Eric!!! Great work! 
Instead of testing more apps in part 2, I would be more interested in what other software is needed along with Adaware, Spy Bot and the rest to complete the removal process in each case. I'm looking forward to part 2 anyway.
Cheers! |
|
Doctor Four
My other vehicle is a TARDIS
Premium
join:2000-09-05
Dallas, TX
 ·AT&T U-Verse
| reply to eburger68
The biggest things that stood out in the results were that
some of the established scanners didn't fare as well as
some of the newer ones in removing the 134 items, and that
the number of false positives reported by Pest Patrol was
greater than all the others combined.
Hmmm, I think I might be trying out GiantAS - it did the
best of all, and had 0 FPs.
--
"Kayura or Badamon, whichever you are, you should know that I will never give up this battle. By the will of the Ancient, I shall succeed!" - Shuten (Anubis) from the Ronin Warriors. |
|
bkgam
Virtus In Ardus
Premium
join:2004-08-04
USA
| said by Doctor Four :
Hmmm, I think I might be trying out GiantAS - it did the
best of all, and had 0 FPs.
Sounds good, but I want to see what 'a-squared' does as well as others that I hope are included in the 2nd test.
--
"Whatever you do will be insignificant, but it is very important that you do it."Mahatma Gandhi |
|
NanDog
The Pup Was Female, I'M Not
Premium
join:2003-12-28
Tacoma, WA | reply to eburger68
Very interesting reading, Eric. I've printed out the results to place in my files. Thanks very much for your continuing efforts in the battle against spyware/malware. Keep up the good work!! |
|
dannyboy 950
Premium
join:2002-12-30
Port Arthur, TX
1 edit | reply to eburger68
Exellent controled test you allways do good work.
I was more interesred in that you found a few that none of the scanners picked up on.
Would this be because the scanner makers and you have a difference of opinion on those as being spyware or do they use some type of injection methodology they cant detect.
Either way I look forward to the next round of tests.
By the way I also wasn't surprised by Pest Patrols results.
Do you plan to add Previx to your test field I have been trying to find opinions and info on this app. |
|
eburger68
Premium,MVM
join:2001-04-28
| reply to eburger68
Hi All:
Thanks for the positive and encouraging feedback. As I expected, I'm getting lots of suggestions for applications to test. For now, I plan to restrict these tests to dedicated anti-spyware scanners, not anti-virus applications or applications that scan for keyloggers and other system monitors (another type of "spyware" different from the advertising software targeted by the anti-spyware scanners that I tested).
As to the widely divergent scan results, there could be any number of reasons for this, including decisions by the vendors not to target certain "controversial" applications.
In any case, it's good to hear that you all find these results usefu; and helpful. That's just as I intended.
All the best,
Eric L. Howes |
|
CajunTek
Insane Cajun
Premium,MVM
join:2003-08-08
Arlington, TX | reply to eburger68
Keep doing what you're doing... We need this!!!
--
Lost in Texas |
|
