Security → Poll: Which Anti-spyware application do you use?

IMPORTANT! PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE SELECTING.
I have chosen the most common application's based on Eric Howes recent tests(»spywarewarrior.com/asw-t ··· uide.htm) + people's posts/threads over the past 12 months. Because people use more than one, i have also listed twin combination's of the most common used application's. If you use any not listed or any combination of two i have not listed as a selection then please add a post stating which ones you use. Thanks.

Poll Which Anti-spyware application do you use?

Ad-aware Free Ad-aware Plus Ad-aware Pro Aluria Spyware Eliminator AntiSpy BPS Spyware & Adware Remover Giant Antispyware McAfee Antispyware NoAdware Pest Patrol Spy Sweeper Spybot Spycatcher SpyHunter SpyKiller2005 SpySubtract Spyware C.O.P Spyware Doctor SpywareNuker2004 SpywareStormer X-Cleaner Free X-Cleaner Pro XoftSpy Zero Spyware other ad-aware + Spybot Ad-aware + Spysweeper Ad-aware + Giant Ad-aware + PestPatrol Spybot + Spysweeper Spybot + Giant Spybot + PestPatrol Spysweeper + PestPatrol Spysweeper + Giant Giant + PestPatrol 2 other antispyware applications 3 antispyware applications 4 or more antispyware applications Votes:699

I use Ad-Aware Pro and Spybot. One of these days that may change but for now that's my selection

Interesting poll, muf.:) I voted "AdAware and Spybot".

I use ad-aware + Spybot s&d.

I forgot to add my vote.

I chose 4 or more because i use Ad-aware, Spysweeper, spybot and PestPatrol. All on-demand only.

muf

In the main Adaware & Spybot - so that's what I put, though I do have Spyware Guard, IE SpyAd, Spyware Blaster on for stopping them before they get here.

One of the PCs has also got Spyblocker on, though it doesn't seem to do much, possibly cos the rest get to them first!

Likewise.

AdAware SE Pro and Spybot here as well, but i must say, i'm rather intrigued by the new kid on the block, Giant Antispyware, it really seems to perform well on the tests i've seen it in.

I use Ad-Aware SE Personal Edition and Spybot Search & Destroy. However, they never have found any spyware on my computer since I use safe computing practices (i.e. not using a user account with administrative privileges for everyday use). Using IE/Spy-ad helps to block the installation of spyware as well. Another big help would be upgrading to XP SP2. Spyware makers simply take advantage of people's sloppy computing practices (and IE as well).

I voted other: none

I've never needed one. I surf with javacript & activex disabled & rarely download software that hasn't had good peer tesimonials. I don't fix other people's computers, either. I'll do family, but they get a backup & reformat. I will say though, that based on other's recommendations (BBR folks, mainly) that I have recommended Ad-Aware & Spybot to a handful of people.

Also use Spyware guard and Spyware blaster

BK

4 or more! I use a boatload of programs to scan/protect from all types of malware.

Ad-Aware SE
PestPatrol
SpyBoy S&D
Spy Sweeper
Spy Subtract
SpywareBlaster
SpywareGuard
X-Cleaner
Bazooka

This does not include malware detection that KAV other programs are now starting to detect/remove.

And don't forget that there are other ways to help prevent installation of spyware, such as blocking the sites they might get installed from by using HOSTS file or IE-SPYAD.

The poll in this topic is another example of where a poll tool that allowed multiple selections would come in handy.

We should be able to do a poll that lists each product, and people can check off which ones they use.

To *sign* the petition for a multiple selection poll follow the link here
»[request] Multiple selection polls request
make a post here that has *sign* near the top.

Thanks.

---

And I use KAV Personal (which like most AVs has some spyware signatures in its AV database), Ad-aware SE, Spyware Blaster, Spyware Guard (which hasn't had updates in a long while), and Spybot S&D.

As well I've got a Linksys BEFSR41 NAT router and ZoneAlarm.

- Keith

Got rid of Ad-Aware SE and Spybot S&D in favor or Giant Anti-Spyware. It rocks !!

Ditto what Ciderdrinker said. Add a really big helping of common sense and skepticism (you wanna dowload WHAT to my computer. I don't think so) to the mix and I'm pretty well covered.

Owl

Totally agree. I tried to make the list as small as possible but still giving 'most' of the choices. I just voted for the multiple selection tool you linked to. Thanks.

muf

I suspected that the traditional combination of Ad-aware + Spybot would get the most votes. Looking that way. I would like to see some more votes as this makes interesting analysis.

muf

Ad-Aware SE, SpyBot, TH, KAV & (testing of) Giant

My sister had a Dell 3000 that would not run, and it turns out that it was so full of spyware that a reinstall of the OS - XP home - and Spybot several times as well as Adaware were required. It came up negative for viri, it was so full of Spyware it just had no resources left. She had let her 19 year old son have admin privileges and no anti spyware. I fixed it, and the nephew is now a limited user. Kazaa is gone, too. I am not going to tell him about K++.

4 or more -

Ad-aware (free)
Spybot s+d
Spysweeper
Spyware Guard
Spyware Blaster
Ewido

Surprised Ewido wasn't inluded in the poll, I think it's a great program

I used Pest Patrol it came with Zone Alarm Pro in the packages. So far it does their job supposelly.

I voted for 3 applications 'cuz I use AdAwarePlus w/AdWatch, Spybot and SpywareBlaster. I didn't count my host files restrictions as an application. If host file tweaks are included then I guess I should've voted for 4 or more!

Well I use quite a few different anti-spyware scanners some are Spybot, Ad-aware, Pest Patrol, SpySweeper, Spycop, X-Cleaner, Spyware Doctor, and many other apps that either help me find spyware or block it.

There really are many other programs that go into making a secure system and I don't think one should just concentrate on this one area (anti-spyware scanners) to protect yourself from spyware.

Process Guard, SSM, Prevx, Security Task Manager, Spyware Blaster, Spyware Guard, WinPatrol, GoBack, anti-keyloggers, anti-trojans, and many other programs can prove very helpful in the battle against spyware and malware also.

Some programs like Symantec's GoBack will get rid of just about any kind of spyware or malware known to man. Provided you find it in time. It's not an anti-spyware scanner, but it is a great program to have anyway.

Having a good Hard drive image program like True Image or Ghost could prove very helpful also against spyware that may be almost impossible to remove with any anti-spyware scanners currently available.

So there are many alternate routes to detecting, preventing, and defeating spyware also that really shouldn't be overlooked.

I use Spybot S&D. Ad Aware free. Spywareblaster. Oh yeah, Prevx, it prevents spyware from installing.

So. I chose 3 antispyware, but I use 4 antispyware.

I voted again, and my answer was 4 or more antispyware.

For one thing? Why do we need TWO to protect?

Second? Why do we reboot and begin another day to have to run another "scan" two more times?

Third? I have quarantined in Ad-Aware SE and still keep getting registry and about:blank on my browser.

I feel if I can't use the freeware or shareware without satisfaction... why would I buy the products?

I am not a programmer.... but I found this site very useful... so I just have questions.... I have used IE and fire fox and neither can keep malware? or spyware off....

Just beats the fun out of the money we spend on fast access because we have to fight the commercials more than watching tv.

UGH!!!

1. We use more than one because there is no 'one' application that does it all. So what one misses, the other may get.

2. You don't have to scan every day. Just once a week or once a month. But these are scanners. Some have resident protection which help keep the spyware getting on your pc in the first place. Installing and keeping Spywareblaster updated will help keep a lot of things off your pc.

3. As answered in number 2. You need to take preventative steps to stop it getting on in the first place.

I use IE 5.5(only use 5.5 cos i can not get it to upgrade to IE6, but thats another story ). But i have activeX, scripts and Java disabled. I also use Spywareblaster. Then i scan using Ad-aware, Spybot, Spy Sweeper and PestPatrol once every couple of weeks just as a precaution. Of course i will scan immediately my pc starts acting suspiciously like it's suffering from spyware. i.e running noticably slowly or the more obvious pop-ups.

muf

SpyBlocker and Spywarestopper. NEVER get any spyware.

SpyCop, Spyware Blaster, SpyWare Guard, Spybot S&D. So far so good. All this is a layered approach but doesn't make 100% sure that I won't get clobbered some day. I also don't surf all that much and have my settings such, to quote XRay, javacript & activex disabled & rarely download software that hasn't had good peer tesimonials, so that I feel I am in failry good shape.