Comments

PossibilityX wrote on 6/20/2006, 2:43 AM
I have no experience with the products you mentioned.

I run Norton Antivirus (I know, I know, but I've never had a problem with it, that I know of), ZoneAlarm Pro as a firewall, and on the anti-spyware end I run CounterSpy, Spy Sweeper, and Spybot Search & Destroy.

Conventional wisdom on anti-spyware programs has been that no one product catches all the malware, so a couple of different programs are the way to go. At least that was the case a few years ago when I installed my programs.
newbe wrote on 6/20/2006, 3:04 AM
Thanks for your fast reply, I also have Spybot Search & Destroy, it works OK as far as I can see, but when I did a free try run with "SpyNoMore" the result was horrible, it seems I have all kinds of worms and other nasty bugs on my PC. They want to fix it all AFTER I buy "SpyNoMore".
I dont know what to think about this.
jaydeeee wrote on 6/20/2006, 4:43 AM
download these free apps;

ad-aware (lavasoft)

spybot

add to this if you want:

cwshredder (trend micro)

ewido anti-malware

Free. Update and run religeously. Pretty much all you need.

Ant-virus? Do yourself and your sys a favor and NEVER install norton "anything".

Get AVGfree (grisoft)

Excellent anti-vi, free, and uses very little memory.
It even catches some viri that norton constantly misses.

fldave wrote on 6/20/2006, 5:08 AM
Sounds like SpyNoMore actually infected your computer, and now wants money to put it back the way it was. There are LOTS of slug companies that do that type of thing.

Stick with Spybot, also get Ad-Aware. I also run Zone Alarm. No problems for the past 18 months with this combination.
michaejlt wrote on 6/20/2006, 5:30 AM
I have Spyware Doctor 3.8 and let me tell you...it is the best as far as I'm concern. Since install for the last five months...I don't get any spyware attacks period!!

The best by far!!

Best Regards
newbe wrote on 6/20/2006, 5:38 AM
I have AVG and like it, don't have Zone Alarm.
After I installed the "free" SpyNoMore I did a Roll back so if they did in fact infected my computer I hope all " infections " have been removed.
Thanks for the advice.
fishbelt wrote on 6/20/2006, 6:34 AM
A friend of mine who has Norton, ran " Stop" A few weeks ago for free anti-virus check up. Gave a whole list of virus. Of course you had to buy the software to remove it. Well he did want Stop so he try to do a norton scan. He could not open norton anti -virus any more.He could go to norton web site and do a scam. He could not any longer open his mail. In fact anything that said virus or norton in it, he was unable to open. She could not use any messenger service either. We ended up having to reformat her PC. Something like shooting someone then saying "hey I found a body. fishbelt
Dach wrote on 6/20/2006, 7:05 AM
In any scenario make sure you run at least two different applications. Ad-Aware and Spybot are tried and true, they are excellent programs in repect to them being free. The big disadvantage is that they will only remove the spyware once its on the sytem.

I personally use Pest Patrol from Computer Associates and am pleased with its performance. The program like many others will run base on a schedule as well as protect the computer real time.

Chad
Laurence wrote on 6/20/2006, 9:04 AM
Roll back your computer to befor you installed "SpyNoMore", then turn off the Windows system restore feature, reboot, then turn system restore back on. This will get rid of the nasty stuff hidden in the system restore backups.
newbe wrote on 6/20/2006, 9:51 AM
Thank you Laurence, I just did "Windows system restore" ( had to go back a few days) and hope all the crap is gone.
eric
Laurence wrote on 6/20/2006, 11:09 AM
Some of the malicious stuff can reinstall itself from the system restore files. Again, you can aviod this by turning off system restore, rebooting, then turning on system restore again after the reboot. The reason is that when Windows reboots with system restore turned off, it deletes all the current restore files where viruses and malicious software can hide. That is why I recommend going through this extra step. Don't forget to turn system restore back on after the infected backup files are gone. Being able to go back like this is invaluable at times (as you already know).
Maestro wrote on 6/20/2006, 11:28 AM
NOD32 from www.eset.com is an excellent anti-virus program that also detects and removes spyware and adware. Very efficient (much of the code is written in assembly) and their virus/adware/spyware definitions are checked for HOURLY. I've installed it on my machine after extensive research, and now installed it on several other machines I've been asked to "fix" when plagued with viruses and adware.

On a side note, one of those machines had Norton with completely updated virus definitions. I did a full, comprehensive scan of the Windows folder and found nothing. Then I uninstalled Norton, installed NOD32, and re-scanned the Windows folder. Lo and behold I found a virus. Norton thrives ONLY because of heavy marketing IMHO.

But anyway, with NOD32 you shouldn't need Adaware, Spybot, or any other the others.
GlennChan wrote on 6/20/2006, 8:42 PM
IMO Norton Antivirus should be avoided... it definitely scans very slow, and other programs (i.e. NOD32) are aguably as good if not better at finding viruses.

2- For anti-spyware, check out Microsoft Antispyware Beta.
Microsoft bought out the program from a 3rd party company. It's free if you have a legit copy of Windows, and it works very well.

Spybot and Adaware are also decent.
Spyware Blaster is good... it works passively, so it's not in-your-face and it stops some spyware from installing. It won't get everything though. It definitely doesn't hurt, and it's free.

For simplicity's sake, I'd probably stick with an antivirus + MS Antispyware.
newbe wrote on 6/21/2006, 1:14 AM
Thanks, this NOD32 sounds very good, If they have a trial i'll try it.