spyware remover

[68protouring454]

hey guys wondering if anyone knows of a spyware remover, program that will clean my computer and then keep it clean, is there any for free?? i hope so
jake

[chevymike]

We use Ad-aware at work. The personal version is free but it a "reactive" product, meaning, you manual run a scan an it will find things that are already on the PC. If you buy the Plus or Pro version, you get a "proactive" product with it called Ad-watch. It looks for things actively and prevents it from getting on the PC in the first place.

Ad-aware

[jonny51]

I use the same one it works really well.

[ProdigyCustoms]

Spy Sweeper, runs a sweep ever night, caught that **** the wife put on there, LOL! Seriously, I got a free one from TuCows, and it ask me if I want to update, i just say no and use the free version.

[MrQuick]

There is a trojan horse version of ad-ware out there. As soon as you download it,the program goes through your files and deletes them, then crashes your hard drive. I've heard of seleral cases around me.One guy downloaded the TH version then a picture of a computer tower came up with a big red "X" through it right before his computer crashed.
If possible go through your internet provider for free downloads.

[rockdogz]

I've used the combination of ad-aware and spybot with good results. Spybot has an immunization feature that will prevent some infections. A lot of spyware/popup blocker programs available are really just spyware themselves - you have to be very careful and only use programs you trust.

[camarorider]

Both ad aware and spybot search and destroy are very useful. I usually run both because each one will find some the other did not. I have even heard of use of a third one to find the rest.
Ad watch is very good program and it does pretty good.

I find most of these come from things I will research via google. That is usually when I go to sites which I dont normally visit. If I plan on doing a big session of research I will turn all my security settings all the way up and then run a scan at night. This will limit the amount you get.

Bigger then that right now is the windows JPEG problem. This is a problem in the way the new OS (xp, 2000, etc) process the jpeg image. The problem is hackers can create a malicious program to be executed if the user views a specially crafted JPEG image file, crazy huh? There are no such programs right now but that should change. Well I would suggest anyone who does much internet viewing on sites they dont trust please go here and get the newest update http://www.microsoft.com/technet/sec.../MS04-028.mspx

[Steve Chryssos]

Best defense is to buy a Mac! I have both Macs and PC's. I spend so much time "cleaning" my PC's (which have hard and soft firewalls, Ad-Aware. McAfee, etc). My Macs just hum along without a care in the world.

PLUS I think it's just all one big conspiracy. What's to stop the virus protection software companies from secretly releasing viruses and then serving up the cure??

[derekf]

SpywareBlaster (www.javacoolsoftware.com) is another good pro-active one that I run.

It basically sets the registry so that known spyware ActiveX controls can't install/initialize. Cuts way down on ones that get on the machine in the first place; gives Ad-Aware (always get Ad-Aware from the vendor - www.lavasoft.de - anything else puts you at risk) and Spybot - Search & Destroy (http://security.kolla.de) a lot less to do.

[dennis68]

I'm with Steve. I figured out years ago that McAfee is paying kids to build virus/worm programs so they can sell you the updates to fix them.

My Yahoo server has built in pop-up/adware protection, it stops 99% of the crap. Bad thing is stops the new windows in car chat too, PITA to go back and allow them later.

[cjhutch]

I'm with Steve on this one also. I started using Macs just over a year ago and haven't had a virus or any of that stuff on my computers yet. I don't even have any antivirus programs on my computers.

[TonyL]

http://www.trojanhunter.com/ (use the trojan guard feature)
http://www.lavasoftusa.com/software/adaware/ (immunize)
http://www.safer-networking.org/en/index.html
http://www.spychecker.com/program/hijackthis.html
http://www.pestpatrol.com/ (costs money but is worth every penny)
http://www.pctools.com/spyware-doctor/ (costs money and is "aight")

When you notice something is wrong always go HERE first. Its free.

[camarorider]

Yes macs are great for surfing the web. The funny thing is macs have as many possible problems with viruses and allowing unwanted entry into your computer but since 90% of the world uses pcs no one really writes viruses for macs.
I still think the best solution is to have 2 comps, one for work and play the other for internet.