Spyware Terminator & Other Anti-spywares

[Paolo]

Windows Defender doesn't do SHIT.

In fact, I made a Microsoft tech so angry on a board about it that he closed the thread. Imagine that.

He tried to say you have to have XP for it to function.

The kid has XP on his laptop. Guess what? Defender doesn't do SHIT for it except eat up resources.

Another Microsoft fiasco.

[Uncle Flo (imported)]

I haven't downloaded Defender or the "Removal Tool". I'm too busy trying to get IE7 to do simple tasks, like opening web pages. MS seems to want the rest of the world to change in order to compensate for their technical shortcomings. I'm just about ready to give up and uninstall the little bastard. --FLO--

[Paolo]

Flo,

Firefox 2.

Get it. Install it. Run it. End of story. End of problems.

http://www.mozilla.com/firefox/

[Sac_mec (imported)]

I fully concur about Firefox 2 as your main operating system. It has the advantage of being faster, more secure (don't forget though to program it though) and the Add-ons/Extensions contain excellent additions.

Another advantage of Firefox over IE is that you can also download a pocket version with pocket Add ons/Extensions onto a USB stick with a decent capacity and have all your Favourites on it. Additionally you can download Firefox's twin program, Thunderbird, both to your main PC and a pocket version, which you'll need to complete for the USB stick. This means you can open your email on any PC. Using the USB stick will leave no trace on any other PC you use, but it would always be advisable to run an Anti Virus Check on the USB stick after using it on any other PC. Ignoring the pocket versions for a second, let me fully endorse that you download and use both programs.I believe they are better than IE and Outlook Express, by miles.

[Shortie (imported)]

Windows Defender doesn't do SHIT.

In fact, I made a Microsoft tech so angry on a board about it that he closed the thread. Imagine that.

He tried to say you have to have XP for it to function.

The kid has XP on his laptop. Guess what? Defender doesn't do SHIT for it except eat up resources.

Another Microsoft fiasco.

I have to agree with you in terms of your dislike of Windows Defender. Microsoft bought out a good spyware program, then made it so unwieldy and complicated that it works on only about half the computers on which I've tried it. Darn shame, too. It was a good program at one time.

I found Spyware Terminator when searching for an alternative that could be installed on the computers I sell, and believe it's much better. I just wish it were a one-size-fits-all program, but, unfortunately it's not, as your experience proved, Paolo.

[Shortie (imported)]

Flo,

Firefox 2.

Get it. Install it. Run it. End of story. End of problems.

http://www.mozilla.com/firefox/

As long as we're recommending alternatives to Internet Explorer in this thread, let me add my own thoughts.

I've used Opera as my browser of choice for several years, and now that it's free for individual use, believe it should be at least given a spin by all surfers. It uses a smaller amount of computer resources than Firefox, and even fewer than IE 7, while doing all that one could ask of it.

Give it a try if you're interested in alternatives.

[bobov (imported)]

I've been using AdAware se (anti-spyware) for several years. It's free, and seems to work well. It was once recommended by Microsoft. Can anyone comment? Could this be improved?

I recently tried the Windows Live OneCare free safety scan. It was very slow, but caught three viruses my Symantec anti-virus software missed. Now, I can't use it again! The installed files are still in my computer, but I have no way to make them run again. Any advice?

[kristoff]

I've been using AdAware se (anti-spyware) for several years. It's free, and seems to work well. It was once recommended by Microsoft. Can anyone comment? Could this be improved?

I recently tried the Windows Live OneCare free safety scan. It was very slow, but caught three viruses my Symantec anti-virus software missed. Now, I can't use it again! The installed files are still in my computer, but I have no way to make them run again. Any advice?

I use AVG Free anti virus and seems to do ok I wont use Microshaft anti-spy software. Basically worthless. misses most stuff. wont use mcafee or norton. they miss too much. AdAware works great

[Paolo]

The latest McAfee 2007 bundle, AV + FW + anti spy, was a nightmare for me, and at least 10 others folks I know. I tried 3 installs, and no go. Finally had to get their tool to gut it out and run it 3 times. Went with AVG as well. No more problems. AdAware, I'm thinking about buying the full version. Finds stuff others always miss. Even the new McAfee...

Also, the newer Mc's and Norton are such system hogs that you have to have a 2 ghz machine at least, to run them...despite what the box says.

[Uncle Flo (imported)]

I'm using AVG Pro, Spybot and Ad-Aware free.Between them they seem to catch just about everything. I used to use McAfee but it was letting some stuff through and the complete package is getting expensive. --FLO--