Anti-Spyware Programs

Summarized by Computer Power for MBUG, May 2009

Please use at least two of these. I use four:

• Ad-Aware by Lavasoft AE version
• Malwarebytes
• Spybot Search and Destroy version 1.6.2.
• Superantispyware.

All are free; I run each about once a month.

Three are available from www.download.com.

Superantispyware is best downloaded from www.superantispyware.com. First scan should be a “thorough” or “full” scan. I turn OFF all autoload features. The first scan is often over 2 hours on a 250 GB hard drive that is half full. “Smart” scans take much less time. Multiple users means EACH user must run the antispyware programs in some cases.

SPYBOT - Search and Destroy (spybot162.exe) (16 MB)

Get at:

www.download.com In the search rectangle, type Spybot. Scroll down to the 1.6.2 version for personal computers;

Install:

Installation is a bit weird. If you have Lavasoft’s Ad-Aware on your computer; Spybot “quibbles” and asks you whether you want to “ignore” Ad-Aware. What causes this is that when Spybot quarantines files (rendering them harmless) Ad-Aware finds them and lists them as “infections.” In fact they are NOT still a danger, unless you let SPYBOT “recover/restore” them.

The install screen overlays the “regular” screen and does things ONCE like backup the registry

The program is very popular and well-regarded but would require a HUGH server to distribute the program and updates to all who want it so there are “mirror” sites to help with the load. When you get offered a mirror site, choose any with the American flag.

Sequence:

Install, Immunize (to protect you from KNOWN “bad” sites), run, fix (exclude the windows items).

Panel on the right can be scrolled left to reveal what Spybot knows about the company and how they use the information they gather.

Notes:

Spybot considers ALL programs with access to the internet to be potential threats so it offers to BLOCK Windows’ access to updating. When it finds that Windows has given itself permission to go to the internet without human intervention, it lists Microsoft’s automatic security updates as “spyware.” (Choose to exclude these items from future searches by RIGHT clicking them on the first scan.) Click “Fix Problems” to quarantine the rest. Reboot may be required to finish. Every change to your system will trigger a window from Spybot asking if YOU want the change. Click YES and REMEMBER THIS so spybot will quit asking. Icon with padlock in tray.

Log:

Click RECOVER and view what is quarantined.

AD-AWARE BY LAVASOFT

Get at:

www.download.com Anniversary Edition is free (36 MB)

Install:

automatically removes old version (Ad-Aware 2008); requires reboot if done this way; reboots after install, too

Sequence:

Remove old, install new, promise to give them your first born, sign “hold harmless” pledge, UNCHECK the box to have them contact you; DON’t provide your email address. Run the program and allow it to “Perform Actions Now”. Allows you to set a restore point first.

Quirks:

runs in the background all the time; reddish circle on the taskbar

SUPERANTISPYWARE

Get at:

www.superantispyware.com (5MB)

Install:

straightforward

Sequence:

set preferences so that it does NOT load at startup, run initial COMPLETE scan. Some settings are only customizable if you BUY the product.

Notes:

“Manage Quarantine” lets you see historical logs. If you do NOT change the preferences a “tick” bug appears in the tray.

You can “expand” the information to see what it found.

MALWAREBYTES

Get at:

www.download.com mbamsetup.exe (almost 3 MB)

Install:

straightforward

Sequence:

install, update, scan, view results, and “remove selected”

Notes:

Have used to remove rogue.proantispyware program like ANTIVIRUS 2009 and 180 Solutions, and MyWayMyWebSearch, Trogan.agent, FunWebProducts

Log shows you how often you have run the program.