Spyware program

What is a good program for scanning for spyware? I have used highjack this in the past, but don't understand what to delete in the end haha

 

Spybot or Adaware.....freebies, download.com. Also run AVG free edition for viruses. Knock on wood, no problems ever.......

 

I use a combination of Spybot, adaware, and highjack_this. Highjack this is a more in depth program that gets rid of stuff that attacks your registry. I wouldnt recommend anyone using it to delete malware unless you know what your doing.

Run Norton Internet Security 2009 and it will take care of all of this for you in the background. Dont buy it off the shelf though as that will cost 50-75 bucks. I bought a 2 year key off ebay for $25 and simply downloaded the 30 day full trial and added the key.

 

The best anti spyware, anti malware and anti Virus program is the FREE Linux operating system. NONE OF THAT SH*T WORKS ON LINUX. I added Linux Mint to my XP computer (rarely use XP) on a separate partition which gives me the option to use either Linux or XP.

 

^^x2^^

Can be a pita to get new hardware to work though....

 

Linux has proved to be much more resistant to malware than Windows, especially when it comes to viral infections, but any remote exploit makes it just as susceptible to worms, trojans, and rootkits as any other platform. Given all the fuss in the news recently about compromised Linux/Apache servers being responsible for infecting Windows users with malware when they visit those compromised sites

Chkrootkit , Rootkit Hunter , OSSEC are 3 rootkit/malware programs for Linux. While much more resistant to malware than windows it is not unattackable. Why the need for such Linux programs if it is not open to malware.

I have worked in computer security for many years and can take ownership of that Linux box just like a windows box.

Get a MAC, it is the least likely machine to be compromised at all.

 

I have been running Linux for around 5 years and NEVER had any problems (NOT ONE). Mac's are too expensive and you have to pay a lot for their good programs.

 

Buy a Mac and you don't have to deal with that spyware crap. I am buying a new Mac Mini today to go with our MacBook...never have had one spyware problem.

 

I use avast antivirus, which is free on their website for the home edition. and I also use adaware and spybot. also I use zonealarm firewall.

 

Speed and Security

Most Linux operating systems take slightly longer to boot into the desktop than Windows XP on the same computer. (It doesn't appear to be the case with Windows Vista, but I won't even go there.) Once the desktop is loaded, it's a different story. Instead of waiting for startup programs such as MacAfee or Norton Antivirus to finish loading and/or scanning your drives, you can immediately launch your browser and go straight to the Internet without the usual wait, or start working on your files sooner.

Antivirus and anti-spyware programs are not even needed or used on a Linux operating system. The only exception could be if your Linux computer is on a network with Windows computers and you need to scan incoming e-mail. One reason why there is no need to worry about viruses or spyware is due to the fact that Linux is a user based system. Any changes made to the system files have to be done by someone logged in as the root user. A couple words of caution are in order here. Never, ever log into the desktop as the root user. It is just asking for problems. Temporarily logging in as root to work on your system through a terminal is fine Also, as with any other operating system, you should also be using a firewall.

Another reason why Linux is more secure than some other operating systems is due to the fact that there are very few malware programs such as Trojans, worms, viruses and spyware written for Linux. Windows, with Internet Explorer takes up at least 90 percent of the desktop market and it is the most popular with online criminals who write these programs.

 

Ok well I have to run windows XP for my school so I will check out those suggestions that apply to me!

 

I use a combo of ESET Smart Security and Webroot Spy Sweeper.

Neither of them are resource hogs and work pretty damn good. I believe both have free trials too.

 

For scanning - http://www.malwarebytes.org (malwarebytes anti-malware - MBAM) and http://www.safer-networking.org/en/home/index.html (Spybot Search and Destroy). I don't care for this one, but other tech people tend to like it a lot http://www.superantispyware.com/ (SuperAntiSpyware).

For general cleaning - http://www.ccleaner.com (CrapCleaner - now known as CCLeaner)

I also use HiJackThis a lot, but if you don't know what you're doing, you can really screw things up, so only scan and post a log for experts to check out and give you direction. It's not in your computers best interest to have you randomly check boxes and remove them in HJT.

For anti-virus: http://www.avast.com, http://www.free-av.com and though I don't like it, even http://www.avg.com (they randomly change settings in their apps that infuriate the tech community - like pre-fetching and scanning all links on a page, putting a huge load on servers and altering actual page views for webpages and sites you've never been to)

Avoid all in one security suites. Simply ask yourself this question: Have you ever seen an all in one device do everything as good as seperate dedicated devices or are they "just good enough" at everything? In the computer world, there is no "just good enough", so they tend to miss the mark badly and they are HUGE resource hogs so they slow your computer to a crawl. Want Anti-Virus, get a stand alone anti-virus. Want a firewall, get a firewall. Want Anti-malware, get anti-malware.

 

If you want to pay for your protection, I agree that both of these are good apps. I use ESET for our companies protection and I have used Spy Sweeper in the past with decent results.

 

You can't go wrong with Trend Micro's PC-Cillin, I have used it for the past few years and haven't had any issues. If you watch www.buy.com it comes on there all the time for free after rebates.

 

X2 on that! LinuxMINT 7 is the bomb!! And no need ever to pay big bucks for Anti-Virus or Anti-Spyware crap because Linux is unaffected by any of that..