Are most Spyware programs worthless ?

I use XP and have tried Windows Defender, A-Squared, Ad-Aware, Spyware Terminator, S&D Spybot and several others. Not one of these programs has ever detected anything malicious.

Is it because I use Firefox and Opera, is most spyware written for IE?

 

i used to never use any protection, windows firewall off, defender off... and i was fine with firefox.
Then i decided, what the heck, my system wont be slower.
so i installed avira and something else, ran them, and no viruses or anything for like a year of use, xD

 

Sometimes they appear to be. Other than a couple false positives the only thing they done on my laptop has quarantined is cookies. I can use CCleaner to clear unwanted cookies.

That said, I've never had a virus, is an anti-virus worthless?

 

I think yuou may be confusing "worthless" "ineffective" and "superfluous".

I currently allow Windows Defender to run (because it take almost no resources and argues with me when I try to turn it off) and I run ZoneAlarm AntiVirus. I also run Firefox (with the AdBlockPlus, NoScript, and FlashBlock extensions).

I have run SpyBot S&D, CounterSpy, MBAM, SuperAntiSpyWare, and others. However, they never stay installed; I uninstall them since, on my machine, they never find anything either.

"Worthless"? Probably not. "Ineffective"? Also probably not. "Superfluous"? Quite likely for me.

 

Me neither......I Don't frequent or surf unknown territory on the Net.

And Yahoo checks all my incoming mail anyway...

So antivirus is a "precaution" for me and not a necessity.

Cheers,
Theo

 

I think one of the keys is what John mentioned. I turn off all scripting in Firefox so i'm careful on what gets placed on my computer.

 

The other key is a firewall with an active and extensible outbound program component to keep anything that is on your PC from talking out unless you want to allow it to do that.

 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spyware#Routes_of_infection

Anyway, if programs aren't detecting any viruses or spyware on your machine, that just means you're doing things right.

 

Without trying to claim any 'leet' or 'uber' proficiency level for the average NBR member, I think it's save to say that most folks wandering around the different threads here regularly, are at least somewhat knowledgeable and proficient.
Not downloading every .exe file named Superduperspeeddownloader or HotSpicyChicksInYourBedForFree helps a lot.
Using good programs like a reputable AV&Firewall and/or a browser like Firefox with NoScript helps even more.

So, to the OP, it's entirely possible to have your notebook running for years and years without too much issues.
Most of it depends on the usage of a particular set of hardware; your brains. You're doing good.

 

HotSpicyChicksInYourBedForFree

Dammit, I guess that isn't a free, breakfast in bed, delivery service, then, huh?

/Prepares to reinstall XP . . . LOL

 

Nope, I think they come in a bucket from the drive-thru

 

Uh...you guys must be referring to Kentucky Fried Chicken.

KFC chicks come in a bucket. They are also Hot and Spicy. Can also be obtained from a drive-thru. They can be eaten on your bed too. :tongue:

But...alas, not free and definately not delivered. (At least where I stay). :wink:

So anyway...back on the topic.

No: Most Spyware programs are not worthless IMHO.

Cheers,
Theo

 

They're worthless if you don't do anything/go anywhere that puts spyware on your machine..