Spybot Immunization -- What does it do?

I see something about the host file in there and I assume it just redirects/ blocks certain known malicious sites.

My question about that is: if I already have a modified host file will it delete those entries/ check for duplicates?

Doesn't really matter since I have a host file on my router but I'm curious.

And what about the rest of the immunization process?

 

"The Immunize function prevents e.g. Tracking Cookies from entering your system. Immunize works with Mozilla Firefox, Internet Explorer and Opera, allowing you to adjust specific settings of the browser to block known spyware installers, (and similar baddies) already included in Spybot-S&D's database. You start the Immunize function by clicking on Spybot-S&D → Immunize on the left navigation bar."

The home of Spybot-S&D!

Use Spybot's Immunize Function

"Spybot - Search & Destroy includes a featured called Immunize designed to prevent spyware infection in real-time."

Use Spybot's Immunize Function

Cheers
3Fees

 

If you use the "Better Privacy" extension in FF it does pretty much the same thing as Spybot Immunize.

 

I gotcha. I use Chrome anyway so I just see the benefits with my host file.

 

does spybot S&D still has a feature blocking programs from modifying the registry?

 

Yes it does.

Block registry changes... - Safer-Networking Forums

Cheers
3Fees

 

It adds a bunch of sites to IE's restricted zone in a bunch of redundant, difficult to reverse, ways. It also severely slowed down IE8 for a while till MS released a patch (I hear it still slows it down a bit).

It seems kind of pointless if you don't use IE (EDIT: and if you do use IE there are much better metods, like HOSTS files), I'm not sure what else it does.

Spybot has been obsolete bloatware for years anyway.

 

I don't use IE. I use Chrome so it doesn't effect the browser. It does definitely effect the host file though.

Why would it be obsolete? I used it just yesterday and it caught things that SAS didn't.

 

It adds a trivially small amount of entries to the hosts file (about a thousand, I think), a relic of the old hosts file spybot used to maintain years ago. The bulk of the immunization is related to IE's zone settings. Users are much better off using the one put out by MS MVPs if they want HOSTS file level protection.

Spybot S&D is obsolete because it's slow, bloated and ineffective.

 

I use the one by MSMVPS + another + spybot.

 

probably a lot of redundancy there

 

lol obviously I check for duplicates first. It's a single host file.

edit: Although I do have another host file on my router. That's just the MVPS one. The one on my computer is the 3 parter.

 

As Spybot's isn't really maintained most of its entries are probably long dead 404 errors or harmless registrar default pages, as well.

 

A new Spybot 2.0 beta is expected to be released on May 11th.
Spybot forum link.
I've not used Spybot S&D for a long time and I've no idea what the 2.0 beta holds so for further info, check their forum.

 

Spybot used to be gold, but I haven't used it in a couple of years when it seemed to have been overtaken by newer programs.

 

I was just referring to the Spybot HOSTS file, not the program itself, which is obviously maintained (but it's anyone's guess why - as most have moved on to Malwarebytes AM or other superior products).

IIRC their hosts file was overwhelming aimed at blocking CoolWebSearch and didn't even do an adequate job at that when CWS was a relevant threat.

 

Adding 8 letters to a file won't exactly slow my computer down lol I'm willing to take that hit if spybot blocks a single site.

 

It's not a performance hit, it's just pointless. I doubt any of the still valid entries aren't also covered by MVPs.

 

Maybe, maybe not. I know that spybot has updated its host file in the last week.

It is literally a lossless defense. I lose nothing by adding spybot entries, it could add 1000 lines of garbage and I wouldn't lose anything because checking the host file takes no time.