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    spyware scanner

    Discussion in 'Windows OS and Software' started by darthsat, Oct 3, 2007.

  1. darthsat

    darthsat Notebook Deity

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    What do you guys recommend for a spyware scanner and remover. I have been using Lavasoft Ad-aware for years now, but I really dislike how ad-aware 2007 leaves a heavy RAM footprint even when the scanner is not being used. What are the spyware programs that are comparable to ad-aware?
     
    darthsat, Oct 3, 2007
    #1
  2. adinu

    adinu I pwn teh n00bs.

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    Im using adaware se, the one before 2007. It's still good if kept updated, so there's no reason to go to the newer version.
     
    adinu, Oct 3, 2007
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  3. R4000

    R4000 Notebook Virtuoso

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    I'm glad to hear the update definitions still work for Ad-Aware SE. The 2007 version has been problematic since it's inception, which is probably why they keep releasing updated versions of it. I can't get used to the interface either, it seems to take more steps to do everything compared to the SE builds.

    Right now I'm using AVG Anti-Spyware....
     
    R4000, Oct 3, 2007
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  4. Phil

    Phil Retired

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    Instead of cleaning and removing spyware, I have gone to preventing spyware to come on my pc in the first place.

    I use the Noscript plugin and Adblock Pro in firefox.
     
    Phil, Oct 3, 2007
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  5. n0elia

    n0elia Come on Haswell...

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    eTrust PestPatrol. Much better than AdAware
     
    n0elia, Oct 3, 2007
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  6. Valkyrie

    Valkyrie Notebook Consultant

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    The free version of Spyware Doctor from Google Pack is pretty good as well. I usually use Ad-aware, spybot S&D, and Spyware doctor to search for spywares. Since they don't have to run all the time, they're not detrimental to the system resources.
    But lately, I find that Spybot S&D no longer works as well as the other two as it couldn't find any spywares or adwares, although Spyware doctor and Ad-ware could.
    Finally, I also use spywareblaster as a pre-emptive protection against spywares and adwares.
     
    Valkyrie, Oct 3, 2007
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  7. bigspin

    bigspin My Kind Of Place

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    Kaspersky as a main program

    Spybot S&D as a secondary program
     
    bigspin, Oct 3, 2007
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  8. R4000

    R4000 Notebook Virtuoso

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    Have you noticed that release 1.5 takes much longer to start up than 1.4? Any computer I've tried it on acted the same way..........
     
    R4000, Oct 3, 2007
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  9. bigspin

    bigspin My Kind Of Place

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    Yes .I also notice the same thing(1 + min to load) :D
     
    bigspin, Oct 3, 2007
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  10. AKAJohnDoe

    AKAJohnDoe Mime with Tourette's

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    AKAJohnDoe, Oct 3, 2007
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  11. obsolete

    obsolete Notebook Evangelist

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    I use PC Tools Spyware Doctor, but I've noticed a significant slowdown in XP startup with it running.
     
    obsolete, Oct 3, 2007
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  12. Gintoki

    Gintoki Notebook Prophet

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    I use Spybot Search&Destroy, Ad-aware 2007 (because i'm on vista), Avast anti-virus, AVG 7.5, and a squared free. I need more though, and maybe a better firewall than the default windows one. You can never be too safe. =\
     
    Gintoki, Oct 3, 2007
    #12