I now realize what others were talking about when they said that AdAware actually puts a tracking device on your computer.
Is there another program that is better than AdAware?
SpyBot seems to be okay, but if there is a problem there please let us know all you computer geniuses out there.
Thanks.
Spywares, ADwares, and other kinds are in existence for a long time since the internet has been invented. Some are malicious, some are not like Spybot and AdAware. I believe this topic has appeared on this board before. Do a little research and you'll discover how great TER is allowing info exchanges among us. Remember, this country will have a new law soon revamping the CIA and FBI. I thank all my legislators for that, past and present who always have separate rules for themselves. Watch out for your free speech rights. Just my $.0002.
Use Spyware Doctor - you can get it on download.com - it continually monitors the cookies downloaded and deletes them within seconds of loading. Great package.
I've had Adaware loaded up for a couple of years and always read that it was a legitimate spysweeper. Pretty ironic that it could be just what your trying to prevent.
I have also used Window Washer for the past 2 years. Erases your history trail, etc. Can't be too careful.
Of the 3 or 4 spyware stoppers, Pest Patrol was hands down the best one. I couldn't believe this. I subscribed to a stock market-financial information service originating in upstate new york. Buttoned down, pure numbers operation theoretically run by trustworthy owners. Pest Patrol detected a seriously heavy duty piece of spyware embedded in their download program. According to the Pest Patrol information site, this program gave him or them total remote control of my computer and it was undetectable to my Norton anti-virus or to my firewalls because the system thought it was internet browser progam. Demonic piece of work hidden in a fully innocent looking professional progam. When I confronted them about this they refused to communicate with me in any way although they formerly answered all of my e-mails and phone calls immediatly. You cannot be too careful. The stats are that 90% !!! of the internet linked computers are infected with spyware sometimes by only visiting a website.
Spy Sweeper from Webroot, the authors of Window Washer, seems to work 100% for me. I'm no IT guy, but WW worked so well, especially when set to "bleach," I bought SS from them. The latest version tracks any changes to your setting, like hi-jacked browsers or additions to Start Menu, and asks you to approve or reject.
I also switched browser, from MS IE to Mozilla Firefox-- it's fee-- and is reputed to resist snooping.
PC Magazine gave Spy Sweeper from Webroot its "Editor's Choice". Seems to work for me, after having it for ~6 months.
I use Advanced Browser and Ace explorer Cleaning tools are built in
I think you got bad info. Adware is the stuff that tracks your browsing. AdAware is the software to stop this and protect against a variety of other parasitic software.
I use AdAware and Spybot weekly to cleanup any files such as spyware that have been placed on my computer.
At the end of each session I go to the tools menu item on Internet Explorer then to Internet Options menu item. At this page I go to Temporary Internet Files and delete these items and then to History and delete these items. By the way, I keep the number of items history retains at zero. Then I go to Window Washer, which I have used for over 4 years and swear by, and run it. I know this seems like alot to go through, but it keeps peace in the house.
Hope this helps!
hey wiz, does ww expunge e-mails too?
bk
Hey bk,
To my knowledge ww does not eliminate e-mails; however, I am one release behind and don't have the most recent release. Try www.webroot.com and click on the products tab for the latest info.
Good to hear from you bk.
After scanning with Norton Anti Virus each time I see that AdAware has placed a tracker on my computer. Don't doubt it as it is there, for sure.
it has had its name copied. Only download it from lavasoft and you will be fine. The other adaware negates the real adaware.
I have had increasing problems with adware and spyware on my computer. Norton finds it but can't delete it, so I purchased PestPatrol for $40.00 on line and downloaded it. It works very well, finds AND deletes all that junk you don't want in your computer. I don't know if there's better software out there, but PestPatrol has taken care of my problem!
Suzanne in San Diego
Well the best way would be to use all of the software suggested here to erase your tracks, but also employ a disk wiping program such as 'Norton Wipe Info.' to securely erase what you delete. Also be sure to delete any 'sites' or places in the History folder to leave no trace, Cookies are not deleted when you empty your Internet cache, you need to go in to delete them. Window Washer does that, but then again if the computer is shared and it is 'washed' too throughly....
Neutrogena
-- Modified on 12/11/2004 2:04:04 AM
This link not only has pretty much every crappy/fake spyware programs to avoid...it also has the spyware programs that are the best to use as well
Put it on your favorites list
BTW Note the many different programs with VERY similar names to the EXCELLENT Ad-aware program
Like southern_man said only use Lavasoft and update it weekly, run it weekly or more and buy the full version, I have the Pro version in both my computers.
Also use only Norton Anti-Virus and keep it running too, update weekly and run weekly.