Spyware removers

[skysidhe]

I need a good spyware remover that will allow installed games and programs to remain. Some of them will not function without those associations some removers tend to gather up.

Isn't there a spyware remover that discriminates? ya know?


thanks in advance

[Bullitt]

Well which ones have you tried so far? Most programs sweep and show you what it found and then you decide what to keep and what to quarantine or delete. I'm kind of anal about this myself, I run three different programs: Windows Defender, Ad-Aware SE, and Spy Sweeper just to make sure I get everything.

[freshnesschronic]

Here, here, Bullitt, I run 4 checks, Adaware, Spybot Search and Destroy, AVG AntiVirus free edition and (not technially spyware) but before all that I check my disc consistency in windows system tools.

Sky, I suggest the trio of programs that I have, all my 100 gigs of gaming still works fine.

[Bullitt]

I've heard good stuff about AVG, might have to add that to my list. I've got over 500 gigs of movies alone, and then there's photos and music so yeah I'm not taking any chances with friggin spyware.

[Yznhymr]

PC World's Privacy & Security section under downloads is pretty good source of software I use. Take a look. I only use freeware and have no problems.

[mbpark]

The best tools I've found are:

1. WebRoot SpySweeper. If you want to pay, this is what to get. This tool is quite excellent.

2. Autoruns. This is free from Microsoft and can be downloaded at www.sysinternals.com. This is good if you know what you're doing, is free, and is very effective at removing "Browser Helper Objects".

3. Rootkit Revealer. Another free one from Microsoft, also available at www.sysinternals.com. This is a good tool for removing rootkits.

4. AVG Grisoft Anti-Rootkit. This is available at www.grisoft.com, and is also incredible at what it does.

5. Spybot Search & Destroy. This is still an excellent tool to have, and is constantly getting updated.

6. Spyware Doctor. Part of Google Pack, and also has a Pay version. Still a very good tool.

7. Trend Micro's Antivirus program. Their program consistently beats the free ones, Symantec, and McAfee. It also happens to be less of a system hog than any of them (AVG being the worst hog of them all!).

8. Kerio Personal Firewall. Yes, it's that good. This is a firewall that is significantly better than ZoneAlarm, the Windows Firewall, or the Symantec product.

9. The Ultimate Boot CD For Windows (www.ubcd4win.com) version 3.04. This has all the tools you need on one convenient CD, and boots into an alternate version of Windows. This is good because you can scan for rootkits/spyware/adware/viruses without booting into Windows, and remove the tough ones with no issues.

Also, if you manage Windows Servers, this comes with drivers for the HP Proliant RAID controllers, so you can use this to rescue data from dead servers.

10. Ad-Aware SE. This is still one of the best anti-spyware products out there.

11. Opera. This is hands-down the most stable browser on the market, and is also the fastest.

12. Firefox. This is also a great browser, and has a large amount of anti-adware and anti-spyware plugins available for it.

The programs I'd avoid are:

1. McAfee. This is a performance killer and is not that effective. I mean this across the board with all of their products.
2. Norton Internet Security. Symantec makes decent Antivirus, and that's it. Don't spend the extra bucks for the personal firewall that kills your system performance.
3. ClamAV. Not as effective as Trend, and a performance killer.
4. AVG Free Edition. For a free product, it's good. I would not pay for it. This also kills disk performance and your speed when opening Word or Excel documents.
5. RegClean. This was designed for Windows 95. It will cause damage if you use it on an XP system.
6. Internet Explorer (except for Microsoft Update). IE7 didn't fix that much unless you run it on Vista.

I've been in the business over 10 years, and am currently doing system architecture work for my customers. I still keep my skills in desktop support so that I know what goes on from the whole enterprise perspective with them, especially when it comes to how systems can get messed up.

[skysidhe]

I am running AGV and spybot s&d.

I am not liking AGV but I don't like Norton and McAfee even more.
I am running Sygate but Kerio IS my favorite and so is Outlook for an antivirus which I havn't bought yet.

I still have a moving cursor bug though. ?? My cursor is going bonkers.
I've just gone through my start up list and everything looks ok.

Thank you Bullit,fresh,Yzn and mbpark. Your lists are extensive and I feel like a kid in a candy store. Which ones do I try first?

You have given me a wealth of information. Thanks for that. It will save me some time and hassles.

[Rexmons]

Lavasofts Adaware

I use Spybot and Ad Aware.
They work great and are free.
I also use CleanUp every time I go off-line.
Also free.
For my software I use Roadrunner's package (it comes with the service, complimentary), e-trust, works better than anything I have ever purchased. Comes with a firewall (I almost never use that) virus protection, spam protection and some other stuff.