Spyware

motherof2 · #1 (**permalink**) 09-04-2004, 11:53 AM

Does anyone know of anyspyware detection programs that will download free and remove spyware and adware for free? The ones I find all have a charge.

Thanks for in info.

**ajrsmom** · #2 (**permalink**) 09-04-2004, 12:53 PM

You can download a free version from AdAware that is pretty good.

Spysweeper is another one that has a good free version.

You can download CWshredder too It will help to remove CoolWebSearch spyware.

There is one more free one out there I know is good too but I cant think of its name right now.

After scanning my computer with Pest Patrol, it picked up almost 1000 spywares.

You cant remove them with their free version though. I do have the "paid for" version now and am very happy with it. It will go on the list for renewal every year. After being invaded with SPYWARE, We try to stay on top of things as much as we can.

Just remember that you dont get the full features of the version that you pay for.

Every other day my DH or I will clear the cookies and cache on our computer and empty the recycle bin, run Pest Patrol, then AdAware, then Spy Sweeper. There are times when the latter will pick up one or two minor spywares that Pest Patrol didnt get.

We have downloaded SP2 for XP......has anyone else done this yet? There are no major changes from what we were already running. The only thing I had to do was go into my Outlook Express security settings and it to accept email containing HTML.

Cant wait to read others suggestions too. Im always on the lookout for things like this.

motherof2 · #3 (**permalink**) 09-04-2004, 01:09 PM

Thanks for the info. Do you by chance have the website for those mentioned?

**ajrsmom** · #4 (**permalink**) 09-04-2004, 01:19 PM

For AdAware: http://www.lavasoftusa.com/software/adaware/

Spy Sweeper: this is a free trial version. Looks like they are having a sale on the full version

http://www.webroot.com/wb/products/spysweeper/index.php

Here is one of many places for CW Shredder: http://www.softpedia.com/public/cat/...0-17-150.shtml

Disclaimer: I am in no way affiliated with any of these companies. I am just someone who has used these products with great success. You can also try searching Google for other free spyware removals .

Tami

motherof2 · #5 (**permalink**) 09-04-2004, 01:45 PM

thank you again. I will try these.

efeston · #6 (**permalink**) 09-09-2004, 07:58 AM

I recently had my computer slammed with spyware after letting a friend check her e-mail, and she followed a link that I would've never touched!

I found some relief from Adaware, but it didn't catch everything (namely the "whenusearch" toolbar in my internet explorer). After much searching around, I found help through www.download.com by installing "Spybot Search & Destroy". I also had to run "HijackThis" to remove a couple other things that Adaware and Spybot didn't pick up.

It's frustrating that these spyware programs are getting smarter and smarter, knowing where to hide where the removal programs won't pick them up.

All three of the programs above, in their basic versions are free, and do the job. It took me a total of about an hour concentrating on cleaning up my computer, but then it ran better than before, because I must have had stuff in their before that I wasn't aware.

Good luck to you - I know it's frustrating, but don't give up!

Evelyn

efeston · #7 (**permalink**) 09-09-2004, 08:09 AM

I forgot to mention something that I figured out the hard way (very frustrating).

Some of the spyware on your computer could "hijack" your internet searches to bring up their program links instead of valid sites.

When at download.com, search within their engine for Spybot Search & Destroy. I would suggest going directly to the lavasoft website for Adaware, and also go through download.com for HijackThis (all one word). That way, the spyware probably won't be able to stop you. (I say probably because there's never any guarantee)

Again, good luck to you!

Evelyn

ewriggs · #8 (**permalink**) 09-09-2004, 10:15 AM

You have gotten some very good advice! Most of the free programs are "cutdowns" from a paid program, and only do part of the job.

But you can't blame the programmers for wanting to get paid for what they do!

AdAware by Lavasoft is probably the best of the best out there, followed closely by Spybot.

Be very careful with HijackThis! It puts you into the registry, and if you get too enthusiastic you can totally mess up your programs. If you are pretty computer knowledgeable, go ahead, but be prepared to re-install any or even all of your programs. As my dh programs in BAL and is a certified "knuckles drag the ground" computer geek,

I don't worry about it too much. But even we have gotten into major problems getting too deep into the registry entries for a program from time to time!

You might want to try out Vopt from goldenbow.com - they have been around for decades, and Vopt is probably the best of the best hard drive defragmenter going. you can download a full-blown trial version that expires in about 30 days. After that it's about $50. I have it on all my computers and wouldn't be without it! What's really funny, is that we got this program, paid for it and all, and were totally blown away with it. Then a few months later I went to a college reunion and hooked up with one of my old friends and it turns out she and her husband "do" Vopt! She was one of my best friends, and we lost touch with each other over the years! We ended up going out to visit them in CA a couple years ago! Small world! But that doesn't take anything away from their program, I assure you!

I also recommend checking out grc.com. Steve Gibson has been around doing stuff with computers since the 70's. He writes all his programs in BAL and they are very small and run trouble-free. He makes many utilities, and many are free. He wrote one of the first anti-spyware programs (OptOut). Check them out.

Cheerio!
Elizabeth

MNNorsk · #9 (**permalink**) 09-09-2004, 11:53 AM

Both Ad-Aware and Spybot are great free programs. I also have ZoneAlarm and WinPatrol so nothing gets by any of these. My AV program is Avast, which is also free. There is no need to pay for anything when there are so many good free programs available.

janet · #10 (**permalink**) 09-09-2004, 03:17 PM

I have tried alot of spyware treatments...and bought some and hands down...Spy Bot Search & Destroy is the best. It caught things that AdAware missed.

If you ever want to find out about anything...go to Google.com and plug in what you want to know...even error messages that you receive and it will tell you about them.

A technical person at Gateway told me this trick...it works wonderfully...

Janet