posted on November 29, 2004 07:17:48 PM new
I was watching CNN today and they were talking about how much spyware there is on most computers. Can anyone give me the best product for blocking or stopping this problem? I am sure I have lots as I get a lot of popups. I am pretty computer illiterate so I need the simplest help I can get.
posted on November 29, 2004 08:35:57 PM new
I agree...I use Spybot AND Adware regularly. I wish there was an easier way, but I haven't found it for the home user.
posted on November 29, 2004 10:52:15 PM new
Get rid of the spyware by running both Adaware and Spybot and then download and install Mozilla Firefox browser.
Firefox looks just like IE with some really neat enhancements (I love the tabbing feature where you can have several windows open at the same time and switch between with a click from the top of the browser) - you can import your IE Favorites AND NO POPUPS!
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"Life's journey is not to arrive at the grave safely in a well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways, totally worn out, shouting "...holy sh@#...what a ride!"
posted on November 30, 2004 12:34:04 AM new when I downloaded Mozilla,and use that instead of I.E. I dont get any pop ups at all.
Spyware has nothing to do with pop-ups. I, too, use Mozilla Firefox. And before that I used Netscape. So I haven't been bothered with pop-ups for quite a while.
But I still get spyware. Everyone who uses the internet, regardless of browser, does. Every time you visit a website you get a little "cookie" attached to your computer. Cookies are spyware. Most are benevolent or low risk--they merely track you so the originating site gets an idea of what their customers like. But others are malicious--referred to as "malware." The insert toolbars or try to hijack your browser or slow your computer way down. Ever tried to go to a site and even though your typed the address correctly the site that comes up isn't what you wanted? And when you re-entered the very same address again the correct site finally came up? A piece of malware was probably responsible.
Unless you have your security protocols set so high that you can barely do anything on the Net you're going to get some spyware. Even super-duper firewalls can't keep them all out. So, yes, you need a program on your computer to root out the pesky things.
I have both Adaware SE (their newest version) & Spybot on my computer, as each catches things the other didn't. And I run them every couple of days--and at least a couple of things are turned up every single time. I've also been using a trial version of a program called Webroot Spy Sweeper, though in another 6 days I'll have to decide whether to buy it or not. So far I like it; it tightens up the security on my computer even more than it was before & not just for spyware--it oversees downloads & makes maintenance of them very easy, among other things.
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"Bad temper is its own scourge. Few things are more bitter than to feel bitter. A man's venom poisons himself more than his victim." --Charles Buxton
posted on November 30, 2004 04:36:33 AM new
A word about Spybot. I run it regularly along with AOL's spyware program. AOL's picks up more than Spybot. I found that odd, but you may want to consider finding another free spyware program and run it in addition to Spybot.
posted on November 30, 2004 08:16:47 AM new
bunni, they are selling webroot products on ebay too. you might be able to catch a low or no bid auction and get it cheaper than from their home page. ..although I dont know how reliable it is doing it that way. I had considered it and bookmarked this one seller and was doing the waiting watching thing with the auctions - and then all of a sudden he was naru'd. Had to wonder if he was hacking into to them and selling the downloads illegally?! He was doing something somebody didnt like. He had like 40+ pos feedback..and some of them went off fairly cheap at 5.00 bucks or so. The only other thing I could think of was, maybe he was shilling the sh* on most of them.
posted on November 30, 2004 08:56:40 AM newParkman: Firefox is a free download. Try it! I don't think you'll be disappointed. Or, you might look into Netscape (also free). Both are very similar. The main thing, though, is to dump Internet Explorer!!! IE has holes in it you could drive a truck through & is incredibly open to all sorts of attacks.
Oh--one more thing that's great about Firefox: it's a much leaner program and you will find that it operates much faster than IE.
Neroter: thanks for the tip. However, if I do buy Spy Sweeper I think I'll get it straight from the source or, at the very least, a computer store. $29.95 isn't that big a price for it.
____________________
"Bad temper is its own scourge. Few things are more bitter than to feel bitter. A man's venom poisons himself more than his victim." --Charles Buxton
posted on November 30, 2004 11:18:03 AM new
I have Spy Sweeper, paid 19.95 at Costco. The nice thing about it is you get free updates. When I installed it about 6 mos ago. I had over 200 spyware in my computer!! Now there are none.
posted on November 30, 2004 12:45:12 PM new
Nice price, Sanmar! I'm envious--don't have a Costco membership. You do imspre me to look around for lower prices, though.
____________________
"Bad temper is its own scourge. Few things are more bitter than to feel bitter. A man's venom poisons himself more than his victim." --Charles Buxton
