Antispyware software?

deborahking · Aug 31, 2010, 01:54 PM

What's the best software to prevent spyware infections?

mkk · Aug 31, 2010, 07:29 PM

Good AntiVirus software covers that too. But make sure to upgrade to the latest program version as well as keeping their database updates going. Program versions from a couple of years back tend to care much less about spyware/adware even after renewing the license for purely database updates.

Matth · Aug 31, 2010, 11:59 PM

There is a trend to name many "Antivirus" as "Antimalware", to indicate that they do cover other malware, though earlier antivrus were, as suggested, less rigourous in hunting down non-viral parasites.

You MAY be able to run spybot S&D in conjunction with an antivirus, but there is a danger they will tread on each others toes, though actually, it's ok with several, even the ones which kick you toward removal. The Teatimer function should be turned off if another program is guarding the registry against unwelcome changes.

Microsoft have two solutions, "Windows Defender", an antispyware ONLY which you would use in conjunction with another antivirus, or "Microsoft Security Essentials" which is a full antimalware and supercedes (disabling or uninstalling as appropriate) Windows Defender.

Threatfire is another option, which is supposed to increase protection compared to many other antivirus products on their own, though with the action of a behavior blocker, some other programs may give similar coverage, but a lot of prompting for things like registry access.

Historically, of the free ones, Avira/Antivir has usually been strongest against "other malware", but with a tendency to false positives, though it seems they may have managed to curtail that more recently.

Judas · Sep 1, 2010, 09:38 PM

www.superantispyware.com still is kicking ass in my books

CJLMTLCA · Sep 2, 2010, 01:03 AM

I have AV real-time protection, once in a while scan with an AS (i also like SuperAntiSpyware which saved my ass not long ago. I ditched Spybot in favor of SAS) and practice safe hex. Then IF infected, download other AS as needed to help repair any damage.

**synthesis204** · Sep 9, 2010, 06:13 AM

I use a combination of AVG, MSE, and Spybot. They don't seem to provide conflicts - AVG manages the firewall, Teatimer manages the registry, and MSE catches whatever the other two don't.

Angelorum · Apr 25, 2011, 08:41 PM

I use ZenOK Free Antivirus, completed secutiry software that includes antispyware, it's been a while an my computer has been working good.

Aug 31, 2010, 01:54 PM	#1
deborahking HardwareHeaven Newbie Join Date: Jul 2010 Posts: 3 Rep Power: 0	Antispyware software? What's the best software to prevent spyware infections?

Aug 31, 2010, 07:29 PM	#2
mkk Cthulhu/Dagon 2012 Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Gefle, Sweden Posts: 4,487 Rep Power: 132 System Specs	Re: Antispyware software? Good AntiVirus software covers that too. But make sure to upgrade to the latest program version as well as keeping their database updates going. Program versions from a couple of years back tend to care much less about spyware/adware even after renewing the license for purely database updates.

Aug 31, 2010, 11:59 PM	#3
Matth Flash Banner Hater Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: UK Posts: 3,426 Rep Power: 93 System Specs	Re: Antispyware software? There is a trend to name many "Antivirus" as "Antimalware", to indicate that they do cover other malware, though earlier antivrus were, as suggested, less rigourous in hunting down non-viral parasites. You MAY be able to run spybot S&D in conjunction with an antivirus, but there is a danger they will tread on each others toes, though actually, it's ok with several, even the ones which kick you toward removal. The Teatimer function should be turned off if another program is guarding the registry against unwelcome changes. Microsoft have two solutions, "Windows Defender", an antispyware ONLY which you would use in conjunction with another antivirus, or "Microsoft Security Essentials" which is a full antimalware and supercedes (disabling or uninstalling as appropriate) Windows Defender. Threatfire is another option, which is supposed to increase protection compared to many other antivirus products on their own, though with the action of a behavior blocker, some other programs may give similar coverage, but a lot of prompting for things like registry access. Historically, of the free ones, Avira/Antivir has usually been strongest against "other malware", but with a tendency to false positives, though it seems they may have managed to curtail that more recently. __________________ Mary had a little lamb, Her father shot it dead Now Mary takes her lamb to school, Between two crusts of bread

Sep 2, 2010, 01:03 AM	#5
CJLMTLCA 14X Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Montreal, Canada Posts: 629 Rep Power: 63 System Specs	Re: Antispyware software? I have AV real-time protection, once in a while scan with an AS (i also like SuperAntiSpyware which saved my ass not long ago. I ditched Spybot in favor of SAS) and practice safe hex. Then IF infected, download other AS as needed to help repair any damage. __________________

Sep 9, 2010, 06:13 AM	#6
synthesis204 Dragonborn Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: St. Louis, MO Posts: 1,174 Rep Power: 97 System Specs	Re: Antispyware software? I use a combination of AVG, MSE, and Spybot. They don't seem to provide conflicts - AVG manages the firewall, Teatimer manages the registry, and MSE catches whatever the other two don't.

Apr 25, 2011, 08:41 PM	#7
Angelorum HardwareHeaven Newbie Join Date: Apr 2011 Posts: 5 Rep Power: 0	Re: Antispyware software? I use ZenOK Free Antivirus, completed secutiry software that includes antispyware, it's been a while an my computer has been working good.