can Ad-Aware be harmful?

_ə_ · Jan 7, 2005, 08:04 PM

I've always used Ad-Aware and Spybot for removing malware, but recently I heard from a guy in IT that Ad-Aware can sometimes remove registry items that are important to have. I've never experienced any ill effects from either Ad-Aware or Spybot, but has anyone here ever heard of anything like this?

Zardon · Jan 7, 2005, 08:10 PM

ive heard they can, but ive never experienced it either, been using both for quite some time now along with spywareblaster, never had a problem.

MiDKnYtE · Jan 7, 2005, 08:16 PM

I've run adaware on dozens of computers and it seems to be safe. what does your "IT guy" run if he doesn't like adaware?

**MIG-31** · Jan 7, 2005, 08:38 PM

i have had one occasion in the past that i had to re-install windows directly after a ad aware scan.this were a long time ago now so i suppose it is possible but quite rare.

Iridium · Jan 7, 2005, 09:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MiDKnYtE

I've run adaware on dozens of computers and it seems to be safe. what does your "IT guy" run if he doesn't like adaware?

For some reason this makes me think of Saturday Night Live's "Nick Burns: Your Company's Computer Guy" saying his famous line....."MOVE!!!"

Geminiwave · Jan 7, 2005, 09:14 PM

The only way I could see this as being a problem is with the new Ad-aware SE and how you can have it remove "Negligable" files or whatever they call it...anyway the ones they usually dont show you unless theres no spyware on your comp.

if you flush all those registry keys it COULD be a problem...but ive never heard of that being a problem before. This is just a guess of mine.

Dom · Jan 7, 2005, 09:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by _ə_

I've always used Ad-Aware and Spybot for removing malware, but recently I heard from a guy in IT that Ad-Aware can sometimes remove registry items that are important to have. I've never experienced any ill effects from either Ad-Aware or Spybot, but has anyone here ever heard of anything like this?

It's true, they can be harmful, but not seriously so. I've never had any problems.

PangingJr · Jan 7, 2005, 09:43 PM

any of the objects from the Ad-Aware SE results list can be quarantined, including registry keys, values, data as well as files and folders. so make sure that the program options is set using "Automatically quarantine objects prior to removal"

with that you can restore the quarantined objects if needed.. but remember that when altering the Windows registry you will/can never be 100 percent safe in all cases.

_ə_ · Jan 7, 2005, 10:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MiDKnYtE

what does your "IT guy" run if he doesn't like adaware?

He just uses Spybot.

MiDKnYtE · Jan 7, 2005, 10:04 PM

Spybot is good for keyloggers, but it's not good for everything. I've found that there isn't a "silver bullet" to killing spyware. You gotta use a suite of apps like adaware, spybot, pestpatrol, etc.

PangingJr · Jan 7, 2005, 10:49 PM

keep using the program if it helps you. stop using it when all you hear is no.
and if the bad news about it ever comes, you will know.

the program name has been mentioned..

Unexplained computer behavior may be caused by deceptive software
http://support.microsoft.com/default...b;en-us;827315
see- Use an automated removal tool

Ftapp.dll causes an error message
http://support.microsoft.com/default...b;en-us;312429
see- Method 1

Surfing securely with IE 6
http://support.microsoft.com/default...b/secureie.asp
see- Spyware, Adware and Pop Ups

Cleaning out your PC (Part 2)
http://support.microsoft.com/default...ningoutpt2.asp
see- Dealing with SpyWare

Jan 7, 2005, 08:04 PM	#1
_ə_ DriverHeaven Junior Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 79 Rep Power: 0	can Ad-Aware be harmful? I've always used Ad-Aware and Spybot for removing malware, but recently I heard from a guy in IT that Ad-Aware can sometimes remove registry items that are important to have. I've never experienced any ill effects from either Ad-Aware or Spybot, but has anyone here ever heard of anything like this?

Jan 7, 2005, 08:38 PM	#4
MIG-31 HardwareHeaven News Mod Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Nottingham,UK Posts: 56,810 Rep Power: 471 System Specs	i have had one occasion in the past that i had to re-install windows directly after a ad aware scan.this were a long time ago now so i suppose it is possible but quite rare. __________________ Please Post Your News Submissions Here

Jan 7, 2005, 09:14 PM	#6
Geminiwave I Have lovely Breasts Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: In the closet... Posts: 5,395 Rep Power: 63	The only way I could see this as being a problem is with the new Ad-aware SE and how you can have it remove "Negligable" files or whatever they call it...anyway the ones they usually dont show you unless theres no spyware on your comp. if you flush all those registry keys it COULD be a problem...but ive never heard of that being a problem before. This is just a guess of mine. __________________

Jan 7, 2005, 08:10 PM	#2
Zardon DriverHeaven Founder Join Date: May 2002 Posts: 32,480 Rep Power: 179	ive heard they can, but ive never experienced it either, been using both for quite some time now along with spywareblaster, never had a problem.

Jan 7, 2005, 08:16 PM	#3
MiDKnYtE Caffeine Machine Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Hell is empty. All the devils are here. Posts: 670 Rep Power: 0	I've run adaware on dozens of computers and it seems to be safe. what does your "IT guy" run if he doesn't like adaware?

Jan 7, 2005, 09:43 PM	#8
PangingJr Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Posts: 5,989 Rep Power: 70	any of the objects from the Ad-Aware SE results list can be quarantined, including registry keys, values, data as well as files and folders. so make sure that the program options is set using "Automatically quarantine objects prior to removal" with that you can restore the quarantined objects if needed.. but remember that when altering the Windows registry you will/can never be 100 percent safe in all cases.

Jan 7, 2005, 10:04 PM	#10
MiDKnYtE Caffeine Machine Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Hell is empty. All the devils are here. Posts: 670 Rep Power: 0	Spybot is good for keyloggers, but it's not good for everything. I've found that there isn't a "silver bullet" to killing spyware. You gotta use a suite of apps like adaware, spybot, pestpatrol, etc.

Jan 7, 2005, 10:49 PM	#11
PangingJr Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Posts: 5,989 Rep Power: 70	keep using the program if it helps you. stop using it when all you hear is no. and if the bad news about it ever comes, you will know. the program name has been mentioned.. Unexplained computer behavior may be caused by deceptive software http://support.microsoft.com/default...b;en-us;827315 see- Use an automated removal tool Ftapp.dll causes an error message http://support.microsoft.com/default...b;en-us;312429 see- Method 1 Surfing securely with IE 6 http://support.microsoft.com/default...b/secureie.asp see- Spyware, Adware and Pop Ups Cleaning out your PC (Part 2) http://support.microsoft.com/default...ningoutpt2.asp see- Dealing with SpyWare