Having problems with Spyware? A solution is here...

[A31]

We have been having problem with spyware on our computers recently (4/5 machines had this problem, namely both my IBMs (ThinkCentre, ThinkPad), one of the HPs and an older one), but thanks to some software the user of the fifth computer found, we may be able to reduced that number...

The software is (and I'm sure many of you have heard of it) SPYBOT S&D (Search & Destroy), it's free and if you type into Google SPYBOT S&D and click the first link (be careful when browsing the web for anything that has "spy" in the name! Don't go downloading dodgy or dangerous applications!) you can download the latest stable release. It works really well on XP, Vista and 7 and will remove any spyware on your computer or malicious software.

The spyware problems we've been having is mainly in Google is when you search for something, ie: "ThinkPad forums", and you see the result you want, you click on it and it a) opens in a new window, b) opens the wrong site. The right site will eventually come but it takes a while, if this happens you may have spyware on your computer. It can also occur in Wiondows Explorer if you double click on a folder, it may open it in a new window...

But yes, SPYBOT S&D is recommended by me and will be installing it on the ThinkPad, the HP and the other computer with spyware.

[RealBlackStuff]

That's an old software that hardly anybody uses anymore.
Check the likes of Malwarebytes and Superantispyware. Much better and also free.

[spuddog]

I disagree, it may have been around for a while, but Spybot still works fine. MalwareBytes is great for some types of spyware. I will have to check out the other.

Scott

[ThinkRob]

That's an old software that hardly anybody uses anymore.

No.

S&D works and works well. TeaTimer alone is worth it -- monitoring + protection against registry changes and process blacklisting are useful features and rarely seen in other free solutions.

[A31]

I can also recomend Kaspersky 2010, but still run Spybot S&D as well "just in case". Only bad thing is with Kaspersky 2010 you have to purchase a license which I did... it's quite expensive though!

[NorrisCell]

AdAware has gone downhill, so I have abandoned it. S&D still works well. My main choice is now Google's PC Tools Spyware Doctor. Helped me clear out an infection that S&D didn't even detect

[archer6]

S&D works and works well. TeaTimer alone is worth it -- monitoring + protection against registry changes and process blacklisting are useful features and rarely seen in other free solutions.

I concur.
S&D works well for me. I also use Malwarebytes.

[A31]

protection against registry changes

When installing new software or uninstalling, this feature can be very annoying, a bit like the UAC in Vista, they try and protect you, but they do it in such an irritating way!! I still use S&D with AVG 9.0 on the A31 - the HP has Kasperksy 2010 with inbuilt anti-spyware, so I don't use it on that.

My main choice is now Google's PC Tools Spyware Doctor

I also use Malwarebytes.

I shall have to check out both of these!!

[ThinkRob]

When installing new software or uninstalling, this feature can be very annoying, a bit like the UAC in Vista, they try and protect you, but they do it in such an irritating way!!

It is my experience that there is always a noticeable tradeoff between proactive security and convenience-of-use. Personally, installing potentially-damaging software is one of the tasks where I *want* to be pestered, prompted, annoyed, and generally made to think carefully about exactly what I'm installing and why.

It's been a couple years since I've run Windows on any machine full-time, but IIRC S&D allows you to disable the registry protection without disabling blacklisting, etc. Might be something to look into...