Any good anti-adware/spyware/scumware programs?

[cbailey]

My network is getting hammered with adware type programs getting installed. Even though I'm behind a firewall, I still keep getting hit. I can run ad aware, but that's always after the fact. And most have to be manually removed at the file level. Anything ideas for prevention?


Thanks

 

[tlinden14]

you can try a combination of spybot search & destroy v 1.3, ad-aware v. 6, and spy hunter. I am not very familiar with spyhunter, but have had success with the dual use of spybot and ad-aware. They usually pick up where the other has left off, or missed certain spyware. make sure to read the details of each program to better fit the needs of your network.

Good Luck!

Tim

 

[bcastner]

For removal, see faq608-4650
For prevention, see:

http://www.computercops.biz/postt7736.html

 

[cbailey]

I was hoping for a cure all, like better firewall controls, stuff like that. Thanks very much for all your help.

 

[Marcs41]

There is only ONE cure-all ... pull out the cable ;-)

Marc
[sub]If 'something' 'somewhere' gives 'some' error, expect random guesses or no replies at all. Please specify details.
Free Tip: The F1 Key does NOT destroy your PC![/sub]
How Do I Get Great Answers To my Tek-Tips Questions? See faq222-2244

 

[rrdavis07]

Our company has been deluged with adware, pop-ups and other malware in the past few months, also. I have learned more about it that I ever wanted to know. There are some steps that you can take to prevent some of the infestations, but you really need to get educated on how to remove them, because you will probably never keep them out completely.

My #1 resource for all things spyware is Spywareinfo. It is a great forum for getting help in eliminating spyware.

Randy Davis, MCP
Data Analyst

 

[pmonett]

One good move for effectively preventing spyware and most popups is . . . do not use IE.

There are enough other browsers out there for you to be able to find one that suits your tastes - and NONE of them have anywhere near the same issues as IE does.

Personally, I use Mozilla, and only switch to IE for Windows Update and banking stuff.

Spyware ? Yeah, I've heard of it.

Pascal.

 

[Marcs41]

sorry pmonett, but that is a load of cr...

There is nothing wrong with using IE, IF you use it properly.
You can get spyware and others with ANY browser if you just blindly click away and don't keep uptodate with security issues.

Marc
[sub]If 'something' 'somewhere' gives 'some' error, expect random guesses or no replies at all. Please specify details.
Free Tip: The F1 Key does NOT destroy your PC![/sub]
How Do I Get Great Answers To my Tek-Tips Questions? See faq222-2244

 

[bcastner]

marcs41,

There is no doubt IE is targetted. But I would add to your comments that:

. for SSL, pmonnet admits that he uses IE. There is nothing comparable for this requirement;
. the original topic was spyware and malware, not the invasive things like Blaster, etc.. I think MSFT themselves would give a rating of B for their efforts. But that low report card score bothers them quite a lot. Note that there was nothing required for those using XP RC2 of SP2 for the recent ADODB vulnerability (which MSFT itself admitted, and has yet to see an exploit).

I did think pmonett's comment unfair on its face; but there is a legitimate complaint. But just to get this off my chest:

. Spyware and malware generally is not the fault of IE or MSFT. It is solely the result of malicious efforts on the part of very bad intentioned individuals;
. Lets say MSFT abandoned IE (It has been thought of), and Mozilla becomes the market leader. Guess what will then happen?
. A very pro-active, resource intensive, and effective campaign has to date been waged by MSFT for serious threats; spyware, adware, and general annoyances are essentially the result of pilot error in settings or self-inflicted wounds;
. There has been an incredibly and truely impressive freeware tool utility, forums, etc. grown around removing these insults to your system. If you talk to either the commercial side developers of anti-malware, or the freeware authors, you will find rare and very mild criticism of IE as the source of the problem. Quite frankly, there are just jerks out there, and direct your anger towards them and not MSFT in this instance.

Bill Castner

 

[bcastner]

Sorry for the rant.

I just think the blame is being placed on the wrong people for this abuse of one's computer.

I treat these unwanted attempts to manipulate the safe and happy use of my computer systems as I would someone who figured out a hand-held device to reprogram the fuel injection system of my automobile; the electrical or gas service to my home; or any other trivial but important issues.

Leave me alone.
I did nothing to you.

 

[Marcs41]

DOn't be sorry for the rant, you are very right.

As for the adware topic where it started with, I am not going to say "blame yourself", but the number of customers I came across who had affected systems, just because they installed all kinds of crap tools from the internet, like Kazaa and consorts, are mainly cause themselves.
That does not aplly for spam mails etc, but that is not adware or spyware.
Surfing in the wrong places and blindly installing just about anything is a number ONE t get all that stuff on a PC.

Marc
[sub]If 'something' 'somewhere' gives 'some' error, expect random guesses or no replies at all. Please specify details.
Free Tip: The F1 Key does NOT destroy your PC![/sub]
How Do I Get Great Answers To my Tek-Tips Questions? See faq222-2244

 

[bcastner]

The sad thing is that ActiveX, javascript and other portals for spyware and malware and genuine features for web designers and end-users of the internet. And now the ability to use these features will be severaly circumscribed.

Some people are abusing you and your enjoyment of your system; restricting what can be done by a web author; and generallly making the Web less pleasant. I really hate this.

Not to sound any more than I have as an MSFT apologist, but often the malware authors read the MSFT advisories and patches and build new attacks for unprotected systems. (This was true for Blaster, Sasser and the current ADOBDB). So by being upfront and proactive, MSFT essentially creates a new worm opportunity.

But please distinguish between say a Blaster attack, and adware. Adware, Spyware and generally malwaare is essentially a self-inflicted wound. There is no concensus even what it is, much less whether it should be blocked. The freeware authors of SpyBot, Hijack, CWShredder and others are to be lauded.

For removal, see FAQ608-4650 and others, particularly in forum760
For prevention, see:

http://www.computercops.biz/postt7736.html

 

[Marcs41]

But please distinguish between say a Blaster attack, and adware. Adware, Spyware and generally malwaare is essentially a self-inflicted wound. There is no concensus even what it is, much less whether it should be blocked. The freeware authors of SpyBot, Hijack, CWShredder and others are to be lauded

Couldn't agree more!

I am using IE and no other of those 'freeware' browsers. I have tried them all, latest releases, but I am sorry, none of them could really convince me to use them.
I rarely have an issue with ad or other-ware, but then it is mainly during testing, and, as you put it so well, a self-inflicted wound.
But then again, the only person I can complain to is ... ME!

Marc
[sub]If 'something' 'somewhere' gives 'some' error, expect random guesses or no replies at all. Please specify details.
Free Tip: The F1 Key does NOT destroy your PC![/sub]
How Do I Get Great Answers To my Tek-Tips Questions? See faq222-2244

 

[bcastner]

marcs41,

I suspected I was "preaching to the choir", but I honestly feel that the scumware issue is unfairly blamed on IE and Microsoft, rather than the source.

And the contributions by the freeware third-party community treated as if they are commodities, rather than the incredibly kind efforts that they are.

Now I really am done my rant.


As always Marcs41, best wishes,
Bill Castner

 

[Marcs41]

That is why I keep using IE, and fighting the source, or at least defending myself against those jerks.

I too use, of course, adware, spybot and the likes, but I also pay ATTENTION the WHERE I am going on the net, as, however great those tools are, they are only effective AFTER damage is done.
AdWatch can prevent some, so can the google toolbar, but I do not blinly trust those either, as that scum will always find ways to bypass it, sadly enough.

As already said, I still prefer the full control of IE, then a crippled other one, just because of those jerks having nothing better to do then to try and invade my PCs.

Microsoft gets blamed for everything, I know, and I really think it is unfair too. But like you said, the day they either stop IE or lock it down 100%, other browsers will start to suffer. We'll see what happens then.

Shooting at a big tree is easier ... ;-)

Marc

 

[pmonett]

marc

If you drive your car into a wall, it is obviously your fault. But when you drive your car perfectly well and get a punctured tire because some nitwit left tacks on the road, there is nothing you can do but go and get the tire repaired, unless you have steel-reinforced, non-punctureable tires, in which case you'll drive through without noticing anything.

You yourself acknowledge that with IE, you have to be careful where you go and what you click. In addition, you state :
"AdWatch can prevent some, so can the google toolbar, but I do not blinly trust those either, as that scum will always find ways to bypass it, sadly enough".

So you admit that IE is not reliable even when you just browse the web without clicking anything special. Yet, when I suggest using a non-scumware targeted browser, you say that I'm spewing crap.

Excuse me if I feel miffed.

Pascal.

 

[Marcs41]

I admit that IE is not reliable, but neither are the others.

If you drive ANOTHER car where you should not, you get the same results.

The ideal road would not have tacks or nails on the road, and people should be careful which roads they take.

Marc
[sub]If 'something' 'somewhere' gives 'some' error, expect random guesses or no replies at all. Please specify details.
Free Tip: The F1 Key does NOT destroy your PC![/sub]
How Do I Get Great Answers To my Tek-Tips Questions? See faq222-2244

 

[pmonett]

Sorry, but I cannot agree. Mozilla, in its default configuration, does not accept automatic stealth downloads to my PC from ANY site. Whenever anything tries to install, I at least get a popup telling me so and giving me the chance to cancel it.

In my book, that makes surfing a LOT safer than IE, which is transparent to this kind of stuff even when you have installed a whole bunch of imperfect protection measures.

I suggest we let the issue rest. We have an disagreement of opinion, and nothing either of us can say is going to change that.
I respect your will to continue with IE, whatever I think of it.
I trust you can do the same for me.

Pascal.

 

[Marcs41]

Fine with me you know.
I just want to add that I have no problems whatsoever with IE, although I must add some extras to it, by itself, it's no good, I agree with that part.

For the other's, the worst thing you can do is THINK you are safe. Do not forget, those people make it their lifework to make your life miserable, and sooner or later, one will come up with something that gets through, you just will find out too late, if you trust your browser.

So, we at least agree to disagree ;-)

Marc
[sub]If 'something' 'somewhere' gives 'some' error, expect random guesses or no replies at all. Please specify details.
Free Tip: The F1 Key does NOT destroy your PC![/sub]
How Do I Get Great Answers To my Tek-Tips Questions? See faq222-2244

 

[pmonett]

I agree totally with your last post.
There certainly are people who go (way) out of their way to make "normal" people's work difficult.
Many hackers express the philosophy of "doing it" to "prove" that we are unsecure. I'd like to find one of those guys and throw rocks in his windows to "prove" that they are not bulletproof. I mean, doesn't that prove that he is at risk from being burglared ?
;-)

Pascal.