Hi all,
I have been investigating spyware removal tools. These are the ones I have tested recently.
Mcafee AntiSpyware
Scan Spyware V3.7
SpywareBlaster
AdAware (latest version)
Now firstly, we all know that spyware can, and does infect nearly every machine thats connected to the net. So we rely on these kinds of programs to find and delete these nasties right?
Well heres what I found out about the above...(to test these I purposely infected a newly installed machine with every type of spyware/malware etc. I could. I went to every 'dodgy' site I could think of, installed diallers, clicked 'yes' to everything, and set security to low. - And here's an interesting point... within 20 minutes the machine started to slow down and act strangely. What I found on this machine (after unplugging it from the net of course) was astronomical!! 30 minutes 'dodgy' browsing... Heres the results...Oh, a short 'by the way'... I ran all these programs before running ANY removal to see the difference in what they reported as being on my machine.
MCAFFEE ANTISPYWARE - You'd think wouldn't you, that this would be one of the better spyware removal tools? Well, its absolutely THE WORST. It missed HUNDREDS of entries that others picked up (and YES, ALL these programs were updated before running them)
TOTAL FILES FOUND 38
SCAN SPYWARE - This is possibly the best (although please read my conclusion) It found more than any of the others, and listed things that the others did not.
TOTAL FILES FOUND 378
SPYWARE BLASTER - A fully comprehensive list of spyware found.
TOTAL FILES FOUND 178
ADAWARE - LMAO.. dont even bother!!
TOTAL FILES FOUND 63
Conclusion
If you use the net you are going to be infested with this evil crap! It doesn't mater WHO you are or WHAT you do on the net its going to happen.. But how on earth do you get rid of it? I mean look at the difference with the above.. 38 files to 378!!! I understand that this could be because SCAN SPYWARE just records ALL entries for any one piece of spyware, where Mcafee may only list it once. But thats not the point... The software above claims to remove spyware, and they do indeed remove it. BUT, and this is the big question what DONT they remove?
I sure as hell am not going to pay for 4 different programs to remove all the spyware on my machine.. But the test I did here (for work incidentally, I'm actually NOT that sad ) shows that they all find different intrusions.. So how on earth can you be sure you got it all?
Its over to you folks, I have always respected peoples opinions here and would love to hear some on this. The question I want answered is:
How do you get rid of ALL of it? (format re-install will not be accepted as an answer )
Thx in advance...
Kutter.