Computer Hope
Software => Computer viruses and spyware => Topic started by: jimpl on February 25, 2008, 08:23:57 AM
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I had spybot search and destroy but it was very slow so I uninstalled it. I looked on Downloads.com for something to replace it. There are so many to choose from. I downloaded but did not install, Spyware Terminator by Crawler. Is there one that you recommend?
I'm running XP Pro and have Adaware 2007 and McCaffee antivirus.
Jim
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Me, Im using AVG free and Avast Home....
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You could also read this thread and hopefully you may gain something. I found this thread very informative.
http://www.computerhope.com/forum/index.php/topic,46313.0.html
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I would go with AVG, always reliable for me.
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Trust me on this one, Superantispyware free addition. Best I have ever used.
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FYI
Here are some great tools to help you keep from getting infected again.
Spybot Search & Destroy (http://fileforum.betanews.com/detail/Spybot_Search_and_Destroy/1043809773/1) - A safe and effective spyware scanner.
* Official Spybot Tutorial (http://www.safer-networking.org/en/tutorial/index.html)
* Spybot FAQ (http://www.safer-networking.org/en/faq/index.html)
AVG Anti-Spyware Free Edition (http://free.grisoft.com/doc/download-free-anti-spyware/us/frt/0) - Very reliable with a high detection rate.
* AVG Anti-Spyware User Manual (http://free.grisoft.com/doc/5390/us/frt/0?prd=asf)
SpywareBlaster (http://www.javacoolsoftware.com/spywareblaster.html) - Secure your Internet Explorer to make it harder for these ActiveX programs to run on your computer. Also stop certain cookies from being added to your computer when running Mozilla based browsers like Firefox.
* SpywareBlaster Tutorial (http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/tutorials/tutorial49.html)
Comodo BOClean (http://www.comodo.com/boclean/CBO_download.html) - Stops trojans and many more malicious attacks.
Use a Firewall - It can not be stressed enough how important it is that you use a Firewall on your computer. Without a firewall your computer is susceptible to being hacked and taken over.
* Click here (http://www.freebyte.com/antivirus/#freefirewalls) for a list of free firewalls.
* Why would I consider a third party firewall? (http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/using/security/learnmore/atkin_firewall.mspx#EGF)
UPDATE!!! UPDATE!!! UPDATE!!! - If you do not have automatic updates enabled then visit http://www.windowsupdate.com regularly. This will ensure your computer has always the latest security updates available installed on your computer.
* Help with Windows updates (http://support.microsoft.com/?scid=ph;en-us;6527)
Learn more about how to protect yourself while on the internet read this article by Tony Klien: So how did I get infected in the first place? (http://www.castlecops.com/postlite7736-.html)
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Me, Im using AVG free and Avast Home....
And keep in mind that under normal circumstances more than one Anti-Virus program is a bad idea...
This applies only to AV programs....not the ones mentioned in EF's listing.
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Oh, yeah..Thanks... I'll give up Avast and use AVG instead...
Thanks! ;D
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Oh, yeah..Thanks... I'll give up Avast and use AVG instead...
Thanks! ;D
Good plan...
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Sorry if this is long but,
I just went through some pretty weird stuff! 1st I wasn't infected or anything, just the Spybot Search and Destroy was being very slow and I just wanted something faster. I installed Superantispyware and then my computer started acting strange. I uninstalled it and installed Spyware Terminator.
I began getting notices like "mcafee.exe is having problems and must shut down" And, "google earth.exe is corrupted"
Then, the" HP help and support " started opening partially and in layers, over and over and would not close!
I tried starting in safe mode but it still did it and I couldn't look for my problem. Finally I successfully started up in another user acct(with admin.) and I uninstalled the Google Earth, and Spyware Terminator. I also did a system restore to about a week earlier. Now everything seems normal again. I have used both Spybot S&D, and Spyware Terminator before without problems so I don't think they were clashing with the McAfee antivirus but I have no explaination for the events or why I was able to start in the other account. Weird huh!
If it aint broke, don't fix it!
Jim
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You need to DLoad and run the HDD diagnostics from the drive manuf. site...this sounds like a failing hard drive to me.
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Oh no, please don't say that! They are brand new! only about a month old!
By the way, Since the last post, I have been trying to run Trend Micro housecall to double check and it ran about a quarter of the way once and locked up. Two other times I couldn't get it to run at all! I will try the hdd diagnostic thing.
Jim
OK I downloaded and ran the quick scan option of Western Digitals hdd diagnostic and both hdds passed!
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OK good even though it was the quick Test it should be OK for now...
Just to be sure your protection apps aren't banging heads please list them all here and then refer to Evil Fantasy's suggestions above.
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My anti virus is McAfee. It's not my choice, but part of a bundle thats in the server where I work.
Other than that, right now all I have is the Adaware 2007. In the past, I have used:
Spybot S&D and Spyware Terminator with no problems, but right now, no spyware programs.
Jim
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Spybot S&D, Spyware Terminator and Ad Aware are an excellent mix of scanners to use. Alternate the use of each one being sure to update before each run and use the Immunization feature in Spybot along with each update.
Another good free real time protection program is Spywareblaster. http://www.javacoolsoftware.com/spywareblaster.html
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Thanks,
I probably will retry the spybot s&d and maybe the other ones too. I'm just a little gunshy right now because of my recent ordeal!
Also, I still don't know why the Trend Micro Housecall would not run. I use FireFox. Would it be better to run it in IE?
Or more to the point, If I feel McAfee has missed something, and I want to run another virus scan, are there other/better options than "housecall"? If I download another antivirus program i.e. AVG, it conflicts with McAfee and funny things happen.
JIm
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Go in to add/remove programs and uninstall the Housecall entry and then try it again. If it doesn't work after that then try it in IE.
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OK