Anti-Spyware and Firewalls - What's the difference?

[MylesVance]

hi gang... i currently use Tiny Personal Firewall and have been pleased with it. I am just coming to be aware of spyware (I have been using kazaa for awhile) and am considering Ad-Aware from Lavasoft. I don't understand the difference between the firewall and the anti-spyware... Shouldn't the firewall prevent outgoing stuff like that? Are there better anti-spyware software programs out there? anf finally can there be a conflict between the firewall and the anti-spyware software?

I know you guys are the best ... that's why I have subscribed to support the site... Thanks in advance for any help..

MTV

 

[Lonyo]

Use Kazaa Lite

 

[MylesVance]

Thanks on Kazaa Lite... but I am concerned not only on what may spyware be imbedded now but other potential spyware in the future. I also have a roommate That I share my access with

Any further "Anandtech Guru Insight"???????????????????????? Thanks

 

[PowerMacG5]

Lavasoft's Ad-Aware scans the computer for programs, registry entries, DLL files, etc... that contain spyware/adware. It will then give you the option for deleting it. Their is a major difference between a firewall, and anti-spyware software. A firewal (albeit hardware, or software) actively scans the open ports on your computer/network for unauthorized transmissions. Anti-Spyware software passively (only does it on your command) scans the computer for spyware/adware software, and then allows you to delete it.

 

[MylesVance]

Hey Kid,

So the ant-spyware is not active - but must be initaiated... I see AD-Aware seems decent.. GANG, any input on them or other input on the subjec?

Thanks again!!

 

[Fulcrum]

I use Ad-Aware, Norton AV, and Norton Pers. Firewall along with a hardware router to fully protect my systems. Ad-Aware works good for me.

 

[MylesVance]

Thanks "pivot-man" (a little engineering humor there... HA!) and thanks to all who wrote. Melanie Boston responded back to me from lavasoft within 6 hours of writing them.... FYI: some bits follow

"The only known conflict with Ad-aware and another software program is with
the Nortel VPN connector when installed on XP, the solution is to disable
the connector when scanning with Ad-aware, reconnect it when finished.
Ad-aware is compatible with all other software programs.

The reason that firewalls dont alert to a lot of the spyware is because the
information is sent via the browser or a program that has been granted
access to the net. A lot of the spyware/adware programs install a BHO
(browser helper object) that attaches directly to the browser. Of course the
browser will be permitted access to the net and past the firewall, so, once
attached to the browser, the spyware/adware is ready to transmit its
information.

Unless you are comfortable working in and editing the registry, I wouldnt
reccommend messing around in there. RegHance is the easiest way I know of to
create backups of the registry and to look for particular keys though. And
to replace the registry after installing a software I may decide I dont
like/want.

Lavasoft offers a free software named RefUpdate that downloads and installs
the reference files. You can find RefUpdate here;
http://www.lavasoft.nu/downloads.html Of course after installing RefUpdate
into the Lavasoft Ad-aware folder, you will want to run RefUpdate to update
to the Current Ad-aware signature file (ref # 038-16.08.02). Please note
that RefUpdate will not function with a proxy server, if you use a proxy,
you will need to download the reference files and install them manually.

Ad-aware Plus and RegHance information;
http://www.lavasoft.nu/purchase.html