Microsoft Beta Spyware

[jimmyj0668]

I've been using the Beta Microsoft Spyware for a week or two, and just today it told me that my system was clean. Out of curiosity I downloaded a program called Spyware Doctor from PC Tools Software. The downloaded pogram will only scan your system until you pay to "register' the full program. I ran a scan two times and each time it said my system contained 85 files that were dangerous or questionable. I ran the Microsoft program again it says my system is clean. Who do you think is right?

 

[John]

Be sure to disable the system restore first if you have ME/XP.

The MS (Giant) anti-Spyware tool is effective, but like the others it does not detect everything out there. Personally I have not used Spyware Doctor but from a quick search it seems like a legit program instead of the dozens of rogue spyware apps.

IMHO you should also download and run Ad-Aware, Spybot, and Spy Sweeper. Update all of them and run a full scan in Safe Mode. You should then run Hijack This and post your logfile in this thread for others to review and comment on if you aren't sure what you should do.

 

[jimmyj0668]

John, are you saying I can have all those programs on my system at one time? I figured there would be all kinds of conflict if too manay programs doing the same thing were on a system. .....and why run in safe mode?

 

[BlueWeasel]

Spyware removal programs are not like anti-virus software. With AV, you're typically scanning files in the background as they are being opened or downloaded. Therefore, it's not recommended to have more than one kind of AV software since having multiple software trying to scan the same files at the same time can be a bad thing.

It's not necessary to run Spyware software in the background and most only have manually scanning. So, it's perfectly fine to have more than 1 on your system at once (I use Ad-aware, SpywareBlaster, and Spybot S&D).

Running in safe mode is recommend because many of the problematic spyware files are not loaded during Windows startup if you are safe mode, and it makes them much easier to remove if the particular file is not running.

 

[roninmagik1]

I've been using ms anti spyware for about a month now, and i'll say this, i really like the interface, it's clean, and it doesn't seem to bog down the system, I also like the little warnings that pop up in the corner, I haven't tried scanning my system with any other programs, but it's enough for me that i never see popups. =)