What's the point of using Ad-Aware??

[Ymmy]

I run the program, it finds 100 something number of spywares and then removes them. A day later, i run the program again and it finds a 15 spywares (arbitrary number). What's the point of running adware? it's not like a virus protection where it prevents viruses from infecting your files. It simply treats the problem, not prevent it. I have enabled adwatch or whatever it's called, and that doesn't prevent the spywares either. I would have it on, then a day later run ad aware, and still have problems.

Maybe i'm confused and looking at it all wrong. can someone explain.

 

[datalink7]

So you'd prefere to not only fail to prevent, but fail to treat the problem?

 

[Saulbadguy]

ad-aware sucks. thats why. use spysweeper or something else.

 

[TwiceOver]

Rule of thumb... When you get a popup that asks you a Yes/No question.... Don't clidk yes.

I use adaware about every week and if I find 1 I am suprised. It's all about your surfing habits.

 

[TheChort]

Originally posted by: Saulbadguy
ad-aware sucks. thats why. use spysweeper or something else.

Does spysweeper prevent files from getting downloaded?

 

[LordThing]

Depends on what you consider "spywares". If it is finding exe and actual running processes, you need to look at your PC to see what is re-installing itself daily. Both Spybot and AdAware consider cookies from ads as "spyware" since it is tracking your usage. Most of the time those cookies are just harmless.

 

[Ymmy]

Originally posted by: datalink7
So you'd prefere to not only fail to prevent, but fail to treat the problem?

but the problem is can't really be treated because moments after i get rid of it, it comes right back on. if i wipe by butt and then it's clean until the next time i go to the bathroom again, then yeah, everything is all good. but with this problem, a few minutes after i wipe my butt, it's filled with poop again. the problem can't be treated because it reoccurs so quickly that the 5 minutes of it not being there isn't worth the time to run the program. *sorry, i couldn't think of a better example.

 

[edro]

Use Firebird.

 

[Ymmy]

Originally posted by: LordThing
Depends on what you consider "spywares". If it is finding exe and actual running processes, you need to look at your PC to see what is re-installing itself daily. Both Spybot and AdAware consider cookies from ads as "spyware" since it is tracking your usage. Most of the time those cookies are just harmless.

ok, now that makes a lot of sense. i think most of the stuff i'm finding are the cookies which i don't care.

 

[dman]

Adaware is free (well one is) and does an ok job for what it's designed for.

Between that and Spybot Search and Destroy, and some of the other tools you can find on the spywareinfo.com forums and site you can keep your system pretty clean.

Use Hijack This, for example, it might find some tasks that are reinstalling the virus software after adware/spyware info finds them. You can do it manually too, check the MSCONFIG prog and see the startup tasks, a lot of time there is a program like kkxszz.exe (a gibberish name) that is running and reinstalling the spyware stuff (adaware doesn't catch them).

Also, check the other FREE program spywareblaster @ http://www.wildersecurity.net/spywareblaster.html

It goes through and prevents a lot of the activex scripts that are out there from working so spyware doesn't get installed (you don't even get prompted). However, it's an ongoing battle so you have to be smart and no what to click yes and no on when you surf and you need to run the tools every now and then to make sure nothing slipped through the cracks or got by an exploit.

Or you can pay for a commercial spyware tool like some of the companies are now starting to offer that auto-update and help remove stuff.

[edit]: And as said above, Adaware and Spybot both will flag cookies as spyware, you can prevent cookies from being installed a swell but that may break your access to some sites so I choose not to worry about the cookies (and delete the flagged ones when I run the tools).

 

[0roo0roo]

Originally posted by: edro13
Use Firebird.

or firefox

 

[Ymmy]

Originally posted by: dman
Adaware is free (well one is) and does an ok job for what it's designed for.

Between that and Spybot Search and Destroy, and some of the other tools you can find on the spywareinfo.com forums and site you can keep your system pretty clean.

Use Hijack This, for example, it might find some tasks that are reinstalling the virus software after adware/spyware info finds them. You can do it manually too, check the MSCONFIG prog and see the startup tasks, a lot of time there is a program like kkxszz.exe (a gibberish name) that is running and reinstalling the spyware stuff (adaware doesn't catch them).

Also, check the other FREE program spywareblaster @ http://www.wildersecurity.net/spywareblaster.html

It goes through and prevents a lot of the activex scripts that are out there from working so spyware doesn't get installed (you don't even get prompted). However, it's an ongoing battle so you have to be smart and no what to click yes and no on when you surf and you need to run the tools every now and then to make sure nothing slipped through the cracks or got by an exploit.

Or you can pay for a commercial spyware tool like some of the companies are now starting to offer that auto-update and help remove stuff.

[edit]: And as said above, Adaware and Spybot both will flag cookies as spyware, you can prevent cookies from being installed a swell but that may break your access to some sites so I choose not to worry about the cookies (and delete the flagged ones when I run the tools).

that link to the forum is great. i finally just got rid of my messenger exploit thingymajigy.

 

[Anubis]

i kill everything with spybot and adaware pro even cookies, ivenever had a problim, i think useing oper and trillian helps also

 

[Amused]

Empty your cookies first. That's all it's finding is data mining cookies.

Man, are people really this obtuse?

 

[DOSfan]

Originally posted by: Amused
Empty your cookies first. That's all it's finding is data mining cookies.

Man, are people really this obtuse?

You have never worked tech support before have you?

 

[skace]

It will always find data mining cookies. But try running Ad-aware on some really screwed computer that someone uses. It will find all sorts of crazy applications that were causing problems and remove them. Most of these will never come back and the system will improve greatly in performance.

 

[Amused]

Originally posted by: DOSfan

Originally posted by: Amused
Empty your cookies first. That's all it's finding is data mining cookies.

Man, are people really this obtuse?

You have never worked tech support before have you?

Only with family. And that was bad enough. :|

 

[RagingBITCH]

Um, so this thread is completely pointless now that he admitted that the "adware programs" that keep popping up daily are cookies?

 

[Psorak]

Good post ignoramus.

If you aren't solely complaining about additional cookies, are you still stupid enough to install the spyware programs that popup while browsing for your porn?

 

[PanzerIV]

Originally posted by: skace
But try running Ad-aware on some really screwed computer that someone uses. It will find all sorts of crazy applications that were causing problems and remove them. Most of these will never come back and the system will improve greatly in performance.

I certainly can attest to that. It's a great tool that's even better because it's free.

 

[Ymmy]

Originally posted by: Psorak
Good post ignoramus.

If you aren't solely complaining about additional cookies, are you still stupid enough to install the spyware programs that popup while browsing for your porn?

*sigh* why are there so much anger coming from you? what did i ever do to you? chill out.

and to reply, when you install cracks (no cd, key gen, etc), sometimes, there's no way of getting around the spyware programs. plus other people use the same comp that i use, so please don't be a tunnel visioned @sshole next time you post in other people's thread.

 

[Abhi]

Since i started using firefox....

i usually get nothing...

 

[Ymmy]

Originally posted by: Abhi
Since i started using firefox....

i usually get nothing...

so ever since you use firefox, adaware and other programs don't pick up anything?

 

[WoofyJr]

Can we use adware and spybot both on computer?

I use adware 6.0 for quite while until I decided to download to test spybot. However, it says that spybot wont work along with adware 6.0 installed or something like that?


I want to use both if necessary.

 

[Psorak]

Originally posted by: Ymmy

Originally posted by: Psorak
Good post ignoramus.

If you aren't solely complaining about additional cookies, are you still stupid enough to install the spyware programs that popup while browsing for your porn?

*sigh* why are there so much anger coming from you? what did i ever do to you? chill out.

and to reply, when you install cracks (no cd, key gen, etc), sometimes, there's no way of getting around the spyware programs. plus other people use the same comp that i use, so please don't be a tunnel visioned @sshole next time you post in other people's thread.

First, for you to anger me I'd have to care. I actually am more interested in the welfare of the spider that's on my wall.
Second, this isn't your thread. It belongs to Anandtech.
Third, "install cracks" go /youself