AD-WARE

[Gambler]

There are several ad-ware out there. What is the best one to use.
Thanks ed

[mikejlb]

I like Ad-Ware by lavasoft and I use webroot Spy Sweeper also.

[Donnie]

Actually the one from Lavasoft is Ad-Aware....I also use Spybot Search and Destroy. Both are available at www.download.com

[tomcat]

Donnie, is there a downside to erasing all of the spy stuff? I understand we need some for
passwords....like Bris....or am I not understanding where passwords are stored.

[Gambler]

Still confused. There is ad-ware by noadware and ad-ware se personal. Which one do I use or doesn it make any difference?

[hurrikane]

Gambler,
be careful of the terms you use. AD Ware is what is put on your computer.
Ad Aware is a Ad Ware removal tool.
Ad Ware has nothing to do with the passwords you save. Those are in cookies. The other stuff sends out messages when you are on the internet about what you are doing and where you are going. remove it all.

Ad-Aware is free and pretty good. Spybot it good but not free.
Clean sweep is good but more advanced and will remove all information from your computer about where you have been, ad ware cookies, passwords, cookies, cache files, etc.

for starters I would just use the personal edition of ad-aware by lava soft.

[Donnie]

Tomcat--
As per Kane-- the ad-busting programs do not affect your stored passwords. They meerly remove programs that are installed on your system to track where you go and what you search for as you traverse the Internet. Their intent is to uncover your interests and report this information back to the maker of these adware programs. Then, as you continue to surf the web, all of a sudden the pop-up windows start to contain ads of things that interest you. But some of them are becoming more and more complex as to what they can "log" while you travel around.

Lavasoft produces Ad-Aware and 'Kane is right it is free. Spybot - Search and Destroy is produced by Safer Networking Limited out of Dublin. I was not aware they were charging for it now. But both programs are useless unless you do regular updates on them. They both target some of the same adware programs and each picks up items the other doesn't. One concern I have though is the fact that they are both free. I went out to www.download.com and loaded up a new program to try on my laptop, Spyware Doctor 1.1. About a year ago I loaded a keylogger on my system to test it for a security class I had to give at work. After testing it I had forgotten to remove it...this program picked it up and removed it. The two "free" programs didn't even recognize it as they are not "tuned" to look for keyloggers (programs that copy you keystroke for keystroke and put it in a hidden file). Spyware Doctor is free to try for 30 days, then it costs $29.95. Most of these programs have an "immunization" feature. You can immunize your system against known threats, just like we immunize our kids against diseases these days. Be sure to immunize and you will head off a lot of known problems early on.

Be sure to update these programs regularly and run them regularly. I have Ad-Aware and Spybot scan my system upon bootup. This way I start clean everyday.

Here is a link that has a good overview on the top of the page if this is all new to anyone.... http://www.spywareremoversreview.com/ . I am not endorsing any of the products on that page...just that the overview on top is good...I cannot vouch for the programs. And be careful...some spy-killing software is actually a wolf-in-sheeps-clothing. Some tout they will remove spyware, but then go on and ad their own in it's place, without telling you!! YIKES!!

...tis a twisted web we weave!

[Donnie]

As of this morning it appears Spybot is still free at www.download.com

[Gambler]

Thanks for helping!
ed

[hurrikane]

cool Donnie, thanks a bunch.