microsoft adware program

[mattttt25]

have you guys tried it out yet? available for free at www.microsoft.com, right on the front page. i really like it. easy to use, and really seems to clean the system well. i like how it lists each threat found, describes in detail what it is, and assigns a threat level to it.<br /><br />also read they released a free anti-virus program, but that it's not too thorough. they are getting ready to release a robust program that will compete with mcafee and symantec.

 

[jinx]

Re: microsoft adware program

FWIW, I just installed Spybot and came up with 77 hits on the first scan. All this time I thought McAfee was taking care of things!<br /><br />Jinx

 

[BoatBuoy]

Re: microsoft adware program

Be careful here. There are several "gotchas":<br />-beta software<br />-expires in July<br />-adds low-end "band-aid" tools and leaves the high-end to their partners<br /><br />"Well, it was all over the news these last two days. As expected, they released the antispyware beta that is based on their recent acquisition of GIANT Company. It looks (of course) a lot like the GIANT product, will get daily updates and expires in July. They are still determining pricing. Merrill Lynch expects Redmond will start charging for the thing after July 31. More surprising was the fact they came out at the same time with some sort of "malicious software removal tool". It will get monthly (second Tuesday) updates. Note they carefully do not call it antivirus. MS states it is not designed to be a substitute for full anti-virus software. They position it as an addition to traditional antivirus solutions to provide more complete protection. This new code has the technology that Redmond gained through their acquisition of GeCAD Software in 2003. It will be available as a download beginning January 11, 2005 for WinXP, and later in the year for W2K and W2K3, and can update itself. <br /><br />To me, it looks like they are doing what they have for years now, adding low-end "band-aid" tools and leaving the high-end to their partners. I'm sure their main concern is the two-thirds of consumers out there that run their PC's without protection of any kind. As they well should. More detail about this in the NT/2000 Section. There is a lively discussion about it on the NTSYSADMIN list".....<br />Sunbelt W2KNews Electronic Newsletter, 1/7/05

 

[PierBridge]

Re: microsoft adware program

Originally posted by jinx:<br /> FWIW, I just installed Spybot and came up with 77 hits on the first scan. All this time I thought McAfee was taking care of things!<br /><br />Jinx

Most if not all of what you have detected is harmless and not a virus or bad spyware.

 

[jinx]

Re: microsoft adware program

That's good, ggoody. I'm sure not looking for problems. (Sorry to muscle in on thread)<br /><br />Jinx

 

[mattttt25]

Re: microsoft adware program

as for spybot, it was the first program i used. i then started using adaware. while i still occassionaly run spybot, i find an adaware run will then produce a clean spybot run every time, but not the other way around. seems adaware works better.<br /><br />bb- your comments make you sound like many of the microsoft "haters" out there. from the articles i read, microsoft was quick to point out their free anti-virus software was low end. they do plan to release a full program in the spring that will compete with the others and cost you money if you decide to use it. as for the spyware program, i wasn't aware it would expire. right now, it seems to work and i like how it operates. i guess i'll use it for now and if/when it expires or costs me something, i'll stop using it.

 

[lakelover]

Re: microsoft adware program

Originally posted by mattttt25:<br /> as for spybot, it was the first program i used. i then started using adaware. while i still occassionaly run spybot, i find an adaware run will then produce a clean spybot run every time, but not the other way around. seems adaware works better.<br /><br />

I agree. I also recently found a freebie called "A-squared" that I think works as well as or maybe better than Adaware. I find that Spybot will usually pass over something that Adaware and A-squared will find. Spybot doesn't offer updated definitions as often either.

 

[BoatBuoy]

Re: microsoft adware program

matttt, no, just the opposite. I'm not a M/$ hater(check my profile), I made my living from M/$ for many years. Was the first to implement NT Server in our 15,000 seat enterprise (NT 3.0 Server), first to install WINS servers, first to implement a great many M/$ products. I was lucky enough to see the first IBM PC's come into our company and see the migration from IBM OS-MVS, to Unix, to an almost complete M/$ environment. <br /><br />I just wanted everyone to know the new products are not a panacea and to give them am more comprehensive explanation of the new offerings.

 

[lakelivin]

Re: microsoft adware program

Originally posted by mattttt25:<br /> as for spybot, it was the first program i used. i then started using adaware. while i still occassionaly run spybot, i find an adaware run will then produce a clean spybot run every time, but not the other way around. seems adaware works better.....

matt, i experienced the same thing, but recall reading something about spybot having the option of putting caught spyware in a 'quarintined' area. Then adaware caught the spyware that was already quarantined by spybot and deleted it. It wasn't this, was it? <br /><br />Another question: does the free adaware have the option to catch & stop spyware as you're surfing? I know spybot does, but couldn't find how to use that option on adaware. I've got both, run the spybot 'blocker' on startup, and run the adaware system scan occasionally.<br /><br />Between the two does a great job.<br /><br />BTY, I've known several people with older systems that were practically unusable. They ran one or the other to clean up the spyware and systems now work ok.

 

[18rabbit]

Re: microsoft adware program

Spybot grabs things that slips past AdAware, like Lexes (sp?) spyware. AdAware grabs stuff that Spybot doesn’t care about, like the cookie for spyware on the hard drive. Spybot and AdAware will grap the spyware application if active in the browser's cache, but only AdAware will also delete the data collected. TrendMicro’s PC-cillin spyware scanning misses a lot of stuff. Also look at JavaCool’s SpywareBlaster freeware. It’s supposed to block spyware from even getting onto your computer in the first place. You can also download a registry protection routine (free) that will block registry manipulations that can be used to exploit access to your computer by maliciously tweaking with your machine (stuff like trailing cursors, etc)<br /><br />For me, no one piece of software is doing what needs to be done. <br /><br />Fwiw, I don’t know of any spyware detection software that will grab the government’s spyware. Everyone writes code around the detection of the gov’t stuff. It’s controversial because it leaves a backdoor for any hacker that wants to exploit that area.<br /><br />If you are hardcore with too much time on your hands and want to play around with spyware and virus protection, see S.N.O.R.T. at www.snort.org. SNORT is open source intrusion detection coding that started as a cooperative attempt by sys admins to prevent hacking. Used to be simple, now you need a phd to wade thru the stuff. If you wanted to detect if the gov’t was d!cking around with your machine, you could probably hump up a SNORT patch to do that, if someone else hasn’t already done it.

 

[mattttt25]

Re: microsoft adware program

sorry, bb, understand your comments now.<br /><br />all i know is running adaware and spybot together and keeping my norton subscription current works for me. whatever they do, i like them.

 

[lakelivin]

Re: microsoft adware program

Originally posted by 18rabbit:<br /> ... Also look at JavaCool’s SpywareBlaster freeware. It’s supposed to block spyware from even getting onto your computer in the first place. ....

Doesn't spybot also block some spyware from your computer? Although a few things get through, I get popup notices that spybot has blocked the download of things like "Avenue A", DoubleClick", etc. Downside is that sometimes I have to reload the page a couple of times before I get the content.

 

[18rabbit]

Re: microsoft adware program

I don’t know anything about Spybot blocking spyware, only the search and destroy function. If Spybot can monitor incoming spyware, please let me know how to enable it. I think there is a link for SpywareBlaster on the Spybot control panel. They recommend it.<br /><br />Btw, you’d be surprised at how many boating forums attempt to plant spyware on your computer. I disagree with the idea spyware is harmless. Anytime software is put on my machine without my consent and that software monitors and reports to a remote entity anything my use of my machine, it is harmful. Apparently the state of California thinks so too. We have a new state law (effective Jan 1st) that any routine that take control or uses any part of your computer without your knowledge or consent can subject the folks that planted that routine to a $1000 fine per machine. This also opens the door for civil lawsuits as well. We have new, harsh, anti-spam laws, too. Spyware and spam email can get expensive to send to California residents. As other states adopt similar laws I think most spam and spying will fade away.

 

[Xcusme]

Re: microsoft adware program

Rabbit, I'm running version 1.3.1 TX. Turn on Advanced tools (Mode-Advanced Mode). Have a look in Section 'Resident'. Spybots Tea Timer will alert you of changes to your registry and ask to confirm changes if some program wants to make registry changes...

 

[18rabbit]

Re: microsoft adware program

Wow!!! Thanks, Xcusme. I had never enabled the 'advanced' section of Spybot. There's lots of stuff in there to mess up my computer.

 

[rwise]

Re: microsoft adware program

sywareblaster is a good idea also as it blocks harmful active x programs. with the 3 of them a goog firewall and anti virus program your set! Remember to update.

 

[spratt]

Re: microsoft adware program

Originally posted by mattttt25:<br /> sorry, bb, understand your comments now.<br /><br />all i know is running adaware and spybot together and keeping my norton subscription current works for me. whatever they do, i like them.

I also run these things, along with Norton Personal Firewall (Actuall Norton Internet Security app suite), keep all updated (Norton, AdAware Pro, and SpySweeper) every day. I have Norton Anti-virus scheduled to do a LiveUpdate at 1AM, then a full Virus scan @ 3AM and then let the others just run resident all the time.<br /><br />Yesterday I found a product called NoAdware. It scanned and found a ton of stuff the others let slip past somehow. This program doesn NOT live resident in memory, so has to actually be kicked off manually. I run it when I start and then when I complete my Internet activity each day (so far) and am pleased. Google for NoAdware and read up on it, it is not free.<br /><br />BB, have you seen it before? And if so, what is your take on it?

 

[lakelivin]

Re: microsoft adware program

Originally posted by FlatBottoms:<br />....Yesterday I found a product called NoAdware. It scanned and found a ton of stuff the others let slip past somehow. This program doesn NOT live resident in memory, so has to actually be kicked off manually. I run it when I start and then when I complete my Internet activity each day (so far) and am pleased. Google for NoAdware and read up on it, it is not free.<br /><br />BB, have you seen it before? And if so, what is your take on it?

flatbottoms, spybot lets you put deleted spyware stuff in a 'quarantined' area in case you deleted something you really didn't want to. Adaware will find this & identify it as spyware, but it's harmless. Wonder if there might be some of the same thing going on with NoAdware?

 

[spratt]

Re: microsoft adware program

Lake, I have my Spyware and AdAware to auto delete the stuff, not quarantine it...but I may check it some more...also, I installed it on a friends PC last night...they were about to get a divorce because she was accusing him of porno browsing, but I helped to ward that off!!! Some of my best friends, and hated to see the fight!! Found out that some of the garbage whe accused him of was going on when NOONE was even home, just stuff being installed on their DSL connection...<br /><br /><br />NoAdware found over 260 Tracking cookies (even after spyware and AdAware had been run, found many HiJack apps, and lots and lots of Registry keys pointing to the garbage...after cleaning up, and running Internet for a couple hours, the machine reported NOTHING to spyware, adaware, noadware, norton antivirus, and the firewall...<br /><br />One thing I have learned in teh past fifteen years I have been in IT, is to NEVER rely on ONE single point of protection. Back in teh days of PC Tools, I ran that and OTHER diagnostics to locate and isolate problems. Man those were the days, when NOONE wrote viruses or spy/ad ware!!!!!

 

[lakelivin]

Re: microsoft adware program

How much of spyware is limited to IE? i.e., if I started using a different browser (opera or there's another free one that I've heard real good things about, forget it's name), will the spyware issue be lessened?