Suggest a free spyware program

[edilee012]

Need to know what is the best free anti spyware program for an XP user to install? She has some type of browser hijacking program messing IE8 up (firefox and safari are fine) so I have her set up with FF since it is not affected.

 

[rodrimswin7frms]

I'm new to the forums and don't know a whole lot about computers but Spybot Search and Destroy worked for me when I used XP.

 

[jfar]

Here take your pick from this list.

http://www.sevenforums.com/software/92-free-great-programs-windows-7-a.html

 

[mickey megabyte]

has to be malwarebytes.

(well, it doesn't have to be, but it's a good 'un.)

 

[edilee012]

Thanks! Superantispyware was the one I forgot the name of and was looking for. She had Malwarebytes installed and still got her browser jacked so I will stay away from that one.

 

[EchoX860]

Malwarebytes doesn't come with Real Time Protection. Both it and SuperAntiSpyware are "On Demand Scanners" which means that you need to manually scan. I do it once before I go to bed every night, but most will do it once a week or month. (These are Free Versions).

You still need a good Firewall (I use Comodo) and an AntiVirus (I use Norton), but if you want the free stuff.

Microsoft Security Essentials 2
Comodo Firewall
MBAM
SAS

 

[Golden]

Malwarebytes doesn't come with Real Time Protection.

Just a slight correction : Malwarebytes does have real-time protection (incl. bad IP blocking) if its the Pro version. It costs about $20 odd.

Regards,
Golden

 

[EchoX860]

Yep, I literally just bought it after I went to double check my sources.

 

[edilee012]

Malwarebytes doesn't come with Real Time Protection. Both it and SuperAntiSpyware are "On Demand Scanners" which means that you need to manually scan. I do it once before I go to bed every night, but most will do it once a week or month. (These are Free Versions).

You still need a good Firewall (I use Comodo) and an AntiVirus (I use Norton), but if you want the free stuff.

Microsoft Security Essentials 2
Comodo Firewall
MBAM
SAS

Thank you...I was asking for my aunt. She has a nasty browser hijacking going on just on IE8 to start. We installed FF and it was fine until reboot then bam it was jacked as well. She had Safari installed and it has been unaffected so far. She is buying and downloading Norton as we speak. SuperAntispyware didn't clear her problem either.

I use Kaspersky and the only time I have EVER got a virus was when I puposely paused my protection to open a file that I knew Kaspersky would suppress because of it's nature. Needless to say that file was tainted and it wrecked my system in seconds...I learned my lesson LOL. Luckily I had did a full system immage backup the day before so I was back up and running in a few minutes.

Most of the people I try to fix these malware and virus problems on use or used Limewire, well their kids did. The thing that drives me nuts is I use every piece of software or method to fix the problem that is suppose to fix these issues and they never work...never once! All I can say is PAY for your antivirus and stay away from that free stuff....she had AVG and Malwarebytes and she can't even navigate on the web because it goes where it wants to. When I got done with her a bit ago I was trying FF and noticed it was redirecting then all the sudden it opened Windows Media Player and asked if I wanted to play the file LOL. No idea what she has infected her PC with but I told her to use Safari and download Norton and see if it would fix it cause I was out of ideas. (d)

 

[Golden]

Hi Edilee,

Something to bear in mind : paid software doesn't always neccesarily perform any better than free software. MSE for example, is free, and its very good, probably one of the best. There isn't a single piece of software that will protect you outright : you need a layered approach to security.

In general, a security approach should include:

1. A good NAT router
2. Firewall
3. "Anti-virus" software
4. "Anti-malware" software

Last, and by no means least, you should common sense when browsing the WWW. This is perhaps an area we are least good at. Its so tempting to those of us that are least in the know to click on links proclaiming to give us something for nothing, or to scan and fix our computers. If its too good to be true, it probably is.

Regards,
Golden

 

[EchoX860]

If that doesn't clear it up you could look at TeamViewer, it lets someone who you choose, to take over the PC and try and figure out what's wrong with it. But that's very last case. Myself or someone from here would be glad to help you if it comes down to that. But my motto is "Give a man a fish, you feed him for 1 night, Teach the man to fish, you feed him for a lifetime." So rather than have someone do it for you, it's probably best to learn for yourself. But as I said, let us know if things change

EDIT: Make sure your Aunt doesn't click on those "YOU WIN A FREE _______" Ads, my mom does that a lot, then wonders why her PC is slow

 

[TonyTiger2004]

if you need on demand protection while surfing the web i would recommend an application like PeerBLock. As for spyware scanners Adaware and Malwarebyes

 

[ignatzatsonic]

Worst case scenario:

Go to bleepingcomputer.com and open a case on their forums. They will assign an expert to your specific case. Follow his instructions to the very last detail and don't take advice from anyone else in the thread. I have seen them do some remarkable things getting rid of viruses and malware that traditional tools would not touch. They use some exotic tools that are not part of the average person's arsenal.

 

[TonyTiger2004]

Worst case scenario:

Go to bleepingcomputer.com and open a case on their forums. They will assign an expert to your specific case. Follow his instructions to the very last detail and don't take advice from anyone else in the thread. I have seen them do some remarkable things getting rid of viruses and malware that traditional tools would not touch. They use some exotic tools that are not part of the average person's arsenal.

Your not suppose to run people off lol im jp good advice!

 

[edilee012]

Well put Golden!

If we could get everyone to use this method there would be a lot less threats circulating around.

 

[Golden]

Well put Golden!

If we could get everyone to use this method there would be a lot less threats circulating around.

Thanks. We try our best, but its human nature (and in fact evolutionary) to want to shortcut as quickly as possible.

Remember the layered approach, and 9/10 times you will be OK.

 

[RST101]

Hi Edilee,

Something to bear in mind : paid software doesn't always neccesarily perform any better than free software. MSE for example, is free, and its very good, probably one of the best. There isn't a single piece of software that will protect you outright : you need a layered approach to security.

In general, a security approach should include:

1. A good NAT router
2. Firewall
3. "Anti-virus" software
4. "Anti-malware" software

Last, and by no means least, you should common sense when browsing the WWW. This is perhaps an area we are least good at. Its so tempting to those of us that are least in the know to click on links proclaiming to give us something for nothing, or to scan and fix our computers. If its too good to be true, it probably is.

Regards,
Golden

5. A sensible end user!

 

[creshel101]

We cannot totally say which one is the best because this anti-virus may work for me but not for others, usually it's a case to case basis. Just install an anti-virus and an anti-spyware, pick whatever that works best for you!
For me I have found a great anti-spyware tool, you can check their fanpage on facebook Login | Facebook

 

[I be he]

Superantispyware free
Malwarebytes free
Emsisoft free
Hitman pro free
Since ive changed my security to not let anything in anymore ( sandboxie, comodo, returnil, geswall, etc) ive noticed i dont need to have scanner apps that need to be updated anymore.

 

[The Unofficial]

Try ClamWin