What are some good ad/spybot removers? I have used Ad-Aware but I never really can tell if its working or not. I don't mind paying for it as long as it will work.

Any opinions?

Fink

 

Spybot and the Microsoft Antispyware Beta are both good programs, it's generally best to use at least 2 different programs as none of them pickup everything. I also have used counterspy, made by sunbelt software. This is a pay for program that seems to work well also. They may have a trial if you check out the website. Good luck and be careful of other programs that say they are adware/spyware removers, there's a lot of bad stuff out there. If you want to read some reviews go to http://www.spywarewarrior.com and read up there.

 

I'll have to call my brother and ask him, he works for Microsoft and I'm sure hes got some inside info on that software that I can check out.

Thanks for the tips, keep em comin!

Fink

 

I usually use Webroot SpySweeper's trial version to clean infected machines, or Microsoft Antispyware. With Webroot, you can boot into safe mode and make sure you get it all the first time. Not sure if Antispyware does the same.

Both are a free download... so hit up Google.

 

CounterSpy from Sunbelt-Software. This is a very good product.

 

Get a Mac, serious. I have never gotten any spyware ever, don't get me wrong I have a great PC as well, but due to the extreme amount of internet spam, spyware, and other garbage I only use the Mac online. Besides the best removal of spyware I have found is a reinstall and being careful online. Keep your programs/games on another hard drive. Just my opinion.

 

adaware by lavasoft

 

My Panda antivirus blocks it as it comes in. YOu'd be suprised how much stuff pops up from one website.

It seems to get 99% as Microsoft, adaware, spybot and AOL spyware programs hardly ever pick something up.


Try a few free programs and you will see what ones work by comparing results.

 

...and Macs suck.

 

Where's 4Hummer? I've always follow his advice - it's worked great for me so far... Ad-Aware Pro and Trend Micro Internet Security.

I used to use McAfee - it was like leaving the door open...

 

I'm not even a computer guy but you can go directly to download.com (a cnet.com web off-shoot, these guys rate electronic products, cool resource) and they rate different free and $$ spyware, adware, etc. They even provide 'primers' on how to defend your computer. Great resource for a computer noob like me. I grew up with computers but man there is a lot of stuff to keep up with.

edited for spelling of link.

 

It seems the best way to keep a machine clean is to alternate which software you use, because sometimes newer trojans or worms will target specific software known to clean your system. Either that, or better stuff is getting written all the time. I'm going to try out CounterSpy next time I have to clean a machine and see how it does.

 

i swear by ad-aware and spybot

 

Macs since 1995.
0 viruses
0 spyware

PC 1 week at school only surfing "reputable" for science info
3 pieces of spyware

Total number of times we were told we shouldn't boot up our PC's due to viruses or other vermin.

About once every 2 months.

My old PowerBook never caught a sniffle.

I drive Toyotas because I appreciate things that work.
I own Macs because I appreciate things that work.

 

I use spybot, adaware, webroot spysweeper, and CW shredder. I find that spysweeper finds the most. Spysweeper is the only one I named that is not free though. I also find HijackThis to be a very usfull tool.


I also find that Mozilla Firefox is a quite a bit safer than Internet Explorer.

If there were as many macs out there as there were microsoft based computers there would be just as many viruses, worms, trojans ect. that affect them. Nobody wants to take the time to make viruses that affect such a small percentage of the computers out there.

 

On my wifes computer XP Media Center ED SP2 /Norton AntiVirus. I've been using a barrage of spy/adware removale tools to avoid a reinstall. Adaware, CW Shredder, Spybot, HiJack. and XSoft, they seem to provide only a temporary fix some return after about a week. After running them all I installed and ran SpySweeper, it removed 64 potentual items as well as 2 trojens. all seems fine except every 2 weeks I run SpySweeper 1st and then the rest and consistantly come up with 5 with Spybot. (4 grokster and 1 kazaa) never even used kazaa and never heard of grokster. All the other programs come up clean. I have sent the log to Webroot to advise about these 2 items in hope they will incorporate removal in their program. Thanks for the SpySweeper mention Chris it by far seems to do the best job.

 

Software:

Lavasoft Adaware
AVG Free Virus Edition
Spybot search and destroy
Spyware Doctor (for Internet Explorer users ... Firefox is better!)