I'm using XP Home SP2 with AVG Free and Windows Defender installed. I use built-in Windows Firewall for greater security. However, having read some of the forums here, almost every replies to HJT log recommend using Spybot Search and Destroy, Ad-ware and SpywareBlaster. I just want to know if i installed of three on top of my current tools, what is the impact toward speed(faster?slower?) and security(higher?lower?) of my sys?

You are fine the way you are - conditionally.

I say conditionally, because IF you (and anyone else that uses that computer) consistently practice safe computing, that is, you keep your system patched, updated, scanned, and blocked, AND, you stay away from sites badguys are known to wallow in (particularly, porn and P2P), AND you never open an attachment or download without first scanning for malware, AND you never click on "Click here to stop getting these spam messages" links, then you should be okay.

I have been running and testing that same setup (AVG Free, Windows Firewall, and Windows Defender) on a couple machines here for more than a year, and neither has become compromized.

Unfortunately, no single anti-spyware solution is 100% effective, therefore, supplemental scanning with different tools every so often is recommended, and this is where SpyBot and AdAware come in handy. And Spyware Blaster does not remain in memory, so it will not consume resources.

Here's a link to my canned text on Cleaning Out Malware. Use it if you don't already have a complete security suite and disk cleaning utilities to rid your system of malware and clutter. You can also use it as a guide to build your own security suite, and to help you develop or enhance a "Practicing Safe Computing" self-discipline.

Yeah, i think i will stick to my current config. Is torrent d/load same with P2P(peer to peer? or people to people?). Anyway, i just use it occasionally since it is pretty obvious will bog down my sys. Besides, when it come to security(virus,trojan etc), i'm a bit paronoid!

Any site that does not aggressively block the illegal transfer of copyrighted materials (tunes and videos, for example), should be suspect. If the site admin turns a blind-eye at that type activity, then the badguys know they can upload with ease, a popular tune or video, along with a big payload of malware! And it will get propagated quickly as each infected download infects another computer. When copyrighted material (song, movie, book, etc.) is transferred to digital media, that song, movie or book becomes a "software" file. Illegal filesharing is software piracy, and those that do it are thieves. But beyond that, they become tools of the badguys and are a threat to the rest of society. Users of pirated Windows are a HUGE threat to the rest of us because many do not connect to Windows Update for fear of being caught. So their machines are taken over and also used as tools against the rest of us too. FTR, I am all in favor of Microsoft figuring out some way to block Internet access to all illegal machine. Is that too mean? Heck no! There are plenty of "FREE" OS alternatives that make fully capable computers.Only takes once.The "better", as in "sophisticated", malware exists on their infected host machines undetected, so that you won't notice or suspect anything.Good. Any one that is responsible for any computer that connects to the Internet, or is networked to a LAN where computers have Internet access, should be a bit paranoid.

Hi all,


I already have a whole bunch of anti-spyware applications installed, here's a list :

- Ad-Aware 2007

- SpywareBlaster & SpywareGuard

- Spbot Search & Destroy

- SUPERAntiSpyware Free Edition


But I was wondering if Spyware Terminator is a good one as well. I will have to remove SpywareBlaster and SpywareGuard if I want to use it, right ?


I'm just confused about whether or not this application is legitmate or not ?

Some sites say "it's ok", some sites say " stay away from it'.

Now, I checked on SpywareWarrior's homepage on the Rogue Antispyware list, and I found it, but there was a little note that said it wasn't similar to the Crawler.com one.

Someone on another forum told me that Crawler.com is a former spyware/adware maker and shouldn't be trusted.

What do you think about it ?

So my basic question is : Is Spyware Terminator trustworthy or not ? NO It is NOT.

Post Edited to remove risky link.
Doug

Please do not post clickable links to sites that contain Risk/Rogue/Suspect Content.

Pcfreakske2000 Your second of two total posts contained such a post.
That is sure not a way to make a good start in any forum.

@Doug : What do you mean ?

I just want to figure out if this application is legitimate or not. Sorry for posting that link, I was unaware of the fact that this link is not allowed.

I apologise for that.

On SpywareWarrior.com they state that this Crawler.com Spyware Terminator is legitimate software. I don't have a clue what to believe now. This site says that, that site says something totally different.


I'm trying to know what's up about this anti-spyware utility. Basic question is : good or bad ?

This post has been edited by Pcfreakske2000: Mar 21 2008, 05:06 PM

Read the Note at Spyware Warrior again.... attached below as a Quote for your convenience:



The Note states that the version at Crawler(dot)com "is" legitimate, but that the one at invender (dot)nl is not legitimate.

There is quite a bit of argument on the Internet about who established the name first, and who is trying to steal the name.

In the meantime, the product itself appears to require .net framework to be installed from MS before it is functional.
Given the problems that .net framework causes many machines in the first place, I wouldn't want to rely on an overlay utility that required .net framework for correct functioning.

There are many rogue/suspect products being pushed.
Spyware Warrior does an exemplary job of alerting us to them.
Some still slip through.

There are many legitimate products that don't succeed, but may have been quite good.
This is often because the author/writer/producer of the product fails to use good business sense when presenting a new product.

Good business sense would dictate that a product would be released free as a beta-test, to experts and authoritative resources for review. At the very least, good business sense would allow a free trial period for those same experts to test-drive the product and provide comment/evaluation back to the company.

It appears that this product did neither.

Since there are so many legitimate and high quality security utilities available, it is beyond reasonable to expect average users to select a new product that requires special treatment of .net framework and requires removal of competitor products that are known and respected.

This product provides an interesting lesson about development and marketing, but not much else that would even remotely attract me to download or use it.

Stay with products that are well recommended by recognized authoritative resources.

*** In all fairness, I'll include a link where the "Crawler - version" has received "some" favorable review.
http://www.download.com/Spyware-Terminator...4-10468541.html

Would I use it? --- No.

Best Regards

@Doug : I apologise again for my posting earlier.
I will never do that again.

So, you mean that they haven't decided whether or not it's legitimate or not ?

Thank you Pcfreakske2000

It can be awkward when you want information about a site or a download, yet have concern that the same may be hazardous.
Naming and describing your topic, without linking to potentially risky sites will help protect other less computer savvy readers and members who might inadvertently "click" on a link, believing that you wouldn't have put it into your post if it wasn't safe.
_________________________



The utility in question (the one related to Crawler dot com) appears to have been received as "legitimate" by some sites, including Download.com.

There are several popular and and several not so reputable sites that are in the business of providing download locations for myriad types of utilities that get developed. Over the months and years, various new items are featured. Sometimes they receive scrutiny and review, sometimes they receive only a cursory test drive to determine that they do not in themselves contain malware elements that are being foisted upon the public. Therefore, "being listed" does not assure that a utility is of good quality, or that it does everything that it claims, or that there are not better utilities available.

With the millions of computer users, and billions of transactions that occur daily on the internet, no doubt even the most obscure new programs and utilities will get some downloads.

As you know, WTT is a highly active and respected site when it comes to Malware Removal. Our experts receive some of the best quality training available. Most of the very best and world-wide respected experts consult with our Malware Removal Team on a remarkably frequent basis.

I do not see any of our experts recommending this product. I do see them recommending other products that have stood the test of intense scrutiny and have been found to be safe, reliable, and effective for average users.

It is a common question in forums, blogs, and professional sites: What is the best Antispyware, AntiVirus, Firewall, antiPhishing, Site Monitor, Parental Control, Hosts File, Blocking agent, etc.
The answers often raise a lively discussion and sometimes heated disagreements even among experts.
Periodically, such products are "rated" for their effectiveness in detecting and removing threats.
Depending upon which research team has made the most recent breakthrough in technology or detection, or even just dumb-luck discovery, one product may be rated as the "top" utility in its class.... for a short period of time, until the others catch up. Generally, the same high quality utilities are rated in the top 10 percent of such surveys. They run neck-and-neck so to speak, as they all attempt to detect and prevent risk to computer users.

It's safe to select from such top rated programs. It's less safe to select from obscure and/or questionable utilities.

Since WTT Malware Removal enjoys a relatively high placement and respect amongst professional and volunteer communities, it is encumbant upon us to be careful about what we recommend.

It is possible for less savvy readers to jump to conclusions.
"Hey I got the link from WTT Forums where is was posted in a thread.... therefore it must be a great utility."
"I know they wouldn't post a link if it wasn't good."
And so the less savvy might stir up enthusiasm from a mention or posting of a product in a Forum thread that wasn't really intending to promote a product.

That's why I Edited the active link out of the above post.

If you want to study the topic of malware prevention and security baseline, have a look in our own Malware Removal Forum postings:
http://forums.whatthetech.com/Malware_FAQ_t85011.html
http://forums.whatthetech.com/So_how_did_I...ace_t57817.html

and for one of the best detailed reviews and how-to tutorials about keeping your machine secure, see:
http://www.geekstogo.com/forum/Free-Antivi...ftware-t38.html

Best Regards.... and Safe Surfing to you.

@Doug : Interresting link you pointed me to. ( the Geeks to Go link ). At this link you gave me I found a program called Prevx CSI. It offers scanning only. It says something about a "cleaning license". So, I guess you need to buy a license to remove the spyware that it found ?


I noticed you also have a "Classroom" where you can complete a special training as a malware fighter. I signed up for it now and hopefully I get accepted.

In the past I joined in with SpywareInfo's BootCamp, but I didn't participate much in that and they removed me from the lessons for that.

This post has been edited by Pcfreakske2000: Mar 22 2008, 10:24 AM

Hi Pcfreakske2000,

Admin's linked article at G2G offers quite a variety of resources.
I've used most of them at some time or another.

I can't comment on the Prevx product, since I haven't used it yet.
I have however, benefited from research and recommendations provided by that company.

Malware Removal Classrooms are not for everyone.

As in other technologies, sciences, and other ...ologies, no one person can know everything.
You'll find an area of computer work that suits your own interests and challenges your learning potential.

Best Regards to You.

P.S. Consider using the Add Reply button, instead of the Quote button.

Ok, sorry, LOL

I signed up for the Classroom thing.

What are the requirements to be accepted, anyway ?



This post has been edited by Pcfreakske2000: Mar 22 2008, 10:26 AM

Hi

@Doug

I have to mention that the Danish equivelant of WTT, Spywarefri.dk (all members of ASAP) have given Spyware Terminator from Crawler.inc. 4 of 6 in rating (taking into account that its a free program, otherwise the say a 3 is more right for performance). You can look under the category "Værktøjer" (meaning tools), scroll down and eventually you will hit Spyware Terminator.
So all in all they view it as a average program.

I have tried and used this program before i bought a license for AVG-Antispyware. I have nothing bad to say about the program in general, other than alot of pops-ups in the beginning, if one is using the HIPS function of the program. Much like some firewalls.
Their ClamAV is not vey good, nor their site-advisor. So the use of this program is for Spyware alone in my opinion. Which, as you also pointed out, there is already better programs out there to do that. It does have an excellent interface, and performs adequate in my opinion with finding spyware.

I know that in their early beginning, Crawler.inc cooperated and such with spyware makers, but thats history now. And I am not one that is judging people for something they did a very very long time ago.

Thats my 2cents about Spyware Terminator from Crawler.inc

Regards Abydos

I have decided not to install Spyware Terminator after all.

In stead, I found a good on demand anti-spyware scanner called Malwarebytes Anti-Malware.

It's freeware, but for some reason they have tagged it as "shareware". There is a paid version available as well. The scanner itself is freeware.

To not run into the admins water again, I will not post the link. Just search through Google or visit Malwarebytes.org

This post has been edited by Pcfreakske2000: Mar 24 2008, 08:38 AM