Malware, Adware and Spyware

[JohnBoucher]

I just got done cleansing another computer of the junk that seems to creep into our daily on-line lives. Malware, Adware and Spyware are serious problems. I preach safe computing to the team and it helps, but still problems occur.

My question is what do you use to keep your systems running well? Does anyone keep Java and ActiveX turned off?

My list……

Spybot
Adaware
Hijackthis
Google Toolbar for popups
A current anti-virus program

Anything better out there??????

[Max Lobovsky]

Thats my list minus Hijackthis, i'll check that out. I have IE set to medium security and privacy. But like you said, you have to teach people how not to get spyware. Most people click yes or ok on any box that they dont recognize which is very often a box asking to install "Precision Time" or "Gator".

[ngreen]

Switching to mozilla seems to help a lot on the pop-ups. I was using ZoneAlarm until it caused a problem with my IP. And was using Spyblaster also but got rid of it when I thought it was causing the problem but I think I might put that back on it seems like it works. Other than that I use adaware and spybot and run the corporate version of Norton Anti-Virus every night. I really need something to stop IE pop-ups. I can't get rid of it because you can't download XP updates without it.

[Andy A.]

I am a big fan of Spywareblaster.

It doesn't scan for currently running spyware, but keeps it from ever installing. Sort of like an antivirus patch for spyware. And like all the best antispyware programs, it's free and updated often.

For active scanning, I happen to use Adaware. Although I don't often turn up anything more malicious then tracking cookies these days.

-Andy A.

[Brandon Martus]

I use Mozilla to block pop-ups, web-based email & don't open attachments, AdAware now & then, and reformat every 4-5 months.

[MikeDubreuil]

Linux

[Scott L.]

I run Zone Alarm as one of my firewalls, I also run the one built into win XP, and my third firewall is inside my wireless router. I also run Norton Antivirus Corporate edition. (I got this from my college for free) I also have the cleaner, which is a program specialy designed to remove trojans. I have almost no pop-ups, and any spy-ware can't comunicate with the internet, because of the firewalls.

[Alan Anderson]

Originally Posted by JohnBoucher

My question is what do you use to keep your systems running well?

I use a Macintosh.

[Joe Matt]

Originally Posted by Alan Anderson

I use a Macintosh.

Same here. Let the PC users deal with this stuff, we have more important things to do.

[aaronbr28040]

I use Adware 6.0, and Norton Antivirus Corporate Edition......and msconfig haha. Our school provides most of the software we could want to all of the computers on the network (Windows XP pro, Office XP, Norton, Adware etc) for free. To stop the popups I use Mozilla Firefox.........well actually right now its calling itself Mozilla Supergoat due to an extension I added.
-Aaron

[Mike8519]

I use:
Opera internet browser
Ad-Aware
Spybot
Panda Platinum (Antivirus/Firewall)

Panda is pretty amazing, far ahead of norton/mcaffee

[Justin Stiltner]

In our school system we only use Ad-aware or our new favorite spy sweeper which seems to catch more things than ad-aware.

Ad-aware

Spy Sweeper

[Marc P.]

I use the standard Spybot/Ad-Aware combo, AVG Antivirus (free for personal use), and my own manual registry hacking.

The Google Toolbar works wonders for pop-ups in IE, but I use Mozilla Firefox for everyday browsing, only opening IE for Windows updates, or the rare site Firefox won't render properly.

I must say though, that spyware/adware/crapware is becoming more of a problem than viruses. I work for a small computer repair shop, and well over 80% of the problems we fix are directly caused by this stuff- pop-ups, slow computers, even corrupt winsock files and registry entries (resulting in loss of internet connection).

I think the biggest things they come with are the file sharing programs like Kazaa, LimeWire, iMesh, etc. Lots come from fake banner ads and pop-ups posing as Windows system messages (with messages like "your clock is not set" and "if this is flashing you have ______") people unwittingly click on. What's worse is that many are accompanied by downloader trojans, so once you get one, within a few weeks you'll end up with a bunch more.

You know it's a sad world when people try (and succeed) making money by hijacking your personal property for their malicious use (either as a spam relay, or constantly producing advertising pop-ups). Makes me very happy to be part of FIRST, with the hopes that within a few generations, Gracious Professionalism will work it's way up the corporate ladder and this sort of thing will be frowned upon by the supporters of this type of marketing.

[Ashley Weed]

On all three of my machines (HP Pavilion desktop, ze4100, and zd7000)... I have always been very fond of running Zone Alarm and Ad-aware. I run Norton Corporate usually as a standard, I am running the 90-day "prescription" for the standard Norton on the new zd7000.

.... I was always fond of IE. I ran Mozilla for a short time almost two years ago, never quite liking it. Wow! I just loaded Firefox - amazing! I love the google box!

[sburro]

Now I am scared. I only run a Mcafee virus scan/ firewall. I only have a dial up connecton Is there anything that I should be afraid of?