Spyware/adware Program Suggestion

[shanenin]

I got a customer who wants me to install anti-malware software on his computer. My first thought was to suggest that he install someting for free like adaware or spybot. I thought maybe it would be better to reccomend he get a better(maybe) paid verison of some program. I got a few questions:

1. is the free version of ewido very good, after the 14 days is it going to pester him to upgrade?

2. are thier any ohter good free programs that do fairly well

3. I was concidering buying multiple licences to install the paid version of ewido, is that one of the better paid programs availble?

4. What is probably the best commercial anti-malware available?

[blim]

Spywareblaster!!!! Keeps cooties from ever getting near the machine so you don't have to go through the trouble of getting rid of them. I love Spywareblaster.

And I've learned from the experts here that Ewido is great

Liz

[Matt]

Ewido and SpySweeper are two very good commercial programs. However, in both I believe, after the trial is over, you can no longer receive updates (and depending on where you downloaded SpySweeper, it won't even clean any more - just detect). Spybot and adAware were good in their time, but don't do much with modern infections. Windows Defender aka MSAS gets mixed reviews. From what I've seen, it does about the same as AdAware or Spybot.

Here's the speach I usually give a person after their log is clean:

Note: I don't mention paid software below.

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The following is a list of tools and utilities that I like to suggest to people. This list is full of great tools and utilities to help you understand how you got infected and how to keep from getting infected again.

1. Firefox- Internet Explorer is not the most secure and best browser. There are safer and better alternatives available. I recommend Firefox, however Opera is good as well.
   
2. Spybot Search & Destroy - Powerful tool which can search and annhilate nasties that make it onto your system. Now with an Immunize section that will help prevent future infections.
   
3. AdAware - Another very powerful tool which searches and kills nasties that infect your system. AdAware and Spybot Search & Destroy compliment each other very well.
   
4. SpywareBlaster - Great prevention tool to keep malware from installing on your system.
   
5. SpywareGuard - Works as a Spyware "Shield" to protect your computer from getting malware in the first place.
   
6. IE-SpyAd - puts over 5000 sites in your restricted zone so you'll be protected when you visit innocent-looking sites that aren't actually innocent at all.
   
7. ATF Cleaner - Cleans temporary files from web browsers, and much more. Great tool to help speed up your computer and knock out those nasties that like to reside in the temp folders.
   
8. Windows Updates - It is very important to make sure that both Internet Explorer and Windows are kept current with the latest critical security patches from Microsoft. To do this just start Internet Explorer and select Tools > Windows Update, and follow the online instructions from there.
   
9. Google Toolbar - Free google toolbar that allows you to use the powerful Google search engine from the bar, but also blocks pop up windows.
   

To find out more information about how you got infected in the first place and some great guidelines to follow to prevent future infections you can read this article by Tony Klein and this guide on safer computing.

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Hope that helps.

Matt

[shanenin]

thanks guys(and gals) for the input :-)

Edited June 16, 2006 by shanenin